Owais Crawford
The United States has an extensive air transportation network, with a total of 19,919 airports as of 2020, 5,217 of which are designated as public use. This includes everything from small airstrips to sprawling hubs. The number of public-use airports has decreased since 1990, while the number of private airports has increased. The US also has the most international airports of any country, with 483 as of 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of airports in the U.S. | Over 19,700 |
| Number of public airports in the U.S. | 5,193 |
| Number of private airports in the U.S. | 14,776 |
| Number of international airports in the U.S. | 483 |
What You'll Learn
The US has the most international airports in the world
The United States boasts an extensive aviation network, with over 19,000 airports across the country, including public and private airports catering to both domestic and international travellers. Notably, the US has the highest number of airports in the world, with more private airports than public ones.
Among these airports, there are approximately 483 international airports spread across the nation, catering to the ever-growing number of international travellers visiting the US each year. These international airports provide vital connections between the US and the rest of the world, facilitating both passenger travel and cargo operations.
The US is home to some of the busiest airports globally, with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City being one of the busiest international gateways. With over 90 airlines operating from its nine terminals, JFK is easily accessible by rail, bus, or car. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is another notable hub, serving as the second busiest airport in the US and the sixth busiest globally, with numerous passenger airlines operating from its terminals.
Other major international airports in the US include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Denver International Airport (DEN), which is the largest airport in the US by land area.
The vast network of international airports in the US not only facilitates global travel but also contributes significantly to the country's economic growth and enhances its global presence.
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There are over 19,700 airports in the US
The United States has an extensive air transportation network, with over 19,700 airports spread across the country as of 2025. This includes a wide range of aviation facilities, from small airstrips in remote areas to sprawling international hubs. The sheer number of airports in the US can be attributed to various factors, including the country's vast geography and the preference for air travel for long-distance trips.
Among the over 19,700 airports, about 5,193 are classified as public airports, a number that has decreased since 1990. Public airports include commercial service airports and general aviation airports, catering to both domestic and international travel needs. These public airports handle a significant volume of passenger traffic, with 88% of all traffic passing through the 62 busiest airports in 2012.
In contrast, the number of private airports in the US has been on the rise, increasing from 11,901 in 1990 to 14,776 in 2022. It is important to note that the distinction between public and private airports relates to usage rather than ownership. A public-use airport, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is open to the general public without prior approval, while private-use airports require authorisation from the airport owner or operator.
The US is home to some of the busiest airports in the world, with 16 of the top 50 busiest passenger airports globally located in the country. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in particular, holds the distinction of being the busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers and aircraft movements. Additionally, US airports play a crucial role in international connectivity, with 483 international airports across the nation.
The civil airline industry in the US is entirely privately owned and largely deregulated since 1978. However, most major airports are publicly owned. The aviation industry contributes significantly to the US economy, accounting for approximately 5% of the gross domestic product and generating about $1.3 trillion in annual economic activity. It also supports a vast number of jobs, with an estimated 10 million jobs created or sustained annually.
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There were 5,193 public airports in the US in 2022
In 2022, there were 5,193 public airports in the United States. This number includes both commercial service airports and general aviation airports. A public airport is defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as "an airport available for use by the general public without a requirement for prior approval from the airport owner or operator". This is in contrast to private airports, which do require prior approval.
The number of public airports in the US has been decreasing since 1990, when there were 5,589. This decline is likely due to the significant reduction in regional flights, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the total number of airports in the US, including private airports, is over 19,700.
The US has the most international airports of any country in the world. These include well-known hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
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The number of public airports in the US has decreased since 1990
In 2025, the US had over 19,700 airports, including public and private airports, tiny airstrips, and sprawling hubs. Among these, about 5,193 were public airports, which include both commercial service airports and general aviation airports.
Public airports are defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as airports available for use by the general public without requiring prior approval from the airport owner or operator. In contrast, prior approval is mandated for private-use airports.
The distinction between public and private airports pertains to usage rather than ownership. The number of private airports in the US has increased over the years, rising from 11,901 in 1990 to 14,776 in 2022.
The US has the most international airports globally, with 483 spread across the country. These international airports serve as gateways connecting the US to the rest of the world.
Some of the notable international airports in the US include John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Georgia.
The US also has several regional and secondary international airports that provide crucial connectivity to smaller cities and towns. Additionally, some airports are expanding their international routes, such as Denver International Airport (DEN) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
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The US has the three largest airlines in the world by passengers carried
The US has a vast aviation network, with over 19,700 airports spread across the country, including around 5,193 public airports. These airports range from small airstrips in remote areas to bustling hubs like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, which is one of the busiest international gateways in the country.
The US also boasts three of the largest airlines in the world by passengers carried: American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. These airlines are key players in the global aviation industry, offering extensive networks of domestic and international flights.
American Airlines, founded in 1926, has a rich history and is considered one of the most prominent airlines in the US. With a fleet of over 1,700 aircraft, they serve a mix of Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer planes. They have a vast loyalty program called AAdvantage and prioritize safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Delta Air Lines, established in 1929, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is known for its exceptional customer service and operational reliability. They have a fleet of 1,271 aircraft, consisting of Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer types, making them the third-largest airline in the world by fleet size.
United Airlines, also founded in 1926, is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. As one of the largest airlines in the world, United operates a diverse fleet of Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and Embraer aircraft, and is the biggest operator of Boeing aircraft globally.
These three airlines, American, Delta, and United, are significant players in the US and global aviation industries, offering extensive flight networks and contributing to the country's economic growth and international connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, there are 19,919 airports in the USA, of which 5,217 are designated as "public use".
In 2022, there were 5,193 public airports in the USA.
As of 2022, there are 14,776 private airports in the USA.
A public airport is defined by the FAA as "an airport available for use by the general public without a requirement for prior approval from the airport owner or operator". For private airports, prior approval is required.
