What Is the Atlanta Airport Called? A Local Guide to the City’s Main Airport

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, you’ll almost always be dealing with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport — often shortened to Hartsfield–Jackson or simply Atlanta Airport.

Locally, people call it a few different things, which can be confusing if you’re planning travel, meeting someone at the terminal, or booking a ride.

The Official Atlanta Airport Name

The official name of Atlanta’s primary airport is:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

You’ll see it written in a few common ways:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (full formal name)
• Atlanta Airport (everyday local usage)
• Hartsfield–Jackson (shortened but still formal)
• ATL (airport code, used in tickets and baggage tags)

When you’re searching for flights, the airport code “ATL” is what you’ll use.

Why the Airport Has This Name

The name Hartsfield–Jackson honors two long-serving Atlanta mayors:

• William B. Hartsfield – Helped establish Atlanta as a major aviation hub
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. – Oversaw major expansions and pushed for the modern international terminal

The combination of their names reflects how closely the airport is tied to Atlanta’s growth, civil rights history, and business development.

Key Details About Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Location

• Address: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Roughly 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta

Main identifiers you’ll see:

If you’re telling someone where you’re flying into, saying “Atlanta, ATL” is usually enough for anyone familiar with U.S. airports.

Terminals and Names Inside the Airport

Once you know you’re going to Hartsfield–Jackson, the next thing to understand is how the terminals are named. Locals often use these terms interchangeably, but they mean different parts of the same airport.

Domestic vs. International Sides

Hartsfield–Jackson has two main terminal complexes:

• Domestic Terminal
  • Located on the west side of the airport
  • Split into North and South:
    • North Terminal – Used by several airlines for check-in
    • South Terminal – Primary check-in area for Delta Air Lines
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
  • Located on the east side of the airport
  • Houses Concourse F and the main international check-in and arrivals area

You might hear locals say:

• “Drop me at Domestic South” (usually Delta check-in)
• “I’m landing at the international terminal”
• “Meet me at Concourse B” (one of the central concourses for departures and connections)

Concourses and Their Names

Atlanta Airport has concourses labeled:

T, A, B, C, D, E, and F

• Concourse T connects to the Domestic Terminal
• Concourses A–E handle mostly domestic flights (some international arrivals)
• Concourse F is part of the International Terminal

You can move between concourses using:

• The Plane Train (underground people-mover)
• Walkways with moving sidewalks

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll hear people say:
“I’m flying out of ATL, Concourse A” – that means Hartsfield–Jackson, Terminal/Concourse A.

How to Make Sure You’re Going to the Right “Atlanta Airport”

In everyday conversation, “Atlanta Airport” almost always means Hartsfield–Jackson, but there are a few things to watch for:

1. Check the Code: It Should Say “ATL”

On your:

• Flight confirmation
• Boarding pass
• Rideshare destination
• Airline app

Make sure the airport code shows “ATL”. That confirms you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

2. Domestic vs. International Drop-Off

If you’re being dropped off or picked up:

• Domestic Terminal – Use “Domestic Terminal” in GPS or rideshare apps and then choose North or South depending on your airline.
• International Terminal – Look for “Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal” or “International Terminal F” in navigation tools.

☑️ Quick tip: When in doubt, check your airline’s confirmation. It usually says which terminal or concourse (e.g., “Departing from Terminal: International / Concourse F”).

Getting To and From Hartsfield–Jackson From Around Atlanta

Knowing the airport name is only half the battle — you also need to know how to reach it from the city.

By Car

From Downtown Atlanta:

• Take I-75/85 South
• Follow signs for Atlanta Airport / Hartsfield–Jackson
• Choose Domestic or International following overhead signs

From Buckhead / North Atlanta:

• Take GA-400 South to I-85 South
• Then follow airport signage to Domestic or International

From East or West Atlanta:

• Use I-20 to connect to I-75/85 South, then follow airport signs

Parking areas are typically labeled by Domestic, International, Economy, Park-Ride, and more, all tied back to Hartsfield–Jackson.

By MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

If you hear someone say they’re “taking MARTA to the airport,” they are going to Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL).

• Ride MARTA’s Red or Gold Line to the Airport Station
• The Airport Station is built directly into the Domestic Terminal (North end)

From there you can:

• Walk to Domestic North and South check-in areas
• Catch an airport shuttle to the International Terminal

What About Other Airports Around Atlanta?

For most commercial passenger flights, Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) is the only major airport serving Atlanta.

There are other regional/general aviation airports in the metro area used for private or charter flights, such as:

• DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) – in Chamblee
• Cobb County International Airport (RYY) – in Kennesaw

However, if:

• You’re booking a typical airline ticket
• You’re using a major carrier
• You’re visiting Atlanta for business, tourism, or family

…your flights will almost certainly be in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

When locals say “the airport” with no other context, they mean Hartsfield–Jackson.

Useful Contact & Wayfinding Information

If you need to double-check anything about Atlanta Airport’s name, terminals, or directions, these core details help anchor your search:

• Airport Name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Common Short Names: Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson, ATL
• Airport Code (IATA):ATL
• Address: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Location: Just south of I-285 and I-75/85, south of Downtown Atlanta
• Transit: Directly served by MARTA Red/Gold Line – Airport Station

With this in mind, if someone in Atlanta asks, “Which airport?”, the accurate reply for nearly all commercial flights is:

“Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport — ATL.”