Airports: How Many Cities Offer Direct Flights?

Many cities are served by more than one airport. London and New York top the list with six commercial airports each, but several other US cities have multiple airports too. This is often due to historical reasons or geographic expansion. For instance, after New York, Los Angeles has the most airports, with five airports close to the city. San Francisco has three airports, and Miami and Boston have four. Outside the US, a few cities have four airports, including Moscow, Tokyo, and Stockholm.

Cities with multiple airports

It is not uncommon for large metropolitan areas, especially those surrounding capital cities, to have multiple airports. This is often a strategy to avoid congestion and cater to different uses, such as international and domestic flights.

London, UK

London is famously served by six airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton, Southend, and Stansted. Heathrow and Gatwick are the primary hub airports, with Heathrow being the busiest airport in Europe.

New York, USA

New York City is served by John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Long Island MacArthur Airport, Stewart International Airport, and Westchester County Airport. JFK and Newark are the primary hub airports.

Paris, France

Paris has two major airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris-Beauvais Airport. Beauvais–Tillé Airport is located further outside the city.

Moscow, Russia

Moscow is served by three international airports: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo.

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver International Airport is the primary airport serving the city, but there are five other smaller airports in the area: Abbotsford International Airport, Langley Regional Airport, Vancouver Harbour Water Airport, Vancouver International Water Airport, and Vancouver/Harbour (Public) Heliport.

Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport, but other airports in the area include Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Long Beach Airport.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney Kingsford Smith is the main airport, but there are also three smaller airports in the area: Bankstown Airport, Camden Airport, and Rose Bay Airport.

Other cities with multiple airports

• Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Bangkok Don Mueang airports
• Shanghai, China: Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao airports
• Tokyo, Japan: Haneda and Narita airports
• Toronto, Canada: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Milan, Italy: Milan Bergamo Airport, Milan Linate Airport, and Milan Malpensa Airport
• Chicago, USA: Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Chicago Rockford International Airport
• Beijing, China: Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport
• Rome, Italy: Rome Ciampino Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport
• Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Stockholm Skavsta Airport, Stockholm Bromma Airport, and Stockholm Västerås Airport
• Washington, D.C., USA: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport
• Dallas, USA: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field

Reasons for multiple airports

Many cities have more than one airport, and there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, multiple airports can help to avoid congestion and cater to expansions in demand for aviation. For example, London and New York, which have six commercial airports each, are the busiest cities for air travel globally. In some cases, a new airport may be opened to relieve the pressure on existing airports, as seen in Beijing with the opening of Daxing Airport.

Secondly, multiple airports can serve different purposes, such as catering to different airlines, city districts, or types of flights (international or domestic). For instance, in New York, LaGuardia, Newark, and JFK serve as hubs for different airlines, while in London, Gatwick is focused on low-cost carriers. Additionally, some airports may be better located for different areas of a city, acting as more convenient gateways for certain passengers.

Furthermore, historical factors may also be at play. For example, LaGuardia in New York opened as a private airfield in 1929 and became a commercial airport in 1939, while Newark opened in 1928 as the first airport serving New York and was the busiest commercial airport globally before World War II. JFK then opened in 1948 to accommodate growing air traffic and relieve capacity issues at other airports.

Finally, geographical expansion of cities can also lead to the addition of new airports in more convenient locations. For instance, Los Angeles has five airports close to the city, with LAX being the largest, while Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach, and John Wayne airports serve the greater Los Angeles area. Similarly, San Francisco has San Francisco International Airport as its main airport, but is also served by San Jose and Oakland International Airports.

Busiest airports in the US

The number of cities with airports varies depending on what is classified as an airport. According to the 2011-2015 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), there are over 19,700 airports in the United States, with 5,170 open to the general public and 503 serving commercial flights.

Now, here is a detailed overview of the busiest airports in the US, focusing on passenger traffic:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is consistently ranked as the busiest airport in the US and the world. In 2023, it served approximately 104.7 million passengers, a significant increase from the previous year. This can be attributed to its strategic location and extensive flight network. The airport has a substantial economic impact on the region, contributing billions of dollars annually.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US and the world, serving as a major hub for domestic and international travel. In 2023, it welcomed approximately 81.7 million passengers, reflecting a steady recovery in air travel post-pandemic. The airport covers a vast area, spanning over 26.9 square miles, and is on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International Airport is recognised as the largest airport in North America by land area and is one of the busiest airports globally. In 2023, it served around 77 million passengers, showcasing a robust recovery in air travel. The airport features an extensive runway system, including the longest commercial runway in North America, enabling efficient handling of high traffic volumes.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is a major global gateway and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it handled approximately 75 million passengers. LAX is currently undergoing several major construction projects, including an electric rail system, to enhance capacity and improve the passenger experience.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a significant global hub and one of the busiest airports in the US by total flight operations. In 2023, it served around 73 million passengers. O'Hare contributes significantly to the local economy, generating billions of dollars annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. The airport is undergoing expansion projects to enhance capacity and improve the passenger experience.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)

John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it handled approximately 62 million passengers. JFK is undergoing major expansion projects, including terminal modernisations and AirTrain extensions, to accommodate increasing passenger volumes and improve accessibility.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando International Airport is a prominent hub for air travel and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it served around 57.7 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in Florida. The airport is undergoing renovations, adding new gates, and improving parking facilities to accommodate growing passenger demand.

Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)

Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is a key gateway to Las Vegas and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it handled approximately 57.6 million passengers. The airport is undergoing expansion projects, including terminal modernisations and parking improvements, to enhance its capacity and convenience for travellers.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a significant hub for air travel and one of the busiest airports in the US and the world. In 2023, it served around 53 million passengers. The airport is undergoing a $4 billion overhaul, including terminal expansions and the addition of new gates, to keep up with increasing passenger numbers.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport is a crucial hub for air travel, particularly as a gateway to Latin America, and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it served around 52 million passengers. Miami International Airport is undergoing renovations and expanding its cargo facilities to maintain its status as a leading cargo hub.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a vital hub for air travel and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it served approximately 50.9 million passengers. The airport is implementing sustainability measures to reduce its environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Francisco International Airport is a significant gateway to the Pacific and one of the busiest airports in the US. In 2023, it served around 50.2 million passengers. The airport is undergoing terminal upgrades and adopting sustainability initiatives to improve the passenger experience and reduce its environmental footprint.

Airports in the US by state

There are over 19,700 airports in the United States, with 5,170 open to the general public and 503 serving commercial flights. The large number of airports means that lists of airports in the US are often broken down by state.

Alabama

Alabama has several airports, including Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, Dothan Regional Airport, and Huntsville International Airport.

Alaska

Alaska also has a number of airports, such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Fairbanks International Airport, and Juneau International Airport.

Arizona

Arizona is home to airports like Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Tucson International Airport.

Arkansas

Arkansas includes airports such as Northwest Arkansas National Airport, Fort Smith Regional Airport, and Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.

California

California boasts a significant number of airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and San Diego International Airport.

Colorado

Colorado's airport offerings include Denver International Airport, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

Connecticut

Connecticut is served by airports such as Bradley International Airport, Tweed-New Haven Airport, and Danbury Municipal Airport.

Delaware

Delaware is home to airports like New Castle Airport and Dover Air Force Base.

Florida

Florida, a popular tourist destination, has numerous airports, including Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Georgia

Georgia's airport offerings include Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Augusta Regional Airport, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Hawaii

Hawaii, being a group of islands, relies heavily on air travel and has airports such as Hilo International Airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.

Idaho

Idaho is served by airports such as Boise Airport, Friedman Memorial Airport, and Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

Illinois

Illinois, the home of Chicago, has major airports like Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, as well as several other airports like Central Illinois Regional Airport and Quad Cities International Airport.

Indiana

Indiana's airport offerings include Indianapolis International Airport, Fort Wayne International Airport, and South Bend International Airport.

Iowa

Iowa is home to airports such as Des Moines International Airport, Dubuque Regional Airport, and Sioux Gateway Airport.

Kansas

Kansas includes airports like Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Garden City Regional Airport, and Manhattan Regional Airport.

Kentucky

Kentucky is served by airports such as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Owensboro–Daviess County Regional Airport, and Barkley Regional Airport.

Louisiana

Louisiana is home to airports including Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, and Lafayette Regional Airport.

Maine

Maine is served by airports such as Bangor International Airport, Portland International Jetport, and Presque Isle International Airport.

Maryland

Maryland, close to the nation's capital, has airports like Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Hagerstown Regional Airport, and Salisbury Regional Airport.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts, home to Boston, has airports including Logan International Airport, Cape Cod Gateway Airport, and Nantucket Memorial Airport.

Michigan

Michigan is served by airports such as Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and Houghton County Memorial Airport.

Minnesota

Minnesota is home to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Rochester International Airport, and St. Cloud Regional Airport, among others.

Mississippi

Mississippi is served by airports such as Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport, Hattiesburg–Laurel Regional Airport, and Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.

Missouri

Missouri includes airports like St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Springfield–Branson National Airport.

Montana

Montana is home to airports such as Billings Logan International Airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and Great Falls International Airport.

Nebraska

Nebraska is served by airports including Central Nebraska Regional Airport, Kearney Regional Airport, and Lincoln Airport.

Nevada

Nevada, home to Las Vegas, has airports such as Harry Reid International Airport and Reno/Tahoe International Airport.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is served by Manchester–Boston Regional Airport, Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, and Lebanon Municipal Airport.

New Jersey

New Jersey, being close to New York City, has several airports, including

Cities with two airports handling over 50 million seats a year