Intercontinental Airports In The Us: How Many Are There?

The United States has a vast network of airports, with over 19,700 airports across the country, including around 5,000 public airports. While not all of these airports are designated as international, there are still several major international airports located in different cities across the US. These airports serve as gateways to the country, providing convenient connections to various domestic and international destinations.

An international airport is defined as an airport with the necessary infrastructure to handle international flights, including customs and immigration services, as well as appropriate runways, terminals, and amenities to accommodate international travellers.

Some of the major international airports in the US include John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Georgia, and O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois. These airports are among the busiest in the country and offer a wide range of domestic and international connections.

In addition to these major hubs, there are also several regional and smaller international airports across the US, such as Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in Michigan. These airports cater to specific regions and provide a limited number of international connections.

The US also has a number of secondary international airports, such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which offer a range of international destinations despite not being as large or well-known as the major hubs.

The busiest US airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with 50.9 million passengers in 2023

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bustling hub of activity, consistently ranking as the busiest airport in the United States and even the world. In 2023, the airport handled an impressive 50.9 million passengers, according to the US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration data. This number is a slight decrease from its record-breaking performance in 2022, where it served over 104 million passengers.

The airport's strategic location and extensive flight network are key factors in its high passenger volume. With five parallel runways and a large terminal complex, the airport accommodates numerous domestic and international flights, serving as a primary hub for Delta Airlines. The airport's contribution to the economy is significant, generating billions in economic output and supporting a vast number of jobs.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not just about numbers; it also provides a range of amenities for travellers, including dining options, retail outlets, and services. The airport has also embraced technological advancements, such as implementing facial recognition for quicker check-ins and boarding, enhancing the overall airport experience for its millions of annual passengers.

The airport's extensive infrastructure, efficient operations, and convenient connections have solidified its position as one of the world's leading airports, catering to the ever-growing demands of modern air travel.

While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport leads the way, other US airports also handle substantial passenger traffic. Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport round out the top five busiest airports in the US, each serving tens of millions of passengers annually. These airports, along with Hartsfield-Jackson, are vital gateways connecting people from all over the world.

The largest US airport by area is Denver International Airport

The United States has some of the biggest airports in the world, and the largest of them all is the Denver International Airport. Located in northeast Denver, Colorado, the airport is about 25 miles from Downtown Denver and spans 135 square kilometres or 52.4 square miles. It is the largest airport in North America and the third-largest in the world.

Denver International Airport has six runways, including the longest runway in the US available for public use, and 163 gates divided into three areas. The airport is served by 23 airlines flying to about 215 destinations. In 2020, the airport handled approximately 32 million passengers, making it the eighth busiest airport globally. In 2021, this number increased to 58.8 million, and in 2023, the airport served 77.8 million passengers, making it the third busiest airport in the US and the sixth busiest in the world.

The airport is also one of the biggest employers in Colorado, with over 35,000 employees. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has set up an electric commuter rail (A-Line) to connect downtown Denver to the airport. The airport is also notable for its unique architecture and art installations.

John F Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest international gateways in the US

John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in New York City, is one of the busiest international gateways in the US. It is the sixth-busiest airport in the country and the busiest of the six airports in the New York airport system, handling over 62.5 million passengers in 2019. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and the primary operating base for JetBlue.

JFK Airport is situated in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. It features five or six passenger terminals and four runways. Over 90 airlines operate out of JFK Airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

The airport was originally named New York International Airport when it opened in 1948, but it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the airport was renamed in tribute to him.

JFK Airport has undergone significant development and expansion over the years, with plans for further growth in the future. It is part of a $19-billion transformation of the roads and terminals, including a $9.5-billion New Terminal One, which is the largest private-public partnership in the country. The airport is also a major hub for air cargo, ranking as the number one international air freight gateway in the US.

LAX is the second busiest airport in the US and sixth globally

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is the second busiest airport in the United States and the sixth busiest globally. LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area, located in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city, 18 miles southwest of downtown LA. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways.

LAX is a major international gateway for the country, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling internationally, particularly to and from the Asia-Pacific region. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, and in 2024, this number increased to 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase from the previous year.

LAX is unique in that it holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport. This is because, relative to other airports, a much higher proportion of travellers—approximately 88%—begin or end their trips in Los Angeles, rather than using it as a connection. It is also the only airport to rank among the top five U.S. airports for both passenger and cargo traffic.

LAX is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAX is currently undergoing a major expansion, with all terminals being refurbished, and new facilities being constructed, including an Automated People Mover and a Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility. These projects are expected to cost around $30 billion and will bring LAX's total gates from 146 to 182.

In terms of the busiest airports in the United States, LAX comes second only to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which served over 50 million passengers in 2023. Following LAX in third place is Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, with 39.2 million passengers. Denver International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport round out the top five busiest airports in the U.S.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world by area

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the largest airports in the world by area. It covers 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi; 69.63 km2) or 26.9 square miles, making it the second-largest airport by land area in the United States, after Denver International Airport. Its size surpasses that of Manhattan in New York City.

DFW Airport is located roughly halfway between the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, spreading across portions of Dallas and Tarrant counties. The airport includes parts of the cities of Grapevine, Irving, Euless, and Coppell.

The airport is a primary international airport serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. It is a significant hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport, and is the third-busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements. According to the Airports Council International, DFW was the second-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2022 and 2023.

DFW Airport offers an extensive network of destinations, with service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations. It provides non-stop flights to every major city in the contiguous United States within four hours or less. The airport also boasts the distinction of being the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.

The history of DFW Airport dates back to the 1920s when Dallas first proposed a joint airport with Fort Worth. However, Fort Worth initially declined the offer, leading to the development of separate airports in each city. After years of negotiations and challenges, the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport finally opened in January 1974, with a dedication ceremony that included the first landing of a supersonic Concorde in the United States.

Today, DFW Airport is a bustling transportation hub, serving more than 73 million customers annually. It is a vital economic generator for the North Texas region, contributing over $37 billion in economic impact each year. The airport's large area allows for future expansion projects, ensuring its continued growth and development.

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