Owais Crawford
Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is Europe's busiest airport and the second busiest in the world, with 71 million international passengers annually. On the other hand, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherlands' biggest airport, is also one of the busiest in Europe, with 20.9 million passengers. This raises the question: Is Schiphol Airport bigger than Heathrow?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | Heathrow Airport: 12.27 km² or 1,125 hectares Schiphol Airport: 27.87 km² or 1,125 hectares |
| Number of Terminals | Heathrow Airport: 4 Schiphol Airport: 1 main terminal building |
| Number of Runways | Heathrow Airport: 2 Schiphol Airport: 6 |
| Passenger Traffic (2019) | Heathrow Airport: 80,884,310 Schiphol Airport: 20.9 million |
| Busiest Airport Ranking | Heathrow Airport: 2nd busiest airport in Europe and 7th busiest airport in the world Schiphol Airport: 7th busiest airport in Europe |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport
Heathrow Airport in London is Europe's busiest airport, with 71 million international passengers travelling through each year. It is also the world's second busiest airport, after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States. Heathrow is one of 13 airports in Italy and 12 in the United Kingdom that are among the top 100 airports in Europe.
Heathrow's size is currently 12.27 square kilometres, which restricts its capacity. However, there are plans to expand the airport by adding a third runway, which would add an estimated 3 square kilometres to the site. This expansion is expected to create 180,000 jobs and generate £187 billion in economic benefits for the UK by 2050.
Despite being Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow did not receive any awards in the 2025 Skytrax World's Best Airports rankings. The only European airports to make the top 10 were Paris Charles de Gaulle, Munich, and Istanbul Airport. Singapore Changi Airport was crowned the World's Best Airport for the 13th time, with early check-in, a 10-story shopping mall, multiple indoor gardens, spas, hotels, art exhibitions, a cinema, and even a dinosaur theme park.
Heathrow Airport briefly shut down on March 21, 2025, due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation, causing travel chaos and affecting global travel. Heathrow's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, called the outage "unprecedented" and vowed to have the airport operating at "100 percent" by the next day.
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Schiphol is one of the busiest in Europe
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is one of the busiest airports in Europe. It is the biggest airport in the Netherlands and occupies 1,125 hectares of land. The airport has one main terminal building and six runways. Schiphol is considered to be one of the busiest airports in Europe, especially considering its size. In 2023, it had 20.9 million passengers.
While Heathrow Airport in London is Europe's busiest airport, with 71 million international passengers passing through each year, Schiphol is not far behind. Heathrow attracts the most international passengers annually in Europe and is one of the largest intercontinental airports in the world. Heathrow Airport has many different restaurants and cafes for passengers to choose from.
Istanbul Airport is another major European airport, serving more than 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries. It is the largest airport in Europe, with more than 71 million passengers per year. The airport's duty-free area is one of the largest in the world.
Frankfurt Airport is also a significant European aviation hub, with 735 hectares of land and 11.7 million passengers. It is the second-biggest airport in Germany after Istanbul Airport, which took its place as Europe's largest in 2019.
These top European airports, including Schiphol, facilitate global connectivity and contribute significantly to the aviation industry on the continent.
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Heathrow has more international passengers
Heathrow Airport is Europe's busiest airport and the second-busiest airport in the world, with 71 million international passengers annually. In 2019, Heathrow Airport saw 80,884,310 visitors, making it the largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic. Heathrow attracts the most international passengers annually in Europe.
In April 2025, Heathrow Airport was ranked as the second busiest international airport in the world, with 4.1 million seats. Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained its position as the world's busiest international airport, with 5.0 million seats. Heathrow Airport has many different restaurants and cafes for passengers to choose from.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, on the other hand, is the seventh-biggest airport in Europe and the first in the Netherlands. Schiphol Airport occupies 1,125 hectares of land and is one of the busiest in Europe, with 20.9 million passengers. The airport covers 27.87km² with one main terminal building and six runways.
Istanbul Airport is currently the largest airport in Europe, having replaced London Heathrow as Europe's largest airport in 2019. In the first ten months of 2022, around 53 million passengers travelled through Istanbul Airport, a decrease of 7.7% compared to 2019. Despite the decline, Istanbul remains Europe's largest airport, serving over 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries.
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Heathrow has more restaurants and cafes
Heathrow Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol are two of the largest airports in Europe. While Schiphol is larger in terms of area, covering 27.87 square kilometres, Heathrow is busier, with more international passengers annually in Europe. Heathrow also has more restaurants and cafes than Schiphol.
Heathrow has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes for passengers to choose from. The airport has a diverse range of dining options, including fast-food chains, casual dining restaurants, and upscale eateries. Throughout the terminals, passengers can find something to suit their taste and budget. Whether you're looking for a quick bite on the go or a more relaxed dining experience, Heathrow has plenty of options to choose from.
One of the advantages of Heathrow's wide range of dining options is the ability to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. The airport has several vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available, ensuring that passengers with specific dietary requirements can find suitable meals. This diversity in dining options enhances the overall travel experience, providing passengers with a variety of culinary choices to enjoy before their flights.
In addition to the variety of restaurants and cafes, Heathrow also excels in offering a range of cuisines. Passengers can find British, Asian, Mediterranean, and other international dishes to satisfy their taste buds. This diversity in culinary options adds to the airport's appeal, providing a unique dining experience that goes beyond standard airport fare. Whether you're craving a taste of home or seeking a new culinary adventure, Heathrow's restaurants and cafes have something for everyone.
Furthermore, Heathrow's dining establishments also showcase renowned chefs and popular restaurant brands. Passengers can indulge in gourmet meals crafted by celebrity chefs or enjoy the familiarity of well-known restaurant chains. This blend of culinary expertise and brand recognition elevates the airport's dining scene, providing travellers with a taste of fine dining or a sense of comfort and familiarity while waiting for their flights.
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Schiphol has a dedicated Visitors' Terrace
Heathrow Airport in London is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is Europe's busiest airport and the second busiest in the world, with 71 million international passengers passing through each year. However, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam also ranks among the largest airports in Europe by surface area. Covering 27.87 square kilometres, it has one main terminal building and six runways.
Schiphol Airport has a dedicated Visitors Terrace, known as the Panorama Terrace, which is one of the most well-loved spots at the airport. Visitors can view planes up close on the platform without needing a ticket, and entry is free. The terrace is located on the first floor of Schiphol Plaza and is accessible to everyone. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with extended hours in the summer. Renovations and coronavirus safety measures had temporarily closed the terrace, but it has since reopened.
The Panorama Terrace offers a unique exhibit: a preserved KLM Cityhopper Fokker 100, which is open to the public. The plane has been stripped of its usual seating and replaced with an exhibition on the history of the Fokker 100. Visitors can also enter the cockpit, hear reports from the control tower, and explore the baggage hold. In addition, the terrace provides excellent views of the airport, including large sections of piers C, D, and E, with some aircraft parked directly below. Visitors can also see Schiphol Ooste, the eastern cargo apron, and the KLM maintenance area.
The Fokker 100 aircraft was in service from 1989 to 2010 and was lifted onto the terrace by crane in 2011. Visitors can learn about the history of Fokker and Dutch aviation pioneer Anthony Fokker. The terrace has been a popular spot for plane watching for decades, and its recent refurbishment has added refreshed decorations and improved signage. The Dakota bar, located on the Panorama deck, offers a pleasant space to enjoy a drink, especially during good weather.
In conclusion, while Heathrow Airport in London may be larger and busier than Schiphol Airport in terms of passenger volume, Schiphol offers a dedicated Visitors Terrace that provides a unique and engaging experience for aircraft enthusiasts and visitors alike.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Heathrow Airport is bigger than Schiphol Airport. Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest in the world, with 71 million international passengers passing through a year. Schiphol Airport, on the other hand, is the seventh biggest airport in Europe and the busiest in the Netherlands, with 20.9 million passengers per year.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States is the biggest airport in the world in terms of passenger volume, with 107.39 million passengers per year.
Istanbul Airport is the biggest airport in Europe, serving over 53 million passengers in the first ten months of 2022.
