Top 10 Busiest Airports in the US
Airports are more than just travel hubs—they're bustling cities in themselves, handling millions of passengers, thousands of flights, and tons of cargo every year.
In a country as vast and well-connected as the United States, some airports stand out for their sheer volume of traffic and global connectivity.
From coast to coast, these airports serve as major gateways for both domestic and international travel.
Whether you're a frequent flyer or simply curious about where the most travelers pass through, this list of the top 10 busiest airports in the US highlights the aviation giants leading the way in passenger numbers, flight operations, and economic impact.
| Rank | Airport Name |
|---|---|
| 10 | Miami International Airport (MIA) |
| 9 | Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) |
| 8 | Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) |
| 7 | Orlando International Airport (MCO) |
| 6 | New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| 5 | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) |
| 4 | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) |
| 3 | Denver International Airport (DEN) |
| 2 | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) |
| 1 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
10. Miami International Airport (MIA)
Annual Passengers: 48+ million
Serving as America's gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, Miami International Airport handles more international freight than any other U.S. airport.
As American Airlines' primary hub for South American operations, MIA offers more flights to Latin destinations than any other U.S. airport.
The airport has been a pioneer in accessibility enhancements, becoming the first Florida airport and only the second in the United States to receive accreditation from the Airports Council International's Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program.
MIA offers innovative features like the MIAair tour program for passengers with special needs and multi-sensory rooms for neurodivergent travelers.
Art in Motion: MIA features one of the world's largest airport art collections, with installations and exhibitions throughout the terminals that showcase the cultural diversity of South Florida.
Accessibility Pioneer: The airport has been at the forefront of accessibility enhancements, becoming the first Florida airport and only the second in the United States to receive accreditation from the Airports Council International's Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program.
Traveler Tip: Download the MIA2Go app to order food from any terminal restaurant and have it delivered to your gate.
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Annual Passengers: 50+ million
As American Airlines' second-largest hub after DFW, Charlotte Douglas plays an oversized role in the national aviation network despite serving a relatively mid-sized city.
The airport functions primarily as a connecting hub, with over 700 daily departures to destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America.
Charlotte's five concourses are arranged in a unique "spoke" design around a central atrium, allowing for efficient connections.
The airport is known for its famous white rocking chairs scattered throughout the terminal, offering a touch of Southern hospitality to weary travelers.
Economic Engine: CLT contributes more than $24.6 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 169,000 jobs.
Sustainability Leader: Charlotte operates a unique "worm farm" where millions of worms process food waste from terminal restaurants, turning it into fertilizer for airport landscaping.
Traveler Tip: The centralized design means all gates are accessible after security without needing to take a train or shuttle—a rarity for major hubs.
8. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Annual Passengers: 53+ million
Formerly known as McCarran International Airport until its 2021 renaming, Las Vegas Harry Reid International serves as the gateway to America's entertainment capital.
The airport has seen strong growth in 2025, reflecting the city's continued draw for both leisure travelers and convention attendees.
The airport offers a quintessentially Vegas experience from the moment travelers land, with slot machines scattered throughout the terminals allowing passengers to try their luck before even leaving the airport.
Recent expansions have increased international connectivity, particularly to Mexico and Canada.
Only-in-Vegas Experience: The airport features over 1,400 slot machines throughout its terminals, allowing passengers to start gambling the moment they arrive and continue until the last possible moment before departure.
Economic Impact: The airport generates nearly $35 billion in economic output annually and supports approximately 225,000 jobs in the region.
Traveler Tip: Terminal 3 typically has shorter security lines than Terminal 1, even during peak convention periods.
7. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Annual Passengers: 54+ million
As the gateway to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Florida's other world-famous attractions, Orlando International has established itself as one of America's busiest airports.
The airport has seen a 7% year-over-year increase in 2025, highlighting the strong demand for leisure travel to the region.
Orlando's terminal features a distinctive design with a central palm-tree filled atrium and efficient layout that helps process the millions of tourists visiting Central Florida each year.
The airport's proximity to major highways and extensive ground transportation options make it an ideal starting point for Florida vacations.
Unique Design: Unlike most airports, Orlando was designed specifically with tourists in mind. Its central palm tree-filled atrium creates a resort-like atmosphere, welcoming visitors to the "Vacation Capital of the World."
Behind the Scenes: Orlando has one of the most advanced baggage handling systems in the country, processing up to 25,000 bags per hour during peak times.
Traveler Tip: Disney's Magical Express service is scheduled to return in 2025, providing hotel guests with complimentary transportation and luggage delivery to Disney resorts.
6. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Annual Passengers: 62+ million
New York's primary international gateway, JFK stands as a symbol of America's global connectivity. With direct flights to six continents, JFK serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways, as well as a critical gateway for numerous international carriers.
The airport is undergoing a $13 billion expansion plan comprising two new terminals and significant infrastructure upgrades expected to be completed by 2025.
Originally built with ten terminals, JFK has evolved over time, with Terminal 8 now serving as American Airlines' flagship East Coast international terminal.
Historical Significance: JFK's TWA Flight Center, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1962, represented the golden age of flight with its wing-shaped shell concrete roof. Today, it's been transformed into the TWA Hotel, offering travelers a nostalgic glimpse of mid-century air travel.
Economic Powerhouse: JFK supports about 280,000 jobs and generates nearly $45.7 billion in sales.
Future Developments: The airport is undergoing a $13 billion expansion plan comprising two new terminals and significant infrastructure upgrades expected to be completed by 2025.
Traveler Tip: The AirTrain system connects all terminals with NYC public transportation—often faster than a taxi during rush hour.
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Annual Passengers: 75+ million
As the gateway to the American West Coast, LAX serves as a crucial hub for transpacific travel. The airport is a base for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering nonstop connections to destinations across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America.
LAX is in the midst of a dramatic transformation, with several major construction projects underway.
The most anticipated is the Automated People Mover, an electric rail system that will finally provide public transportation access to and from the airport when it opens in 2025.
The airport's dining options have also undergone a renaissance, with local favorites like Umami Burger and Border Grill replacing generic airport fare.
Hollywood Connection: LAX's iconic Theme Building, resembling a flying saucer on legs, has appeared in countless films and TV shows and remains a symbol of mid-century optimism about the future of air travel.
Economic Impact: LAX generates 620,000 jobs in Southern California and over $37.3 billion in economic output.
Major Transformation: LAX is in the midst of a dramatic $14.5 billion modernization program, with the most anticipated element being the Automated People Mover, an electric rail system that will finally provide public transportation access to and from the airport when it opens in 2025.
Traveler Tip: Terminal connections at LAX are notoriously difficult—budget at least 90 minutes for international to domestic transfers that require changing terminals.
4. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Annual Passengers: 80 million
Once the busiest airport in the world before Atlanta claimed the crown, O'Hare remains a vital global hub serving as a major base for both United Airlines and American Airlines.
In 2024, ORD saw an 8.3% increase in passenger volume, demonstrating its continued importance in the national aviation landscape.
O'Hare is currently undergoing a massive transformation through the $8.5 billion O'Hare 21 project, which aims to increase the airport's capacity by up to 60% with the addition of two new satellite concourses.
When completed, the project will give O'Hare a total of 235 gates, further solidifying its position as one of America's preeminent airports.
Modern Innovations: O'Hare features the first aeroponic garden in any airport worldwide, growing over 1,100 plants vertically without soil in Terminal 3. The herbs and vegetables are used in several airport restaurants.
Future Vision: O'Hare is currently undergoing a massive transformation through the $8.5 billion O'Hare 21 project, which aims to increase the airport's capacity by up to 60% with the addition of two new satellite concourses.
Traveler Tip: Use the Airport Transit System (ATS) to move between terminals and avoid having to re-clear security.
3. Denver International Airport (DEN)
Annual Passengers: 82.4 million
The largest airport in the United States by land area (spanning an incredible 135.7 square kilometers), Denver International is instantly recognizable by its distinctive white-tented roof architecture mimicking the nearby Rocky Mountains.
Despite being the third busiest airport in America, Denver's six massive runways are spaced so far apart that the airport rarely faces delays due to weather.
Denver serves as a major hub for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, and its strategic central location makes it a crucial connecting point between the East and West coasts.
The airport's high altitude also allows for more efficient long-haul operations, helping it serve as a gateway to international destinations.
Economic Engine: DEN generates more than $33.5 billion for the region annually and is Colorado's largest economic driver, supporting over 183,000 jobs.
Sustainability Pioneer: Denver International is committed to reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and operates one of the largest solar installations at any U.S. airport, generating enough power to supply 2,500 typical homes.
Art & Conspiracies: Don't miss the controversial murals by artist Leo Tanguma that have inspired countless conspiracy theories, or the 32-foot-tall blue "Mustang" sculpture with glowing red eyes, nicknamed "Blucifer" by locals.
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Annual Passengers: 87.8 million
Sprawling across 17,207 acres between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW is larger than the island of Manhattan. American Airlines' largest hub saw an impressive 7.4% increase in traffic in 2024, solidifying its position as the second busiest airport in the country.
The five terminals are connected by an automated people mover system called Skylink, which runs 7.74 kilometers through the complex.
DFW is preparing for even more growth with plans for Terminal F set to open in 2025, expanding the airport's already substantial capacity.
The airport's scale allows it to serve as a crucial gateway between the eastern and western United States, as well as a major international connector to Latin America and transpacific destinations.
Behind the Scenes: DFW's seven runways operate in all weather conditions through a sophisticated system of sensors and snow removal equipment. During peak times, air traffic controllers manage a takeoff or landing every 60 seconds.
Traveler Tip: Use the free Skylink train to access all terminals after security—it arrives every two minutes and completes a full circuit in just nine minutes.
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Annual Passengers: 108.1 million
The undisputed champion of air traffic, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson has held the title of world's busiest airport for 26 of the last 27 years.
As Delta Air Lines' mega-hub, ATL handles over 1,000 flights daily to 225 destinations worldwide. What's the secret to its dominance? Location, location, location.
Positioned strategically in the Southeast, Atlanta can reach 80% of the U.S. population within a two-hour flight, making it the perfect connecting hub.
The airport is currently undergoing an ambitious $1.4 billion expansion, including the widening of Concourse D that will add over 21,000 square feet of boarding space.
For travelers with long layovers, the airport features a stunning atrium filled with greenery and art installations, including the mesmerizing "Flight Paths" light show in the underground Transportation Mall.
Sustainability Spotlight: ATL operates a 10-acre solar farm generating enough power for hundreds of homes, while its innovative rainwater collection system captures millions of gallons for landscape irrigation.
Traveler Tip: Navigate between concourses using the underground Plane Train to save time, and don't miss the mesmerizing "Flight Paths" light and sound installation in the Transportation Mall.
The Future of American Aviation
These ten airports collectively handle approximately 35% of all air traffic in the United States, serving as the backbone of American aviation infrastructure.
As passenger numbers continue to climb past pre-pandemic levels, these major hubs are investing billions in expansions and modernizations to accommodate future growth.
Airports Council International projects that total global passenger boardings could rise nearly 5% more in 2025, potentially setting another record year.
While Atlanta seems poised to maintain its position at the top, the competitive landscape continues to evolve as airports invest in improved facilities, enhanced technology, and expanded route networks.
Whether you're a frequent flyer or occasional traveler, these massive aviation hubs will likely play a role in your journey, connecting America to itself and the world beyond.
Next time you find yourself rushing through one of these bustling terminals, take a moment to appreciate the incredible complexity and engineering that makes modern air travel possible.
