Roberta Aguirre
The United States is home to some of the biggest airports in the world, with an incredible amount of foot and flight traffic. While some airports are measured by how many passengers pass through their gates each year, others stand out for their sheer size and the amount of space they occupy. Denver International Airport (DEN), covering 33,500 acres, is the largest airport in the US and the second-largest in the world. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), on the other hand, is the busiest airport in the world, with 50.9 million passengers. Other notable mentions include George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Denver International Airport |
| Other names | DIA, DEN |
| Location | 25 miles from downtown Denver |
| Size | 33,500 acres or 53 square miles |
| Number of runways | 6 |
| Number of daily flights | 809 |
| Yearly passengers | 68 million (2022) |
| Year opened | 1995 |
| Other airports in the US that are among the largest in the world | George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH); Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
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What You'll Learn
- Denver International Airport: largest in the US, 2nd largest in the world
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: busiest in the world
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 7th largest in the world by area
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 6th busiest in the world
- Los Angeles International Airport: one of the biggest in the US
Denver International Airport: largest in the US, 2nd largest in the world
Denver International Airport (DEN), often referred to as DIA by locals, is the largest airport in the United States by land area. At 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2) or 53 square miles (140 km2), it is nearly twice the size of Manhattan and larger than the cities of Boston, Miami, and San Francisco. It is also bigger than Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles International, and Dallas Fort Worth combined.
DEN is located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Downtown Denver, Colorado, and serves as the primary economic engine for the state. The airport is accessible by car, with over 51,000 public parking spaces, and by the A Line rail service from Denver. DEN is also completely accessible to bicycling travellers, although the designated bike route has been criticised as unsafe. The airport is the main hub for Frontier Airlines and Great Lakes Airlines, and United Airlines' fourth-largest hub.
The airport has one terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, named after aviation safety pioneer Elrey Borge Jeppesen. The terminal features award-winning architecture, with a peaked roof designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, reflecting the snow-capped mountains of Colorado. The terminal has three midfield concourses with a total of 169 gates, accessible by pedestrian bridge or underground train.
Denver International Airport is also the site of various conspiracy theories due to its art, unusual architecture, and construction problems. One theory suggests that the airport will be used by the New World Order as a prison or concentration camp, while another claims that it is controlled by Freemasons. Despite these conspiracies, DEN has been voted the "Best Airport in North America" by readers of Business Traveler Magazine for six consecutive years (2005-2010).
With its vast size and strategic plans to accommodate 100 million annual passengers, Denver International Airport is not only the largest in the United States but also the second-largest airport in the world, after King Fahd International Airport.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: busiest in the world
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world. It has held this title for most years, except for 2020 when it was surpassed by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China.
In 2023, ATL set a new post-pandemic record, serving over 104 million passengers, an increase of 11.7% from the previous year. As of March 2024, ATL has maintained its position as the world's busiest airport, according to data analysed by OAG. OAG calculates the Top 10 Busiest Global Airports in the World based on total airline capacity, including domestic and international flights.
ATL is the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, which contributes significantly to its daily traffic. It serves a city of 6.6 million people and is the only airport in the city, ensuring consistent demand throughout the year. All major airlines, except Delta, serve ATL, and the airport often sees new connections from carriers, helping it maintain its status as the world's busiest.
In 2024, ATL handled more passengers and aircraft movements than any other airport in the world. It offered 62.7 million seats, including both international and domestic capacity, a 2% increase from 2023. However, it is still 1% below its 2019 capacity levels.
Despite its reputation as the world's busiest airport, ATL has also been criticised for its long security lines and rude employees, with some travellers opting to drive to other airports to avoid it.
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George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 7th largest in the world by area
The United States is home to some of the biggest airports in the world, with an incredible amount of foot and flight traffic. While Atlanta International Airport may be the busiest, it is not the largest.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, Texas, is the seventh-largest airport in the world by area. It covers 10,000 acres (40 km2 or 17.19 square miles) of land and has five runways and five passenger terminals, in addition to eleven all-cargo airlines. It is the larger of Houston's two airports and is part of the Houston Airport System, which also includes Hobby and Ellington airports. Hobby Airport is primarily used for military and NASA purposes.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, initially named Houston Intercontinental Airport when it opened in 1969, was renamed in 1997 to honour George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States and a resident of Houston. It is commonly referred to as Houston International Airport or George Bush International Airport. The airport is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston and offers scheduled flights to numerous domestic and international destinations across five continents.
The airport is a major hub for United Airlines and formerly served as a hub for Continental Airlines and Texas International Airlines. It offers more flight destinations in Mexico than any other airport, with 30 different destinations. Terminal D, also known as the Mickey Leland Terminal, is the international terminal and was the first common-use facility in the United States, with all airlines sharing facilities and equipment. Terminal E is the newest terminal, housing United Airlines' international and some domestic flights. The international terminal can process 4,500 international passengers per hour at its 84 service booths.
In 2020, the airport began a $1.3 billion capital improvement program called the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). The flagship project is the construction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), which will consolidate Terminals D and E into one centralised terminal. The ITRP is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025, with future expansion plans aiming to accommodate 33 million enplaned international passengers annually.
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Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 6th busiest in the world
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2022, it was ranked as the fourth busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic, with 68.3 million passengers, a 26.5% increase from 2021. In 2024, it was ranked as the second busiest airport in the world for aircraft movements and the eighth busiest for passengers. As of 2024, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport worldwide.
O'Hare's history as a busy airport dates back to the jet age, when it became famous for being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. During this time, O'Hare experienced rapid growth, with the number of passengers doubling within two years and the construction of new runways, terminals, parking, and other facilities. By 1998, O'Hare was serving over 10 million passengers annually, a number that has continued to grow.
The airport's location in Chicago, the nation's second-largest city at the time, contributed to its success. O'Hare had easy access to a large workforce and was well-connected by highways and public transportation. Today, the airport is accessible by airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", taxis, and Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway), which goes directly into the airport.
O'Hare International Airport is a major hub for several airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. It offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and has four runways, with the longest runway extending to 11,600 feet (3,500 m).
With its high passenger traffic, numerous flight connections, and significant impact on global travel and commerce, Chicago O'Hare International Airport has solidified its position as one of the world's busiest airports, currently ranking sixth in terms of busyness.
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Los Angeles International Airport: one of the biggest in the US
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is one of the biggest airports in the United States. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, it is the primary international airport serving the city and its surrounding areas. With its proximity to the Westside and the South Bay, it is the closest airport to these regions.
LAX covers 3,500 acres of land and features four parallel runways. The airport has 161 gates across nine passenger terminals, which are arranged in a U or horseshoe shape. The terminals are easily accessible, with various pedestrian corridors allowing passengers to move between them without having to exit and re-enter security. Additionally, LAX Shuttle route A buses on the landside and the upcoming LAX Automated People Mover will further enhance connectivity within the airport.
LAX is a significant hub for air travel, offering approximately 1,500 daily flight operations, including 645 commercial flights to 162 destinations and 1,890 weekly international flights to 68 global destinations. It is well-connected to the city and beyond through transportation options such as airport buses, shuttle services, local buses, light rail, taxicabs, ride-share services, and rental cars.
The airport has a rich history, with the Los Angeles City Council and the Chamber of Commerce recognising the need for an airport in the city back in 1926 to tap into the growing aviation industry. The iconic Theme Building, opened in 1961, is a unique landmark designed in the "Googie" style, reflecting the fusion of aeronautics, pop culture, design, and architecture.
LAX has also earned a reputation as the world's busiest origin and destination airport. This distinction is due to a high percentage of travellers starting or ending their trips in Los Angeles rather than using it as a connection. In 2023, LAX handled over 75 million passengers, solidifying its status as one of the busiest airports globally.
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Frequently asked questions
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the United States and the second-largest in the world.
Covering an area of 33,500 acres, the airport has six runways, one of which is 16,000 feet long and the longest in the United States for public use.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is the second-largest airport in the United States and the seventh-largest in the world by area.
Covering an area of 17.19 square miles, the airport has five runways and five terminals. It is also a major hub for United Airlines.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the United States.
