What is The Busiest Airport in The US?

The undisputed king of American aviation is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, ATL has held the title of the busiest airport in the United States (and usually the world) for over two decades. As the primary global hub for Delta Air Lines, it serves as the ultimate connecting point for travelers moving between the East Coast, the Midwest, and the international stage.

The Stats: Why It’s Number One

Passenger Volume: In 2024, ATL welcomed over 108 million travelers, and it is on track to maintain or exceed those record-breaking numbers in 2025.
Flight Frequency: While some airports like Chicago O’Hare (ORD) occasionally challenge it for the most daily takeoffs and landings, Atlanta typically handles around 2,100 to 2,200 flights per day.
Strategic Location: Atlanta is located within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population, making it the most efficient “mega-hub” for domestic connections.

The Top 5 Busiest Airports in the US (2025 Rankings)

While Atlanta leads the pack, these four airports round out the top five, serving as the primary gateways for their respective regions:

Rank	Airport Name	Code	Primary Reason for High Traffic
1	Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson	ATL	Primary Delta hub and major SE connection point.
2	Dallas/Fort Worth	DFW	American Airlines’ massive central hub.
3	Denver International	DEN	The “Mountain Hub” for United and Southwest.
4	Chicago O’Hare	ORD	A dual-hub powerhouse for both United and American.
5	Los Angeles International	LAX	The primary West Coast gateway for international travel.

Problem-Solving: Navigating the Busiest Hubs

Traveling through a “Top 5” airport can be intimidating. Here is how to handle the scale of a place like ATL or DFW:

Use the Internal Trains: Airports like ATL and DEN are designed for scale. Use the “Plane Train” (ATL) or the “Train to Gates” (DEN) to move between concourses. Walking can take 20–30 minutes, whereas the train takes 2–5.
Check the Terminal Maps: At DFW or ORD, terminals are separated by highways. Ensure you know which terminal your airline uses before you arrive so you don’t get dropped off at the wrong side of the complex.
Arrive Early: Because these airports handle 100,000+ passengers daily, security lines can spike unexpectedly. Always aim for 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Atlanta the busiest airport in the world?

Yes, historically ATL has held the #1 spot globally for passenger traffic since 1998. However, in late 2025, Dubai International (DXB) has begun challenging it for the top spot in terms of international seat capacity.

Which US airport has the most daily flights?

As of early 2025, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) often edges out Atlanta for the highest number of daily aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), though Atlanta still handles more total passengers.

Is the busiest airport also the largest by size?

No. While Atlanta is the busiest, Denver International (DEN) is the largest by land area, covering a staggering 52.4 square miles. Atlanta is relatively compact by comparison, sitting on just 7.3 square miles.