How Many Airports Are in the United States of America?

If you’ve ever searched “how many airports are in the United States of America”, you’ve probably seen wildly different numbers. Some sources say a few hundred, others say thousands. This confusion creates a real problem—especially for travelers, students, researchers, and aviation professionals trying to understand the U.S. airport system.

This guide solves that problem by explaining why the numbers vary, what actually counts as an airport, and which number matters for your specific need.

The Short Answer (With Context)

The United States of America has over 19,000 airports in total.

However, that number includes everything:

Large international airports
Small regional airports
Private airfields
Military air bases
Grass landing strips

The real problem: Most people only mean commercial airports—and that number is much smaller.

Why the Number of Airports Is So Confusing

The confusion comes from one key issue: not all airports serve the same purpose.

When someone asks how many airports are in the U.S., they might mean:

Airports with commercial passenger flights
Airports with scheduled airline service
Any place where an aircraft can legally land

Each interpretation produces a different answer.

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

If your goal is flying on an airline, this is the number that matters most.

Commercial Service Airports

There are about 500 airports in the U.S. that offer scheduled commercial passenger flights.

These include:

Major international hubs
Medium-sized regional airports
Small airports with limited airline service

Problem solved: Travelers don’t need to worry about thousands of airfields—only these ~500 airports are relevant for booking flights.

Major Airports vs Smaller Commercial Airports

Large & Medium Hub Airports

Roughly 100–120 airports handle the vast majority of U.S. passenger traffic.

These are the airports most people recognize:

High flight frequency
Multiple airlines
Domestic and international routes

Small Commercial Airports

The remaining commercial airports:

Serve smaller cities or rural areas
May have only 1–3 airlines
Offer limited daily flights

Why this matters: If you live outside a major metro area, your nearest “airport” may still have commercial service—but with fewer options and higher fares.

How Many Airports Exist in Total?

Now let’s look at the full picture.

Total Airports (All Types)

The U.S. has 19,000+ airports, including:

Public-use airports (civilian access)
Private-use airports (restricted access)
General aviation airports
Military airfields

Most of these do not offer commercial flights and are used for:

Flight training
Emergency services
Cargo
Agriculture
Military operations
Private aviation

Problem solved: Explains why aviation databases list such a high number compared to airline-focused sources.

What Is a General Aviation Airport?

General aviation airports make up the largest share of U.S. airports.

They typically:

Do not have airline ticket counters
Serve private pilots and small aircraft
Support medical flights, firefighting, and business travel

Key insight: Even though most people never use these airports, they are critical to transportation, safety, and the economy.

Why the U.S. Has So Many Airports

The U.S. has more airports than any other country because of:

Large land area
Decentralized population
Strong private aviation culture
Military infrastructure
Emergency and medical aviation needs

Problem solved: Helps users understand that a high airport count doesn’t mean more airline choices everywhere—it reflects diverse aviation needs.

Which Airport Count Should You Care About?

If You Are a Traveler

Focus on:

~500 commercial airports
~100 major hubs for best flight options

If You Are a Student or Researcher

Use:

19,000+ total airports for infrastructure analysis
Category breakdowns for accuracy

If You Are a Business Owner or Pilot

General aviation airports may matter more than commercial ones.

Common Misunderstandings About U.S. Airports

“Every airport has airline flights”

False. Most airports do not have commercial service.

“Small towns don’t have airports”

Many do—but they may only support private or emergency aircraft.

“More airports mean cheaper flights”

Not always. Flight pricing depends on demand, competition, and routes—not total airport count.

FAQs: Airports in the United States of America

Q: How many airports are in the U.S. with commercial flights?

A: Approximately 500 airports offer scheduled commercial passenger service.

Q: How many airports are there in total?

A:Over 19,000 airports, including public, private, and military facilities.

Q: Does every state have commercial airports?

A: Yes, every U.S. state has at least one airport with commercial service.

Q: Why does the U.S. have more airports than other countries?

A : Because of its size, private aviation use, military presence, and decentralized transportation system.

Q: Are private airports counted as real airports?

A: Yes. If they meet aviation standards, they are officially classified as airports—even if the public can’t use them.

Final Takeaway: One Question, Multiple Correct Answers

The question “how many airports are in the United States of America” doesn’t have one single number—it has the right number for your purpose.

Flying commercially? → ~500 airports
Studying aviation infrastructure? → 19,000+ airports
Looking for major hubs? → ~100 airports

Understanding this distinction eliminates confusion and helps you find the answer that actually matters.