Airports in Atlanta: Your Guide to Flying In and Out of the City

Atlanta is one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world, but if you live here—or you’re planning a trip—it helps to know that Hartsfield-Jackson isn’t the only option. Several airports in and around Atlanta serve different needs, from major commercial flights to private jets and flight training.

Below is a clear breakdown of what airports are in Atlanta, what each is used for, and how to choose the right one for your trip.

Main Commercial Airport in Atlanta

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Location:
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
On the south side of the city, along I-85, about 10 miles south of downtown.

What it is:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, usually just called Atlanta Airport or ATL, is the primary commercial airport for the entire metro area and one of the major airline hubs in the United States.

Who typically uses ATL:

• Atlanta residents flying anywhere in the U.S. or internationally
• Visitors arriving for business, conventions, or vacations
• Travelers making connections between flights

Key features:

• Two main terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South sides)
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal – Concourse F)
• Connected concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) linked by an underground train (Plane Train)
• MARTA rail station at the Domestic Terminal for easy access to downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

Ground transportation from ATL:

• MARTA Train:
  • Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal
  • Trains run north to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond
• Rideshare & Taxis:
  • Designated pickup areas for Uber, Lyft, and taxis
• Rental Cars:
  • Rental Car Center located offsite, reachable by the free SkyTrain
• Shuttles & Buses:
  • Hotel shuttles and regional shuttles to various parts of the metro area

If you’re asking “Which airport should I use to fly to or from Atlanta?” the answer is almost always ATL, unless you have a specific reason to fly private or use a smaller field.

Other Airports in the Atlanta Area

Atlanta’s metro region also has several general aviation airports—primarily for private planes, business jets, charters, and flight training. These usually do not offer regular commercial airline service, but they’re important to know if you live in the area or are arranging private travel.

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)

Location:
2000 Airport Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341
In Chamblee, just north of the city, inside I-285 on the northeast side.

What it is:
Commonly called PDK, this is the second-busiest airport in Georgia after ATL, but it serves general aviation only—no major commercial airlines.

Typical uses:

• Private jets and corporate aircraft
• Air charters
• Flight schools and training
• Aircraft maintenance and aviation services

Why locals care about PDK:

• Convenient for people and businesses in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and north Atlanta
• Sometimes used by visiting sports teams, entertainers, and executives

If you’re flying on a charter or private flight in Atlanta, there’s a good chance you’ll use PDK instead of ATL.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

Location:
3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
On the west side of the city, near I-20 and I-285 in Fulton County.

What it is:
Often referred to simply as Fulton County Airport or Brown Field, this is another general aviation airport serving metro Atlanta.

Typical uses:

• Business and private flights
• Charter operators
• Aviation services and training

Who it’s convenient for:

• Travelers and companies based in West Atlanta, Downtown, West Midtown, and Douglasville
• Those looking for an alternative to PDK or ATL on the west side of town

While most Atlanta residents never fly out of FTY, it’s a key option for private aviation and corporate travel.

Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

Location:
1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Northwest of Atlanta, near Kennesaw and Marietta.

What it is:
Known as McCollum Field or Cobb County International Airport, this is a general aviation airport with a U.S. Customs facility, making it suitable for some international general aviation arrivals.

Typical uses:

• Corporate and private jets
• General aviation flights
• Limited international general aviation, thanks to customs services

Best for:

• Residents and businesses in Cobb County, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, and nearby suburbs
• Private flyers who prefer a northwest metro location rather than PDK or FTY

Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU)

Location:
600 Briscoe Blvd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
In Lawrenceville, northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County.

What it is:
Also called Briscoe Field, this is a general aviation airport serving the Gwinnett County area.

Typical uses:

• Private and corporate aircraft
• Flight training and aviation services

Who it’s convenient for:

• Residents in Gwinnett County, including Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, and Snellville
• Travelers using small aircraft and charters in the northeastern suburbs

Other Small and Regional Airports Around Metro Atlanta

While not in the city of Atlanta proper, several additional airports serve the wider metro area and may matter if you’re flying privately or for special purposes:

• Cartersville Airport (VPC) – Cartersville, northwest of Atlanta
• Henry County Airport (HMP) – Hampton, south of Atlanta
• Newnan–Coweta County Airport (CCO) – Newnan, southwest of Atlanta
• Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ) – Near Dallas, GA, northwest of the metro

These airports generally do not have commercial airline service and are used mainly by general aviation, corporate aircraft, and flight schools.

Quick Comparison of Atlanta-Area Airports

Which Atlanta Airport Should You Use?

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, here’s how to think about your options:

For Most Travelers

✅ Use Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) if:

• You’re flying with a major airline
• You’re visiting Atlanta from another city or country
• You need easy access to MARTA and downtown
• You’re making a connection to another commercial flight

ATL is the default airport for nearly all passenger airline travel.

For Private, Charter, or Business Flights

You may use:

• PDK – Often preferred by businesses and private flyers on the north side
• FTY – Convenient for those on the west side of the metro
• RYY (McCollum Field) – Good for Cobb County and northwest metro
• LZU (Briscoe Field) – Good for Gwinnett County and northeast metro

Your charter company or flight operator will usually tell you which airport they use, but if you’re local, you can request one based on your side of town.

Getting To and From Atlanta Airports

From Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead to ATL

• MARTA Rail:
  • One of the simplest ways to reach ATL, especially from downtown and Midtown
  • Direct train to the Airport Station in the Domestic Terminal
• Car, Rideshare, or Taxi:
  • Follow signs to Domestic Terminal or International Terminal
  • Expect traffic during rush hours on I-75/85

Accessing the General Aviation Airports

General aviation airports are typically reached by car, rideshare, or local taxi services:

• PDK: Near Peachtree Industrial Blvd, I-285, and I-85
• FTY: Near I-20 west and Fulton Industrial Blvd
• RYY: Near I-75 and I-575 in Kennesaw
• LZU: Off GA-316 and Buford Drive in Lawrenceville

MARTA rail does not go directly to these airports, though some may be reachable via a combination of bus and rideshare if needed.

FAQs: Airports in and Around Atlanta

Is there more than one commercial airport in Atlanta?
For scheduled airline flights, ATL is the primary airport. The other nearby airports mainly serve private and general aviation, not major airline service.

Is PDK a backup for ATL flights?
PDK is heavily used but not as a commercial backup. Airlines don’t typically divert passengers there. It’s focused on non-airline aviation.

How far is ATL from downtown Atlanta?
Travel times vary, but by car it’s often about 15–30 minutes in light to moderate traffic. MARTA travel from Five Points Station to the airport is usually under 25 minutes.

Do any Atlanta-area airports offer easier parking than ATL?
General aviation airports often have simpler parking and access, but they’re not used for airline flights. For commercial travel, many locals use offsite parking lots near ATL or rideshare to avoid parking altogether.

In everyday terms, Atlanta really has one main airport for airline passengers—Hartsfield–Jackson—and a ring of smaller airports for private and general aviation. If you’re booking a regular flight, you’ll be using ATL. If you’re arranging a charter, flying privately, or involved in flight training, the other airports around the metro give you additional options depending on where you live and where you’re headed.