Us Airports: 13 Key Travel Hubs Across America

The United States boasts a vast number of airports, with over 19,700 in total, according to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (2011-2015). Of these, 5,170 are open to the public, and 503 serve commercial flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies airports that provide scheduled passenger services and have over 10,000 passenger boardings per year as primary airports. These primary airports are further categorized into four hub types based on the number of passenger enplanements: Large, Medium, Small, and Non-Hub. The US also has several international airports of entry designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, as well as airports with Global Entry programs.

Airports with Global Entry

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports. As of 2024, Global Entry is available at many airports in the U.S. and worldwide, including some of the country's biggest airports, as well as some smaller, less familiar ones.

• John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Texas (DFW)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
• Lambert - St. Louis International Airport (STL)
• Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Providence – T.F. Green International Airport, Rhode Island (PVD)
• Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts (BOS)
• Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania (PIT)
• Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania (PHL)
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas (AUS)

Global Entry is also available at some international airports outside of the United States, and the program is expected to expand to other airports in the U.S. and abroad.

International airports of entry

The United States boasts an extensive network of airports, with over 19,700 airports across the country, according to the 2011-2015 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Of these, 5,170 airports are accessible to the general public, and 503 serve commercial flights.

When it comes to international airports of entry, here is a list of some of them, as designated by the Secretary of the Treasury:

• Grand Forks, North Dakota: Grand Forks International Airport
• Great Falls, Montana: Great Falls International Airport
• Port Huron, Michigan: St. Clair County International Airport
• Port Townsend, Washington: Jefferson County International Airport
• Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan: Sault Ste. Marie City-County Airport
• Seattle, Washington: King County International Airport and Lake Union Air Service (Seaplanes)
• Williston, North Dakota: Sloulin Field International Airport

Additionally, some of the busiest airports in the US include ATL, LAX, ORD, DFW, DEN, JFK, SFO, SEA, LAS, and MCO. These airports handle a significant volume of passenger traffic and contribute to the country's extensive air travel network.

Furthermore, several airports in the US offer Global Entry programs through US Customs and Border Protection. These include major airports such as Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW), John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK), and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

Airports with over 10,000 passenger embarkments

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US, handling 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights per year. This equates to almost 1,000 flights per day. The airport's extensive connectivity, with over 1,000 daily flights, and its strong presence in both domestic and transatlantic markets, contribute to its high passenger volume.

The second busiest airport in the US is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, with 39.2 million passengers. As the largest hub for American Airlines, this airport plays a crucial role in connecting passengers across the country and beyond. Its central location makes it a vital transfer hub, especially for domestic travel.

Los Angeles International Airport ranks third among the busiest US airports, with 40.9 million passengers. Serving as a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, LAX is a crucial gateway for transpacific travel. With nonstop services to Asia, Europe, and Latin America, it is a preferred choice for global travellers.

Denver International Airport is another key hub, serving 37.8 million passengers. It is a major hub for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, seeing strong demand for both domestic and international travel. Its strategic location as a connecting point for flights between the East and West coasts, along with its high-altitude setting for efficient long-haul operations, contribute to its high passenger volume.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is also among the top five busiest airports in the US, with 35.8 million passengers. O'Hare's extensive network of flights connects passengers worldwide, making it a vital gateway for transatlantic and transpacific routes. Despite occasional weather-related disruptions, the airport maintains its efficiency and strategic importance.

The busiest airports

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US, handling 50.9 million passengers on 341,835 flights per year. This amounts to almost 1,000 flights per day, making it one of the busiest airports in the world.

The second busiest airport in the US is Los Angeles International Airport, with 40.9 million passengers per year. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the third busiest, with 39.2 million passengers per year. Denver International Airport is the fourth busiest, with 37.8 million passengers per year. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the fifth busiest, with 35.8 million passengers per year.

Other airports that rank among the busiest in the US include Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which served around 53 million passengers in 2023, and San Francisco International Airport, which handled around 50.2 million passengers in 2023. Denver International Airport, while recognised as the largest airport in North America by total land area, also ranks as the third busiest in the US. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was voted the best airport in a 2024 reader poll by an influential travel magazine.

The US air transport system is currently undergoing an overhaul as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was passed in 2021. The law set aside $25 billion to modernise the country's airports and prepare them for an increase in travellers.

Airports with the most cargo throughput

Airports are vital hubs for handling cargo, ensuring timely deliveries, and connecting businesses across continents. The United States is home to some of the busiest cargo airports in the world. Here is a list of US airports with the most cargo throughput:

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Anchorage International Airport is a crucial hub for air cargo traffic between Asia and North America. Its strategic location makes it a pivotal global supply chain hub. The airport handled 3,380,374 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023, a rise of 23% compared to 2019. Anchorage's unique position as a halfway point for cargo flights between Asia and major US cities drives its success. It is equidistant from Tokyo and New York, making it an ideal cargo hub.

Memphis International Airport, Tennessee

Memphis International Airport is the second busiest cargo airport in the United States and was once the busiest in the world for seven consecutive years until 2000. It handles 21.8 million pounds of cargo annually and is a major hub for FedEx, one of the largest air cargo companies in the world. Its central location in Tennessee makes it ideal for quick and efficient domestic shipments.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the United States. It serves as the central hub for UPS Worldport, the largest automated package handling facility globally. The airport handled 2,727,820 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023. Louisville's cargo operations are vital to the city's economy, contributing to over 14,000 jobs in the region.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport is the fourth busiest US cargo airport, handling over 2 million tons of cargo annually. It is a designated pharmaceutical freight hub, ensuring the proper handling of sensitive pharmaceutical products. MIA handles 85% of all air imports and 80% of Latin American and Caribbean exports, serving as a vital trade link across the Americas.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States, ranking fourth in the US and handling over 2 million tons of cargo per year. It has three cargo areas totalling approximately 2.6 million square feet and is a major hub for FedEx and other prominent cargo carriers. LAX is a significant centre for international trade, contributing billions of dollars to the economy annually.

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