The United States is home to some of the largest and busiest airports globally, catering to millions of travelers each year. According to data compiled by Way.com, the following are the top 10 busiest airports in the U.S., ranked by annual passenger traffic.
At the forefront is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), renowned for its staggering annual passenger count of approximately 108 million. This airport has held the title of the busiest airport in the U.S. since 1998 and is strategically located 10.2 miles from Downtown Atlanta. ATL functions primarily as a hub for Delta Air Lines, while also accommodating several other carriers such as Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier. The airport provides over 1,000 daily flights to around 225 destinations, with the busiest routes including Orlando and Cancún, Mexico. Remarkably, the average TSA wait time here is just 2 minutes.
Following closely is Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which sees about 82.35 million passengers annually. This airport is not only the second-busiest in the U.S. but also ranks third globally. Covering an expansive area of roughly 17,207 acres, DFW is also the second-largest airport in the country. With continuous flights to more than 250 destinations, it stands out for having the most extensive service network of any U.S. airport. DFW primarily serves as the main hub for American Airlines, which operates the second-largest single-airline hub worldwide. The busiest routes out of DFW include Los Angeles and Cancún, Mexico, with an average TSA wait time of about 4 minutes.
Denver International Airport (DEN) takes the third spot, with an annual passenger traffic of around 82.35 million, tied with DFW but distinguished as the biggest airport in the U.S. and the second-largest globally. Spanning approximately 33,531 acres, DEN is a key hub for United Airlines. Passengers can reach more than 215 destinations through 25 airlines. The most traveled routes from Denver include Las Vegas and Cancún, Mexico. The average TSA wait time at DEN is approximately 2 minutes.
Next on the list is Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), which has seen its passenger traffic peak at around 80 million annually. Once the busiest airport in the world from 1963 to 1988, ORD now ranks fourth in the U.S. This airport provides non-stop services to nearly 214 destinations worldwide, effectively making it one of the best-connected airports globally. O’Hare serves as a significant hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines, with the busiest routes being to Los Angeles and London–Heathrow in the U.K. Passengers should expect an average TSA wait time of about 11 minutes during peak periods.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is renowned for being a major travel hub, handling close to 76.5 million travelers each year. Located about 18.6 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, LAX serves as a vital link for the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It operates as a hub for several airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines. The busiest routes from LAX include New York City–JFK and London–Heathrow, UK. Travelers should anticipate an average TSA wait time of around 13 minutes.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), based approximately 19.1 miles from New York City, is the sixth-busiest airport in the U.S., with nearly 63.2 million passengers traveling through it each year. JFK stands as the primary airport in the New York system, offering flights to around 200 destinations via 93 airlines. This airport serves as a significant hub for both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, while also being a focus city for JetBlue. The most frequented routes from JFK are to Los Angeles and London–Heathrow, with TSA wait times averaging around 2 minutes, making it a convenient choice for travelers.
In seventh place, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) serves the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan region and recorded its highest annual traffic of approximately 58.81 million passengers in 2024. CLT operates as the main hub for American Airlines and offers nonstop services to around 181 destinations through 26 airlines. The busiest routes from CLT include Orlando, Florida, and Cancún, Mexico, while the TSA wait time averages around 2 minutes, providing a swift experience for travelers.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), situated roughly 11.4 miles from Downtown Las Vegas, caters to around 58.4 million passengers annually. This airport operates as the primary international airport for the Las Vegas Valley and serves about 171 destinations through 36 airlines. It also provides international connectivity to Europe and Asia while being an operating base for Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. The busiest routes include Los Angeles and Toronto-Pearson, Canada, and the average TSA wait time at LAS is around 3 minutes.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves the Orlando Metropolitan Area and had an annual passenger traffic of about 57.21 million in 2024, marking a slight decrease compared to previous figures. MCO holds the distinction of being the second-busiest airport in Florida, functioning primarily as a hub for Silver Airways while facilitating nonstop services to more than 160 destinations. Notably, MCO specializes in connections to the Bahamas, Central America, and the Caribbean. The busiest routes from this airport include Atlanta and Toronto, Canada, with an average TSA wait time of around 2 minutes.
Finally, Miami International Airport (MIA) rounds out the list as the tenth busiest airport in the U.S., with a passenger traffic of approximately 55.92 million. Hosting more than 80 airlines that offer flights to nearly 150 destinations, MIA also operates as one of American Airlines’ largest hubs. The airport is particularly well-connected to the Caribbean and Latin America, boasting direct flights to countries like Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. The busiest routes from MIA are towards Atlanta and Mexico City, with an average TSA wait time of about 6 minutes.
To summarize, the top ten busiest airports in the United States include:
1. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
2. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
3. Denver International Airport (DEN)
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
7. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
8. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
9. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
10. Miami International Airport (MIA)
Each of these airports contributes significantly to the overall air travel experience, serving as key gateways connecting various regions and countries.
With the ever-evolving landscape of air travel, these airports continue to adapt to the growing demands and expectations of travelers, ensuring swift and efficient experiences while handling massive passenger traffic. From ATL’s efficient TSA processes to DFW’s extensive route offerings, each airport plays a crucial role in the fabric of American aviation.
As travel patterns continue to shift and adapt, these hubs will likely remain focal points in the nation’s transport infrastructure, pushing boundaries and setting benchmarks in customer service and operational efficiency.
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