Largest US Airports by Size and Passenger Traffic in 2025

When discussing the largest airports in the United States, size can mean two very different things. Some airports dominate in sheer physical footprint, sprawling across tens of thousands of acres with multiple runways and room for future expansion. Others lead in operational scale, processing over 100 million passengers annually through their terminals. Understanding both metrics provides a complete picture of America’s aviation infrastructure and reveals which airports truly reign supreme in the world’s largest aviation market.

This guide examines the biggest US airports through both lenses—land area and passenger volume—to help travelers, aviation enthusiasts, and industry professionals understand what makes these transportation hubs genuinely massive. Whether you’re curious about which airport could fit a small city within its boundaries or which one handles more people than entire countries, the rankings might surprise you.

What Makes an Airport “Largest”? Size vs. Passenger Volume

The term “largest airport” lacks a single definition because airports can be measured in fundamentally different ways. Physical size refers to the total land area an airport occupies, including runways, taxiways, terminals, parking facilities, and reserved space for future development. This measurement, typically expressed in square miles or acres, indicates an airport’s infrastructure capacity and potential for growth. Passenger volume measures operational intensity—how many travelers actually move through the airport annually—reflecting economic impact, connectivity, and efficiency rather than physical boundaries.

These two metrics often tell completely different stories. Denver International Airport covers an astounding 53 square miles, making it larger than Manhattan and Boston combined, yet it ranks fifth in passenger traffic. Meanwhile, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport processes over 100 million passengers annually on just 4,700 acres—about 14% of Denver’s footprint. An airport can absolutely be large in one metric but not the other, as demonstrated by these examples. Physical size matters most to airport planners, real estate developers, and communities concerned with noise and environmental impact, while passenger volume matters more to airlines, business travelers, and economists measuring regional connectivity and economic contribution.

Measuring Airports by Land Area

Denver International Airport (DEN) claims the title of largest US airport by land area, sprawling across approximately 53 square miles (33,531 acres)—more than twice the size of Manhattan. Built in 1995 with deliberate expansion in mind after Denver’s previous airport, Stapleton, ran out of room, DEN currently operates six runways but has space reserved for up to twelve, ensuring it can accommodate growth for decades. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranks second at roughly 27 square miles (17,207 acres), strategically positioned between its two namesake cities and featuring seven runways. Orlando International Airport (MCO) takes third with about 21 square miles (13,400 acres), while Washington Dulles International (IAD) occupies approximately 20 square miles (13,000 acres). These massive footprints allow for extensive runway configurations that minimize weather-related delays, provide ample terminal space for passenger comfort, reduce noise impact on surrounding communities, and enable airports to add capacity through construction rather than relying solely on operational efficiency improvements that constrain older urban airports.

Measuring Airports by Passenger Traffic

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has held the crown as the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic for over two decades, processing approximately 104 million passengers in 2024, representing a 7% increase from 2023 as travel continues its post-COVID recovery. Its dominance stems from its role as Delta Air Lines’ primary hub, its geographic position in the southeastern United States making it an ideal connecting point for domestic flights, and its strong mix of business and leisure travel. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) follows in second place with roughly 88 million annual passengers (up 6% from 2023), serving as the primary gateway for trans-Pacific travel with extensive connections to Asia and one of the nation’s most important international airports. Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) processes approximately 84 million passengers (up 5% from 2023), benefiting from its central US location and serving as a major hub for both United and American Airlines. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) handles about 81 million passengers as American Airlines’ largest hub globally, while Denver International (DEN) rounds out the top five with 77 million passengers, representing the fastest growth among major hubs due to its popularity as both a connecting point and destination for mountain tourism. Passenger volumes show seasonal variations, with summer months typically seeing 15-20% higher traffic than winter periods, and holiday weeks like Thanksgiving experiencing peak daily volumes that can exceed 300,000 passengers at the busiest airports.

Top 10 Largest US Airports by Area

When measuring airports by land area, the United States boasts some of the most expansive aviation facilities in the world, with Denver International Airport leading at over 33,500 acres. These vast spaces are more than just statistics—they represent operational capabilities that enable airports to accommodate high passenger traffic, handle extensive cargo operations, and host multiple terminals with support facilities. The largest airports typically feature multiple runways spaced far apart to maximize efficiency and safety, along with room for future expansion without disrupting existing infrastructure.

Size rankings differ significantly from traffic rankings, as Denver holds the title for largest land area while Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson leads the nation in passenger volume. Understanding airport size provides insight into long-term planning strategies and how American aviation hubs accommodate the growing demands of domestic and international air travel. The following rankings focus exclusively on physical land area measured in acres and square miles.

Top 10 Largest US Airports by Land Area

1. Denver International Airport (DEN) - Colorado

Denver International Airport spans an impressive 33,531 acres (52.4 square miles), making it not only the largest airport in the United States but also the second-largest in the world, more than double the size of Manhattan. Built 25 miles from downtown Denver in the 1990s with long-term expansion in mind, the airport’s vast land area allows for six runways, multiple terminals, and extensive room for future growth. DEN features distinctive white-tented terminal architecture designed to resemble the Rocky Mountains, with the Jeppesen Terminal spanning 2.6 million square feet. The airport serves as a major economic engine for Colorado, generating over $36 billion annually while handling approximately 77 million passengers in 2023, making it the third busiest airport in the United States and a crucial hub for domestic travel with nonstop service to more than 205 destinations.

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - Texas

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport covers 17,207 acres (26.9 square miles), strategically positioned between the two major Texas cities to serve both metropolitan areas. The airport serves as a primary hub for American Airlines and operates with five terminals connected by the Skylink automated people mover system, featuring multiple runways, extensive parking facilities, efficient ground services, and advanced cargo handling infrastructure. DFW handled approximately 78 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. The airport’s massive size enables seamless domestic and international connectivity while providing operational flexibility, and it completed a comprehensive Terminal Renewal and Improvement Programme in 2018 to modernize facilities for the next 50 years.

3. Orlando International Airport (MCO) - Florida

Orlando International Airport encompasses 13,302 acres (20.8 square miles) and is located six miles southeast of downtown Orlando, serving as the main international gateway for central Florida’s world-famous theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other attractions. The airport features a unique design that separates the main terminal from the airside concourses, and approximately 6,000 acres of its total land area is dedicated to protected swamp lands and conservation zones. MCO handled approximately 54 million passengers in 2023, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States. The airport’s modern facilities include a recently opened Brightline train station and ongoing terminal expansion projects, while its efficient layout accommodates millions of tourists and robust cargo operations that complement extensive passenger services.

4. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Virginia

Washington Dulles International Airport spans 13,000 acres (20.3 square miles) and is located 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C., serving the nation’s capital. The airport is renowned for its futuristic main terminal designed by architect Eero Saarinen, and its vast 18.75 square miles were specifically chosen to buffer the airport from neighboring communities. Originally, the airport used unique mobile lounges to transport passengers directly to their aircraft, though modern jet bridges have largely replaced this system. IAD serves as a hub for United Airlines and plays a significant role in connecting the nation’s capital to global destinations through frequent transatlantic flights and a wide range of international airlines. The airport handled approximately 24 million passengers in 2023, making it a crucial international gateway for the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - Texas

George Bush Intercontinental Airport covers 10,000 acres (15.6 square miles) and is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston. When Houston civic leaders purchased land for a new airport in the late 1950s, they were already thinking big, and the airport’s real estate was expanded over subsequent decades to its present size. The airport serves as a key global gateway, particularly for flights to Latin America, and operates as the second-largest hub for United Airlines with five terminals, extensive cargo facilities, and advanced runway systems that can handle high volumes of long-distance flights. IAH handled approximately 46 million passengers in 2023, a record for the airport. The facility features one of the largest public art collections in Texas and hosts live music performances through its “Harmony in the Air” series, with a new international terminal opening in early 2025.

6. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - Utah

Salt Lake City International Airport encompasses 7,700 acres (12.0 square miles) and is located just four miles northwest of downtown Salt Lake City, less than an hour from world-class skiing in Park City. The airport recently underwent a multi-billion-dollar renovation, transforming it into the first new hub airport built in the United States in the 21st century. The modern facility features a design inspired by Utah’s mountains and canyons, incorporating abundant natural light and earthquake-resistant construction features that ensure safety and resilience. As a hub for Delta Airlines, SLC handled approximately 27 million passengers in 2023, and the airport operates four runways to provide crucial connectivity for domestic and international travel throughout the western United States.

7. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) - Illinois

Chicago O’Hare International Airport covers 7,627 acres (11.9 square miles) and is located 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago’s vibrant business district. O’Hare was the world’s busiest airport for many years based on the number of aircraft movements, and with its large size and numerous runways, it serves as a critical hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines. The airport handled approximately 83 million passengers in 2023, making it one of the busiest airports globally and ranking among the top in the United States. The airport features an extensive terminal network with efficient operations that connect the Midwest to domestic and international destinations, and the $8.5 billion O’Hare 21 expansion project aims to increase capacity by up to 60 percent through new satellite concourses and the construction of the O’Hare Global Terminal with a total of 235 gates.

8. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - California

San Francisco International Airport spans 5,200 acres (8.1 square miles) and is strategically positioned 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco along the Pacific coast. The airport serves as a key gateway for transpacific flights connecting North America to Asia and features four terminals with advanced cargo facilities. SFO’s International Terminal, opened in 2000, spans 41.3 acres and was named the largest international airport terminal in North America, becoming the first in the world designed with gates capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft. SFO handled over 50 million passengers in 2023 and is recognized for its commitment to sustainability through eco-friendly initiatives, luxury services, and ongoing terminal renovation projects including the Harvey Milk Terminal modernization completed in 2021.

9. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - New York

John F. Kennedy International Airport covers 5,200 acres (8.1 square miles) in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, approximately 15 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. Originally opened in 1948 as Idlewild Airport, the facility started with just 1,000 acres of marshy land, with an additional 1,350 acres added in 1944 during construction, eventually expanding to nearly 5,000 acres over time. The airport is the largest and busiest in the New York metropolitan area, with over 90 airlines operating from the facility, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. JFK handled over 62 million passengers and saw 480,793 aircraft movements in 2023, making it the sixth busiest airport in the United States and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America. The airport features five passenger terminals, four runways, and over 25 miles of paved taxiways, currently undergoing a $19 billion renovation that will add two new terminals with completion expected by 2030.

10. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) - Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport encompasses 4,850 acres (7.6 square miles) in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown. Originally constructed in 1930 on just one square mile of land when it was named Detroit-Wayne Airport, the airport has expanded significantly over the decades to its current size and now operates six runways and two terminals with 129 in-service gates. DTW serves over 32 million passengers annually and generates $10.2 billion in annual economic impact while supporting more than 86,000 jobs in Michigan. As the third-largest hub for Delta Air Lines and a major SkyTeam alliance base, the airport provides service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States. The airport features the iconic mile-long McNamara Terminal with its distinctive illuminated tunnel connecting concourses, and it has been recognized as the best large U.S. airport in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associates in 2010, 2019, and 2022.

Top 10 Busiest US Airports by Passenger Volume

The United States is home to some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson leading globally at 38 million summer seats in 2025. Measuring airport activity by passenger volume provides the clearest picture of aviation traffic intensity, though airports ranked by daily flights, physical size, or connecting passengers can show different patterns. American airports dominate the global rankings, with 15 of the top 50 busiest airports worldwide located in the United States as of 2024.

The five busiest US airports by passenger traffic are Atlanta (108 million annually), Los Angeles (77 million), Dallas-Fort Worth (88 million), Denver (82 million), and Chicago O’Hare (80 million). These major hubs serve as critical connection points for domestic and international travel, with each handling millions of travelers monthly and supporting thousands of daily flight operations across extensive terminal facilities.

Table: Top 5 Busiest US Airports (2024)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport processed 108.1 million passengers in 2024, maintaining its position as the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume since 1998, with the exception of 2020. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 square miles or 19 square kilometers) with five parallel runways and features two terminals connected to seven concourses via an underground train system called the Plane Train. Delta Air Lines dominates operations at ATL with approximately 74-80% of passenger flights, making it one of the world’s largest single-airline fortress hubs, while Southwest Airlines holds second position at 7.4% market share.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport handled 76.59 million passengers in 2024, serving as the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast and a major gateway for trans-Pacific travel. LAX operates as a highly competitive battleground hub with no single airline maintaining majority control, featuring Delta Air Lines leading with 18.8% market share, followed by United Airlines at 15.5%, creating an unusually diverse competitive landscape. The airport holds the distinction of being the world’s busiest origin and destination airport, with approximately 88% of travelers beginning or ending their journeys in Los Angeles rather than connecting through.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago O’Hare International Airport handled 80.04 million passengers in 2024, representing an 8.3% increase from 2023, and operates four terminals with nine concourses totaling 215 gates, the most of any airport worldwide. United Airlines and American Airlines dominate O’Hare in a classic duopoly structure, with United capturing 46.3% market share (37 million passengers) and American holding 29.2% (23 million passengers), together controlling approximately 75% of the airport’s traffic. O’Hare ranks as the world’s second-busiest airport by daily aircraft movements with approximately 815 takeoffs and landings per day, providing nonstop service to nearly 250 destinations, the most of any US airport.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport welcomed 87.8 million passengers in 2024, marking the highest traffic in the airport’s history and a 7.4% increase from 2023, securing its position as the third busiest airport globally. The airport spans over 17,000 acres (26.9 square miles or 69.6 square kilometers), making it larger than Manhattan and the second-biggest airport in the United States after Denver, with five operating terminals and seven runways all exceeding 8,500 feet (2,590 meters) in length. American Airlines maintains overwhelming dominance at DFW with 81.9% passenger market share in 2024, making it the airline’s largest hub and the second-largest single-airline hub globally after Atlanta.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International Airport served 82.4 million passengers in 2024, marking the first year the airport exceeded 80 million annual travelers and representing a 5.8% increase over 2023’s record. DEN is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area, covering 53 square miles (137.26 square kilometers or 33,917 acres), and features Runway 16R/34L at 16,000 feet (3.03 miles or 4.88 kilometers), the longest public-use runway in North America. United Airlines leads the airport with 47.3% market share serving 39 million passengers, followed by Southwest Airlines at 31.0% with 25 million passengers, while Frontier Airlines captures 10.1% making Denver its largest operating base.

Why Airport Size Matters

Airport size plays a crucial role in shaping the efficiency, capacity, and economic impact of air travel across the United States. The largest airports serve as vital transportation hubs that connect millions of passengers to domestic and international destinations while supporting complex logistics networks. For travelers, airport size directly impacts connection times, available amenities, and the likelihood of flight delays—larger facilities typically offer more gate options and backup runways. For cities and the aviation industry, these massive facilities represent billions of dollars in infrastructure investment and serve as economic engines that generate thousands of jobs while facilitating regional business growth.

Understanding what makes a large airport more significant than a smaller one goes beyond physical dimensions to encompass operational capacity and flexibility. Large airports can simultaneously handle multiple aircraft operations, accommodate various aircraft sizes from regional jets to international widebodies, and maintain service during adverse weather conditions thanks to redundant runways. Within the broader aviation ecosystem, these major hubs act as critical nodes that enable the hub-and-spoke model used by major carriers, allowing passengers from smaller cities to connect efficiently to destinations worldwide while keeping air travel economically viable across the entire network.

Capacity for Future Growth

Large airports possess the physical space necessary to expand runways, terminals, and support facilities as passenger demand increases over time. Denver International Airport, spanning 33,531 acres (52.4 square miles), exemplifies this advantage with room for up to 12 runways in its master plan—double its current six—and multiple terminal expansions that smaller, land-constrained airports cannot achieve. Dallas/Fort Worth International has successfully scaled from handling 9 million passengers at opening to over 73 million today, adding terminals and gates as needed on its 17,207-acre footprint. This operational flexibility allows major hubs to accommodate projected passenger volume increases of 30-50% over the next two decades, implementing new technologies like automated people movers and biometric screening without disruptive off-site expansions, ensuring they can serve growing metropolitan populations efficiently for generations to come.

Enhanced Passenger Amenities

The expansive footprints of America’s largest airports enable them to offer world-class amenities that transform layovers from inconveniences into enjoyable experiences, with space being the critical factor that smaller airports lack. Facilities like Dallas/Fort Worth International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International feature extensive dining options with over 100 restaurants combined—ranging from fast food to sit-down establishments with local cuisine—alongside high-end shopping districts with 50+ retail outlets, premium lounges for multiple airline alliances, spa services, and even art galleries and exhibitions. Denver International’s 33,531 acres allow for a dedicated hotel connected via train, workout facilities, and meditation rooms, while larger airports routinely incorporate children’s play zones, nursing rooms, pet relief areas, and quiet spaces that significantly improve passenger comfort during extended waits or unexpected delays—innovations only feasible when square footage isn’t at a premium.

Cargo and Freight Operations

Large airports serve double duty as critical logistics hubs because the infrastructure required for major cargo operations—including massive warehouses, dedicated cargo ramps, and 24/7 sorting facilities—demands substantial acreage that only the largest airports can provide. Memphis International Airport, despite ranking lower in passenger traffic, handles over 4.3 million tons of cargo annually as FedEx’s primary “SuperHub” where packages from across the country are sorted overnight, while Louisville Muhammad Ali International processes approximately 2.8 million tons for UPS on dedicated cargo facilities spanning hundreds of acres. Chicago O’Hare’s cargo capability contributes over $60 billion annually to the regional economy by enabling just-in-time manufacturing, pharmaceutical distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment, with its 1.9 million tons of annual freight supporting industries throughout the Midwest—demonstrating how cargo capacity at major airports impacts not just local economies but serves as a vital artery for national and international commerce, from perishable food imports to critical medical supplies and consumer electronics.

Largest US Airports by Size

Note: Passenger and cargo figures represent recent annual data and may vary year to year.

Comparing Size vs. Traffic: Key Insights

When evaluating America’s largest airports, it’s crucial to understand that physical size and passenger traffic don’t always correlate. An airport sprawling across tens of thousands of acres might handle fewer passengers than a compact facility squeezed into a dense urban area. The biggest airports aren’t always the busiest—Denver International covers 53 square miles but ranks third in traffic, while Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson leads in passengers despite being just 7 square miles. This disconnect occurs because passenger volume depends more on hub status, airline route networks, and metropolitan population than raw acreage.

Several factors explain why size and traffic don’t align predictably. Remote locations may require vast land areas for noise buffers and future expansion that never materializes, while urban airports must maximize operational efficiency within tight boundaries. Cargo-focused facilities, military joint-use arrangements, and speculative land banking for growth all contribute to outsized footprints relative to passenger counts. Conversely, constrained urban airports compensate through intensive gate utilization, multiple daily aircraft rotations, and vertical terminal designs that pack maximum capacity into minimal space.

Airports That Are Both Large and Busy

Denver International (DEN), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Orlando International (MCO) rank high in both physical size and passenger traffic, representing airports where massive footprints directly support high-volume operations. DEN’s 53 square miles accommodate 77.8 million passengers (3rd nationally), DFW’s 27 square miles serve 73.4 million travelers (4th), and MCO’s 21 square miles handle 57.7 million visitors (7th). These airports share common success factors: strong hub status with dominant airline partners (United at DEN, American at DFW), strategic geographic positioning as connection points, extensive runway systems that minimize delays, and ample room for terminal expansion that supports growing route networks and increased flight frequencies.

Large Airports with Lower Traffic

Washington Dulles International (IAD) exemplifies airports with disproportionately large footprints relative to passenger counts—its 18.5 square miles handle just 24.7 million annual passengers, ranking 4th by area but only 23rd in traffic. This discrepancy stems from Dulles being built in 1962 with massive expansion capacity for future growth that never fully materialized, its location 26 miles from downtown Washington limiting convenient access, its focus on international and cargo operations rather than high-frequency domestic routes, and substantial land dedicated to the now-obsolete mobile lounge system, military operations buffer zones, and speculative development parcels that remain underutilized decades after construction.

Compact Airports with High Traffic

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International (ATL) and Los Angeles International (LAX) demonstrate how airports handle enormous passenger volumes despite limited physical space—ATL processes 104 million passengers on just 7 square miles (1st in traffic, 15th in size), while LAX serves 75 million on 5.4 square miles (5th in traffic, 21st in size). These space-constrained airports manage high traffic through rapid aircraft turnaround times that squeeze more flights per gate daily, efficient parallel runway configurations that maximize takeoff/landing capacity, multi-level terminal designs that stack passenger processing vertically rather than horizontally, strategic slot management systems that prevent overcrowding, and investments in automated systems and technology that speed security, baggage handling, and passenger flow through architecturally constrained facilities.

The United States boasts some of the world’s most impressive airports, serving millions of travelers annually. Understanding which airports are the largest—whether by physical size or passenger volume—can help you better plan your trips and navigate these massive transportation hubs. From sprawling facilities that cover more land than some small cities to bustling terminals processing hundreds of thousands of passengers daily, America’s major airports represent marvels of modern infrastructure and logistics.

This guide explores the largest US airports from multiple perspectives, examining both their physical footprints and operational capacity. Whether you’re a frequent flyer looking to optimize your connections or a curious traveler wanting to understand these aviation giants, you’ll find essential information about what makes these airports stand out and how their size impacts your travel experience.

Understanding Airport Size: Land Area vs Passenger Traffic

When discussing the “largest” airports, it’s crucial to distinguish between two different measurements: physical size and passenger volume. Physical size refers to the total land area an airport occupies, measured in square miles or acres, including runways, terminals, parking facilities, and undeveloped land. This metric determines an airport’s expansion capacity and ability to handle multiple simultaneous operations without congestion.

Passenger traffic, on the other hand, measures how many travelers pass through an airport annually, indicating its operational intensity and economic significance. An airport can be massive in land area but handle relatively modest passenger numbers, or it can be compact yet process tens of millions of travelers each year. Both metrics matter for different reasons—size affects an airport’s future potential and operational flexibility, while passenger volume reflects current demand and the likelihood of crowds, delays, and extensive amenities.

The Biggest US Airports by Physical Size

Top 5 Largest US Airports by Land Area

Denver International Airport dominates as America’s largest airport by land area, covering an astounding 33,531 acres—roughly twice the size of Manhattan. This massive footprint was intentional, designed to provide ample room for future expansion and to minimize noise impact on surrounding communities. The airport’s six runways can operate independently in nearly all weather conditions, and there’s still plenty of unused land available for additional terminals and facilities as air travel demand grows.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport claims second place with 17,207 acres, making it larger than the island of Bermuda. Its seven runways and five terminals create a small city unto itself, complete with its own fire department, police force, and even a zip code. The substantial land area allows DFW to accommodate multiple major airline hubs simultaneously while maintaining efficient operations and leaving room for technological innovations like future urban air mobility infrastructure.

The Busiest US Airports by Passenger Volume

Top 10 Busiest US Airports by Annual Passengers (2023)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has held the title of world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic for over two decades, processing nearly 105 million travelers in 2023. Atlanta’s dominance stems from its strategic location in the southeastern United States, making it an ideal connecting point for flights across the country and to Latin America. Delta Air Lines’ massive hub operation, combined with Atlanta’s role as a major business center, ensures consistent high traffic throughout the year with peak daily operations exceeding 300,000 passengers.

Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver round out the top three, each processing more than 77 million passengers annually. DFW benefits from American Airlines’ largest hub and Texas’s booming economy, while Denver serves as a critical mountain gateway and United Airlines hub. What’s notable about this list is the concentration of hub airports—facilities where major carriers route passengers through connecting flights—which explains why some cities with smaller metropolitan populations can still rank among the nation’s busiest aviation centers.

Frequently Asked Questions About US Airports

What is the biggest airport in the United States?

Denver International Airport is the biggest airport in the United States by physical size, covering 33,531 acres or 52.4 square miles. This makes it larger than the entire city of San Francisco and approximately twice the size of Manhattan. The airport was deliberately built with such a massive footprint when it opened in 1995 to ensure decades of expansion capacity and to accommodate six runways that rarely experience delays due to their generous spacing.

Which US airport handles the most passengers?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handles the most passengers of any US airport, serving approximately 104.7 million travelers in 2023. Atlanta has maintained this top position for over 25 years thanks to its role as Delta Air Lines’ primary hub and its strategic geographic location, which makes it an efficient connecting point for flights throughout North America and to international destinations. The airport processes an average of nearly 300,000 passengers daily, with operations running from before dawn until after midnight.

How does airport size affect travel experience?

Airport size significantly impacts your travel experience in several ways, with larger airports requiring substantially more time to navigate—connection walks can take 15-20 minutes or require train rides between terminals, meaning you’ll need to budget at least 90 minutes for domestic connections and two hours for international ones. Physical size affects everything from security checkpoint wait times (larger airports often have more checkpoints but also more passengers) to stress levels, as navigating sprawling terminals with tight connections can be anxiety-inducing. On the positive side, bigger airports compensate with extensive amenities including diverse dining options, premium shopping, airline lounges, and services like spas and sleep pods, plus they offer greater flight frequency and more direct routes to destinations worldwide, reducing the need for multiple connections.

What are the busiest times at major US airports?

Major US airports experience peak traffic during specific seasonal periods, with Thanksgiving week being the single busiest travel period of the year, followed closely by the two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, spring break season from mid-March through April, and summer vacation months from Memorial Day through Labor Day (late May to early September). Within each week, Mondays see heavy business traveler traffic in the morning, Fridays are packed with leisure travelers heading out for weekends from afternoon through evening, and Sundays feature return traffic throughout the day as travelers head home. During daily operations, the busiest hours occur from 5:00-9:00 AM when business travelers dominate and again from 4:00-8:00 PM during the evening rush, while Tuesday and Wednesday mid-mornings (10:00 AM-noon) and late nights after 10:00 PM typically offer the shortest security lines and least crowded terminals.