How Many Runways Does Atlanta Airport Have? A Local’s Guide to Hartsfield‑Jackson’s Busy Airfield

If you spend any time flying in or out of Atlanta, you’ve probably wondered: how many runways are at Atlanta airport, and how does that affect my flight?

The short answer:
Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has 5 runways.

Those five runways are a big reason why ATL is one of the busiest and most efficient airports in the world for both Atlanta residents and visitors.

Quick Facts: Atlanta Airport Runways at a Glance

Where Are the Runways at Atlanta Airport?

All five runways at Hartsfield‑Jackson run roughly east–west, lined up parallel to each other. If you look out the window on approach or pull up a map, you’ll see a wide “stack” of runways stretching across the south side of Atlanta.

From a traveler’s point of view:

• North of the terminal complex – Several runways sit above (north of) the Concourses and the Domestic/International terminals.
• South of the terminal complex – At least one major runway sits below (south of) the concourses, often used heavily for departures and arrivals as well.

This parallel layout lets multiple planes land and take off at the same time, which helps keep flights moving even during rush periods or bad weather.

Why Does Atlanta Need 5 Runways?

For people who live in or travel through Atlanta, the number of runways directly affects delays, connections, and on‑time performance. Here’s why five runways matter:

1. Handling Heavy Passenger and Airline Traffic

Atlanta is a major hub for both domestic and international flights. On a typical day, ATL handles:

• Large numbers of connecting passengers flying through the East Coast and Southeast
• Local travelers from metro Atlanta and across Georgia
• A mix of domestic, regional, and long‑haul international flights

Five runways allow many flights to arrive and depart at once, which helps:

• Reduce bottlenecks during peak morning and evening travel times
• Keep connection times reasonable for passengers changing planes
• Support multiple airlines and routes without overwhelming the airport

2. Reducing Delays During Bad Weather

Atlanta’s weather can shift quickly—summer thunderstorms, low clouds, or heavy rain can force air traffic controllers to space planes farther apart.

With five runways available, controllers have:

• More flexibility to reroute arrivals and departures
• The ability to close one runway for safety without shutting down the airport
• Options to keep flights moving on the remaining runways

For you as a traveler, that often means fewer cancellations and shorter delays than you might see at smaller airports with only one or two runways.

3. Supporting Cargo, Maintenance, and Diversions

ATL is also an important cargo and operations hub. Beyond passenger flights, the runways support:

• Cargo aircraft serving metro Atlanta businesses
• Diversion flights when other airports in the region have issues
• Aircraft moving around for maintenance and repositioning

Having five runways helps keep this behind‑the‑scenes traffic from clogging up the passenger schedule.

How the Runways Affect Your Atlanta Travel Experience

You may not see the runway layout on your boarding pass, but it still impacts what your trip feels like.

Shorter Waits on the Ground (Most of the Time)

Because ATL can use multiple runways at once, flights can often:

• Line up in parallel instead of a single long queue
• Land on one runway while others are used for takeoff
• Shift to a different runway if there’s a temporary closure

You might still wait in a line of planes at busy times, but the overall system is designed to move traffic as efficiently as possible.

Longer Taxi Times Are Normal at ATL

There is a trade‑off. A big airport with five parallel runways means:

• Your plane might land on a runway farther from your gate
• Taxiing across or around multiple runways can add time
• Ground traffic (other planes and service vehicles) has to be carefully managed

If you live in Atlanta and pick people up often, it’s common for arriving passengers to say, “We landed 15 minutes ago but we’re still taxiing.” That’s normal at a complex airport like ATL.

Runway Choice and Noise in Nearby Neighborhoods

If you live in neighborhoods near the airport—such as College Park, Hapeville, East Point, or Forest Park—you may notice:

• Certain runways are used more often depending on wind direction
• Noise patterns can change throughout the day as traffic shifts
• Some areas are under preferred departure or arrival paths

The runway system is designed primarily for safety and efficiency, but the airport also works with nearby communities on noise concerns and long‑term planning.

Basic Runway Layout: What Travelers Should Know

While you don’t need to memorize runway numbers, understanding the basics can help you follow what’s happening when pilots make announcements.

Parallel East–West Runways

All five runways run east–west, meaning:

• Aircraft take off and land mostly heading east or west, depending on wind
• You’ll often see multiple aircraft launching or landing side‑by‑side in the distance
• Air traffic control can separate arrivals and departures by runway to keep things flowing

How Pilots Refer to the Runways

Each runway has a number and left/right designation based on compass heading. At ATL, because there are several parallel runways pointing almost the same direction, they are differentiated by:

• A number (based on compass heading, like 8 or 9)
• A letter (L, C, or R for Left, Center, Right)

When pilots say something like, “We’re departing from Runway 8 Right,” they’re referring to one of these parallel runways. You won’t see all the technical details on your boarding pass, but you may hear them in cockpit or tower announcements.

Getting to and Around ATL: Why the Runways Matter for Ground Travel

For Atlanta residents and visitors, the runway layout affects not just air travel but also how you move around the airport on the ground.

Roadways and Runways

Because the airport is so large and spread out east–west, major roads have to route around and under it. Common routes include:

• I‑85 and I‑75 running north–south on the east side of the airport
• Camp Creek Parkway to the north
• Roosevelt Highway / US‑29 and Riverdale Road to the south

The presence of five runways means the overall airport footprint is broad, so driving from one side of the airport to the other can take longer than you might expect.

SkyTrain, Rental Cars, and Terminals

The size of ATL’s airfield and runways also shapes how passenger facilities are laid out:

• The Rental Car Center and some parking areas are separated from the main terminal complex, connected by the ATL SkyTrain.
• The Domestic Terminal (North and South) and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F) are on different sides of the airfield.

Because the runways stretch across much of the airport’s footprint, moving between these areas is carefully planned so that road and train routes don’t interfere with aircraft operations.

Noise, Community Impact, and Who to Contact in Atlanta

Living under a major airport’s flight paths can raise questions for nearby residents about noise, traffic, and long‑term development.

If you live near the airport and want more information about runway usage, flight paths, or noise programs, you can contact or research through:

• City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation
  Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Parkway
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main Airport Information Line: often listed on the official airport information channels

• Airport Noise or Community Affairs Offices
  ATL typically maintains community engagement and noise management resources for neighborhoods affected by aircraft operations. These offices can provide:

  • General noise abatement information
  • Maps of flight paths and runway use
  • Details on long‑term planning around the airport

Checking directly with Hartsfield‑Jackson’s official information channels is the best way to get the most current details on programs that affect your specific neighborhood.

What This Means for You as an Atlanta Traveler

Whether you’re an Atlanta resident flying out on a weekend trip or a visitor connecting through the city, here are the key takeaways about the runways at ATL:

• There are 5 runways at Atlanta airport, all running roughly east–west.
• The multiple parallel runways help ATL handle heavy traffic with fewer delays.
• It’s normal to experience longer taxi times, even when your flight lands on time.
• Neighborhoods around College Park, Hapeville, East Point, and nearby areas may notice aircraft noise associated with different runway usage patterns.
• For detailed, current information about how runways and flight paths affect you, the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation and official airport community or noise offices are the primary resources.

Understanding the runway system gives a clearer picture of why Atlanta’s airport operates the way it does—and what to expect the next time you fly in or out of ATL.