So you're planning a trip and wondering what are the biggest airports in the US? Maybe you're booking flights and want to know what you're getting into, or perhaps you're just curious about aviation hubs. Honestly, I used to dread connecting through massive airports until I learned their quirks – like realizing ATL's underground train is the only way to survive a tight connection. Let's cut through the official stats and talk about what these giant hubs mean for real travelers.
How Do We Measure "Biggest" Anyway?
Before we dive into the list, let's clear something up: "biggest" can mean different things. Some folks think of physical size – like Denver's land area is insane, bigger than Manhattan! Others care about flight options. But for most travelers (and the FAA), passenger traffic is the gold standard. That's the number we're using here when determining what are the biggest airports in the US. Makes sense right? It directly affects how crowded you'll feel.
Fun fact: Chicago O'Hare held the global #1 spot for decades. Now Atlanta wears the crown, handling over 100 million passengers yearly. That's like moving the entire population of Egypt through one airport!
The Top 10 US Airports by Passenger Traffic
Based on the latest FAA data, here's who made the cut. I've included key details travelers actually care about – not just dry numbers. Trust me, knowing which terminal has the decent coffee matters when you're jetlagged.
| Rank | Airport | Code | Annual Passengers | Major Airlines | Must-Know Quirk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International | ATL | 104.7 million | Delta (Main Hub) | Underground train connects terminals – essential for tight connections |
| 2 | Dallas/Fort Worth International | DFW | 73.4 million | American (Main Hub) | SkyLink train runs outside terminals – great views but slower |
| 3 | Denver International | DEN | 69.3 million | United, Frontier, Southwest | Massive walking distances – wear comfy shoes! |
| 4 | Chicago O'Hare International | ORD | 68.3 million | United, American | Terminal 5 (international) is a separate building – budget extra time |
| 5 | Los Angeles International | LAX | 65.9 million | Delta, United, American | Brutal curb congestion – use LAXit lot for ride-shares |
| 6 | John F. Kennedy International, NYC | JFK | 55.4 million | Delta, JetBlue, American | AirTrain connects terminals but costs $8 |
| 7 | Harry Reid International, Las Vegas | LAS | 52.7 million | Southwest, Spirit | Slot machines RIGHT by gates – your wallet's warning |
| 8 | Orlando International | MCO | 50.2 million | Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier | Disney stores everywhere – kids will beg |
| 9 | Charlotte Douglas International | CLT | 47.3 million | American (Major Hub) | Under construction until 2025 – prepare for detours |
| 10 | Miami International | MIA | 46.4 million | American (Hub), LATAM | Best Cuban coffee in Concourse D – life saver |
Seeing DFW at number 2 might surprise some. It's sprawling but honestly efficient once you figure out the SkyLink. I once had a 38-minute connection there and made it... barely. Wouldn't recommend that though!
Pro tip: Bigger isn't always better. I avoid connecting through JFK after midnight – finding food options feels like a scavenger hunt. Check terminal maps before booking red-eyes.
What Really Matters at Massive Airports
Okay, we've covered the raw numbers. But if you're researching what are the biggest airports in the US, you probably want practical insights. Here's what I've learned through missed connections and marathon walks:
Surviving Terminal Layouts
- ATL's Parallel Design: All terminals are accessible via one train line. Simple? Yes. Overcrowded? Constantly.
- DEN's Spokes: Three concourses radiating from main terminal. Walking from A to C takes 25+ minutes – ride the train.
- LAX's Horseshoe: Tom Bradley International (TBIT) is dazzling, but moving between terminals requires exiting security. Brutal.
Getting Between Terminals
This is where travelers get burned. At ORD, moving between Terminal 1 (United) and Terminal 5 (International) means taking an airport train and redoing security. I missed a flight learning this the hard way. Key facts:
| Airport | Transfer Method | Security Recheck? | Estimated Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | Airtrain ($8 fee) | Usually yes | 20-45 min |
| DFW | SkyLink (free) | No | 15-25 min |
| MIA | Walk or moving walkways | No | 8-15 min |
| ORD | Terminal Transfer Train (free) | Sometimes | 10-30 min |
Food & Amenities Truths
Ever paid $18 for a sad sandwich? Big airports have better options... if you know where:
- DEN: Root Down (Concourse C) serves actual decent food until midnight.
- ATL: Paschal's Southern Cuisine in Concourse B – fried chicken worth the layover.
- LAX: In-N-Out Burger outside Terminal 1 – requires exiting security (high-risk move!).
Most big hubs now have lactation rooms and pet relief areas. DEN even has therapy dogs roaming!
Why Airport Size Actually Impacts You
If you're still asking what are the biggest airports in the US, here's why it matters beyond trivia:
Flight Choices vs. Hassle Factor
Huge airports offer more nonstop routes. Want to fly direct from Cincinnati to Dubai? Only doable through major hubs like ATL or JFK. But with that comes potential chaos. I'll trade a layover for avoiding O'Hare's winter delays any day.
Connection Nightmares
Underestimating transfer times is the top traveler mistake. At DFW, minimum connect time is 40 minutes. At DEN it's 45. Sounds okay until your first flight is late. Always book at least 90 minutes between flights at major hubs.
Personal rule: If connecting through ATL/ORD/DFW during peak hours, I want 2+ hours. Lost luggage once sprinting through ATL – never again.
Ground Transportation Chaos
Arriving is half the battle. Uber/Lyft pickups:
- LAX: Requires shuttle to LAXit lot (adds 20-40 mins)
- JFK: Designated rideshare zones per terminal (still messy)
- MCO: Requires walking to garage Level 2 (follow purple signs)
Denver's train to downtown ($10.50) is efficient if your hotel is near Union Station.
Beyond Passenger Traffic: Other Ways to Measure "Biggest"
While passenger numbers define the official list of what are the biggest airports in the US, other metrics paint a fuller picture:
Largest by Physical Size
| Airport | Land Area | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Denver (DEN) | 33,531 acres | Larger than Manhattan |
| Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) | 17,207 acres | Size of Manhattan |
| Orlando (MCO) | 13,302 acres | Bigger than Disney World |
Busiest for International Travel
If you're flying overseas, these handle the most global traffic:
- JFK (New York)
- MIA (Miami)
- LAX (Los Angeles)
MIA is surprisingly efficient for international arrivals – Global Entry lines rarely exceed 10 minutes in my experience.
Most Flight Operations (Takeoffs/Landings)
For frequent flyers, this affects delays:
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Dallas (DFW)
ORD's weather delays are legendary. Avoid winter connections if possible.
Airport-Specific Survival Guides
Let's get granular about the top 3 – because generic advice doesn't cut it.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL)
World's busiest since 1998. The Plane Train is your lifeline – runs every 2 mins underground.
- Connection Hack: Gates T15-T34 don't require re-screening between terminals.
- Food Tip: Varasano's Pizzeria in Terminal A has shockingly good New York-style slices.
- Lounges: Delta Sky Clubs EVERYWHERE. Minute Suites in F Concourse for naps ($48/hour).
Honestly, ATL moves people efficiently despite insane volume. Still hate the carpet though.
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Five terminals shaped like horseshoes. SkyLink train runs overhead.
- Terminal Walkability: Terminal D has longest walkable distance (32 mins gate-to-gate).
- Local Secret: Town Square between D/E has live music and BBQ worth missing a flight for.
- Wi-Fi: Free unlimited – rare for major hubs. Download speeds hit 45Mbps last visit.
Denver International (DEN)
Famous for conspiracy theories and mountain views.
- Security Wait Times: South Checkpoint opens at 4:30 AM with shortest lines.
- Art Installations: Must-see: The Mustang (blue demon horse) outside arrivals.
- Altitude Warning: Drinking at 5,400 feet hits harder. Hydrate aggressively.
That tent roof? Designed to resemble snow-capped peaks. Pretty cool actually.
FAQs: What Travelers Actually Ask About Major US Airports
What are the biggest airports in the US for international connections?
Hands down JFK and Miami. JFK has dedicated terminals for alliances (OneWorld in T8, Star Alliance in T4). MIA is America's gateway to Latin America – flights to Bogotá leave every 90 minutes. Immigration lines at JFK can be soul-crushing though.
Which huge US airport is easiest to navigate?
Controversial take: Detroit (DTW). Single McNamara Terminal with moving walkways spanning 1.5 miles. ATL's layout is logical but crowded. Avoid IAH's Terminal A to D transfers – feels like a cross-country hike.
How much time do I need between flights at mega-hubs?
Absolute minimums:
- ATL: 35 min (same airline), 60 min (different airlines)
- LAX: 60 min domestic, 120 min international
- ORD: 40 min domestic, 90 min international
Real talk: Add 50% during holidays. I aim for 2+ hours after an 8-hour delay disaster in Chicago.
Do bigger airports mean longer security waits?
Counterintuitively, no. Mega-hubs have more TSA lanes. PreCheck at ATL averages 5 minutes. Small regional airports often have just one checkpoint – a single family with strollers can bottleneck everyone. Still, check MyTSA app before heading.
What are the biggest airports in the US for budget airlines?
Las Vegas (LAS) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Spirit and Frontier dominate LAS. Southwest operates 200+ daily flights from FLL. Terminal 3 at LAS feels like a frenetic slot machine convention though.
Lessons from a Frequent Flyer
After countless miles through these giants, here's my hard-won advice:
- Download the airport app: Real-time maps and wait times are lifesavers. ATL's even shows Plane Train arrival countdowns.
- Wear slip-on shoes: Denver's security requires shoe removal even for PreCheck during high alerts.
- Pack patience with LAX/Uber pickups: Seriously. Add 45 minutes post-landing before requesting car.
Knowing what are the biggest airports in the US helps set expectations. Atlanta will overwhelm you with crowds. Denver might make you walk 12,000 steps. JFK will test your sanity. But understanding their rhythms turns stress into strategy.
Final thought? Sometimes flying into a smaller alternate airport pays off. Skipping ORD for Milwaukee saved me three hours last Christmas. Worth the $30 rental car fee.