Traffic Report
Take a closer look at the five busiest airports in the United States.
While it seems all airports are busy these days, some are definitely busier than others. The busiest ones tend to be those with large airline hubs, international transfers and popular layover cities.
Over the past couple of years Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has ranked as the busiest airport in the United States as well as the world. Located 10 miles from downtown Atlanta, Georgia, ATL serves as a domestic and international hub for travel. Travelers can fly from Hartsfield-Jackson to more than 150 domestic destinations and 70 international locations. In 2023 the airport saw more than 45.4 million passengers, an increase from 2022. As home to Delta Air Lines, a majority of ATL’s flight slots and terminals are occupied by Delta. ATL houses a total of nine Delta Sky Clubs, with at least one in each of its seven concourses. Each club offers fresh and healthy food and premium beverage options.
Situated between Dallas and Fort Worth, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport serves travelers from both cities as well as international destinations. Coming in as the second-busiest airport in the United States, DFW welcomed more than 35.3 million passengers in 2023, an 11 percent increase from 2022. Dallas-Fort Worth can thank American Airlines for the traffic, as the airline bases its primary hub here and operates more than 800 daily departures from the Texas airport. DFW boasts five terminals, 171 gates, seven runways and its own postal code.
Ranking third, Denver International Airport served 33.7 million passengers in 2023. In 2022 the airport debuted 39 new gates as well as new bathroom facilities, waiting areas, dining and shopping options, and more. Despite being the third-busiest airport, DEN is the largest U.S. airport by size, spanning around 34,000 acres. Passengers traveling through DEN can fly to more than 200 destinations in the world and choose from 24 airlines.
With 33.1 million passengers in 2023, Chicago O’Hare International Airport takes the No. 4 spot. The airport features four terminals with a total of 193 gates. Frequent travelers can take advantage of one of ORD’s many airport lounges including an American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, United Polaris Lounge and more. O’Hare also serves as a major hub for United Airlines, headquartered in Chicago.
Rounding out the list with 32.3 million passengers, Los Angeles International Airport serves as a major hub for domestic and international travelers as well as airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. LAX is in the process of making changes to its airport and transportation areas to accommodate the growing number of passengers. In the last couple of years it debuted LAX-iT, a new rideshare transit hub to help alleviate traffic congestion at the Arrivals terminals.