Atlanta's airport began as a leased racetrack in 1925 and grew into the Delta hub that handles more passengers than any other airport.
Airliners and cargo flights within 25 nm of ATL. Routes come from a community database matched on flight numbers, so a few will be wrong or out of date. Flights without a route are marked "est." and judged from altitude and climb or descent.
History
Atlanta's airport began on April 16, 1925, when Mayor Walter A. Sims signed a five-year lease on an abandoned auto racetrack. The 287-acre site was named Candler Field, and it became Atlanta Municipal Airport on April 13, 1929. Delta is the airport's oldest continuous tenant.
It was renamed for former mayor William B. Hartsfield in February 1971 and became Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in October 2003, adding the name of the late mayor Maynard H. Jackson. A fourth parallel runway was completed in December 1984, and the fifth opened in May 2006.
Atlanta has ranked as the world's busiest airport by passenger volume for much of the time since 1998, and in December 2015 it became the first airport to serve 100 million passengers in a calendar year. MARTA's airport train station opened on June 18, 1988.
Quick facts
- Codes
- ATL / KATL
- Opened
- April 16, 1925, as Candler Field
- Atlanta Municipal Airport
- April 13, 1929
- Hartsfield-Jackson name
- October 2003
- Runways
- Five parallel east-west runways
- Fifth runway
- Opened May 2006
Sources: History of ATL (Hartsfield-Jackson)
Watch and listen
Listen to live air traffic control for ATL on LiveATC. The feeds come from volunteers, so availability varies.
Where plane spotters watch
- Phoenix TrailA 2-mile paved rail-trail along the airport's western edge, with jets flying low overhead in a quieter setting. Open to walking, running and cycling.
- Jess Lucas ParkNear the Phoenix Trail, with views of the sky from the lawn or a shaded gazebo.
- Rooftop at the Overland, HapevilleThe eighth-floor, covered open-air lounge of the Kimpton Overland Hotel has an unobstructed view of takeoffs and landings. You don't need to be a hotel guest.
- Airport parking decksThe east-side Park-Ride deck is singled out as an excellent viewing platform over the ramp.
This guide comes from a local tourism bureau and gives no hours, fees or rules, so check with each place before you go.
As described in: Soaring views: plane spotting in the ATL Airport District. Guides can be out of date. Stay on public property, follow posted rules, and never block roads or driveways.