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

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta—or you live here and are booking flights—you might wonder: Is there only one airport in Atlanta?

The short answer: Atlanta has one main commercial airport, plus several smaller airports and airfields in the metro area. Most travelers will use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but depending on what you’re doing (commercial flights, private aviation, cargo, or flying lessons), other airports may matter too.

This guide breaks down the primary Atlanta airport, the other airports around the metro area, and how to choose the best option for your trip.

The Main Airport in Atlanta: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

When people say they are “flying into Atlanta,” they almost always mean Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, commonly called ATL.

Basic facts:

• Full name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Airport code:ATL
• Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Distance from Downtown: About 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• Type of airport: Major commercial passenger and cargo hub

ATL is the primary and only major commercial passenger airport that regularly serves Atlanta with large domestic and international airlines.

Why ATL Is the Main (and Only Major) Airport for Atlanta Travelers

For anyone living in Atlanta or visiting the city, ATL is where you will:

• Fly on major U.S. airlines (Delta, Southwest, etc.)
• Catch most nonstop domestic flights to other major cities
• Depart on international flights to Europe, Latin America, and other regions
• Connect through on multi-leg trips across the country or abroad

ATL is widely known for:

• Extensive flight options: Multiple daily departures to most large U.S. metros
• Major Delta Air Lines hub: This often means more nonstops and schedule choices
• Strong transportation links: MARTA rail service, rideshare areas, taxis, shuttles, hotel vans, and rental cars

If you are simply asking, “Which airport do I fly into for Atlanta?” the practical answer is Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL).

Are There Other Airports in or Near Atlanta?

While ATL is the only large commercial airline airport, there are several other airports in the Atlanta metro area. These primarily handle general aviation (private planes, charters, corporate jets, flight schools, and some cargo or military operations).

Here’s a simplified overview:

For most visitors, these are not options for regular airline tickets. Instead, they are used by:

• Private pilots and aircraft owners
• Charter services and corporate flight departments
• Air ambulance services and some government operations
• Local flight schools and aviation businesses

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK): Atlanta’s Second-Busiest Airfield

If Atlantans mention a “second airport,” they often mean DeKalb–Peachtree Airport, also known as PDK.

• Address: 2000 Airport Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341
• Location: Chamblee/Doraville area, northeast of the city
• Type:General aviation (no major commercial airlines)

What PDK is used for:

• Private jets and business aviation
• Air charters and on-demand flights
• Helicopters and some law enforcement/government flights
• Flight training and aircraft maintenance services

You cannot book a regular airline ticket (like Delta, United, or Southwest) into PDK. However, if you’re:

• Booking a private charter into Atlanta and staying in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, or Dunwoody, PDK is often more convenient than ATL.
• Looking into flight lessons in the Atlanta area, you’ll find several schools based at PDK.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

Another important local airfield is Fulton County Airport – Brown Field, often shortened to FTY.

• Address: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
• Location: West of Downtown Atlanta, near I-20 and I-285
• Type: General aviation

Typical uses:

• Corporate and private aviation
• Charter flights
• Law enforcement and some government operations

Residents and businesses in west Atlanta, Cascade, and surrounding areas sometimes prefer FTY for private flights due to its proximity and lower congestion compared with ATL.

Other General Aviation Airports Around Metro Atlanta

Beyond ATL, PDK, and FTY, there are several additional airports in the broader metro area that matter mostly to pilots, flight students, and aviation businesses:

Cobb County International Airport (RYY)

• Address: 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Location: Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta
• Primary use: General aviation, corporate aviation, flight training

Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU)

• Address: 800 Airport Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
• Location: Lawrenceville, northeast of Atlanta
• Primary use: General aviation, flight schools, some charter

Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field (FFC)

• Address: 7 Falcon Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269
• Location: Peachtree City, south of Atlanta
• Primary use: General aviation, corporate and recreational flying

These airports do not offer regular commercial airline service but can be relevant if you:

• Live in the suburbs and are interested in flight training
• Are involved with corporate or private aviation
• Need on-demand charter services closer to your home or office

So, If I’m Flying To Atlanta, Which Airport Do I Use?

For typical travelers, tourists, and most business trips, you will fly into:

Here’s how that breaks down:

• Booking airline tickets: Your search results will show ATL as the Atlanta airport option.
• International flights: Almost all scheduled international passenger flights serving Atlanta operate out of ATL’s International Terminal (Concourse F/E).
• Connecting flights: If your trip connects through Atlanta, it will be through ATL.

If you see another airport name listed when booking travel to Atlanta, it’s likely:

• In a different city (for example, Birmingham, Chattanooga, or Greenville)
• A smaller regional airport far outside the Atlanta metro

For mainstream commercial travel, there is really one primary airport for Atlanta: ATL.

Getting To and From ATL: Transportation Options

Knowing ATL is the main airport is only part of the picture. It’s also useful to understand how to get between Hartsfield–Jackson and the rest of Atlanta.

Public Transit: MARTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) runs a rail station directly inside the Domestic Terminal.

• Station name: Airport Station
• Line: Red and Gold lines
• Direct service to: Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and up to North Springs (Red) and Doraville (Gold)

MARTA is often the fastest way to reach central Atlanta when traffic is heavy.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttles

At ATL, you’ll find clearly marked areas for:

• Rideshare pickups (Uber, Lyft)
• Taxis
• Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles

These are convenient if you’re staying at a Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or airport-area hotel or heading to surrounding suburbs not directly on MARTA.

Rental Cars

ATL has a Consolidated Rental Car Center accessible via the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal. Major rental companies operate from this facility.

This is the most practical choice if you plan to:

• Explore multiple neighborhoods and suburbs
• Visit areas not easily served by MARTA or local buses
• Take side trips beyond metro Atlanta

When Would I Ever Use an Airport Other Than ATL?

For everyday passengers, the answer is “almost never.” But there are a few situations where another Atlanta-area airport might be relevant:

• ✈️ Private charter or corporate jet:
  • PDK, FTY, RYY, LZU, and FFC all support charter and corporate traffic.
• 🧑‍✈️ Learning to fly or getting advanced pilot training:
  • Many flight schools operate at PDK, RYY, LZU, and FFC.
• 🚁 Helicopter services or aerial work (surveying, photography, etc.):
  • Often based at general aviation airports rather than ATL.

If you’re just looking to visit family, attend a conference, or see Atlanta’s attractions, you’ll almost certainly fly through ATL.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

To directly answer the original question—“Is there only one airport in Atlanta?”—here’s the bottom line:

• Atlanta has one major commercial airport for regular passenger flights: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
• Several smaller general aviation airports (like DeKalb–Peachtree, Fulton County, Cobb County International, Briscoe Field, and Falcon Field) serve private, corporate, and training flights but do not host large, scheduled airlines.
• If you’re buying a standard airline ticket to or from Atlanta, the airport you’ll use is ATL.
• Local and visiting travelers can rely on MARTA, rideshares, taxis, shuttles, and rental cars to get between ATL and Atlanta’s neighborhoods and suburbs.

Understanding this structure makes it easier to book the right flights, plan your ground transportation, and avoid confusion when you see multiple airport names associated with the Atlanta area.