How Many Airports Does Atlanta Have? A Local’s Guide to Flying In and Out of the City

If you spend any time in Atlanta—whether you live here, visit often, or are planning your first trip—you’ll quickly realize this is a major air travel hub. But how many airports does Atlanta actually have, and which one should you use?

The short answer:
Atlanta is primarily served by one major commercial airport plus several smaller general aviation airports in the metro area.

Below is a clear breakdown of what that really means for travelers and locals.

The Main Answer: Atlanta’s Primary Airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is Atlanta’s one major commercial airport and the one most people mean when they say “the Atlanta airport.”

• Location: Just south of downtown Atlanta, in the city limits
• Type: Large international airport with extensive domestic and international flights
• Primary Use: Commercial passenger flights, cargo, and some general aviation
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• General Information Phone: 1‑800‑897‑1910 (airport information line)

For nearly all airline flights in and out of Atlanta, you will use ATL. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world and a major connecting hub for flights across the United States and abroad.

Does Atlanta Have More Than One Airport?

It depends on what you mean by “Atlanta.”

• If you mean big airline airport with scheduled passenger flights:
  ➜ Atlanta has one: Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL).

• If you include smaller airports in the greater Atlanta metro area used for private planes, charters, flight training, and business aviation:
  ➜ There are several additional airports that serve the region.

Many locals talk about these other airports when they say “I’m flying out of Atlanta,” even if the airport itself is in a nearby city like College Park, Chamblee, or Kennesaw.

Quick Overview: Major vs. General Aviation Airports

Here’s a simple overview to keep things straight:

Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL): What Travelers Need to Know

Since ATL is Atlanta’s only major passenger airport, it’s where you’ll likely:

• Catch domestic flights across the U.S.
• Connect to international destinations in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and beyond
• Transfer between flights on long multi-city itineraries

Getting to and from ATL

For most people in Atlanta, this is the most convenient airport because of its direct transit and highway access:

• MARTA Rail:
  The Airport Station is directly inside the domestic terminal. You can ride MARTA’s Red or Gold line from Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead to the airport without needing a car.
• Highways:
  The airport connects easily via I‑85, I‑75, and the I‑285 Perimeter.
• Rideshare & Taxis:
  Designated pickup areas are clearly marked near both the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal (Concourse F).

If you live in the city or are staying in central neighborhoods like Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or Westside, ATL will almost always be your best and most logical choice.

Secondary Airports Around Atlanta (No Major Airlines)

Atlanta’s metro area is large, and many residents and businesses use smaller regional airports instead of ATL for private flights, charters, and flight training. These do not have major commercial airline service, but they are important if you:

• Fly privately or on a charter
• Attend a local flight school
• Work with aviation-related businesses
• Need corporate or business aviation facilities

1. DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)

• Location: Chamblee, northeast of Atlanta inside I‑285
• Address: 2000 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Type: Second-busiest airport in Georgia by flight operations, mainly general aviation
• Who uses it:
  • Private pilots
  • Charter services
  • Corporate jets
  • Flight schools

For many people in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, and north DeKalb, PDK can be more convenient than driving to ATL for private or business aviation.

2. Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

• Location: West of downtown Atlanta, near I‑20
• Address: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
• Type: General aviation and corporate aviation
• Who uses it:
  • Business jets serving downtown and westside businesses
  • Charter operations
  • Aviation services and maintenance

If you live or work in Downtown, West Midtown, or the Westside, Fulton County Airport can be a practical alternative for non-commercial flying.

3. Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

• Location: Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta
• Address: 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Type: General aviation, corporate, and instructional flying
• Who uses it:
  • Businesses in Cobb County and northwest suburbs
  • Private pilots
  • Flight schools

Residents in Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, and parts of Smyrna and East Cobb often use this airport for corporate flights and training rather than driving to ATL.

4. Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU)

• Location: Lawrenceville, northeast of Atlanta
• Address: 600 Briscoe Blvd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
• Type: General aviation and flight training
• Who uses it:
  • Pilots and students in Gwinnett County
  • Smaller business and personal aircraft

For those living in Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, and nearby suburbs, Briscoe Field is a key local option for general aviation.

5. Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field (FFC)

• Location: Peachtree City, south-southwest of Atlanta
• Address: 520 World Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269
• Type: General aviation, corporate, and recreational flying
• Who uses it:
  • Businesses and residents in Fayette and Coweta counties
  • Recreational pilots and flight training

Residents in Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, and surrounding communities often rely on Falcon Field for private or business flying instead of driving up to ATL.

Which Atlanta-Area Airport Should You Use?

Here’s how to decide, based on what you’re trying to do.

If You’re Booking a Typical Airline Ticket

✅ Use: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
All standard commercial airline flights—whether you’re flying to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, or international destinations—operate from ATL.

• Search for “ATL” as your departure or arrival city.
• Don’t worry about the other airports unless you’re arranging a private or charter flight.

If You’re Flying Private or Charter

You may have options among several Atlanta-area airports. Many charter companies and private operators use:

• PDK (DeKalb–Peachtree Airport) – popular for north and northeast metro
• FTY (Fulton County Airport) – convenient to downtown and westside
• RYY (Cobb County International) – handy for Cobb and northwest suburbs
• LZU (Briscoe Field) – good for Gwinnett
• FFC (Falcon Field) – good for Fayette and Coweta areas

When you book a private or charter flight, confirm the exact airport code and address; Atlanta’s airports are spread out across the metro area.

If You’re Learning to Fly

Several of the regional airports around Atlanta host flight schools and training centers, especially:

• DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)
• Cobb County International (RYY)
• Gwinnett County Airport (LZU)
• Atlanta Regional – Falcon Field (FFC)

Most student pilots in the Atlanta area train at these smaller airports rather than at ATL, since they are less congested and more suited to general aviation.

Key Takeaways for Travelers in Atlanta

• Atlanta technically has many airports in its metro region, but:

  • Only one—Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—handles major commercial passenger airline service.
  • Several smaller general aviation airports serve private, charter, corporate, and training flights.

• If you’re:

  • Flying on a regular airline ticket: You’re going to ATL.
  • Flying private, corporate, or learning to fly: You may use PDK, FTY, RYY, LZU, or FFC, depending on where you live and which operator you choose.

Understanding this distinction helps you book the right airport, plan your ground transportation, and avoid confusion when someone says they’re “flying out of Atlanta.”