When Was Atlanta’s Airport Built? A Local’s Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson’s History

If you live in Atlanta, fly in and out often, or you’re planning a visit, you’ve probably wondered: when was Atlanta’s airport actually built? The answer is a little more layered than a single date, because the airport has grown from a simple racetrack into the world’s busiest passenger hub.

Here’s what that timeline looks like, and how it connects to the airport you use today.

The Short Answer: Key Dates for Atlanta’s Airport

Atlanta’s main airport, now known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), traces its roots to the early 1920s.

Quick timeline:

So, Atlanta’s airport was first “built” as an airfield in 1925–1926, and its current terminal complex dates to 1980, with continual upgrades ever since.

From Racetrack to Runways: How Atlanta’s Airport Got Started

The Candler Speedway Becomes an Airfield (1925–1926)

The story starts in 1925, when the City of Atlanta leased the old Candler Speedway racetrack, about seven miles south of downtown. This land eventually became the airport site.

• 1925: The city signs the lease and begins developing the land for aviation.
• 1926: The airfield, known as Candler Field, opens as Atlanta’s first official airport.

If you’re familiar with today’s ATL location on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Parkway, that’s essentially the same general area, just massively expanded and modernized.

Why This Location Matters

The airport’s south-of-downtown location was chosen because it:

• Gave planes open land and clear approaches.
• Connected fairly easily to downtown Atlanta, the rail lines, and major roads.
• Left room for long-term expansion—which turned out to be crucial as Atlanta grew into a national transportation hub.

For today’s travelers, that early decision is why the airport is:

• Close enough to reach downtown in about 15–25 minutes by car in light traffic.
• Directly connected to the MARTA rail system, making the airport a practical entry point if you’re staying in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead.

Growing Into a Major Hub: 1930s–1960s

Once Candler Field opened, Atlanta quickly leaned into aviation.

Early Commercial Flights

By the 1930s, the airfield was already handling:

• Mail flights, making Atlanta a key postal hub.
• Passenger service, connecting Atlanta to other Southern and national cities.

These early commercial routes laid the foundation for the hub-and-spoke system that Atlanta is famous for today, especially for travelers connecting through the city.

World War II and Postwar Growth

During World War II, the airport was used for military purposes, which helped expand its infrastructure. After the war:

• Runways were lengthened and strengthened.
• Terminals were upgraded.
• Airline traffic increased dramatically.

For Atlantans, this era is when the airport really began to feel like a gateway for the region, linking Georgia to both coasts and beyond.

The Hartsfield Era: Naming and Expansion

William B. Hartsfield and the Airport’s New Name (1971)

In 1971, the airport was officially named William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, after the long-serving mayor who championed aviation and pushed the city to invest heavily in air travel.

If you hear locals simply say “Hartsfield”, this is the history they’re referencing.

Why Hartsfield’s Vision Still Matters to You

Hartsfield saw early on that:

• Atlanta’s economic future was tied to fast, reliable transportation.
• A big, modern airport could help Atlanta become the “city too busy to hate” by making it a commercial crossroads.

That focus on connectivity is why:

• Atlanta residents can reach most major U.S. cities on non-stop flights.
• Visitors can often find multiple daily options into ATL from many origins.
• International travelers use ATL as a common gateway into the Southeastern U.S.

The Modern ATL Layout: Built in 1980

When people ask “when was Atlanta’s airport built,” they’re often thinking about the terminal and concourse layout they see today—including the Plane Train and the long concourses stretching out from the main building.

That version dates to 1980.

The 1980 Midfield Terminal

On September 21, 1980, ATL opened its midfield terminal complex, which introduced:

• The central terminal with North and South domestic terminals.
• Multiple parallel concourses (T, A, B, C, D, and later E and F).
• The underground Plane Train that connects concourses.
• A design specifically built to handle high volumes of connections.

For modern travelers:

• When you walk from the Main Terminal to the security checkpoint and ride the Plane Train to your gate, you’re using the infrastructure that opened in 1980 and has been upgraded ever since.
• The layout makes it possible to handle massive numbers of flights while keeping transfer times relatively short.

Adding “Jackson”: A Dual Legacy in the 2000s

Honoring Maynard Jackson (2003)

In 2003, the airport officially became Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, adding the name of Maynard H. Jackson Jr., Atlanta’s first Black mayor.

Jackson played a major role in:

• Expanding the airport.
• Pushing for minority business participation in airport construction and operations.
• Positioning ATL as a global rather than just national hub.

That’s why today, ATL’s full name recognizes both:

• William B. Hartsfield – early champion of aviation in Atlanta.
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. – leader of modern airport expansion and equity efforts.

You’ll see this dual name reflected on:

• Airport signage
• Flight bookings
• MARTA station maps

Recent and Ongoing Improvements: What’s “Newly Built” at ATL?

Although the core airport was established long ago, ATL is constantly being rebuilt, expanded, and modernized piece by piece.

Some key developments over the last few decades:

• International Terminal (Concourse F): Opened in the 2010s, giving international travelers a more direct and streamlined experience, especially for flights to Europe, Asia, and other long-haul destinations.
• Runway and taxiway upgrades: Ongoing improvements allow more simultaneous takeoffs and landings.
• Parking and roadway changes: Designed to handle ride-share, larger passenger volumes, and better traffic flow for locals driving to pick up or drop off.

If you last flew through ATL many years ago, it may look and feel quite different today, even though it sits on essentially the same site established in the 1920s.

Where the Airport Is Today (Literally and Historically)

Location Details

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

For travelers in and around Atlanta:

• It’s just south of I-285 and intersected by I-85.
• The MARTA Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal, making it a straightforward ride from Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.

How Its History Shapes Your Experience

Knowing when Atlanta’s airport was built helps explain:

• Why it’s so big and busy: Decades of planning and investment have made ATL a major connection point.
• Why it’s located where it is: That old racetrack south of downtown turned out to be ideal for long-term expansion.
• Why navigation feels structured and linear: The 1980 midfield terminal design with parallel concourses and the Plane Train was built specifically for efficient connections.

For Atlantans, it’s not just an airport—it’s a key part of how the city connects to the rest of the country and the world.

Quick FAQ: Atlanta Airport History for Everyday Travelers

Was Atlanta’s airport always called Hartsfield-Jackson?
No. It began as Candler Field, later became Atlanta Municipal Airport, was renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in 1971, and finally became Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2003.

Is the airport in the same place it was originally built?
Yes, the airport still sits in the same general south-of-downtown area where the original Candler Field was established in the 1920s, though the land area and facilities have expanded dramatically.

When did the “modern” terminal open?
The current-style midfield terminal and concourse system opened in 1980, and that structure—updated and expanded—forms the basis of ATL as you use it today.

Why is Atlanta’s airport so important today?
Because of its early start in the 1920s and steady expansion, Atlanta became a major air hub for both domestic and international travel. That history is why residents and visitors now enjoy frequent flights, extensive connections, and one of the most accessible major airports in the country.

With this timeline in mind, when you pass through ATL, you’re not just using a modern transportation hub—you’re walking through almost a century of Atlanta’s growth and ambition, built layer by layer since the mid-1920s.