Atlanta revolves around ATL, where Delta competition still creates smart fare windows.
Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) processes over 90 million passengers per year, making it the world's busiest airport by throughput. The Plane Train APM connects the domestic terminal with Concourses A through T in under 3 minutes, and international arrivals funnel through Concourse F with Global Entry kiosks for pre-approved travellers.
Delta Air Lines controls about 75% of ATL gates, which means Delta SkyMiles members earn and burn points efficiently here. However, that dominance also keeps fares relatively high on routes where Delta has no nonstop competitor - Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest provide budget alternatives on popular domestic corridors.
Thanksgiving week and the first week of January are ATL's peak congestion periods. If you are flying internationally, late January through early March offers the best combination of lower fares and shorter security lines. Atlanta's mild winter makes it a comfortable year-round destination.
ATL is Delta's primary hub and the natural connecting point between the US Southeast and the rest of the world. Over 150 domestic destinations plus 70 international routes create massive transfer traffic on top of Atlanta's own 6-million metro population.
MARTA rail runs directly from the airport to Five Points Station in downtown Atlanta in about 20 minutes. A one-way fare is USD 2.50. Rideshares pick up at the ground transportation centre on the west end of the terminal.
Most European and many Asian passport holders qualify for ESTA (USD 21, valid 2 years). Apply online at least 72 hours before departure. Citizens of countries not in the Visa Waiver Program need a B1/B2 visa.
