Hartsfield-Jackson: World's Busiest Airport, Based In Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. In 2023, it served a record-breaking 104.6 million travellers, an 11.7% increase from the previous year. However, when it comes to sheer landmass, Atlanta Airport is not the largest. King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia is the largest airport in the world by total area, spanning 299.61 square miles (776 square kilometres).

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world. In 2023, it served a whopping 104.6 million travellers, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). This was an increase of 11.7% from 2022. The demand for domestic flights remained robust, with ACI's report showing a recovery of 96.8% of pre-pandemic (2019) passenger traffic levels. However, the most encouraging trend was the resurgence of international air travel, which experienced a robust 36.5% growth and welcomed 90.4% of passengers from 2019 numbers.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world every year since 1998, except for 2020 when its passenger traffic dipped due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta regained the top position in 2021 and has held it since.

The airport's high passenger volume is due to several factors, including its role as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and its efficient layout, which allows for quick connections. Additionally, Atlanta is a large metropolitan area with a significant population that uses the airport for both business and leisure travel. The airport also serves as a connecting point for many travellers heading to other destinations in the southeastern United States.

While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, it is not the largest airport in terms of land area. That title goes to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, which covers 300 square miles.

Atlanta Airport's ranking as the busiest airport in the world

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world. In 2023, it served 104.6 million travellers, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). This was an increase of 11.7% from 2022, with the demand for domestic flights remaining robust and international air travel experiencing a 36.5% growth. Atlanta's airport has been the busiest in the world every year since 1998, except for 2020 when its passenger traffic dipped due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

In December 2024, however, Dubai International Airport (DXB) overtook Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the world's busiest airport with 5.3 million seats, a 5% increase from the previous month. Atlanta's airport was just 51,408 (1%) seats behind Dubai.

The United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 16, including five of the top 10.

Atlanta Airport's increase in traffic from the previous year

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been ranked the busiest airport in the world, serving 104.6 million travellers in 2023. This number reflects an 11.7% increase in traffic compared to 2022, when it also ranked as the busiest airport globally.

The Airports Council International (ACI), a trade association of the world's airports, publishes annual rankings based on total passengers, defined as passengers enplaned, deplaned, and direct-transit passengers. In its 2023 report, ACI highlighted a notable recovery in global air travel, with a significant resurgence in international air travel. Atlanta's international airport experienced a robust 36.5% growth in international travel, contributing to the overall increase in passenger traffic.

The demand for domestic flights in Atlanta also remained strong, with the ACI report indicating a recovery of 96.8% of the 2019 passenger traffic level. Atlanta's position as a leader in air travel is further emphasised by the fact that it has held the title of the busiest airport in the world every year since 1998, except for 2020, when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in passenger traffic.

The substantial increase in passenger numbers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from 2022 to 2023 showcases a significant rise in air travel, reinforcing Atlanta's reputation as a pivotal hub for global connectivity and transportation.

Atlanta Airport's ranking as the biggest airport in the United States

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world, serving over 100 million travelers in 2023. However, when it comes to sheer land mass, Atlanta Airport is not the biggest in the United States.

Ranking by Passenger Traffic

The ranking of airports by passenger traffic is measured by the total number of passengers enplaned, deplaned, and in direct transit. By this metric, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world.

In 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport served 104,635,151 passengers, an 11.7% increase from 2022. This was an impressive recovery, with the airport regaining its top position after a dip in passenger traffic in 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Ranking by Land Mass

When it comes to the size of the airport in terms of land mass, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not the biggest in the United States. Here is a list of the largest airports in the world by area:

• King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia
• King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia
• Denver International Airport, United States
• Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, United States
• Southwest Florida International Airport, United States
• Orlando International Airport, United States
• Washington Dulles International Airport, United States
• Beijing Daxing International Airport, China
• Kansas City International Airport, United States

Denver International Airport, which is the third-largest airport in the world by area, is the largest airport in the United States by land mass. At 53 square miles, it is more than double the size of the next largest U.S. airport, Dallas/Fort Worth.

Atlanta Airport's Ranking

While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not the largest by land mass, it has consistently ranked as the busiest airport in the world since 1998, except for 2020 due to the pandemic. With its high volume of passenger traffic, Atlanta Airport is a major hub for global connectivity, commerce, and economic development.

Atlanta Airport's ranking as the biggest airport in the world

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport globally. It has held this title every year since 1998, except in 2020 when travel was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airport covers 4,700 acres of land, has five parallel runways, and offers around 220 destinations. It is the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, with just over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations. Delta's hub is the world's largest airline hub and is considered America's first mega-hub.

In addition to Delta, the airport is also a base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The airport has international services within North America and to Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

The airport is mostly located in Clayton County, with parts of it extending into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville in Fulton County. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has consistently ranked as the busiest airport in the world, and its efficient operations and high passenger volume contribute to its prominent position in global aviation.

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