Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
History, Facts and Overview

(Atlanta, Georgia - GA, USA)

In 1925, just under 300 acres / 121 hectares of a disused racetrack was leased for only five years for use as an airfield. Originally named the Candler Field after a former mayor, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport quickly became an important hub for a number of airlines and by 1940, its control tower was built and in operation.

Soon after, Candler Field became known as the Atlanta Municipal Airport and by 1950 was regularly serving in excess of one million passengers per annum.


Significant developments include the new terminal in 1961, which was built at the cost of $21 million and at that time was the biggest of its kind in America. In 1977, the current midfield terminal was built and cost more than $500 million. At this stage, Atlanta Municipal Airport was renamed as the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, honoring the city's former mayor, William Berry Hartsfield. In 2003, it became officially known as the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), after another former mayor of the city, Maynard Jackson.

With over 200 different concessions in the way of passenger services, Hartsfield Atlanta Airport has far more to offer than simply flying. Highlights include the Laptop Lane business center, an Executive Conference Center, an outlet of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor's Bureau (ACVB), AT&T telephones, a full-service branch of the Capital City Bank and Wachovia cashpoint machines. Also available at Hartsfield Airport is a premium concierge service to assist passengers with hotel and restaurant reservations, an inter-faith chapel, 'Travelers Aid' assistance, an outlet of the United States Postal Store and mobile phone hire at 'Rent a Cellular'.

Many of the most popular shops and eateries are clustered within the airport's Atrium area. Those looking for a snack will find restaurants and cafes such as Charley's Steakery, Domino's Pizza, Houlihan's, Krystal, Manchu Wok, Miller Lite Victory Lane and Paschal's Southern Delights. For last minute shopping, favorites at Hartsfield Airport include the Atlanta News Connection, Destination Atlanta, Forever Silver, Global News Express, Host Duty Free and Rosetta Stone.