What Is the Name of the Atlanta Airport? A Local’s Guide to ATL ✈️
If you’re searching for the name of the Atlanta airport, you’re almost always looking for:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Often shortened to Atlanta Airport or just ATL (its official airport code).
It’s the primary commercial airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the busiest in the world. Whether you live in the metro area or are just flying in for a visit, this is the airport you’ll most likely use.
Full Official Name, Nicknames, and Airport Code
Here’s how the airport’s name is commonly used:
- Full official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Common names:
- Atlanta Airport
- Atlanta International Airport
- Hartsfield–Jackson
- Hartsfield–Jackson Airport
- Airport code:ATL (you’ll see this on tickets, boarding passes, and baggage tags)
Why the Long Name?
The airport is named after two former Atlanta mayors:
- William B. Hartsfield – often credited with helping establish Atlanta as a major aviation hub
- Maynard H. Jackson Jr. – the city’s first Black mayor, who oversaw major airport expansion
Locals usually just say “ATL” or “the airport” when they’re talking about flights in and out of Atlanta.
Where Is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport?
Address:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
Location basics:
- About 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
- Just off Interstate 85 (I‑85), with direct airport exits
- Technically within Atlanta city limits, near the cities of College Park and Hapeville
If you’re using navigation apps or rideshare, typing “ATL” or “Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport” is usually enough to get accurate directions.
Terminals and Concourses at ATL
One source of confusion for visitors is that Atlanta’s airport looks like it has a lot of separate “terminals,” but most of it is actually one connected building.
Main Areas of ATL
Passenger-facing parts:
- Domestic Terminal – North
- Often used by airlines like Delta partners, United, and others
- Domestic Terminal – South
- Primarily used by Delta Air Lines
- International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
- Separate entrance on the east side of the airport
- Home to Concourse F and direct access to customs and immigration
Concourses (A–F + T):
Once you’re inside security, all concourses are connected:
- Concourse T – Closest to the Domestic Terminal
- Concourses A, B, C, D, E – Main domestic and some international gates
- Concourse F – Primarily international, attached to the International Terminal
You can move between them via:
- Plane Train – an underground train that runs continuously
- Underground pedestrian walkways – walkable corridors with moving sidewalks and displays
Quick Terminal & Concourse Snapshot
| Area | Main Use | Access From |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Terminal – North | Check-in, security | I‑85 / North Terminal Pkwy |
| Domestic Terminal – South | Delta check-in, security | I‑85 / South Terminal Pkwy |
| International Terminal (F) | International flights | I‑75 / Maynard Jackson Jr. Blvd |
| Concourse T | Domestic gates | Connected to Domestic Terminal |
| Concourses A–D | Mostly domestic | Plane Train / walkways |
| Concourse E | International & domestic | Plane Train / walkways |
| Concourse F | International | Direct from International Terminal |
Is There More Than One Airport in Atlanta?
When people ask for the “name of the Atlanta airport,” they usually mean ATL, because it is the main commercial airport.
However, there are a few other smaller airports in the Atlanta area that are used for general aviation, private aircraft, or some charter flights:
- DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) – in Chamblee, north of the city
- Cobb County International Airport (RYY) – in Kennesaw
- Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY) – west of Midtown/Downtown
- Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU) – in Lawrenceville
If you’re booking a commercial airline ticket to or from Atlanta, you’re almost certainly flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
Getting To and From ATL from Around Atlanta
By Car
From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead:
- Take I‑85 South toward the airport
- Follow signs for Domestic Terminal or International Terminal
- Allow extra time during rush hours, especially weekday mornings and late afternoons
From the East or West:
- Connect to I‑285 (the Perimeter), then to I‑85 South
- Or use I‑20 toward Downtown, then join I‑85 South
Parking options at ATL typically include:
- Hourly parking (closest, higher cost; good for quick pickups)
- Daily parking decks
- Park-Ride lots with shuttle service
Many Atlanta residents also use off-site parking lots near the airport that run their own shuttles.
By MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)
If you want to avoid traffic:
- Take any MARTA Red or Gold Line train
- Ride to the Airport Station, which is inside the Domestic Terminal
- Follow signs once you exit the train to baggage claim or check-in areas
This is especially convenient if you’re staying:
- Near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or along Peachtree Street
- Near stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, Arts Center, Lindbergh Center, or North Springs
For the International Terminal, you can:
- Take MARTA to the Airport Station (Domestic)
- Then use the free shuttle from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal
Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttles
- Rideshare (Uber, Lyft):
- Follow airport signs to the Rideshare Pickup area
- This is in a designated section of the parking structure at the Domestic Terminal
- Taxi:
- Taxi stands are located outside baggage claim
- Flat-rate fares to some in-town neighborhoods are common from the airport
- Hotel shuttles:
- Many airport-area hotels in College Park and Hapeville offer free shuttles
- Look for hotel shuttle signs at ground transportation
Who Manages the Atlanta Airport?
Hartsfield–Jackson is owned by the City of Atlanta and operated by the Department of Aviation.
City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation (Airport Administration)
North Terminal, 3rd Floor
6000 North Terminal Parkway, Suite 4000
Atlanta, GA 30320
General information can typically be reached through the airport’s main information lines or via the City of Atlanta’s publicly listed contacts.
If you’re a traveler, you rarely need to contact the administration directly. Most people interact with:
- Their airline (tickets, delays, baggage issues)
- TSA (security-related questions)
- Customs and Border Protection (for international arrivals)
Key Things Atlanta Travelers Should Remember About ATL
- The main Atlanta airport is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
- It has one main airfield but multiple concourses (T, A–F) connected by train and walkways.
- Domestic and International areas have separate entrances, especially by car.
- MARTA provides direct rail service into the Domestic Terminal, making it convenient from many in-town neighborhoods.
- Smaller regional airports exist around Atlanta, but ATL is the primary hub for commercial airline travel.
Knowing the full name—Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport—plus the code ATL will help you navigate booking flights, arranging transportation, and finding your way in and out of Atlanta with much less confusion.