Welcome to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, known as the busiest airport in the world!
ATL has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998 with the exception of 2020, when its passenger traffic dipped for a year due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta regained the top position in 2021 and has held it since. In 2023, ATL serviced 104,653,451 passengers. Dubai International Airport was the second busiest airport that year servicing 86,994,365 passengers.
Whether your home airport is ATL or you're just passing through, the airport has some phonomenal art and historic artifact installations to enjoy while you're here. You do not have to be a ticketed passenger in order to log this virtual as there are waypoints included which are outside of security.
All waypoints are saved in the cache for quick visiblity on the map when navigating and so that you do not have to manually add the waypoints to figure out which is closest to where you are located in the airport.
REQUIREMENTS FOR LOGGING THIS CACHE:
You only need to visit ONE of the listed waypoints and include picture proof of yourself or a personal item with the artwork or object in the image. Logs not containing the required picture will be deleted.
Please do NOT message me with your picture proof, it should be attached to your log.
OUTSIDE OF SECURITY - ACCESSIBLE TO ALL NON-TICKETED PERSONS
There are a four waypoints which are available outside of security for those who are not ticketed passengers. Before entering the Domestic North or South Terminal Buildings, take a look at the overhead canopies. You can find these canopies lit up in different colors during the year, especially around times when a holiday or significant event is being celebrated. There are two possible waypoints for accessing these canopies, one for the North Terminal and one for the South Terminal. (Waypoint #01 and Waypoint #02)
Inside the Domestic Terminal Atrium on the West End you will find tributes for two great men. The tribute on the North side of the West end is for Warrant Officer Francis McDowall, Jr. who made the ultimate sacrafice for our freedom and was killed in action the 12th of August 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam. (Waypoint #03)
On the South side of the West end of the atrium is a tribute to John Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a civil rights activist who organized many of the seminal moments in the Civil Rights movement, including the Freedom Rides, the 1963 March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches. (Waypoint #04)
In the International Terminal Arrivals Lobby look for Mammatus by Christopher Moulder on the ground floor. (Waypoint #10)
BEHIND SECURITY - MUST BE A TICKETED PASSENGER TO ACCESS
All of the following waypoints are behind security and you must be a ticketed passenger to access.
Please note the underground location where you catch the Plane Train to take you between concourses is known as the Transportation Mall. You can walk through the Transportation Mall or board the Plane Train for a faster journey between concourses. There are no signs labeled as "Plane Train" so follow the signs that lead you to the escalators or elevators for each Concourse or towards Domestic Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation if your final destination is Atlanta. The Plane Train stops at every concourse in the Domestic and International Terminals and you can jump on and off with ease for finding the waypoints behind security.
Located in the Transportation Mall between Concourses T and A, you will find Zimbabwe: A Tradition in Stone, featuring sculptures by some of Zimbabwe's best known sculptors such as Agnes Nyanhongo, Gedion Nyanhongo, Norbert Shamuyarira, Lameck Bonjisi, Edronce Rukodzi, Sylvester Mubayi, Joe Mutasa, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Gladman Zinyeka, Tapfuma Gutsa and Amos Supuni. (Waypoint #05)
Located in the Transportation Mall between Concourses A and B, you will find Flight Paths by Steve Waldeck. This artwork gives travellers a sense of walking through a forest with a simluated tree canopy, bird sounds and lighting. You may even experience "lightening" while walking underneath it. (Waypoint #06)
Located in the Transportation Mall between Concourses B and C, you will find a Walk Through Atlanta History by Gary Moss. (Waypoint #07)
On Concourse D whether you are ascending on the escalator or elevator from the Plane Train or are already on the concourse, look for the artwork pieces known as Ripple. You'll find a series of pieces constructed with crayons by artist Herb Williams. Some of the pieces are only visible while on the escaltor but there is a single piece at councourse level near the escalator exit and the food court. (Waypoint #08)
On Concourse E, look for the "steampunk" clock above your head when you ascend from the escalator or elevator after riding the Plane Train. Or walk towards the escalators and elevators leading to the Plane Train if you're already on the concourse and look back to see it behind you. (Waypoint #09)
On Concourse F at gate F7, look for the mural of dogs known as Madden's Dance by artist Jennifer Osiek. (Waypoint #11)
This virtual cache was inspired by a cache I completed at San Francisco (SFO) airport in May of 2024. I loved the idea of having a cache at the airport which highlighted the artwork and historic artifacts so beautifully displayed here for all to see. If you find yourself at SFO, please check out GC9P7DD.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
