Fly ATL for Smooth Summer Travels

Summer is in full swing, and vacationers are jetting to destinations near and far to visit family, do some sightseeing and, of course, soak in the sun.

For many, the adventure begins at the airport.

As the world’s most traveled and efficient airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has smarter summer travel down to a science.

From its “smart” security lanes to its easy-to-read signage to its new iFlyATL app, Hartsfield-Jackson makes traveling a breeze for its 250,000 guests each day — 101 million each year.

That experience starts with the airport’s location. ATL sits in the heart of metro Atlanta, easily accessible by shuttle, limo, cab or car. For a traffic-free trip to the airport, travelers can hop on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority rail system, which connects directly to ATL’s domestic terminal.

Although Hartsfield-Jackson is a large airport — the terminal complex is 6.8 million square feet — yet, navigating ATL has never been easier. Overhead signage and friendly guest service representatives direct travelers to baggage claim, restrooms, nursing stations and even the nearest Starbucks.

And although summertime typically means longer-than-normal security lines, ATL rolled out measures to reduce checkpoint congestion. After all, Hartsfield-Jackson is the first airport in the nation with new “smart” security lanes. These lanes automate bin movements, speeding passenger processing by 66 percent per hour.

Plus, Hartsfield-Jackson is receiving 171 additional TSA officers over the summer, significantly decreasing wait times. Over the busy Memorial Day weekend, wait times averaged just 13.5 minutes despite passenger counts through security topping 80,000 on some days.

And during travelers’ brief waits, they can listen to live performances as part of ATL’s music program. With a variety of artists, instruments and genres, the program offers a sampling of Atlanta’s Southern hospitality and musical talent.

ATL is more than a smooth operator. With its new iFlyATL app, the airport provides real-time updates on everything from parking availability to flight departure times. In addition, the free app gives guests the scoop on ATL’s 300-plus food, beverage and retail offerings, and it even offers an overview of the airport’s world-class art installations and galleries.

Of course, grabbing a bite to eat and perusing the artwork can take a little time, but passengers fear not about missing their flight. ATL’s Plane Train can zip passengers to one of the airport’s seven concourses in minutes.

On average, ATL handles some 2,500 arrivals and departures daily, with flights to and from iconic cities from Barcelona and Bangkok, Tokyo and Tel Aviv. In total, ATL provides access to more than 150 domestic and nearly 70 international destinations.

Hartsfield-Jackson is Delta Air Lines’ largest hub, but the airport continues to attract new airlines. In fact, this year, ATL welcomed Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways to its roster of passenger carriers, opening up business and leisure opportunities for thousands of new customers from both sides of the Atlantic.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Hartsfield-Jackson recently launched a $6 billion capital improvement program to modernize its domestic terminal, expand its concourses, replace its parking facilities and even pave the way for a hotel and mixed-use development.

Change is in the air and on the ground at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. And with it comes a better guest experience. So if you’re planning a trip, keep Hartsfield-Jackson in mind for smarter summer travel.