Atlanta’s PDK Airport: Your Guide to DeKalb–Peachtree Airport

When people in Atlanta mention “PDK Airport,” they’re talking about DeKalb–Peachtree Airport, the city’s major general aviation airport. It’s not a big commercial airline hub like Hartsfield–Jackson, but it plays a huge role in private flights, business aviation, flight training, and air charter for the Atlanta metro area.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or just keep hearing jets over Chamblee and Brookhaven and want to know more, this guide walks you through how Atlanta’s PDK Airport works and how you might interact with it.

Where PDK Airport Is and What It Is

Full name: DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK)
Location: Chamblee / Brookhaven area, northeast of Midtown Atlanta
Approximate address: 2000 Airport Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
County: DeKalb County

PDK sits just inside the I-285 Perimeter on the northeast side of Atlanta, near:

• Peachtree Boulevard (GA-141)
• I-285 and I-85 junction
• Chamblee, Brookhaven, and Doraville neighborhoods

Unlike Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL), which handles large commercial airlines, PDK is focused on:

• Private jets and turboprops
• Corporate and business aviation
• Air charter flights
• Flight schools and training
• Helicopter operations
• Occasional medical, law enforcement, and government flights

If you’re looking for a typical airline like Delta or Southwest, you’ll use ATL, not PDK. If you’re flying a private plane, charter, or learning to fly, PDK is one of Atlanta’s key airports.

Getting to PDK from Around Atlanta

PDK is fairly easy to access by car and transit from much of the metro area.

Driving directions

You can usually reach PDK via:

• From Midtown/Downtown Atlanta

  • Take I-85 North
  • Exit near North Druid Hills or Chamblee–Tucker Road and follow signs toward Peachtree Boulevard / Chamblee
  • Look for Airport Road near Peachtree Boulevard

• From Buckhead

  • Drive north on Peachtree Road toward Brookhaven
  • Continue onto Peachtree Boulevard (GA-141) through Chamblee
  • Turn into the airport area via Airport Road or nearby access points

• From I-285

  • Exit at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard / Peachtree Boulevard (GA-141)
  • Head south on Peachtree Boulevard
  • Watch for signage for the airport and turn on Airport Road

Parking options and exact entrances can vary by FBO (fixed-base operator), flight school, restaurant, or other tenant you’re visiting, so it helps to know the specific business name before you go.

MARTA and transit access

There is no MARTA heavy rail station inside PDK, but you can get close:

• Chamblee MARTA Station (Gold Line) is the nearest rail stop.
• From Chamblee Station, you can:
  • Use MARTA bus routes that run along Peachtree Boulevard (routing can change, so check current schedules).
  • Take a rideshare or taxi from the station to the airport (typically a short ride).

If you’re a student at a flight school or a frequent visitor, ask the operator if they recommend any specific MARTA-to-airport route combinations.

What Happens at PDK: Main Uses and Services

1. Private and business aviation

For many Atlanta-area businesses and private travelers, PDK is the preferred airport for private jets because:

• It’s closer to Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter business centers than ATL for many trips.
• Security and check-in processes are typically faster and more streamlined than large airline terminals.
• FBOs at PDK offer lounges, meeting spaces, concierge services, and ground transportation coordination.

If you’re flying in on a charter jet or corporate aircraft, you’ll usually go through an FBO rather than a public airline-style terminal.

2. Flight training and pilot services

PDK is a major hub for flight schools and pilot training in the Atlanta area. At or near the airport you’ll find:

• Flight schools offering:
  • Introductory discovery flights
  • Private pilot training
  • Instrument and commercial ratings
• Aircraft rental
• Simulator training (in some facilities)
• Ground school classes

If you live in Atlanta and want to learn to fly, PDK is one of the most common places to start, along with a few other general aviation airports in the region.

3. Air charter and on-demand flights

PDK is home to several air charter companies offering:

• On-demand business travel for executives and teams
• Leisure trips to destinations around the Southeast and beyond
• Medical, urgent, or specialized transport in some cases

These flights don’t appear on airline booking sites. You typically contact a charter operator or broker directly, and they arrange the aircraft and handle all operations out of one of PDK’s FBOs.

4. Government, public safety, and special missions

PDK often supports:

• Law enforcement aviation units
• Medical flights and organ transport
• Aerial survey, news, and photography flights
• Occasionally military or government aircraft on specific missions

If you see helicopters or low-flying planes around the northeast perimeter, they may be operating from or transiting PDK.

Facilities and Layout Basics

PDK has multiple runways, hangars, FBOs, flight schools, and tenant businesses spread around the field. For most visitors, the key practical points are:

FBOs (Fixed-Base Operators)

FBOs act as the main terminals for private and business aviation. They typically provide:

• Passenger and crew lounges
• Check-in and concierge-style services
• Fueling and ground handling
• Aircraft parking (ramp and hangar space)
• Catering and ground transport coordination

If you’ve booked a private or charter flight, your confirmation usually tells you which FBO to go to and its street address on the airport.

Flight schools and training centers

You’ll often find flight schools grouped in certain parts of the airport with:

• Training aircraft tied down on nearby ramps
• Classrooms and briefing rooms
• Dispatch or scheduling desks

When signing up for training:

• Confirm the exact building and suite number.
• Ask about parking and entry gates, since some facilities are on the secure side of the field and have specific access instructions.

Aircraft maintenance and hangars

PDK also hosts:

• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) shops
• Aircraft storage hangars
• Avionics and paint shops (depending on the tenant mix at any given time)

This mainly matters if you own or manage an aircraft based in the Atlanta area and need a home airport or maintenance support.

Can You Use PDK Like a Normal Passenger Airport?

If you are just trying to book a cheap flight to another city, you will not use PDK. Some key differences compared with Hartsfield–Jackson:

You’ll interact with PDK mainly if:

• You are chartering a plane or flying on a company jet
• You are learning to fly or already a pilot
• You are meeting someone arriving on a private flight
• You’re attending an event or aviation-related activity at the airport

Noise, Neighborhoods, and Local Impact

If you live in Chamblee, Brookhaven, Doraville, or nearby neighborhoods, PDK can be a consistent source of aircraft noise. The airport and county typically:

• Maintain noise abatement procedures that encourage flight paths minimizing disturbance when possible.
• Provide channels for residents to submit noise concerns or comments.
• Share information about preferred arrival/departure routes and hours where practical.

Residents commonly report:

• Increased noise during good weather days when flight training is active.
• Jet traffic during early mornings and evenings tied to business travel.
• Helicopter operations that may be more noticeable at lower altitudes.

If aircraft noise is affecting you, you can usually:

• Contact the airport administration office (look up the current main number for DeKalb–Peachtree Airport).
• Ask about any noise reporting hotline or email.
• Learn more about current noise abatement policies and what is or isn’t feasible within FAA rules.

Events and Community Access

PDK is not just a closed business airport—it also interacts with the local community.

Depending on the year and scheduling, you may see:

• Aviation-themed events or open houses
• Aircraft static displays on special occasions
• Community or charity events hosted by airport tenants

Many Atlanta residents first experience PDK by:

• Going on a discovery flight with a flight school
• Visiting an on-airport restaurant with views of the runway (offerings can change, so check locally)
• Attending a local aviation event advertised through community channels

If you’re curious about aviation and live in Atlanta, PDK is one of the most accessible places to see general aviation up close.

Practical Tips for Using PDK Airport

Here are some useful, Atlanta-specific pointers if you’re planning to interact with PDK:

• Confirm your destination:
  If someone says “We’re flying into Peachtree,” make sure they mean DeKalb–Peachtree (PDK) in Atlanta and not another airport with “Peachtree” in the name.

• Get the exact FBO or operator name:
  Before heading to the airport, know:

  • The FBO name
  • The street address
  • Any parking instructions
    PDK has multiple entry points, and going to the wrong side of the field can cost you time.

• Allow extra time for traffic:
  PDK is close to I-85 and I-285, both of which can back up significantly during rush hours. Build in a buffer—especially for morning departures or evening arrivals.

• Ask about ID and check-in procedures:
  Even without airline-style TSA checkpoints, FBOs and operators have security and identification requirements. Check what you need (typically a government-issued ID).

• If you’re a local considering flight training:
  Call or email a few flight schools at PDK and ask:

  • What training programs they offer
  • Approximate costs and time commitments
  • How busy the airspace is and how they handle scheduling around weather and traffic

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• PDK Airport (DeKalb–Peachtree) is Atlanta’s main general aviation airport, serving private, corporate, charter, training, and special-use flights—not regular airlines.
• It’s located in the Chamblee/Brookhaven area, making it especially convenient for northeast Atlanta, Buckhead, and Perimeter.
• You’ll typically go to PDK if you are:
  • Flying private or on a charter
  • Learning to fly or renting small aircraft
  • Meeting someone arriving on a non-airline flight
• Nearby neighborhoods experience regular aircraft activity and noise, and the airport maintains public-facing channels for information and feedback.
• For Atlanta-area residents curious about aviation, PDK offers flight schools, potential public events, and close-up views of general aviation aircraft, all much closer to town than the main commercial airport.

Understanding how Atlanta’s PDK Airport fits into the local transportation and business landscape can help you decide when it makes sense to use it—and what to expect when you do.