Owais Crawford
The US has historically been the country with the largest number of air passengers, with around 925 million passengers travelling by air in 2019. The North American continent is a hotbed of air traffic, and the size of its airports reflects this. But which US airport is the biggest? There are several ways to measure the size of an airport, including land area, passenger numbers, and the number of terminals and runways.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biggest airport in the US by area | Denver International Airport |
| Second biggest airport in the US by area | Dallas Fort Worth International Airport |
| Third biggest airport in the US by area | Southwest Florida International Airport |
| Fourth biggest airport in the US by area | Washington Dulles International Airport |
| Fifth biggest airport in the US by area | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| Sixth biggest airport in the US by area | Salt Lake City International Airport |
| Seventh biggest airport in the US by area | O'Hare International Airport |
| Busiest airport in the US by passenger numbers | Atlanta International Airport |
| Biggest airport in New York | John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Busiest vs biggest
When it comes to airports, the terms "biggest" and "busiest" are not interchangeable. The biggest airport is determined by its physical size, such as the area it covers or the number of terminals and runways it has. On the other hand, the busiest airport is determined by the number of passengers passing through or the amount of air traffic it handles.
In the United States, Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is often cited as the busiest airport, handling over 50.9 million passengers. However, when it comes to physical size, New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport is the biggest, spanning 21.04 km² (8.1 square miles). JFK also handled a large number of passengers, with over 62 million travellers in 2023, making it the 6th busiest airport in the US.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, Heathrow Airport is considered one of the world's busiest airports, serving tens of millions of passengers annually. However, in terms of physical size, Heathrow is not among the largest airports in the UK, with Manchester Airport and London Stansted catering to more international destinations.
It's worth noting that the number of passengers is not the sole factor in determining airport busyness. Other criteria, such as cargo throughput, are also considered. Additionally, the "hub" term is used by aviation authorities to identify busy commercial airports, with large hubs contributing to at least 1% of total passenger enplanements.
While not among the largest airports in terms of area, Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) stands out for its efficient layout, boasting six runways and two terminals within its 19.6 km² (7.6 square miles) footprint.
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Best airport experience
While there are many large airports in the US, the best airport experience is subjective and can depend on various factors. According to a 2024 survey by Travel and Leisure, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) ranked as the best airport in the country. Travellers praised the airport's ease of navigation, amenities, restaurants, and shops.
In addition to MSP, other airports in the US have also been recognised for providing excellent experiences. For instance, Indianapolis International Airport has been a top scorer in surveys conducted by Condé Nast Traveler, with travellers praising its design, convenient shopping, and dining options. The airport was the first in the US to earn LEED certification for an entire terminal campus.
Portland International Airport is also recognised for its traveller-friendly offerings, including bike paths, a light rail line, local food and shopping options, a 17-seat movie theatre, and free Wi-Fi.
The LaGuardia Airport in New York City has undergone an $8 billion renovation, transforming it from one of the world's most loathed airports to one of the readers' favourites. The new Terminal C, home to Delta Air Lines, features floor-to-ceiling windows and outlets of local restaurants.
Finally, John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York is one of the largest airports in the US, spanning 21.04 km² (8.1 square miles) with six terminals, 128 gates, four runways, and four helipads. While it ranks lower in passenger satisfaction, it handled over 62 million passengers in 2023, making it the 6th busiest airport in the US.
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Largest by area
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States by area, covering 135 square kilometres (53.09 square miles). It is also the third-largest airport in the world by size. The airport, which was inaugurated in 1995, now has 23 airlines operating from it, flying to about 215 destinations with 163 available gates, divided into three areas. In 2021, the airport handled 58.8 million passengers.
The second-largest airport in the US by area is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. It covers little more than half the surface area of Denver Airport, but it handles about 70 million passengers annually, making it the 12th busiest airport in the world. The airport features five terminals and 191 gates, serving a total of 260 international destinations.
Washington Dulles International Airport, near the nation's capital, is the third-largest airport in the US by area, covering 52.60 square kilometres. It is known for its futuristic terminal design by Eero Saarinen. The airport serves as a hub for United Airlines and is crucial for connecting Washington, D.C., to global destinations.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, is the fourth-largest airport in the US by area, spanning 40.47 square kilometres. The airport, named after President George H. W. Bush, serves as a primary hub for United Airlines, managing both passenger and freight operations. It features five terminals, extensive cargo facilities, and advanced runway systems.
Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah is the sixth-largest airport in the US by area, covering 31.16 square kilometres. In 2023, the airport handled 27 million passengers and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, offering nonstop flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.
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Most runways
The number of runways an airport has is a crucial factor in determining its capacity and efficiency. Airports with more runways can accommodate a greater number of flights, reducing delays and increasing overall efficiency. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dictates that airports must have at least 3,000 feet (910 m) between runways, although special permission can be granted to conduct parallel approaches with less separation if necessary.
Several airports in the US stand out for their high number of runways, with Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) boasting the most. ORD is a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines, serving 249 destinations worldwide as of 2024. ORD currently has eight runways, with two sets of three runways running parallel to each other, enabling multiple planes to land simultaneously. This intricate runway system is managed by three FAA air traffic control towers. O'Hare began operations in 1944 with only four runways, with its most recent expansion occurring in 2015 with the addition of runway 10R/28L.
Denver International Airport (DIA) is another US airport with a notable number of runways. DIA serves metropolitan Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. It is a major hub for United Airlines and features six runways, with five measuring 12,000 ft long and 150 ft wide, and the sixth, the longest commercial runway in North America, measuring 16,000 ft long and 200 ft wide. DIA has the potential to expand to up to 12 runways in the future.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the primary international airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas, also stands out with seven runways. This airport is a significant hub for American Airlines and the Oneworld alliance, serving around 257 destinations. The extensive runway system at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport efficiently manages the high demand from the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, providing a critical link for passengers and cargo.
Other US airports with a notable number of runways include Detroit Metro Airport, with six runways, and Boston Logan International Airport, also with six runways. These airports efficiently manage high volumes of air traffic through their runway systems, ensuring smooth operations and accommodating a large number of flights.
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Most passengers
In 2024, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport ranked 11th in the US by passenger numbers, serving 52.6 million passengers. However, the busiest airport in the US by passenger numbers is often reported to be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In 2022, the airport handled 23.9 million metric tons of cargo and served 75.7 million passengers.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the US. However, it has been ranked as one of the most stressful airports in the country. In a 2024 survey, it was found to have the third-highest number of weather-related delays in the US, with an average of more than 26,000 weather delays per year. The airport has also been criticised for long wait times, with an average wait time of 27 minutes and a maximum wait time of 61 minutes.
Indianapolis International Airport, on the other hand, was rated the most relaxing airport in 2024, serving over 10 million passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the US by land area. It covers 53 square miles, making it the second-largest airport in the world after King Fahd Airport in Saudi Arabia.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, is the second-largest airport in the US by land area, spanning 40.47 square kilometres.
Washington Dulles International Airport is the third-largest airport in the US by land area, covering 52.60 square kilometres.
Atlanta International Airport is the largest airport in the US by passenger numbers, serving 50.9 million passengers.
Los Angeles International Airport is the second-largest airport in the US by passenger numbers, serving 40.9 million passengers.
