The safest, quickest, and most effective mode of transportation is air. Airlines and airports are getting busier, with the number of flights worldwide increasing from 25.9 million in 2009 to 38.9 million in 2019.
Below are the top ten busiest airports in the world according to passenger traffic, or how many people use the airport throughout a specific time period:
10. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a popular travel destination that can be reached quickly from major cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles. Additionally, it manages many connecting flights because to its strategic location and infrastructure. Do you know there are slot machines at this airport? You certainly do now! Before a flight, you can pass the time by shopping in a duty-free shop.
Traffic in 2021: 39.75 Million Passengers
9. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) in Chengdu, China
This airport serves as a major hub for air travel in western China and is home to one of Air China’s two main hubs. Western China is home to about 350 million people, hence CTU serves one-third of the country’s population.
Traffic in 2021: 40.12 Million Passengers
8. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou Baiyun International, which is in southern China, is both the busiest airport in China and the busiest airport outside of the United States. Guangzhou is one of China’s five “special economic zones,” which means that companies, including the airport, have more operational freedom and less governmental control. For instance, Guangzhou’s airport is exempt from curfews that apply to other Chinese airports, allowing it to operate around-the-clock and resulting in high traffic.
Traffic in 2021: 40.26 Million Passengers
7. Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Orlando, Florida
With roughly 60 million visitors expected, Orlando will rank among the top five most visited cities in the USA. It makes sense given that it is home to miles of renowned resort beaches in addition to two of the most well-known theme parks in the world, Disney World and Universal Studios.
Traffic in 2021: 40.35 Million Passengers
6. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina
The largest airline in the US, American Airlines, uses Douglas Airport as a “fortress hub.” With 115 gates, it also boasts the largest passenger terminal, all of which are extremely busy during the holiday travel season.
Traffic in 2021: 43.30 Million Passengers
5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California
LAX is one of the most well-known and frequently used airports in the world due to its position on the Pacific Coast in California (a state with a GDP greater than most nations) and its close proximity to Hollywood and Disneyland. It is constantly busy.
Traffic in 2021: 48 Million Passengers
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois
O’Hare Airport now undergoing a significant expansion and serves as the primary midcontinent hub for the majority of the country’s major commercial carriers. Even more traffic will be added by the upcoming O’Hare Global Terminal, which will gradually open until it is finished in 2028.
Traffic in 2021: 54 Million Passengers
3. Denver International Airport (DEN) in Denver, Colorado
This is the second-biggest airport in the world and the largest airport in North America by land area. Southwest Airlines’ largest operational base as well as a significant hub for United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and other carriers. Additionally, it’s one of just a few airports in the globe that provides service to more than 200 locations.
Traffic in 2021: 58.83 Million Passengers
2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas
DFW is virtually a metropolis unto itself and is bigger than the island of Manhattan. It is the first airport to have a standalone emergency department and has its own police, fire protection, and emergency medical services. It even has a unique city designation and ZIP code (75261) from the USPS.
Traffic in 2021: 62.47 Million Passengers
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia
Surprised? Why is the airport in Atlanta so crowded? For starters, according to the airport’s website, if you’re flying from Atlanta, it won’t take you longer than two hours to cover 80% of the USA. However, its airlines might be the biggest secret. The second-most well-known airline in the world, Delta Airlines, has its corporate offices in Atlanta.
Traffic in 2021: 75.70 Million Passengers
