Jazmin Li
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the United States, serving more passengers than any other airport in the country. It covers 4,700 acres of land, which is impressive by any measure, but it is not enough to make it one of the top ten largest airports in the US. On the other hand, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, originally constructed in 1929, covers 19.6 km² (7.6 square miles) or 4,850 acres, making it one of the largest airports in the country. So, in terms of size, Detroit Airport is bigger than Atlanta Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Detroit Airport area | 19.6km² (7.6 square miles) or 4,850 acres |
| Atlanta Airport area | 4,700 acres |
| Number of runways | Detroit: 6 |
| Atlanta: Not found | |
| Number of terminals | Detroit: 2 |
| Atlanta: Not found | |
| Number of passengers | Detroit: 31.4 million (2023) |
| Atlanta: Not found |
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What You'll Learn
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport covers 7.6 square miles and has two terminals
- Atlanta is the busiest airport in the US, serving more passengers than any other airport
- Detroit Airport was originally constructed in 1929 on 1 square mile of land
- Atlanta Airport covers 4,700 acres of land
- Detroit Airport has six runways and Atlanta Airport has five
Detroit Metropolitan Airport covers 7.6 square miles and has two terminals
Covering 7.6 square miles, Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is one of the largest airports in the United States. Located in Michigan, the airport was originally constructed in 1929 on just one square mile of land purchased by Michigan's Wayne County, which still owns the airport. Over the years, it has expanded to its current size of 4,850 acres, making it the 10th largest airport hub in the country. DTW features six runways and two terminals, with the McNamara Terminal serving as the main hub for Delta Air Lines and its partners Aeromexico and Air France. The terminal has three concourses with a total of 103 gates, including 62 at Concourse A and 12 international boarding gates.
The impressive size of Detroit Metropolitan Airport is not just about its land area but also its infrastructure. The airport handled more than 31.4 million passengers in 2023, with 290,238 recorded aircraft movements. To accommodate such a high volume of traffic, DTW has an immersive LED tunnel that connects Concourses B and C with Concourse A. This tunnel, featuring a decorative colour-changing light installation, has become an iconic part of the airport, even making appearances in films like "Up in the Air" (2009) and "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997).
While Detroit Metropolitan Airport is indeed large, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia takes the top spot as the biggest airport in the United States. Atlanta's airport spans 4,700 acres, just shy of Detroit's size, but it serves more passengers than any other airport in the country. Despite its smaller size, Atlanta has been named the most efficient airport in the world by organisations like the Air Transport Research Society and Business Traveler Awards.
In conclusion, Detroit Metropolitan Airport's coverage of 7.6 square miles and its two terminals make it one of the largest airports in the United States, second only to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. DTW's expansive infrastructure, including its six runways and modern terminals, showcases its capacity to handle a significant volume of passengers and aircraft movements each year.
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Atlanta is the busiest airport in the US, serving more passengers than any other airport
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the United States, serving more passengers than any other airport in the country. It covers 4,700 acres of land, which is impressive and considered large by any measure. However, its size is not what sets it apart, as it is not among the top ten largest airports in the US. Instead, it is its efficiency in handling passenger traffic that makes it stand out. Atlanta's airport has even been recognised as the most efficient airport in the world by the Air Transport Research Society in 2021 and was named the top airport in the world by the Business Traveller Awards.
The high volume of passengers in Atlanta is attributed to both foreign visitors and domestic travellers. The United States, with its large geographical expanse, relies heavily on air travel for long-distance travel. Its economic centres are often far apart, making air travel the quickest way to reach them. Additionally, there is a strong preference for air travel in the US compared to other modes of transportation, contributing to the high passenger numbers in Atlanta.
While Atlanta's airport excels in efficiency, other airports in the US are known for their sheer size. Denver International Airport, for example, is the largest airport in the US and the second-largest in the world. It boasts six runways, including the longest public-use runway in the US at 16,000 feet, and has enough land to accommodate six additional runways. Orlando International Airport, the third-largest airport in the US, is even bigger than Los Angeles International Airport, JFK, and Miami International Airport combined.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the second-largest airport in the US, operates like a city within a city. It has its own zip code, police and fire departments, and medical emergency services. San Francisco International Airport, while smaller in size, handled over 50 million passengers in 2023, making it the 14th busiest airport in the US and 30th busiest globally. Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with five terminals, served over 46 million passengers in 2023, showcasing the high volume of air traffic in the US.
Among all these busy airports, Atlanta stands out as the busiest, efficiently managing a constant flow of travellers and serving more passengers than any other airport in the United States. Its reputation for efficiency and its central location in the eastern half of the US contribute to its status as a preferred hub for travellers, both domestic and international.
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Detroit Airport was originally constructed in 1929 on 1 square mile of land
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, originally constructed in 1929, has a rich history that spans several decades. Nicknamed "Metro Airport," it serves the metropolitan area of Detroit and various surrounding regions, including Toledo, Ohio, Ann Arbor, Windsor, and Southwestern Ontario in Canada. The airport's construction was the culmination of plans that began as early as 1927 when Wayne County embarked on a project to establish an airport in the western townships of the county.
In 1928, the county board of commissioners issued a $2 million bond to acquire one square mile of land at the corner of Middlebelt and Wick roads, marking the northeastern boundary of the future airport. Construction was completed in 1929, and the airport witnessed its first landing on February 22, 1930. The following year, in 1930, the airport was dedicated, and Thompson Aeronautical Corporation, a precursor to American Airlines, initiated its service from the airport.
Over the years, the airport underwent expansions and renovations, with the addition of terminals and concourses. The Smith Terminal, constructed in 1958, is often regarded as the oldest of the Metro Airport's terminals. However, the Executive Terminal, located near Middlebelt Road and Lucas Drive, was actually built in the late 1920s, predating the Smith Terminal. The Executive Terminal remains operational today, housing ASIG, a flight support company.
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport has continued to evolve and expand its facilities. In 2002, the Midfield Terminal, named after Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara, was opened. This terminal boasts a unique design, featuring four concourses with a total of 147 gates. The airport has consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction awards, including being named the best large U.S. airport by J.D. Power & Associates in 2010, 2019, and 2022.
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Atlanta Airport covers 4,700 acres of land
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres of land, which is equivalent to 7.3 square miles or 19 square kilometres. It is located 10 miles south of the Downtown Atlanta district in the US state of Georgia. The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
The airport has five parallel runways, which are aligned in an east-west direction. Three runways are 9,000 feet long, one is 10,000 feet long, and the longest runway measures 12,390 feet. This longest runway can handle the Airbus A380. In addition to its runways, the airport also features a vast network of parking spaces, with over 30,000 public parking spaces available across various locations within the airport.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has a long history, dating back to 1940 when it was declared a military airfield by the US government. During World War II, the airport doubled in size and set a record of 1,700 takeoffs and landings in a single day, making it the nation's busiest in terms of flight operations. In 1942, the airport was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport, and by 1948, it was handling over one million passengers annually.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and development over the years, including the addition of multiple terminals and runways. In 2009, a state-of-the-art 67.5-acre facility was opened to house rental car company operations and vehicles, showcasing the airport's continued growth and evolution.
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Detroit Airport has six runways and Atlanta Airport has five
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, located in Romulus, Michigan, covers 4,850 acres of land. It is Michigan's busiest airport and has six runways and two terminals. The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and is also a base for Spirit Airlines. It offers service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States.
The first three runways of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport were built between 1931 and 1945 when the airport hosted Michigan Air National Guard operations. In 1949, the airport added two more runways, 3L/21R and 9L/27R, and in 1950, runway 4R/22L was constructed. The last of the six runways, 4L/22R, was completed in December 2001.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, located in Clayton County, Georgia, covers 4,700 acres of land. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport has five parallel runways, all aligned in an east-west direction, and two terminals. It is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area.
The first four runways of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were built by 1985, with the fifth runway being completed in 2006. The addition of the fifth runway increased the capacity for landings and take-offs by 40%, allowing Hartsfield-Jackson to become one of the few airports capable of performing triple simultaneous landings.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres of land, while Detroit Metropolitan Airport covers 4,850 acres.
Atlanta serves more passengers than any other airport in the US. The exact number of passengers handled by the airport is not publicly available.
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport has six runways and two terminals.
The Detroit Airport has been featured in several films, including "Up in the Air" (2009) and "Grosse Pointe Blank" (1997).
