WELCOME TO THE CONCOURSE

Hi, I'm Kelly Yamanouchi. Welcome to the first edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s air travel newsletter! I've covered the airport for 15 years and the airline industry for more than 20. If you’re from Atlanta, work in Atlanta or ever travel through Atlanta, you know how big of a presence Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is in the city and beyond.

On the second Tuesday of every month, we’ll drop some must-read info for everyone who travels in Atlanta — and anyone who’s a regular at the world’s busiest airport. We’ll share updates on what’s new and what’s coming, along with tips to navigate your travels smoothly. That includes tips on navigating traffic and parking, information about Delta Air Lines and flights and more.

Expect the occasional breaking news as well — such as this morning, when the wingtip of a Delta aircraft struck the tail of another Delta plane while taxiing at Hartsfield-Jackson.

Thanks for being here! Please feel free to drop a comment on this newsletter, or email me. This newsletter is part of a larger suite of business newsletters we are piloting on Linkedin.

OPENING SOON

The peak summer travel season may be over, but there are still hundreds of thousands of people flying through Atlanta every day. In fact, Labor Day travel volumes set records for the holiday. Which means it's always smart to get there early. Each edition, we will give you a sneak peek into what's coming to Hartsfield-Jackson.

We have new details and images on ASW Distillery Flights & Bites, a new bar planned for the airport that will put a spotlight on liquors from an Atlanta-based distiller.

• Where will it be? Concourse B, near Gate B33
• When will it open? Within the next six months
• What to know: ASW Distillery has a whiskey distillery in Buckhead, a barrelhouse in the West End and a vodka and gin distillery at The Battery. The airport outpost called ASW Flights & Bites will be opened by airport concessionaire Delaware North.
• What it's known for: ASW is known for its Resurgens Rye, Duality Double Malt, Maris Otter Single Malt and its Fiddler line of bourbons and rye whiskies.
• Insight: ASW stands for American Spirit Whiskey, and the distillery was started in 2016 by University of Georgia alumni.?

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WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

We've all seen it. The confusing signage. The detours. ... We've got answers.

If you’ve driven around Terminal South at the domestic terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson lately, you’ve probably noticed a huge construction site where the South economy lot used to be. And you may have had to weave your way through lane closures nearby.

• What's going on? It’s all part of a major project to build a new seven-level parking deck with 6,500 spaces, expected to be completed in December 2026. It will serve as replacement parking when the existing South decks, which are more than 40 years old, are eventually demolished and rebuilt....

What's new: After months of work, the first six expanded gates of the Concourse D widening project are open. They are the first in a complicated and expensive makeover that is expected to take until 2029 to complete. I've got all the details right here.

What have you noticed at the airport? Are there any projects you want updates on? Drop us a note in the comment section.

TAKING OFF

Avelo Airlines announced plans to launch a new route from Atlanta to Lakeland International Airport. Where is that, you ask? It’s in Central Florida, in between Tampa and Orlando. As a startup discount carrier, Avelo tends to fly into secondary locations that are smaller alternatives to more popular airports. The Avelo flights to Lakeland will operate twice weekly starting Nov. 7, with departures on Thursdays and Sundays.

TRAVEL TIP

If you’re parking your car at the airport for your next trip, don’t get caught driving in circles: Consider making a parking reservation to ensure you can find a spot.

At Hartsfield-Jackson, not all airport lots offer reservations, but the airport does offer parking reservations for the ATL West deck and international terminal parking decks.

Many off-airport lots take parking reservations, including The Parking Spot, WallyPark Airport Parking and Preflight Airport Parking off Camp Creek Parkway, as well as Peachy Airport Parking Atlanta north of the airport and FastPark & Relax near the international terminal.

ASK KELLY ANYTHING

Got a question about the airport? Email Kelly at [email protected] and we’ll find the answer for you.

MORE TRAVEL HEADLINES

Self-driving pods coming to Atlanta airport area

Delta COO leaves for new job after about a year in role

CrowdStrike CEO says he wants to resolve dispute with Delta

Hartsfield-Jackson gets $11 million for electric vehicle chargers

Operator of criticized airport shuttle awarded new contract

Delta extends suspension of flights to Israel amid ongoing tensions