Prepare for Friday crowds at the Atlanta airport and on the roads
Friday could bring the heaviest crowds of the holiday season to the Atlanta airport, and officials also project high traffic on roadways across the region, particularly in the afternoon rush.
During year-end holiday travel at the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International expects to host a record-breaking 3.7 million people from Dec. 20 through Jan. 5.
Road travel in Georgia will also break a record this season, per AAA. The Atlanta Police Department expects the busiest times on the roadways to be Friday from 3-7 p.m., Monday from 5-7 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 2 from 4-8 p.m.
For those flying over the holidays, here’s what you need to know:
1. Beware Friday
Hartsfield-Jackson officials and the Transportation Security Administration are expecting Friday, Dec. 27 to be the season’s peak travel day at ATL. TSA is predicting more than 103,000 passenger screenings.
The airport continues to urge people to allow 2½ hours for domestic flights during busier periods, including between 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., and three hours for international flights. Security wait times are available online and on new displays throughout the main terminal.
Last Friday, Dec. 20, another peak day, saw main security wait times stretch to 40 minutes during the morning rush hour.
2. Prepare for tight airport parking
Given ongoing construction of a $200 million south parking deck, airport officials are warning holiday travelers to take transit, rideshare or reserve airport parking spots ahead of time.
Delta Air Lines has been advising its Atlanta passengers to arrive three hours early due to the construction.
3. Pack smart
The TSA released holiday packing reminders for travelers, including to pack gifts in gift bags — not wrapping paper — in both carry on and checked luggage. A complete list of what travelers can and cannot bring is available online.
Don’t bring a gun through security. Atlanta has for years led the nation in firearms found at security checkpoints.
Helpful links for ATL travelers
Navigating Hartsfield-Jackson: What to expect for holiday travel
Parking at the Atlanta airport? Better reserve a spot
How to take MARTA to the airport, including long-term parking details
About the Author
As a business reporter, Emma Hurt leads coverage of the Atlanta airport, Delta Air Lines, UPS, Norfolk Southern and other travel and logistics companies. Prior to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution she worked as an editor and Atlanta reporter for Axios, a politics reporter for WABE News and a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
