![]()
In the early years of flight, the plane was an experience only pilots and the occasional passenger experienced in the cockpit, often open and exposed to the elements. When passenger travel emerged, the expensive experience was loud and often uncomfortable. For decades, air travel was a bumpy ride at a low altitude reserved for business travelers or wealthy individuals and most people stuck to the ground. The first airport in the U.S. opened in 1909 and now there are thousands across the country, serving general, business and commercial aviation operations. Aviation has grown into a thriving industry and millions of people fly each year. With millions of flights each year in the states alone, where are the busiest airports in the U.S.?
Denver International Airport (DEN)
The third busiest on our list, the Denver International Airport, is one of the busiest in the world. With 28,645,527 total passenger boardings, it follows closely behind the second on our list. DEN reported 69.3 million passengers passing through the gates in 2022. The airport was also the third-busiest airport during the pandemic. Located in Colorado's economic hub, DEN generates $36.4 billion in annual economic impact for the state.
The airport opened on Feb. 28, 1995. The unique airport is home to 148 narrow-body contact gates and 21 apron-load positions for commuter and regional aircraft. The Jeppesen Terminal features 2.6 million square feet of space. There are 300 lane miles of roads, more than the distance from Denver to the Utah border. The roughly 240,000 square-foot tent roof is held up by 34 masts and can cover over four football fields. With over 31,000 public parking spaces, DEN serves an average of 187,705 passengers daily with over 200 nonstop destinations. The airport saw over 3.3 million international travelers in 2022, which was 74.7 percent more than in 2021 and 4.6 percent more than in 2019. The airport also saw 725 million pounds of cargo volume in 2022, exceeding 700 million pounds for the first time in 2003.
DEN is the largest airport site in North America and the second-largest in the world. The airport also reports room to grow and expand current facilities. DEN operates on 53 square miles or 34,000 acres of land. The airport's area is twice the size of Manhattan and larger than the city boundaries of Miami, Boston and San Francisco. Major airports like Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Los Angeles International (LAX) and two others on our list, Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), could collectively fit inside DEN's property.
The airport has award-winning architecture and stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. According to Visit Denver, the airport is also host to a slew of conspiracies and myths. Some legends claim the airport was built by Freemasons while others claim the airport is on top of miles of underground tunnels and secret buildings where secret societies plan for the apocalypse. Other theories get a bit wilder, claiming that extraterrestrials or lizard people use the underground lair as a home base. DEN may be playing into the dark theories surrounding the airport with its art, often featuring scenes of war and death. Gargoyles guard the baggage area and most notably, a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a blue horse with red eyes, nicknamed "Blucifer," which stands outside the building. Adding to the lore, the artist who built the statue was killed while working on it when a piece fell off and severed an artery in his leg, then it was eventually completed by his children and unveiled in 2008.
Passengers and lizard people can all agree that the busy Denver International Airport is quite a travel experience.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the second busiest on our list with 30,005,266 total passenger boardings. DFW was dedicated in September 1973 and became operational on Jan. 13, 1974. When DFW opened, It had only nine operating airlines. In its early days, many facilities in business included a 600-room hotel, a post office, shops and restaurants. In the 70s, DFW was the biggest airport in the world. DFW reports 73 million customers every year, making it one of the most visited airports in the world.
Travelers choose from among 193 domestic and 67 international nonstop destinations around the world. There are also 22 cargo airlines providing worldwide freighter service, making DFW an ideal cargo global gateway. DFW serves millions of people each year with its modern facilities and updated amenities. The airport is located between the Texas cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and produces over $37 billion in economic impact in the North Texas region each year. The airport also supports 634,000 jobs and has $24 billion in visitor spending.
DFW covers over 26.9 square miles and the real property covers 17,183 acres. There are five terminals with 168 gates and seven total runways. Much like a city, DFW has its own zip code, city designation, police and fire and emergency medical departments. The airport ranks third in terms of operations and second in terms of passengers. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the airport ranks third in terms of physical size worldwide.
While the airport saw its first passenger operation in 1974, plans began decades earlier. TSHA reports that the first proposal for a joint airport for Dallas and Fort Worth was in 1927, but after decades of arguments, competition with other airports in the area and bureaucratic holdups, DFW did not open until the 70s. DFW is also making progress on sustainability goals, becoming the first carbon-neutral airport in North America and the largest in the world. The airport reports that 3,466 tons of material have been recycled, 316,160 pounds of used cooking oil recycled and 1,898,000 tons of construction waste diverted from landfills.
Serving as a major hub in the region and globally, it is no wonder DFW landed second on our list.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Number one on our list, as the busiest airport in the U.S., is the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with 36,676,010 total passenger boardings. The airport has a history dating back almost 100 years and is considered the busiest airport in the world when it comes to passenger traffic and number of flights. The busy airport is a central hub to connect passengers with over 70 international destinations and 150 domestic across over 50 countries. With extensive travel options and modern amenities, ATL ranks number one on our list.
In 1925 the city of Atlanta purchased what was originally an abandoned race track for a municipal airport. In 1926 the airport was dedicated as Candler Field, named after Asa Candler, the former mayor of Atlanta and owner of the racetrack site. In September 1926, the first scheduled flight took off from the airport. During WWII, the U.S. Army Air Forces used the airport and after the war it returned to civilian control, expanding as the commercial aviation industry boomed during the post-war period. The airport was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport in 1957 and was serving about two million passengers each year. The airport continued to expand, adding new terminals and airline services.
In 1971, a new terminal opened, designed as a hub for passengers to ease the transfer between flights. ATL quickly became the hub of the region and was renamed after William B. Hartsfield, a former Atlanta mayor who advocated for aviation in the area. In 2003 the airport was changed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honor another former mayor, Maynard Jackson, who oversaw the construction of the new terminal.
Enjoy a shopping experience with a wide range of retail stores or have a nice meal with diverse dining options including local favorites and international cuisine. Enjoy the premium lounges, high-speed Wi-Fi access, charging stations and children's play areas. The airport also has an array of special accommodations to fit the needs of all travelers, including accessible restrooms, designated parking, support services and facilities to assist individuals with special needs. ATL also provides medical facilities, pet relief areas, banking facilities, baggage storage services and currency exchange options. ATL also has several buildings, including the international terminal, that have been awarded and certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to reflect the airport's commitment to sustainability.
According to ATL Airport District, the airport sees 275,000 passengers daily with 2,700 flights per day. About 80 percent of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight of ATL. The airport is also home to the tallest air traffic control tower in North America. Nearly 100 years after it opened its doors, ATL has grown to be the busiest in the world. Despite the size, ATL is known for its efficiency. The airport is a representation of the growth of commercial aviation in the U.S., with its origin in the early days of air travel and its modern presence an example of how far the industry has come and how large it has grown.Find airport resources on GlobalAir.com
The busiest airports in the U.S. have also had a global impact, whether in size or number of passengers. Next time you pass through ATL, DFW or DEN, know that you are part of the millions each year that make these the busiest airports in the U.S.