Inside ATL: how Delta juggles 100,000 bags a day at the world’s busiest airport

Delta Air Lines ramp agent Mike Davis prepares to load passenger luggage on his cart while working at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, on May 13, 2026.

On a busy day, Delta Air Lines handles more than 100,000 bags at its Atlanta hub. NPR got a rare look behind the scenes at how the airline is using AI to improve baggage-handling operations.

(Image credit: Alyssa Pointer for NPR)