Runways Galore: Airports With The Most Landing Strips

Chicago O'Hare International Airport has the most runways of any civilian airport in the world, with eight runways. The airport is one of the largest transportation gateways in the United States and serves as a hub for two major airlines: American Airlines and United Airlines. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport comes in second place with seven runways and is followed by Denver International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which both have six runways each.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport has 8 runways

The airport's history with runways began with four runways in 1944, which quickly increased to six within a few years of operations. O'Hare was intended to be the successor to the nearby Chicago Midway Airport but was unable to capture the overwhelming demand during the post-World War II boom in air travel, leading to Midway remaining open.

Over the years, O'Hare's runways have undergone adjustments, including the closure of runway 32R/14L in 2015 and the opening of a new runway, 10R/28L. As of 2024, O'Hare offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide, spanning North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region.

The large number of runways at O'Hare enables efficient management of flight movements, with the ability to handle up to three abreast landings and takeoffs in multiple directions depending on conditions such as weather and wind. This capability sets O'Hare apart from other busy airports like Atlanta, Dubai, and Dallas-Fort Worth, which have fewer runways but potentially higher passenger traffic.

O'Hare's status as a regional hub and its central location in the United States contribute to its high volume of smaller domestic flights and cargo flights, which result in a significant number of flight movements. The airport's efficient runway configuration, combined with its role as a major transportation gateway, solidifies its position as a leader in the aviation industry.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has 7 runways

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a major global gateway and the second-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic as of 2022 and 2023. It is the primary international airport serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and the North Texas region. The airport has service to 254 destinations, including 191 domestic and 63 international destinations, from 28 passenger airlines. It is also the largest carbon-neutral airport in the world and the first in North America to achieve this status.

The history of the airport dates back to 1927 when Dallas first proposed a joint airport with Fort Worth. However, Fort Worth declined the offer, and each city opened its own airport – Love Field in Dallas and Meacham Field in Fort Worth. In 1940, the Civil Aeronautics Administration earmarked funds for the construction of a Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport, but disagreements between the two cities led to the abandonment of the project in 1942. After World War II, Fort Worth annexed the site and developed it into Amon Carter Field, which later became Greater Southwest International Airport.

The proposal for a joint airport was revisited in 1961 when the Federal Aviation Administration refused to invest in separate airports for Dallas and Fort Worth. Following negotiations and federal intervention, an agreement was reached, and construction of the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport began in 1969. The airport opened for commercial service on January 13, 1974, with a total of four terminals.

Today, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has five terminals and 174 gates, designed in a half-circle shape to minimize the distance between the passenger's car and the airplane. The airport also features the DFW Skylink, a modern bidirectional people mover system that allows passengers to quickly travel between gates inside the secured area.

Denver International Airport has 6 runways

Denver International Airport (DEN) has 6 runways. Located in Colorado, it is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 82 million passengers in 2024. It is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area, covering 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2). Not only does it have an impressive number of runways, but it also boasts the longest public-use runway in North America. Runway 16R/34L is 16,000 feet long, making it the seventh-longest runway on Earth.

The airport's high elevation and hot summers require longer runways for aircraft takeoff. In fact, the length of Runway 16R/34L allows fully-loaded Airbus A380s and Boeing 747-8s to take off safely, even in the challenging conditions presented by the airport's high altitude. This runway is 4,000 feet longer than the airport's other runways.

Denver International Airport's efficient runway layout includes five 12,000-foot runways and the longer 16R/34L. The airfield has the capacity for six additional runways, with room for a total of 12. This potential for expansion sets it apart from many other airports and highlights its ability to accommodate future growth in air traffic.

The airport's single terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, covers 2.6 million square feet and includes baggage claim, ground transportation, international arrivals, shops, restaurants, and office areas. The terminal's distinctive peaked roof, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, is inspired by the snow-capped mountains of Colorado. Denver International Airport's vast expanse of land and efficient runway configuration contribute to its status as one of the world's busiest and most impressive aviation hubs.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has 6 runways

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, located in Romulus, Michigan, is one of the busiest airports in the state. With six runways, this airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and also serves as a base for Spirit Airlines.

The airport covers 4,850 acres of land and features two terminals and 129 gates. It is known for its efficient ground transportation options, including direct connections to the Rosa Parks Transit Center in downtown Detroit.

The history of the airport dates back to the late 1920s when Wayne County began planning an airport in the western townships. The airport was constructed and dedicated in the early 1930s, and it has since undergone several expansions and renovations.

Today, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport offers service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States. It has been recognised for its excellence in customer satisfaction, being named the best "Mega" airport in the US by J.D. Power & Associates on multiple occasions.

The airport's six runways include four parallel runways and two crossing runways. This configuration allows for efficient air traffic management and enables the airport to handle a high volume of flights.

Boston Logan International Airport has 6 runways

Boston Logan International Airport, also known as General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is a large airport located in East Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest airport in New England and the busiest airport in the Northeastern United States outside of the New York metropolitan area. The airport covers 2,384 acres of land and handles a significant volume of passengers and cargo.

Logan International Airport has six runways that vary in length from 2,557 feet to 10,081 feet. The runways are aligned in three directions, allowing for aircraft take-off and landing in different wind conditions. The airport can accommodate up to 120 operations per hour during ideal weather conditions when three runways are utilised. However, in poor weather, runway capacity may be reduced to around 60 operations per hour using a single runway.

The six runways at Logan International Airport include:

• Runway 4L/22R: 7,864 feet long.
• Runway 4R/22L: 10,006 feet long.
• Runway 9/27: 7,001 feet long.
• Runway 14/32: 5,000 feet long.
• Runway 15L/33R: 2,557 feet long.
• Runway 15R/33L: 10,083 feet long.

The airport's runway configuration depends on the wind direction, with specific patterns for northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest winds. These configurations ensure efficient and safe aircraft operations.

Boston Logan International Airport's six runways contribute to its capacity and ability to handle a high volume of air traffic, making it a significant transportation hub in the region.

Frequently asked questions