What is the Busiest Airport in the World?
Since 1998, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), in Atlanta, Georgia, has held the title of the world’s busiest airport. Located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, the airport holds the title of the number one hub for Delta Air Lines, as they fly to 151 cities in the United States and 74 international destinations.
On September 15, 1926, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport opened one year after the city leased the abandoned Atlanta Speedway to create an airfield.
One year later, its first scheduled mail flight landed.
Aside from a majority of ATL’s passenger share being on Delta Airlines, the airport is home to 26 other passenger airlines: 11 domestic carriers led by Frontier Airlines to 39 destinations, Southwest Airlines to 21 destinations, and American Airlines to ten destinations, and 16 international carriers including Korean Air, Etihad Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.
For eight years out of its operating history, ATL has handled over 100 million passengers.
That being said, in 2015, it became the first airport in aviation history to cross the century million passenger mark, continuing the streak up until 2019, and resuming crossing the achievement from 2023 to 2025.
Meanwhile, in 2019, the airport set a record number of passengers, reaching 110 million.
On December 4, 2006, Delta Air Lines launched service between Atlanta, Georgia, and O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
An 8,435-mile-long journey, the flight takes approximately 15 to 17 hours and is operated by an Airbus A350 aircraft, officially making it the longest flight out of Atlanta.
Overall, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s efficiency, connectivity, and role as a Delta hub make it a vital part of both United States and international travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Why is the airport called Hartsfield-Jackson?
The airport is named after two former Atlanta mayors: William B. Hartsfield and Maynard H. Jackson.
2) When did it become the world’s busiest airport?
ATL first claimed or neared top volume titles in the late 1950s and 1980s, and has consistently held the title of the world’s busiest passenger airport by traffic since the late 1990s, surpassing 100 million annual passengers.
3) How many hubs does Delta Air Lines have?
Delta Air Lines has nine domestic hubs.
Source: https://www.wizfairtravels.com/blog/delta-hubs-in-the-usa-complete-guide
Why it matters
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s status as the busiest airport in the world serves as a vital global gateway, a driver of economic growth, and a connection for millions of travelers annually.
Sources
- "Busiest Airports in the World: Which is the busiest airport in the world? October 2026" OAG
- "World's Businest Airports: Atlanta Holds, Asia Climbs. Strong Demadn While Asia-Pacific Growth Reshape the Rankings" July 15, 2026, Airports Council International
- "These are the World's Busiest Airports for 2025" April 14, 2026, Marnie Hunter, CNN Travel
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