When was the last time you had been in an airport? Do you remember that place, the place that takes millions to the skies daily? It is filled with the hustle and bustle of the crowd, diverse faces, and bumping into a stranger. Airports are the places that echo a symphony of roaring engines and hurried footsteps through huge terminals. It is also the same place where dreams take flight, business deals are sealed, and families reunite. It all occurs daily; that’s how busy the airports are today.
Many people prefer taking a flight over another mode of transport for many reasons, such as speed, and flying out to a place saves time and is considered more convenient. The United States is filled with many such airports where you can anticipate the constant flow of human movement. Let’s find out more about the busiest airports in the United States.
In this article, we will be listing down some of the busiest airports in the United States along with their details. Also, understand what airports are truly and how they make an impact on the passenger’s journey.
What are Airports?
Airports are considered transportation hubs where the aircraft take off, land, and undergo maintenance while the movement of passengers and cargo is taken care of. These airports can be differentiated based on their size and functioning. They usually range from small regional airfields to major international airports, which are known for handling millions of passengers yearly.
The airports typically include runways, taxiways, terminals, air traffic control towers, and other necessary facilities for their passengers, like baggage handling, security checkpoints, lounges, and shopping areas. The airports are considered vital as they play a crucial role in global connectivity, trade, tourism, and business, along with adherence to strict safety and operational rules to make sure the passengers experience smooth and secure travel.
The United States is home to many diverse airport systems that cater to many aviation needs. Based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Here Are the Types of Busiest Airports in the United States:
1. Commercial Service Airport:
These are public-owned airports that receive scheduled passenger service and have at least 2,500 passenger boardings per year. These are the airports most people are aware of. They can be categorized based on passenger volume, such as:
Primary Airports:
These airports have over 10,000 passenger boardings yearly. They are further classified as per Hub sizes such as Large Hubs, Medium Hubs, Small Hubs, and Non-Hubs.
Non-Primary Commercial Service Airports:
These airports have between 2,500 and 10,000 passenger boardings per year.
2. General Aviation Airports:
These airports cater to all other forms of civil aviation besides scheduled commercial flights, such as private planes, corporate jets, flight training, agricultural spraying, and emergency services. The general aviation airports are allocated into categories like National, Regional, Local, and Basic airports.
3. Cargo Service Airports:
These airports majorly focus on the transportation of goods and merchandise. Various commercial service airports also handle significant cargo traffic. Airports that transport high cargo traffic have high landed weights of cargo.
4. Reliever Airports:
These airports are constructed to relieve overcrowding at busy commercial service airports. They usually offer general aviation access to metropolitan areas.
Top 15 Busiest Airports in the United States:
| Rank | Airport Name | Airport Code | City | Passenger Traffic |
| 1 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | ATL | Atlanta, Georgia | 108,067,766 |
| 2 | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | DFW | Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas | 87,817,864 |
| 3 | Denver International Airport | DEN | Denver, Colorado | 82,358,744 |
| 4 | Los Angeles International Airport | LAX | Los Angeles, California | 76,587,980 |
| 5 | O’Hare International Airport | ORD | Chicago, Illinois | 73,894,226 |
| 6 | John F. Kennedy International Airport | JFK | New York, New York | 32,481,057 (2023 figure) |
| 7 | Orlando International Airport | MCO | Orlando, Florida | 6,696,949 (2023 figure) |
| 8 | Harry Reid International Airport | LAS | Las Vegas, Nevada | 3,133,224 (2023 figure) |
| 9 | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | CLT | Charlotte, North Carolina | 4,140,531 (2023 figure) |
| 10 | Miami International Airport | MIA | Miami, Florida | 21,382,328 (2023 figure) |
| 11 | Seattle–Tacoma International Airport | SEA | Seattle, Washington | 5,517,422 (2023 figure) |
| 12 | Newark Liberty International Airport | EWR | Newark, New Jersey | 14,080,779 (2023 figure) |
| 13 | San Francisco International Airport | SFO | San Francisco, California | 13,224,356 (2023 figure) |
| 14 | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | PHX | Phoenix, Arizona | 2,481,029 (2023 figure) |
| 15 | George Bush Intercontinental Airport | IAH | Houston, Texas | 11,279,214 (2023 figure) |
Conclusion:
Airports have become an easier and faster mode of transportation for everyone lately. It offers convenience, quality services, and a hassle-free experience. Airports play a significant role in increasing the connectivity between two places and also promote trade and tourism. We have listed down some of the busiest airports in the United States that have been carter to a large amount of passenger traffic for years and have proven to give outstanding experience to travelers. Ranging from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to O’Hare International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. These airports have been known to people and have been used by many for their transportation.
Also read: The Best Cities to Live in the United States: 2025 Edition
FAQ:
1. What are the 3 biggest airports in the US?
The three largest airports in the United States by area are Denver International Airport (DEN), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
2. Which is the most beautiful airport in the USA?
Some of the prettiest airports in the United States include Portland International Airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and Nashville International Airport.
3. What is the most stressful airport in the USA?
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is considered the most stressful airport in the United States. It’s also one of the most stressful airports in the world.
