Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) which better known as Atlanta Airport is the world’s busiest airport serving over 88 million passengers yearly since 1999. The airport is located 7 miles (11km) south of the city center of Atlanta Georgia. As the busiest airport, there are several international flights to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) from different part of the world such as Toronto, Jamaica, Paris, Amsterdam, Nigeria, Cancun, South Africa and lots more. This airport is the number one in terms of number of passengers served (92 million in 2011) and for the past 10 years, it has also been the airport with the most takeoffs and landings with close to 900,000 every year.
The airport is named after William B Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, two former mayors in Atlanta. ATL is a substantial international hub but most of its traffic is driven by domestic flights. Because of the airport’s convenient location, it is an easy connection point from east to west, north to south. The airline which operates about 60 percent of the flights at Atlanta airport is Delta Airlines and they have contributed immensely to the airport’s growth working with its SkyTeam partners such as Korean Air, Air France to connect international flights to Delta’s large US network. Because of this international expansion, Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal was opened in 2012, this terminal contains Concourse F.
The Atlanta airport IATA Code is ATL. At the airport, there are 2 terminals that are separated by an atrium with a spacious seating area and 7 concourse buildings which provide boarding access for passengers. There are several restaurants and shops, business center, a bank, the MARTA train station and the Ground Transportation Center.
The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is well organized, and it is easy to get lost if it is your first time at the airport because of how big it is but there are lots of information desks and helpful staffs that can assist you if you need any help getting around. There is an Automated People Mover that ensures passengers travel between terminals and concourses without any difficulty.
ATL has been arranged into 7 nearly identical horizontal concourses and are connected by an underground tunnel, which convey passengers through a moving walkway or on a people-mover which is called the Plane Train. Due to the size of the airport, passengers sometimes can spend up to 30 to 40 minutes moving from one gate to another.
In several ways, the ATL is more than an airport; it is also a destination, the concessions program features over 300 dining and retail options to meet travelers’ shopping, dining and service needs. The airport’s award-winning art program combines permanent and rotating exhibits and musical performances to its guests. Although the airport is a veritable city of its own, international travelers are encouraged to go into Atlanta, the cultural and economic capital of the south. From the Hartsfielf-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, downtown Atlanta is just few minutes away by car, shuttle or train
Terminal Transfer
The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) covers 5,800,000 square feet (539,000m2). There are two terminals at the airport by the name, North Terminal and the South Terminal in addition to seven concourses. To get between terminals and concourses you can choose to either catch the Automated People Mover, The Plane Train or walk through the long Transportation Mall (hallway) which includes a series of moving walkways.
Getting Into Town
Train: Marta Subway station is located past baggage claim. You can take a train at this train station to the city. The trip takes about 15 minutes and free transfer for bus and rail are included
Bus: You can also take a bus; Marta Bus services charge a rate of $2 for a one-way ticket to the city. There is a free shuttle service that conveys passengers to nearby hotels
Tax: You can also take a taxi from the airport to the city. The duration of the journey is within 20 to 30 minutes.
Car Parking
The car parks at the Atlanta airport can accommodate over 31,000 cars. They have both long-term and short-term parking options. There are also hourly car parks for quick visits
Information Desks
There are several information desk located at different spots around the airport terminal building. In the Atrium, there is a visitor center with a team of multi-lingual customer service representative patrolling the airport. In case you are lot or confused of you whereabouts you can quickly go to any of the information desk closest to you.
Airport Facilities
There are several shopping and dining option at the Atlanta airport, this is one of the leading US aviation hubs with destination-dining inside their terminals. At the Atlanta airport, there are ATMs, currency exchange and post office. Left luggage, lost and found in the main terminal.
Conference and Business: There is an Executive Conference Center with 23 meeting rooms, you can have access to internet, telephone, fax, photocopying, audio-visual equipment, video-conferencing and PC facilities at an hourly rate. There is a Laptop Lane in the Atrium that provides internet access, telephone, fax, printing and photocopying services.
Shopping: Shopping at Atlanta airport is hard to resist, there is about 60 retail outlets to choose from. There are fashion and jewelry stores such as Erwin Pearl, Sean John, Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, Swarovski and lots more. There are several bookshops and newsagents such as Atlanta Daily World, CNBC News, Buckhead Books, Simply Books, Global News and Midtown Magazine. There are also several places for entertainment, souvenir, gift and health and beauty stores at the airport.
Food and Drink: There are over 70 restaurants at the Atlanta airport such as cafes, health food bistros and fast food outlets. There is McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Charley’s Stakery, Starbucks, Asian Chao, PizzaHut, Heineken Bar and Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Atlanta Bread Company. There are also several coffee shops and confectionery stores. You can also check out some of the best Atlanta restaurants regardless of the cuisine you want.
Other Facilities: At the Atlanta airport, there is a medical center, interfaith chapel and several of AED units (defibrillators). There are also several supplies of power outlets for those needing to charge their phones or laptops.
Free Wi-Fi: There is a free Wi-Fi at the airport. Instead of individual operators to install their own services, Atlanta airport offers free Wi-Fi to all travelers.
