How Many Airports Are in Atlanta? A Local Guide to Your Options

When people ask, “How many airports are in Atlanta?” they’re usually trying to figure out one of two things:

• How many major airports they can fly into or out of, and
• What other airfields and regional airports are nearby for private flights, charters, or backups.

In the Atlanta, Georgia area, there is one primary commercial airport that most travelers use, plus several smaller general aviation airports in and around the metro area.

The Main Answer: Atlanta’s Primary Commercial Airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Type: Major commercial airport
• Location: Just south of downtown Atlanta
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Role: Primary airport for almost all domestic and international airline travel to and from Atlanta

When people say they are “flying into Atlanta,” they almost always mean Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It is one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger volume and serves as a major hub for both domestic and international routes.

Key things to know about ATL:

• Handles nearly all commercial airline traffic for Atlanta
• Offers extensive domestic connections and a large number of international flights
• Directly connected to the MARTA rail system via the Airport Station, making it easy to reach downtown and other parts of the city without a car
• Has two main terminal sides:
  • Domestic Terminal (North & South)
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal / Concourse F)

For most residents, visitors, and business travelers, ATL is the only airport you’ll ever need or use for regular flights.

So How Many Airports Are “In” Atlanta?

If you’re talking about full-service commercial airports serving the general public, the answer is:

However, the Atlanta metro area also has several general aviation and regional airports nearby. These do not typically handle large commercial airlines but are important for:

• Private planes
• Charter flights
• Flight training
• Corporate aviation
• Air cargo and other specialized operations

If you include these metro-area airports, there are multiple airports in and around Atlanta that support air travel in different ways.

Major Airports in the Atlanta Metro Area: Quick Comparison

Here’s a simplified overview of the main airports that matter to people living in or traveling to Greater Atlanta:

Distances are approximate driving distance from central downtown Atlanta.

Airport Options If You’re Flying To or From Atlanta

1. For Most Travelers: Use ATL

If you are:

• Visiting Atlanta for work or vacation
• A local resident booking domestic or international travel
• A student, family traveler, or first-time visitor

You will almost certainly be using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Why ATL works best for typical travelers:

• Largest number of flights and routes
• Competitive fares due to high traffic and airline competition
• Direct access to MARTA, taxis, rideshare, and rental cars
• Clear wayfinding and well-established services for passengers

ATL also serves many surrounding communities in Georgia because of its size and connectivity.

2. For Private Flights and Charters: Multiple Airport Choices

If you’re arranging a private jet, charter aircraft, or corporate flight within the Atlanta region, you have several alternatives beyond ATL. These airports often offer:

• Easier parking and access
• Smaller crowds
• Faster in-and-out for private and corporate aircraft

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)

• Location: Chamblee, just inside the I‑285 Perimeter on the northeast side
• Address: 2000 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Role: Major general aviation airport for the Atlanta area

PDK is one of the busiest general aviation airports in Georgia and is popular for:

• Corporate and business jets
• Charter flights
• Flight schools and training
• A variety of aviation services

For people living in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, or northeast Atlanta, PDK is often the closest spot for private aviation.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

• Location: West of Atlanta, near the interchange of I‑20 and I‑285
• Address: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
• Role: General aviation field with a focus on corporate and government use

FTY is convenient if you are based in or traveling to:

• Westside Atlanta
• Downtown and Midtown (short drive)
• Cobb, Douglas, or South Fulton areas

It’s frequently used by corporate operators and sometimes government and emergency services, rather than standard airline passengers.

Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

• Location: Kennesaw area, northwest of Atlanta
• Address: 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Role: General aviation and corporate operations for Cobb County and northwest suburbs

This airport often serves:

• Businesses in Marietta, Kennesaw, and north Cobb
• Private pilots and flight training
• Corporate and charter clients looking for easy access to the I‑75 corridor

Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU)

• Location: Lawrenceville, northeast of Atlanta
• Address: 600 Briscoe Blvd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
• Role: General aviation hub for Gwinnett County

This is a good option for private and training flights if you’re based in:

• Lawrenceville
• Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, or Snellville
• The broader northeast Atlanta suburbs

Henry County Airport (HMP)

• Location: Near Hampton and south of the metro core
• Role: Smaller general aviation airport

This field often serves pilots and aircraft operating in the south metro area, including parts of Henry and Clayton Counties.

Which Atlanta-Area Airport Should You Use?

🚶‍♀️ Traveling as a regular airline passenger?
Use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It’s the only airport in the area that offers full-scale commercial airline service for the general public.

💼 Flying private or corporate?
You may want to consider:

• PDK (DeKalb–Peachtree) – northeast side, strong business aviation presence
• FTY (Fulton County – Brown Field) – west side, good for downtown access
• RYY (Cobb County – McCollum Field) – northwest suburbs
• LZU (Gwinnett County – Briscoe Field) – northeast suburbs

👨‍✈️ Student pilot or learning to fly?
Many local pilots train at:

• PDK
• RYY
• LZU
• Other smaller fields around the metro, depending on where you live

These airports typically have flight schools, maintenance services, and training aircraft.

Getting To and From Atlanta’s Main Airport (ATL)

Because ATL is the primary airport most people use, it’s useful to know the main ways to get there from around the city.

Common ground transportation options include:

• MARTA Rail:

  • Take the Red or Gold Line to Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • This is often the most predictable option from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and some northern suburbs.

• Rideshare and Taxis:

  • Designated pickup and drop-off areas at both the Domestic and International Terminals.

• Airport Shuttles and Hotel Shuttles:

  • Many Atlanta hotels near the airport and in key business districts offer shuttle services.

• Driving and Parking:

  • Multiple parking decks and economy lots around the terminals.
  • Cell phone lots are available for short-term waiting.

For trips between ATL and other local airports (such as PDK or FTY), most people use cars, rideshare, or car service, as there is no direct public transit link between the smaller airfields and ATL.

Key Takeaways for Air Travel in Atlanta

• There is one primary commercial airport in Atlanta:
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Several other airports in the metro area support general aviation, private, and corporate flights, including PDK, FTY, RYY, LZU, and HMP.
• For nearly all tourists, residents, and business travelers using airlines, ATL is the airport you will fly in and out of.
• If you’re involved in private aviation or flight training, the wider network of Atlanta-area airports gives you multiple options depending on where you live and where you need to go.

This is how the airport landscape in Atlanta, Georgia is structured and what it means for getting here and getting around by air.