If you’ve heard people say Atlanta has more than one airport, you’re not alone. The short answer is: Atlanta is officially served by one major commercial airport, but there are multiple other airports in the metro area that handle private, regional, and limited commercial flights.
Understanding the difference can make your trip smoother—especially if someone tells you to “fly into Atlanta” but doesn’t specify which airport.
When most people say they’re “flying to Atlanta,” they mean:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
This is the airport served by nearly all major U.S. and international airlines. If you are booking:
…you will almost always be flying into or out of ATL.
So, does Atlanta have two airports?
It has one primary commercial airport (ATL), plus a network of secondary and regional airports in the metro area.
The confusion usually comes from:
Different names for the same airport
Other nearby airports branded as “Atlanta”
Private vs. commercial usage
Here’s a simple overview to help you see how they compare:
| Airport Name | Code | Type | Typical Use | Distance from Downtown Atlanta* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International | ATL | Major commercial | Most domestic & international airline flights | ~10 miles south |
| DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (Chamblee) | PDK | General aviation | Private, corporate, some charter | ~10–12 miles northeast |
| Fulton County Airport (Brown Field) | FTY | General aviation | Corporate, charter, some training | ~7–8 miles west |
| Cobb County International Airport (McCollum) | RYY | General aviation | Private, corporate, flight schools | ~25 miles northwest |
| Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field (Peachtree City) | FFC | General aviation | Business & private aviation | ~30 miles southwest |
| Gwinnett County Airport (Briscoe Field) | LZU | General aviation | Private aircraft, flight training | ~35 miles northeast |
*Approximate road distance; driving times vary with Atlanta traffic.
Only ATL handles large-scale commercial airline service for the Atlanta area. The others mainly serve private, corporate, flight school, and charter traffic.
ATL is Atlanta’s main gateway for:
If you:
…you will almost certainly use ATL.
ATL has two main passenger terminal complexes:
They connect to multiple concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) via an underground train. Most passengers don’t need to worry about other airports at all—just making sure they get to the right terminal and concourse at ATL.
Common ways Atlanta residents and visitors reach ATL:
MARTA Rail:
Rideshare & taxis:
Driving and parking:
If your ticket says ATL as the airport code, you are going to Hartsfield-Jackson—not any of the smaller field airports.
DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) is the second-busiest airport in Georgia by aircraft movements, but it does not function like ATL for regular airline passengers.
PDK is commonly used by:
If someone in metro Atlanta books a private charter or air taxi, they may be flying in or out of PDK instead of ATL. Locals who do this regularly may casually refer to it as “the other Atlanta airport,” which can cause confusion for visitors.
For most consumers booking regular commercial tickets on major airlines, PDK will not show up as an option.
While they are not typically used for standard airline travel into Atlanta, it helps to know the names in case they appear in directions, local conversations, or business arrangements.
Commonly used by businesses and private flyers wanting quick access to Downtown, West Midtown, or the I‑20/I‑285 corridor without the congestion of ATL.
Useful if you’re based in Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, or Woodstock and working with a charter or corporate operator.
Frequently used by companies and residents in Fayette County and surrounding communities.
Serves the Gwinnett County area. At times, there has been discussion about limited commercial service, but it primarily handles non-airline flights.
If you are:
➡️ You should expect to use Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
If you are:
➡️ You may use PDK, FTY, RYY, FFC, or LZU, depending on where in metro Atlanta you’re based and what your operator recommends.
For most consumers and visitors, thinking of Atlanta as having one main airport (ATL) plus several secondary general-aviation airports is the most accurate and practical way to understand the setup.
Here’s how to avoid mix-ups when planning travel to or from Atlanta:
Check the airport code:
Confirm with your airline or charter company:
Plan your ground transportation accordingly:
If someone just says “fly into Atlanta”:
In everyday terms: Atlanta does not have two major airline airports. It has one primary commercial airport—Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)—plus several smaller airports around the metro area that serve private, corporate, and training flights. For almost all standard air travel, you’ll be using ATL.
