This airport has consistently been ranked the world’s busiest since 1998 with the exception of Covid-struck 2020. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US recorded a staggering over 108.1 million passengers for 2024. Located approximately 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta, it spans 4,700 acres and features five runways, including one long enough to accommodate the Airbus A380.
Despite its impressive size and traffic, Hartsfield-Jackson holds a 3 out of 10 on Skytrax, a UK-based consultancy known for its global airport and airline reviews. One Skytrax user, L Kitson, wrote last summer: “Horrible, gross, totally messy, dirty, trash and food on the floor of the waiting areas, people almost camping around in the waiting areas, where is the cleaning staff? This is unbelievable.”
Another user, Michael Ohara said it was “a mad house with no structure” and wrote: “I have traveled throughout the US, Europe and Asia. The experience in Atlanta airport was the worst in my 75 years on this Earth.”
M Greg wrote in July 2024: “Restaurants are overcrowded lines of 100 people long at a Wendy’s. Bathrooms you can’t navigate because they’re too tight, and people are toting bags all over the place.
“Flights that get delayed are not uncommon, but they seem to be more than common at this airport. I will purposely pay extra to never have to fly through this airport again. “
However, some have argued against this and said it is an efficient airport.
A Reddit user, Manacit wrote: “ATL is the world’s busiest airport by passengers moved. They’re excellent at it. I wouldn’t hesitate to connect (and often do) internationally and domestically.”
Another Reddit user also wrote: “Compared to most large U.S. airports, I love Atlanta! It’s decently laid out, and although large is efficient and has a good tram system.”
ATL Interim General Manager Jan Lennon said in a statement:”Surpassing 108 million passengers in 2024 is a testament to Hartsfield-Jackson’s unmatched connectivity, operational excellence, and our relentless commitment to the traveler experience.
“As we prepare to reach 125 million annual passengers within the next five years, we remain focused on strengthening our airline partnerships, expanding capacity, and driving innovations that ensure ATL continues to lead the world in efficiency, accessibility, and service.”
The airport serves as Delta Air Lines hub and hosts other carriers like Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines.
The airport opened in 1926 and was followed by a £400 million project to create the Midfield Terminal in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Notable projects have included the £787 million expansion of Concourses T and F of the airport, a £1.1 billion investment in the international terminal (Terminal F), and a £4.7 billion improvement plan completed between 2006 and 2017.
