The Busiest Airports In The Us: Where And Why?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the United States. In 2023, it handled approximately 104.7 million passengers, a significant increase from the previous year. The airport has consistently ranked as the busiest in the world for many years, due to its strategic location and extensive flight network. In 2024, however, Dubai International Airport overtook Hartsfield-Jackson as the world's busiest airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The airport's extensive flight network and strategic location have contributed to its high volume of passengers. Delta Air Lines is the primary airline operating at Hartsfield-Jackson, accounting for about 75% of passenger traffic. The airport features a large terminal complex with 152 domestic gates and 40 international gates, spread across 6.8 million square feet.

Hartsfield-Jackson has a significant economic impact on the Atlanta region, contributing approximately $34.8 billion annually. The airport also handled over 730,000 metric tons of cargo in 2022, with three main cargo complexes boasting substantial warehouse space.

The airport is more than just a transport hub; it offers an ambitious art program with permanent and rotating exhibits, and a wide variety of food and beverage options, including acclaimed upscale American restaurant One Flew South and innovative Mexican cuisine at Original El Taco.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

DFW is the primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport, and offers service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations. As of April 2023, DFW had service to more nonstop destinations than any other airport in North America, with every major city in the contiguous United States accessible within four hours or less.

The airport features five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E) with a total of 174 gates. The terminals are designed in a half-circle layout to minimise the distance between the passenger's car and the plane. The DFW Skylink, an automated people mover system, allows passengers to travel efficiently between gates, typically taking about seven minutes. Terminal D, the airport's primary international terminal, has Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities and a gate capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, the largest commercial aircraft in the world.

In 2023, DFW served approximately 81.7 million passengers, a record for the facility, and it is on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. DFW has also been recognised for its excellent customer service, having been named the best large airport in North America for customer service by Airports Council International (ACI) World in 2023 and 2024.

DFW offers a variety of dining and shopping options, as well as family-friendly amenities. The airport also provides passenger assistance services and ground transportation options, including bus and rail services.

Denver International Airport

In 2022, Denver International Airport completed a capacity expansion project, adding 39 new gates and increasing the terminal's capacity by 30%. The airport features three concourses (A, B, and C) with a total of 148 gates, offering a wide range of dining and shopping options for travellers. The distinctive architecture of the airport includes striking peaks along its rooftop, and it is also known for its extensive art collection.

The airport has an extensive public art collection, with artworks such as sculptures, murals, photos, sound art, and paintings installed throughout the terminals and concourses. The art programme includes both permanent and rotating exhibits, offering a unique cultural experience for travellers passing through.

With its vast land area, efficient layout, and continuous expansion projects, Denver International Airport plays a crucial role in the aviation industry and contributes significantly to the local economy.

Los Angeles International Airport

In 2023, LAX handled approximately 75 million passengers, making it the fourth-busiest airport in the country and the eighth-busiest in the world. The airport serves as a major international gateway, connecting passengers travelling to and from destinations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.

LAX is unique in that it holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport. This is because a higher proportion of travellers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles, rather than using it as a connection airport. In 2019, around 88% of travellers at LAX were origin and destination passengers, with only 12% connecting.

The airport has nine passenger terminals and four parallel runways. It is currently undergoing a major expansion, with all terminals being refurbished and new facilities being added to enhance capacity and improve the passenger experience. These improvements include the LAX Automated People Mover, which will connect terminals and provide access to parking facilities and public transport options.

LAX is also known for its distinctive Theme Building, constructed in the Googie style and resembling a flying saucer. The building features a restaurant with a sweeping view of the airport and was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1992.

In addition to its role as a busy aviation hub, LAX has a significant impact on the local economy. It generates billions of dollars in economic output and supports thousands of jobs in the region.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare was designed to be the successor to Chicago's Midway International Airport, which was once nicknamed the "busiest square mile in the world". During the jet age, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It still ranks as one of the busiest airports in the world, serving around 73 million passengers in 2023. The airport has four numbered passenger terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5) with nine lettered concourses and a total of 213 gates—the most of any airport in the world. Terminal 1 is used for United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways flights, while Terminal 2 serves most United Express and some United flights, as well as flights from Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue. Terminal 3 is used for American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Spirit Airlines flights, and Terminal 5 is used for Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines flights, as well as international airlines that do not depart from Terminals 1–3.

O'Hare has two sets of parallel runways, one on each side of the terminal complex, with a total of eight runways—the most of any civilian airport in the world. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines (which is headquartered in Willis Tower), as well as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. The airport is easily accessible by road, with direct highway access via Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway), and by public transport, with the Chicago "L" and CTA Blue Line providing connections to downtown Chicago.

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