Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Weather
It should be noted that winds aloft were strong; and not blowing out of the normal directions. While we descended on the STOWL 1 Arrival; we experienced a strong tailwind until reaching about 1000 ft all where it clocked around to a right quartering headwind. It ranged from 50 to 60 knots between 8000 ft to 3000 ft MSL and 25 knots at 200 ft AGL.We were cleared to cross STOWL at 8000 ft/250 knots; and handed off from ATL Center to ATL Approach. Approach gave us a heading toward the ILS 8L; and cleared us to slow to 180 and descend to 6000 ft; then further descent to 5000 ft. They then cleared us to JAAJJ intersection on the 8L ILS and cleared us for the ILS; we were instructed to maintain 180 knots to JAAJJ. I knew that with the strong tailwind and a heavy aircraft; it was going to be challenging to make this approach work out unless the tailwind tapered off. The tailwind did not taper off. We crossed JAAJJ at 6500 ft and 180 knots with over 40 knots of tailwind. We had landing gear down; flaps 25 and scrambling to get down.Approach switched us to Tower sometime in here. Tower advised us we had a 70 knot overtake on the preceding aircraft. We slowed; got higher on the approach; and set flaps to 40. We broke out of the clouds at about 4000 ft somewhere inside BAZAR. The tailwind was still about 30 knots. Somewhere around SCHEL we asked for and were given S-turns to the north. This was not looking good in my mind; and after one S-turn; we decided to abandon the approach; and went around. On the subsequent approach; they cleared us to 3000 ft; and the approach went normal. The winds; however; were still very strong; 30 knots or higher out of the north; and clocked around to the southeast at about 20 to 30 knots until about 200 ft AGL. Coincidentally; a (other carrier) aircraft behind us on the approach went around right after we did. Also; in spite of the fact that I'd never met the FO; and it was our first leg together; I thought we worked quite well as a Crew. He was ahead of the aircraft; and provided lots of good feedback during this event; and allowed me to focus on flying the aircraft safely. Together; we used the skills we've been taught; and avoided a potentially unsafe landing in Atlanta. I feel the ATL Center Controllers really screwed up by seemingly not realizing there was a strong tailwind. Our ground speed must've been well in excess of 300 knots at some points along our path; and we were flying published/cleared speeds. They jammed us up; then handed us off to ATL Approach; and from there; the arrival/approach just deteriorated; and couldn't be salvaged safely.  I have been into ATL several times; and always feel like there is friction between Center and Approach Controllers; and that there is some strange disconnect between the two groups. The fact that we can't fly the arrivals as published is bizarre. I've heard rumors of infighting between the two groups such that there have been mass sick calls resulting in complete sectors of the arrival corridor being closed which causes huge delays.Recommend better recognition by ATC of winds aloft and the effect it has on arrival planning. For my part; I'll be more aware of potential arrival challenges going in to Atlanta; and will proactively speak up if things start to look like they aren't going to work out well.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported a missed approach to Runway 8L at ATL due to strong tailwinds combined with ATC handling which led to the aircraft being too high for a stabilized approach.