Roberta Aguirre
Airports are fascinating places, connecting people, cultures, and economies worldwide. The number of connections an airport has is a critical factor in its success and popularity. Several airports stand out for their extensive connections, offering travellers a wide range of destinations and convenient travel options. With its impressive infrastructure and strategic location, Dubai International Airport has established itself as a mega-hub, offering connections to 85 countries across six continents. However, London's Heathrow Airport takes the crown as the most internationally connected airport globally, despite operating with only two runways. In the United States, New York's JFK Airport is a prominent hub, ranking sixth globally, while Chicago O'Hare boasts an impressive 80 million passengers annually. Istanbul Airport, with its modern design, has also emerged as a significant player, offering non-stop flights to over 300 destinations. These airports, and others like them, play a pivotal role in facilitating global travel and fostering connections between diverse regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most connected airport in the world | London Heathrow Airport (LHR) |
| Second most connected airport in the world | New York's JFK Airport (JFK) |
| Most internationally connected airport in continental Europe | Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) |
| Largest airport in the Netherlands | Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) |
| Asia's most connected airport | Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) |
| North America's next top mega-hub | Toronto Airport (YYZ) |
| Only Australian airport on the list | Sydney Airport (SYD) |
| Top spot in Asia | Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) |
| Germany's most connected airport | Frankfurt Airport |
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What You'll Learn
London Heathrow: 2023's most connected airport
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most internationally connected airport in the world for 2023. A study by OAG, the world's leading data platform for the global travel industry, ranked Heathrow as the biggest "international megahub" with the highest number of potential connections for travellers.
Heathrow Airport connects travellers to an extensive range of destinations, with British Airways operating 50% of all flights. The airport is the fourth biggest in the world in terms of total scheduled capacity in the year up to August 2023. Heathrow also ranked first in 2019, and while the number of potential connections in the selected period remains slightly below 2019 levels, it has the highest ratio of connections to destinations served.
Londoners are spoilt for choice with several air hubs that can take them anywhere in the world. Heathrow's ranking reflects its wide range of destinations and the number of potential connecting opportunities on the busiest day of the year for global aviation.
Heathrow faces competition from New York's JFK Airport, which ranks second in the Megahubs Index. JFK has high volumes of potential connecting options across its extensive network and is just outside the Top 10 largest global airports by scheduled seat capacity. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, the most internationally connected airport in continental Europe, ranks third.
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JFK, New York: 43,500 international connections
John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is New York's biggest airport. It was renamed in December 1963, just over a month after the assassination of the US president of the same name. In August 2023, JFK was the world's second most connected airport and the most internationally connected airport in the US, with 43,500 international flight connections and serving 180 international destinations.
JFK is far from the most connected airport in the world, but it offers travellers more options for international connections than any other US airport. The airport's high volume of potential connecting options across its extensive network has driven its rise in the rankings, from 18th position in 2019 to 2nd in 2023. This is also partly due to American Airlines operating seven more international destinations.
JFK's five terminals contain 130 gates in total and are connected by the AirTrain system and access roads. The airport is accessible by the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) or JFK Expressway, which are connected to the Belt Parkway and various surface streets in South Ozone Park and Springfield Gardens. The airport also has parking facilities, accommodating more than 17,000 vehicles.
JFK has undergone a $19 billion overhaul since 2017, including two new terminals and two terminal upgrades. The most notable addition is the New Terminal One (NTO), a $9.5 billion new international-only terminal. These improvements aim to address the airport's severe capacity constraints and expected increase in passenger numbers, projected to reach 100 million by 2050.
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Amsterdam's Schiphol: Europe's most connected airport
Amsterdam's Schiphol is the most internationally connected airport in continental Europe. With more than 58,000 international connections in August 2023, it served 256 international destinations, according to OAG data. Schiphol is the largest airport in the Netherlands and is located 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Amsterdam. It is unique among major hubs in that it is designed as a single-terminal airport, with the main terminal connected to piers labelled A through G, housing the boarding gates. Each pier caters to different airlines and destinations. For example, Pier D primarily serves intercontinental flights, while Pier C focuses on European routes.
Schiphol is home to KLM, the Dutch flag carrier, which offers worldwide connections, with Asia, Europe, and North America particularly well served. Delta Air Lines connects Schiphol with nine US destinations, and British Airways offers up to 15 flights per day to three airports in London. Schiphol also has a convenient train station located beneath the terminal, providing easy access to Amsterdam and other cities.
Schiphol Airport boasts an impressive array of shopping and dining options, ranging from luxury boutiques to local Dutch specialties. The Royal Schiphol Group Stores offer duty-free shopping for perfumes, cosmetics, and electronics. For dining, passengers can enjoy local delicacies like stroopwafels, cheese, and bitterballen, as well as international cuisine from sushi bars, Italian eateries, and Asian fusion kitchens.
In 2023, Schiphol served 61.9 million passengers, a 17.9% increase from 2022, but still below pre-pandemic levels. Ruud Sondag, the CEO of Royal Schiphol Group, emphasized the need for continued investment to secure quality for airlines, passengers, and employees. While Schiphol is Europe's most connected airport, London's Heathrow Airport ranked as the world's most connected airport in 2023, with more than 57,000 international connections and over 209 international destinations served in August 2023.
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Kuala Lumpur: Asia's most connected airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the most connected airport in Asia, according to OAG's Megahubs 2023 report. With 11,188 possible low-cost connections across over 100 destinations, it tops the list of 25 Low-Cost Megahubs. In 2023, the busiest travel month saw KUL offering more than 24,000 international connections and serving 110 international destinations.
KUL's ranking as Asia's most connected airport is even more impressive when considering the strong regional competition from other airports in the Asia Pacific region. Five of the top 10 Megahubs in the region are located in Southeast Asia, including Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Bangkok International Airport in Thailand, and Singapore Changi Airport.
KUL's success as a mega hub is due in part to its dominant carrier, AirAsia, which operates 34% of flights at the airport. This low-cost carrier has helped make KUL the world's second most connected airport by the ratio of connection flight frequency to destinations served, according to the OAG Megahub Index in 2024.
KUL is the largest and busiest airport in Malaysia, handling 47.2 million passengers, 980,040 tonnes of cargo, and 819,026 aircraft movements in 2023. It is also the headquarters of AirAsia and has been recognised for its exceptional connectivity performance, flexibility in servicing both full-service and low-cost airlines, and commitment to developing major infrastructure.
While KUL has faced challenges, including competition from nearby Changi Airport in Singapore, it has established itself as a key hub for international travel and connectivity in Asia.
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Toronto Airport: North America's next top mega-hub
Toronto Pearson International Airport is a major hub for aviation in North America. With five runways, two passenger terminals, and an extensive network of cargo and maintenance facilities, it is a key gateway to the continent. The airport is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of Downtown Toronto and serves as a primary global hub for Air Canada, as well as a base for several other airlines.
Toronto Pearson has an impressive ground infrastructure network, with a four-lane vehicle tunnel connecting the Infield Cargo Area to the passenger terminal. The airport also has a dedicated rail link, the Union Pearson Express, which connects to Union Station in Downtown Toronto, with intermediate stops at Weston and Bloor GO Train stations. This provides easy access to the city centre and beyond for passengers and employees.
In addition to its efficient ground connections, Toronto Pearson has a strategic location for air travel, facilitating quicker trips between North America and Europe or Asia. The airport offers a comprehensive network of non-stop domestic flights to all major and many secondary cities across North America.
Looking to the future, there are plans to further enhance Toronto Pearson's connectivity with the proposed Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. This project will provide a direct link to Midtown Toronto and Scarborough, with additional transfers to Downtown, further improving the airport's accessibility.
With its strong existing connections, strategic location, and future expansion plans, Toronto Pearson International Airport is well-positioned to become North America's next top mega-hub.
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Frequently asked questions
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most connected airport in the world as of 2023. It also ranked first in 2019.
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) is the most internationally connected airport in continental Europe. It is followed by Frankfurt Airport, which offered connections to 330 airports across the globe in 2022.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in Malaysia is Asia's most connected airport. It is the headquarters of AirAsia and had more than 24,000 international connections in the busiest travel month of 2023.
New York's JFK Airport (JFK) is the most internationally connected airport in the US. In August 2023, it had 43,500 international flight connections and served 180 international destinations.
