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How Many Airports Are in the United States? And Which Ones Move the Most Travelers

Air travel serves as a central pillar of transportation across the United States.

Business trips, family vacations, cargo movement, and international connections all rely on an extensive airport network that operates at a massive scale.

Passenger volumes rank among the highest worldwide, supported by infrastructure designed to move people efficiently across long distances.

Questions often arise about the number of airports nationwide and which facilities handle the largest number of travelers each year.

Let us see if we can find answers to these questions.

How Many Airports Are There in the U.S.?

Federal Aviation Administration records indicate roughly 19,000 airports operating nationwide, covering a wide spectrum of functions and scales. Aviation infrastructure across the United States surpasses that of every other nation.

Facilities range across remote rural airfields, regional airports supporting small communities, and major international hubs handling global traffic flows.

FAA classifications help clarify how these airports are distributed across public and private use.

Public-use airports allow access for general aviation pilots, charter operators, emergency services, and scheduled airlines. Commercial service airports represent a smaller share but play an outsized role in passenger movement.

Commercial service facilities fall into clearly defined categories based on annual passenger boarding totals:

  • Primary commercial airports exceed 10,000 enplanements per year
  • Non-primary commercial airports record between 2,500 and 10,000

General aviation airports account for most locations nationwide and support pilot training, medical transport, firefighting operations, agricultural flights, and corporate aviation.

Military airports operate under separate authority and focus on defense readiness and training missions.

The 10 Busiest Airports in the United States

Infographic map of the United States highlighting the busiest airports by annual passenger traffic, including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, JFK, Charlotte, and Miami
The busiest airports in the United States based on annual passenger volume, showing major air travel hubs across the country

Passenger totals recorded reveal a concentrated group of airports responsible for a large share of air travel nationwide.

Rankings reflect total passengers moved rather than airport land area or terminal count.

According to the data presented by Remitly, those numbers are:

Rank Airport Location Passengers
1 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Atlanta, Georgia 108 million
2 Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas 82.35 million
3 Denver International Airport (DEN) Denver, Colorado 82.35 million
4 Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Chicago, Illinois 80 million
5 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Los Angeles, California 76.5 million
6 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New York, New York 63.2 million
7 Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Charlotte, North Carolina 58.8 million
8 Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas, Nevada 58.4 million
9 Orlando International Airport (MCO) Orlando, Florida 57.2 million
10 Miami International Airport (MIA) Miami, Florida 55.9 million

1. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Wide interior view of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with passengers moving through a large terminal concourse
Atlanta’s dominance reflects hub concentration and connection efficiency rather than geographic size

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport recorded about 108 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the country.

Delta Air Lines anchors its operations and uses Atlanta as its primary global hub.

Flight schedules support dense domestic coverage combined with international routes across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

High-frequency connections allow efficient transfers that keep passenger flow consistently high throughout the year.

2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

American Airlines aircraft connected to a jet bridge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
DFW’s central location and airline strategy make it one of the strongest connectors in North American air travel

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport handled roughly 82.35 million passengers in 2023.

American Airlines relies on DFW as its largest hub, concentrating a significant portion of domestic and international traffic at the airport.

Central positioning within the continental United States supports coast-to-coast connectivity, while nonstop routes reach major global markets.

3. Denver International Airport (DEN)

United Airlines aircraft positioned at gates at Denver International Airport with terminal buildings in the background
Denver combines vast physical capacity with strategic routing to bridge eastern and western U.S. markets

Denver International Airport matched Dallas-Fort Worth with about 82.35 million passengers.

United Airlines operates a major hub at DEN, supported by Southwest and Frontier Airlines.

High-altitude operations and extensive runway capacity allow the airport to manage heavy traffic volumes.

Geographic placement supports efficient routing between eastern and western regions of the country.

4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

United Airlines aircraft at terminal gates at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at night
O’Hare remains one of the most globally connected airports despite ongoing congestion challenges

Chicago O’Hare International Airport processed close to 80 million passengers during 2023.

United Airlines and American Airlines both maintain large hub operations, creating one of the most connected route networks in the world.

Nonstop service reaches more than 214 destinations globally, reinforcing O’Hare’s role as a critical transfer point for domestic and international travel.

5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Wide interior view of Los Angeles International Airport showing passenger check-in counters, queue barriers, and travelers moving through the terminal during daytime
LAX balances domestic demand with extensive Pacific and transcontinental international traffic

Los Angeles International Airport reached about 76.5 million passengers.

Multiple major carriers operate large schedules, supporting extensive domestic service alongside long-haul international routes.

Pacific Rim connectivity, transcontinental demand, and regional travel across California contribute to consistently high passenger numbers.

6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

LATAM aircraft at a gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport with the control tower in view
JFK’s passenger volume is driven largely by long-haul international and transatlantic travel

John F. Kennedy International Airport handled around 63.2 million passengers and serves as one of the nation’s primary international gateways.

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and JetBlue operate major facilities, with a strong emphasis on transatlantic and long-haul routes.

International traffic accounts for a significant share of overall passenger volume.

7. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Terminal concourse at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with overhead gate signage and passengers moving toward departure gates
Charlotte’s efficiency comes from short connection times and tightly coordinated airline schedules

Charlotte Douglas International Airport recorded about 58.8 million passengers.

American Airlines uses CLT as a key connecting hub, particularly for East Coast travel.

Short connection times and high flight frequency support efficient passenger movement across domestic routes.

8. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Interior of Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas with the illuminated Welcome to Las Vegas sign and travelers walking through the terminal
Las Vegas traffic patterns highlight the impact of tourism-driven air travel on passenger totals

Harry Reid International Airport served roughly 58.4 million passengers in 2023.

Southwest Airlines leads operations, supported by Frontier and Spirit.

Leisure travel drives demand, with frequent service tied to tourism, conventions, and entertainment events in Las Vegas.

9. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Large terminal atrium at Orlando International Airport featuring indoor palm trees, seating areas, and travelers inside the concourse
Orlando’s steady volume reflects year-round leisure demand rather than seasonal fluctuations alone

Orlando International Airport processed approximately 57.2 million passengers.

Leisure travel dominates traffic patterns, supported by strong demand linked to theme parks, resorts, and family travel.

JetBlue and other carriers maintain extensive domestic coverage to meet seasonal and year-round demand.

10. Miami International Airport (MIA)

American Airlines aircraft parked at gates at Miami International Airport during rainy conditions, with ground service vehicles visible
Miami’s role as a gateway to Latin America shapes both its passenger and cargo traffic profile

Miami International Airport handled about 55.9 million passengers and functions as a primary gateway between the United States and Latin America.

American Airlines operates a major hub, supporting extensive international connectivity alongside domestic service.

Cargo operations also contribute to overall airport activity, reinforcing Miami’s role in global air transport.

What Makes an Airport Busy?

Passengers seated in an airport waiting area using laptops and mobile phones, with security checkpoint signage visible in the background
Passenger volume depends more on network connectivity and scheduling density than on physical size

Airport activity levels depend on several measurable factors that go beyond physical size.

Total annual passenger traffic remains the most widely used benchmark and includes both boarding and arriving travelers.

Aircraft movements also provide insight into operational intensity, capturing how often runways are used for takeoffs and landings.

Key metrics commonly used to evaluate airport activity include the following elements.

  • Total annual enplanements and deplanements
  • Number of aircraft takeoffs and landings
  • Daily flight frequency across domestic and international routes

Connectivity strongly influences traffic levels, especially at hub airports that link dozens or even hundreds of destinations.

Hub status for large carriers such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines drives dense schedules that operate throughout the day. Coordinated arrival and departure banks allow airlines to move large numbers of connecting passengers efficiently.

However, operational efficiency depends heavily on a functioning federal workforce, particularly air traffic controllers employed by the FAA.

During events like a government shutdown and flight risks, aviation safety and staffing levels may be severely compromised, with consequences including increased delays, reduced traffic capacity, and in extreme cases, higher accident risk.

Coordinated arrival and departure banks allow airlines to move large numbers of connecting passengers efficiently.

Physical size alone does not guarantee higher passenger volume.

Denver International Airport covers the largest land area of any U.S. airport, yet Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport processes far more passengers each year due to hub concentration, scheduling density, and airline strategy.

Why These Airports Lead in Passenger Volume

Commercial aircraft taking off from a runway at dusk, with illuminated runway lights and airport approach lighting visible
Strategic geography, airline hubs, and international access consistently determine long-term traffic leadership

Strategic location plays a major role in sustaining high passenger volumes across leading U.S. airports.

Geographic positioning allows airlines to schedule efficient routes that minimize travel time while maximizing connection opportunities.

Atlanta benefits greatly due to its proximity to a large portion of the U.S. population within a short flight radius.

Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denver also benefit due to placement that supports both coast-to-coast service and long-haul international routing.

Geographic advantages shared by top hubs include several measurable factors:

  • Ability to reach most major U.S. cities within two to three flight hours
  • Favorable positioning for east-west and north-south connections
  • Reduced need for backtracking on long-distance itineraries

Major airline hubs further amplify passenger demand through concentrated operations. Delta Air Lines focuses a significant share of its global schedule through Atlanta.

American Airlines channels large volumes through Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami.

United Airlines relies heavily on Chicago O’Hare and Denver to support both domestic networks and overseas routes.

Hub concentration allows airlines to schedule frequent departures and arrivals that keep aircraft utilization high throughout the day.

International connectivity also plays a critical role in passenger totals. Airports such as JFK, Los Angeles, and Miami link the United States directly with Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

These airports support a mix of leisure travel, business travel, and long-haul connections that generate sustained demand year-round.

Chicago O’Hare maintains nonstop service to more than 214 destinations worldwide, placing it among the most globally connected airports.

Tourism demand adds another layer of volume growth. Orlando and Las Vegas attract millions of visitors each year, driving strong seasonal and year-round travel patterns. Leisure-focused routes often feature high flight frequency and competitive pricing, which further increases passenger counts.

Infrastructure investment supports continued growth at many top airports. Denver International spans more than 33,500 acres, creating flexibility for future expansion.

Ongoing development efforts across major hubs focus on several operational priorities:

  • Terminal expansions to increase gate capacity
  • Runway projects that improve traffic flow and reduce delays
  • Security upgrades designed to process passengers more efficiently

Major Airports Across the United States by State

Aerial view of multiple commercial aircraft parked at terminal gates, with jet bridges, service vehicles, and airport apron visible
An overhead look at aircraft operations at a major U.S. airport, showing how multiple gates and ground services support high passenger volumes

Alabama

  1. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
  2. Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
  3. Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)
  4. Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM)

Alaska

  1. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
  2. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
  3. Juneau International Airport (JNU)
  4. Ketchikan International Airport (KTN)
  5. Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)

Arizona

  1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  2. Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Arkansas

  1. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
  2. Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)

California

  1. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  2. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  3. San Diego International Airport (SAN)
  4. Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  5. San Jose International Airport (SJC)
  6. Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  7. Long Beach Airport (LGB)
  8. John Wayne Airport (SNA)
  9. Ontario International Airport (ONT)
  10. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
  11. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
  12. Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
  13. Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)

Colorado

  1. Denver International Airport (DEN)
  2. Colorado Springs Airport (COS)

Connecticut

  1. Bradley International Airport (BDL)

Delaware

  1. Wilmington Airport (ILG)

Florida

  1. Miami International Airport (MIA)
  2. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  3. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
  4. Tampa International Airport (TPA)
  5. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
  6. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
  7. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
  8. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
  9. Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
  10. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
  11. Key West International Airport (EYW)
  12. Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
  13. Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)

Georgia

  1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  2. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

Hawaii

  1. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
  2. Kahului Airport (OGG)
  3. Kona International Airport (KOA)
  4. Lihue Airport (LIH)
  5. Hilo International Airport (ITO)

Idaho

  1. Boise Airport (BOI)

Illinois

  1. O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  2. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
  3. General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA)
  4. Quad City International Airport (MLI)

Indiana

  1. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
  2. Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA)
  3. South Bend International Airport (SBN)

Iowa

  1. Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
  2. Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

Kansas

  1. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)

Kentucky

  1. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
  2. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
  3. Blue Grass Airport (LEX)

Louisiana

  1. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
  2. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR)
  3. Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV)

Maine

  1. Portland International Jetport (PWM)
  2. Bangor International Airport (BGR)

Maryland

  1. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Massachusetts

  1. Logan International Airport (BOS)

Michigan

  1. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  2. Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
  3. Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT)
  4. Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)
  5. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)

Minnesota

  1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

Mississippi

  1. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)
  2. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)

Missouri

  1. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
  2. Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
  3. Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF)

Montana

  1. Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
  2. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
  3. Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Nebraska

  1. Eppley Airfield (OMA)
  2. Lincoln Airport (LNK)

Nevada

  1. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
  2. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

New Hampshire

  1. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)

New Jersey

  1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  2. Atlantic City International Airport (ACY)
  3. Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN)

New Mexico

  1. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

New York

  1. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  4. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
  5. Albany International Airport (ALB)
  6. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
  7. Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)

North Carolina

  1. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
  2. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
  3. Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
  4. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
  5. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

North Dakota

  1. Hector International Airport (FAR)
  2. Minot International Airport (MOT)

Ohio

  1. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
  2. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
  3. Dayton International Airport (DAY)
  4. Akron-Canton Airport (CAK)
  5. Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)

Oklahoma

  1. Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
  2. Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

Oregon

  1. Portland International Airport (PDX)
  2. Eugene Airport (EUG)
  3. Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)

Pennsylvania

  1. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  2. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
  3. Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)
  4. Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)
  5. Erie International Airport (ERI)

Rhode Island

  1. T.F. Green Airport (PVD)

South Carolina

  1. Charleston International Airport (CHS)
  2. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
  3. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
  4. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
  5. Hilton Head Airport (HHH)

South Dakota

  1. Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)
  2. Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

Tennessee

  1. Nashville International Airport (BNA)
  2. Memphis International Airport (MEM)
  3. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
  4. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
  5. Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI)

Texas

  1. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  2. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  3. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
  4. San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
  5. Dallas Love Field (DAL)
  6. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
  7. El Paso International Airport (ELP)
  8. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)
  9. Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF)
  10. Valley International Airport (HRL)
  11. McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE)
  12. Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP)

Utah

  1. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Vermont

  1. Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Virginia

  1. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
  2. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  3. Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
  4. Richmond International Airport (RIC)
  5. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Washington

  1. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  2. Spokane International Airport (GEG)
  3. Tri-Cities Airport (PSC)
  4. Bellingham International Airport (BLI)

West Virginia

  1. Yeager Airport (CRW)

Wisconsin

  1. General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
  2. Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
  3. Appleton International Airport (ATW)

Wyoming

  1. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

The Bottom Line

Aviation in the United States relies on a vast network that includes thousands of small airfields and a concentrated group of major hubs.

More than 19,000 airports support national mobility, yet a limited number consistently move tens of millions of passengers each year.

Atlanta, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Chicago remain at the forefront due to location, airline strategy, and capacity.

Passenger volumes continue to increase as air travel demand grows. Major hubs are expected to see continued expansion and heavier traffic in coming years, reinforcing their role as critical engines of mobility and economic activity.

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Picture of Matthew Gray
Matthew Gray
I explore the facts that make places interesting. I research and write about geography, communities, local trivia, and population trends. My goal is to turn statistics into something anyone can enjoy, remember, and use. At North American Community Hub, I focus on stories hidden in numbers, like quirky rankings, surprising facts, and county-level patterns that say more than charts ever could. I like showing how data reveals the character of cities, towns, and everything in between. Outside of work, I read, travel, and keep notes on odd facts most people overlook.
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