Airports With Highest Traffic: The Top 10 Busy Hubs

The world's busiest airports are measured by total passengers and are calculated by the airport's total seats (domestic and international scheduled airline capacity). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, has been the world's busiest airport for years, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, the United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 15, followed by China with 11. Here is a list of the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest airport

The airport's strategic location in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, makes it a gateway to destinations worldwide. It is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines, further contributing to its high passenger volume. In 2023, the airport handled 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights, averaging almost 1,000 flights per day.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta has consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports globally, taking the top spot in 2023 and 2019, with 62.7 million seats. Its airline capacity increased by 2% in 2023 compared to the previous year, although it was slightly below the 2019 level.

While London's Heathrow Airport is known for its international connections, it typically ranks fourth or fifth globally. However, if only international flights are considered, Heathrow becomes the second busiest airport in the world, behind Dubai International.

Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport

Heathrow Airport in London is Europe's busiest airport. While it is not the busiest by the measure of the number of seats available on scheduled flights, Heathrow is the best-connected airport in the world, according to OAG, as measured by the total number of destinations served and the number of scheduled connections. Heathrow is also the busiest airport in Europe by the number of seats available.

In March 2025, Heathrow was ranked as the fifth busiest airport in the world. The OAG statistics show that Heathrow and Dallas Fort Worth airports swapped positions in the ranking between March 2024 and March 2025. The busiest airport in the world in March 2025 was Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, with a capacity of nearly 5.4 million seats. It is also the busiest airport in the United States.

In 2024, Heathrow was the busiest airport in Europe, with 51.6 million seats, 4% higher than in 2023 and 3% above 2019. Heathrow is one of the world's busiest and most internationally connected airports. An estimated 1,350 flights were directly impacted by a full-day closure of Heathrow Airport in 2025 due to a fire, which threw the travel plans of an estimated 200,000 people into disarray.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998, except in 2020 when its passenger traffic dipped due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta regained the top position in 2021 and has held it since.

Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport globally

Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB) is a major hub for air travel and the second busiest airport globally. With an airline capacity of 62,743,665 total seats in 2024, it falls just behind Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in terms of passenger traffic. However, when it comes to international passenger traffic, Dubai International Airport takes the lead as the world's busiest. Handling over 92 million passengers annually as of 2024, the airport serves the city of Dubai and other emirates in the country.

The airport's rise to become one of the world's busiest can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s. In 1965, the construction of an asphalt runway opened Dubai up to both regional and long-haul traffic, attracting several foreign airlines. This was further bolstered by the addition of a new airport terminal building in 1970, which included the city's first duty-free shops. Dubai's historical role as a trade route and its thriving industries, such as information technology and finance, have also contributed to the airport's success.

Today, Dubai International Airport is a hub for Emirates, the national airline of Dubai. As of 2018, Emirates operated internationally, serving over 150 destinations in more than 70 countries across six continents. The airline's extensive network has played a significant role in establishing Dubai International Airport as a key player in global aviation.

Dubai itself is a major global business hub, consistently ranked among the top cities for trade, finance, and logistics. The city boasts the second-most five-star hotels in the world, after London, and is home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Dubai's Jebel Ali port, constructed in the 1970s, further enhances the city's connectivity, featuring the largest human-made harbour globally.

Dubai International Airport's position as the second busiest airport in the world is a testament to the city's vibrant trade and tourism industries. With its efficient handling of passenger traffic and cargo, the airport continues to play a crucial role in connecting Dubai to the rest of the world.

Los Angeles International Airport is the busiest airport on the US West Coast

The airport's extensive connectivity, with over 1,000 daily flights, contributes to its high volume of passenger traffic. While Los Angeles International Airport takes the top spot on the West Coast, it is not the busiest airport in the United States. That title goes to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has consistently ranked as the busiest airport in the country, except for a brief dip in 2020 due to travel restrictions. Atlanta's extensive connectivity and strategic location as a gateway to domestic and international destinations solidify its dominance in terms of passenger traffic.

In 2023, Atlanta International Airport served approximately 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights, amounting to nearly 1,000 flights per day. This makes Atlanta one of the busiest airports in the world, often ranking among the top spots globally. However, when it comes to the number of seats available on both domestic and international flights, Dubai International Airport takes the lead, followed closely by Haneda Airport outside Tokyo, Japan.

While Los Angeles International Airport may not rank as the busiest airport in the United States, its ongoing modernization efforts, including the upcoming automated people mover system, are expected to further enhance its efficiency and ease congestion. With its high passenger volume and crucial role as a hub for transpacific travel, LAX remains a significant player in the nation's air travel landscape.

Orlando and Phoenix are seeing notable growth

While Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport remains the busiest airport in the United States, Orlando and Phoenix are seeing notable growth. Orlando International Airport has experienced a 7% year-on-year increase, reaching 3,261,996 seats in March 2025. As a key leisure destination, Orlando benefits from strong domestic demand, particularly from families travelling to Disney World and Universal Studios. The airport's importance is further enhanced by its growing international connections, especially to Latin America and Europe.

Orlando's airport, MCO, is a crucial gateway for global travellers, with nonstop services to Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Its role as a hub for several transpacific flights strengthens its position. The airport is also undergoing modernization efforts, including the upcoming automated people mover system, which is expected to further ease congestion. Orlando's extensive connectivity and strong presence in both domestic and international markets contribute to its notable growth.

Phoenix has also experienced a 7% year-over-year increase, showcasing strong demand in the region. While specific figures for Phoenix were not readily available, its growth highlights the dynamic nature of the aviation industry and the shifting demands of travellers.

Orlando and Phoenix's growth underscores the importance of these regions as emerging aviation hubs. Their increasing popularity may influence future airline strategies and demand patterns, potentially impacting the rankings of the busiest airports in the coming months and years. These developments are worth monitoring, as they shape the landscape of air travel in the United States.

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