# ATL Air Traffic (DD-678) > Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) was again the world's busiest airport by passengers in 2025, with 106.3 million passengers. That was down 1.6% from 2024, and Dubai (95.2 million) and Tokyo Haneda (91.7 million) were closing the gap, according to Airports Council International. ACI says four of the five US airports in the top 20 are mainly domestic hubs, with 80-95% domestic passengers, which describes ATL's traffic. By aircraft movements, though, Chicago O'Hare ranked first in 2025. ATL has five parallel runways and two terminals, the Domestic Terminal and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, with seven concourses linked by an underground train. It's Delta Air Lines' main hub and is named after two Atlanta mayors, William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. - Department: Locations (also Tech) - First published: 2025-12-11 - Last updated: 2025-12-11 - Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/atl-air-traffic/ - Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department ## Quick facts - **DD-678-F01**: ATL handled about 106.3 million passengers in 2025. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Number one))_ - **DD-678-F02**: Chicago O'Hare had the most aircraft movements in 2025. _(Write-up · Exhibit C (Movements are another story))_ ## Write-up 106 million passengers a year. Atlanta was the world's busiest airport again in 2025. 1. **Number one**: ATL handled 106,302,208 passengers in 2025 and kept first place in ACI World's global ranking, ahead of Dubai and Tokyo Haneda. 2. **A dip**: Traffic fell 1.6% from 2024 and was 3.8% below 2019, while Dubai and Haneda grew, narrowing the gap. 3. **Movements are another story**: By aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), Chicago O'Hare ranked first in 2025, per ACI World. 4. **Layout**: ATL has five parallel runways, a Domestic Terminal and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, and seven concourses linked by an underground people mover. 5. **Names and hub**: The airport is named after Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, and it's Delta Air Lines' main hub. ## Related case files - [Volar eVTOL (DD-734)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/volar-evtol/): Another aviation case - [Gassed Up...Way Up (DD-711)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/gassed-up-way-up/): Another aviation case ## Reel vs. record - **Understated**: ATL isn't just 'one of' the busiest. It was No. 1 in the world by passengers in 2025, with 106.3 million (ACI World). - **Takeoffs**: by aircraft movements, Chicago O'Hare ranked first in 2025, so ATL doesn't lead on takeoffs (ACI World). - **Missing trend**: ATL's 2025 traffic fell 1.6% from 2024, while Dubai and Tokyo Haneda grew and narrowed the gap. - **Terminals**: besides its two terminals (Domestic and Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International), most gates are on seven concourses linked by an underground train. - **Missing context**: ATL is Delta Air Lines' main hub and is named for Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. Its traffic is mostly domestic (ACI says 80-95% at the four mainly-domestic US hubs in the top 20). ## Video: ATL Air Traffic: 106 Million Passengers a Year - Duration: 24.3 s · Published: 2025-12-11 - File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DSI-yLvkoPh.mp4 ### Transcript DID YOU KNOW? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling more passengers and takeoffs than almost any other airport globally. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, it serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights, connecting hundreds of destinations across the US and around the globe. ATL operates five parallel runways and two large terminals, accommodating a mix of commercial airlines, cargo traffic, and general aviation. NOW YOU KNOW! ## Questions & answers **Q: How many passengers did ATL handle in 2025?** A: About 106.3 million. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Number one) · ACI World (Jul 15, 2026): World's busiest airports: Atlanta holds, Asia climbs; ACI World: Busiest airports in the world)_ **Q: Which airport had the most aircraft movements in 2025?** A: Chicago O'Hare, per ACI World. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Movements are another story) · ACI World: Busiest airports in the world)_ **Q: Which airport was second by passengers in 2025?** A: Dubai, with 95.2 million. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Number one) · ACI World (Jul 15, 2026): World's busiest airports: Atlanta holds, Asia climbs; ACI World: Busiest airports in the world)_ **Q: How many parallel runways does ATL have?** A: Five. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Layout) · Wikipedia: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport)_ **Q: Which airline uses ATL as its main hub?** A: Delta Air Lines. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Names and hub) · Wikipedia: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport)_ ## Sources - [ACI World (Jul 15, 2026): World's busiest airports: Atlanta holds, Asia climbs](https://aci.aero/2026/07/15/worlds-busiest-airports-atlanta-holds-asia-climbs-strong-demand-while-asia-pacific-growth-reshape-the-rankings/) - [ACI World: Busiest airports in the world](https://aci.aero/resources/busiest-airports-in-the-world/) - [ACI-NA: 2025 North American airport traffic rankings](https://airportscouncil.org/press_release/airports-council-releases-2025-north-american-airport-traffic-rankings/) - [Wikipedia: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartsfield%E2%80%93Jackson_Atlanta_International_Airport) ## Cite this case file Easterling, Marcus. "ATL Air Traffic." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-678, last updated Dec 11, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/atl-air-traffic/