ATL's Midfield Terminal Complex is 40 years old!

[AirportHistory]

On Monday, September 21st, it will have been 40 years ago that Atlanta's Midfield Terminal Complex opened for traffic. Its characteristic layout of long concourses, perpendicular to the runway and connected by an underground people mover system, ensured a highly efficient movement of both passengers and aircraft. For the decades that followed, Atlanta would become the gold standard for the design of hub airports.

Did you know that the design evolved from a plan that was very similar to the original plan for Dallas/Fort Worth Airport? It's only due to project delays that we got the the "ATL" we know today. Here's an article explaining the evolution of the design, featuring some great images and diagrams:https://www.airporthistory.org/blue-con ... -different

I first came through the terminal as a four-year old in August, 1981. We made a connection through the terminal on our way from Amsterdam to Tampa. I was so impressed by everything I saw there, the vast building, the little, the lights. It started my fascination with airports and set me on my way to become an airport planner!