Lois Larson
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it is not among the biggest airports in the United States in terms of surface area. Denver International Airport, on the other hand, is the largest airport in the US and the second or third largest in the world, depending on the source. In terms of passenger numbers, Atlanta International Airport is far busier than Denver International Airport, with 50.9 million passengers compared to 37.8 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of passengers in 2022 | Atlanta: 45 million, Denver: 33 million |
| Number of passengers in 2023 | Atlanta: 104,653,451, Denver: 77,837,917 |
| Size | Atlanta: 104.6 million, Denver: 135.69km squared |
| Number of runways | Atlanta: N/A, Denver: 6 |
| Size comparison | Atlanta: One of the largest airports by land area in the U.S., Denver: Largest airport in the U.S. and North America |
| Busiest airport | Atlanta: Busiest airport in the U.S. and the world, Denver: Third busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth busiest in the world |
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What You'll Learn
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the USA
- Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the USA
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport
- Denver International Airport is the second-largest airport in the world
- Atlanta International Airport has more passengers than Denver International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the USA
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the USA and, by some accounts, the world. The airport is located 10 miles (16km) south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land. It has five parallel runways, with the longest measuring 12,390 feet (3,776 m) and capable of handling the Airbus A380.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic reduced passenger numbers. In 2024, the airport saw a 2% increase in capacity, solidifying its position as the busiest in the world. The airport is served by just over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations, making it the world's largest airline hub and the first mega-hub in America. It is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, as well as the operating base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
The airport's capacity and traffic can be attributed to its role as a global gateway, offering nonstop service to more than 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. These destinations include major commercial centres in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and South and Central America. The airport is also recognised for its award-winning concessions program, featuring over 300 commercial venues that cater to the diverse needs of its guests.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is more than just an airport; it is an economic powerhouse for the state of Georgia. The airport generates a $34.8 billion economic impact for metro Atlanta and provides more than 63,000 on-site jobs, making it the state's largest employer. With its capital improvement program, ATLNext, the airport is poised for further growth and modernisation, solidifying its position as a beacon of economic strength and customer service excellence in Georgia and beyond.
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Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the USA
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the United States and North America by land area. It covers 52.4 square miles (approximately 135-136 square kilometres or 33,500-33,531 acres) of land, making it the largest commercial airport area in North America by a significant margin. To put this into perspective, the airport is 23-25 miles from Downtown Denver, and is actually closer to the City of Aurora. The airport's land area is so large that it increased the city's size by 50% when the land was transferred from Adams County to Denver in 1989.
Despite its vast size, Denver International Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2021 and 2022, it was the third busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States by passenger traffic. In 2023, it was the sixth busiest airport in the world and retained its position as the third busiest in the US, serving around 77.8 million passengers. This was a 12% increase from the previous year. In 2024, the airport set a new record, serving 82,358,744 passengers.
Denver International Airport has six runways, including the longest public-use runway in North America, Runway 16R/34L, which is 16,000 feet (approximately 3 miles or 4.88 kilometres) long. The airport has one terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, which covers 139,000 square metres (34.34 acres), and three midfield concourses. The airport is a major hub for United Airlines and the largest operating base for Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. It is the largest employer in Colorado, with over 40,000 employees.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. With the exception of 2020, when travel was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has held this title since 1998. In 2024, the airport saw a 2% increase in capacity compared to the previous year.
ATL serves as the primary international airport for Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area in Georgia. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways, three of which are 9,000 feet long, one that is 10,000 feet long, and the longest runway measuring 12,390 feet, capable of handling the Airbus A380.
Hartsfield-Jackson is the corporate headquarters and main hub of Delta Air Lines, with over 1,000 daily flights to 225 domestic and international destinations. It is also a base for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The airport offers non-stop service to more than 150 domestic and 70 international destinations, including major commercial centres in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas.
In addition to its aviation functions, ATL is a significant economic driver for the region, generating a $34.8 billion economic impact for metro Atlanta and providing over 63,000 on-site jobs, making it the state's largest employer. The airport also boasts an award-winning concessions program with over 300 commercial venues catering to passengers' shopping, dining, and service needs.
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Denver International Airport is the second-largest airport in the world
Denver International Airport is so large that it has more than 5,300 miles of fiber optic cables. Its fuel system is capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of fuel per minute, with six tanks, each holding 2.73 million gallons. The airport also features over 19 miles of conveyor belts, baggage handling vehicles, and roadways in its underground tunnel system.
The airport was designed with future expansion in mind, with space for two more concourses. The layout of the runways was also optimised to avoid the adverse weather conditions that plagued Stapleton Airport. The Jeppesen Terminal at Denver International Airport provides landside facilities across 139,000m² (34.34 acres).
While Denver International Airport is the largest in the US, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the country, serving 50.9 million passengers in 2022. Atlanta International Airport is also the busiest airport in the world, with 5.2 million seats.
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Atlanta International Airport has more passengers than Denver International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. In 2023, it served over 104 million passengers, ranking first in the US and globally. In 2022, it served approximately 45 million passengers, and in 2021, it served 50.9 million passengers. Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport annually since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic.
Denver International Airport (DEN), on the other hand, is the largest airport in the US and North America by area, spanning 135.69 square kilometres (52.4 square miles). Despite its size, it is not as busy as Atlanta International Airport. In 2023, it handled 77.8 million passengers, making it the third busiest airport in the US and sixth busiest worldwide. In 2022, it served 33 million passengers, and in 2021, it served 37.8 million passengers.
Denver International Airport has a vast infrastructure, including six runways, enough land for another six runways, and 19 miles of conveyor belts, baggage handling vehicles, and roadway in its underground tunnel system. It is known for its art installations and sustainability initiatives. However, it ranks as one of the worst airports in the US due to challenges like difficult navigation, overcrowding, and adverse weather conditions causing significant delays.
Atlanta International Airport, despite not being as large in area, handles a higher volume of passengers due to its efficient ground transportation centre and multiple concourses. It is a crucial hub for global and North American air travel and has consistently maintained its position as one of the busiest airports globally.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the US and the third-largest airport in the world, covering 135 square kilometres or 53 square miles. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, but it is not in the top ten biggest airports in the US.
Atlanta International Airport serves 50.9 million passengers.
Denver International Airport served 37.8 million passengers in 2024 and 58.8 million in 2021.
The biggest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
