When we think about airports, most of us imagine busy hubs of activity where people from all over the world converge. But have you ever wondered which airport takes the crown as the biggest in the US?
In 2024, the landscape has shifted, and one airport has risen above the rest. I’m talking, of course, about Denver International.
Let’s take a closer look at which airport holds the title of the biggest in the US and why it’s such a giant in the aviation world.
A Quick Look
| Airport | Acres | Metric | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | 33,531 | Land Area | Largest airport by land area in the U.S. |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | 17,207 | Future Expansion | Expanding capacity and amenities as part of a significant development project |
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | 7,627 | Aircraft Movements | Leads in aircraft movements with over 900,000 operations annually |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | 4,700 | Passenger Traffic | Busiest airport by passenger traffic, handling over 107 million passengers annually |
| Memphis International Airport (MEM) | 3,900 | Cargo Volume | Largest airport by cargo volume, handling over 4 million metric tons of cargo annually |
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | 3,500 | Passenger Traffic & Future Expansion | Handles 80-90 million passengers annually, undergoing major modernization and expansion |
| Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) | 1,200 | Cargo Volume | Significant cargo hub, handling around 2.7 million metric tons of cargo annually, home to UPS Worldport |
The Largest Airport by Land Area – Denver International Airport (DEN)
If we’re talking land area, Denver International Airport (DEN) takes the crown, hands down. Imagine an airport that spans a staggering 33,531 acres—that’s DEN for you. It’s like a small city, and it’s not just big for the sake of being big; there’s some serious strategy behind that space.
And if you think the airport might one day run out of room to grow, think again. Denver’s got space to expand, which makes it a smart investment for the future. The size of DEN is more than just a number. It’s about having the capacity to manage high levels of air traffic without breaking a sweat.
With multiple parallel runways, the airport can handle a constant flow of takeoffs and landings, keeping delays to a minimum even during peak hours. It’s a well-oiled machine, and all that space plays a key role.
DEN is the largest airport in the United States by total land area, covering approximately 52.4 square miles (135.69 square kilometers), making it the second-largest airport in the world by area.
Highlights
- Extensive Domestic Network: DEN boasts the largest domestic network in the U.S., with nonstop service to more than 205 destinations, making it a crucial hub for domestic travel.
- High Passenger Traffic: DEN is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling millions of passengers annually. It ranks as the fifth busiest airport in the United States.
- Modern Infrastructure: The airport’s facilities include the Jeppesen Terminal, which spans 2.6 million square feet and houses passenger ticketing, baggage claim, and ground transportation services.
- Strategic Economic Impact: DEN serves as a primary economic engine for Colorado, generating over $36 billion annually, highlighting its significant role in the region’s economy.
Busiest Airport by Passenger Traffic – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Now, if we’re looking at passenger numbers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the heavyweight champion. Year after year, ATL has held its ground as the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, and 2024 is no different.
We’re talking over 107 million passengers annually—an astonishing number, right? So, why do so many people pass through ATL? A lot of it comes down to its role as the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, one of the biggest airlines globally.
With Delta calling ATL home, the airport has an incredible amount of domestic and international flights connecting through its terminals. But it’s not just about being a hub. Atlanta’s geographic location gives it a natural advantage.
Multiple terminals and concourses, all interconnected by an efficient transportation system, ensure that passengers can get to where they need to go without unnecessary delays. It’s a bustling, high-energy place, but it’s designed to keep things moving smoothly.
ATL is equipped with five runways, including the longest at 12,390 feet, which can handle large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. This extensive runway system supports a high volume of takeoffs and landings.
Highlights
- High Passenger Traffic: ATL has been the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, handling over 107 million passengers annually.
- Extensive Destination Network: The airport serves more than 150 U.S. destinations and numerous international locations, making it a crucial link in both domestic and international air travel.
- Major Airline Hub: Hartsfield-Jackson is a major hub for several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, which operates one of the largest hub-and-spoke networks from ATL.
- Strategic Location: Located just 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, ATL’s strategic location in the southeastern United States makes it a convenient and accessible hub for travelers across the region and beyond.
Largest Airport by Cargo Volume – Memphis International Airport (MEM)
When we switch gears to cargo, Memphis International Airport (MEM) steals the spotlight. MEM is the busiest cargo airport in the U.S., largely because it’s the global hub for FedEx Express.
Think of MEM as the heartbeat of FedEx’s operations, with cargo planes coming and going at all hours of the day and night. FedEx’s presence at MEM is no small affair. The airport handles over 4 million metric tons of cargo every year, making it the go-to place for shipping and logistics.
Whether it’s overnight packages or freight that needs to get halfway across the world in record time, MEM makes it happen. What makes Memphis so effective at handling cargo? Its central location in the U.S. plays a big part.
Another airport that’s making waves in the cargo world is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). As the home of UPS Worldport, the largest automated package handling facility on the planet, SDF is another critical hub in the global logistics network. With around 2.7 million metric tons of cargo moving through annually, it’s a heavyweight in its own right.
MEM has state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure built specifically to handle large volumes of cargo efficiently, ensuring quick and reliable services.
Highlights
- Busiest Cargo Airport in North America: Memphis International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in North America, handling a vast amount of cargo annually.
- Global FedEx Hub: MEM is home to the FedEx Express global hub, which is the largest express cargo operation in the world. This hub is a critical factor contributing to the airport’s massive cargo volume.
- Second-Busiest Cargo Airport in the World: Globally, MEM ranks as the second-busiest cargo airport.
Aircraft Movements and Runway Capacity – Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Beyond sheer size and volume, there’s another way to measure an airport’s bigness: by looking at aircraft movements. Here, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) often takes the lead. With over 900,000 operations annually, ORD is one of the busiest in the world when it comes to the number of takeoffs and landings.
One of O’Hare’s runways, 10R/28L, is over 10,800 feet long, designed to accommodate large aircraft, including those in Aircraft Design Group VI. This runway was commissioned in 2015, illustrating continuous development to meet capacity demands.
Highlights
- High Aircraft Movements: O’Hare had over 900,000 aircraft movements in a single year, making it one of the busiest airports globally. This high number of aircraft movements reflects its capacity to handle a significant volume of air traffic.
- Extensive Runway System: O’Hare is the only airport in the world with eight runways, allowing it to handle a large number of flights simultaneously. The diverse and extensive runway layout significantly boosts its capacity.
- Parallel Runway Operations: The airport utilizes parallel runways for simultaneous triple approaches, enhancing efficiency in landing and takeoff processes, which is crucial for managing high traffic volumes.
- Strategic Economic Impact: The airport has a significant economic impact, contributing over $39 billion, which underscores its importance not just as a transportation hub but also as a major economic driver.
Expansions and Developments
Looking ahead, the biggest airports aren’t resting on their laurels. Many are in the midst of major expansion projects aimed at staying ahead of the curve as air travel continues to grow. Take Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), for example.
LAX is undergoing a multibillion-dollar modernization program, which includes new terminals and upgrades to existing infrastructure. The goal? To better accommodate the increasing number of passengers, especially as LAX remains a critical gateway to the Pacific, with extensive international routes. Here’s what’s included in the modernization of LAX:
- Automated People Mover (APM): A 2.25-mile APM system that will link three on-airport stations to Metro Rail and other transit services, providing seamless public transportation connections.
- Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) Facility: A new facility that will centralize rental car operations, improving efficiency and reducing traffic congestion around the airport.
- Intermodal Transportation Facilities (ITFs): Two new facilities designed to serve as hubs for various modes of transportation, including shuttle services, ride-sharing, and private vehicles.
- Roadway and Utility Improvements: Extensive roadway enhancements and utility upgrades to support the new transportation infrastructure and improve overall traffic flow around the airport.
- Terminal Modernization: Upgrades and expansions to existing terminals, aimed at improving passenger experience and increasing capacity to handle future demand.
Another airport to watch is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which is also in the midst of a significant expansion. DFW is focused not just on increasing capacity but also on enhancing the passenger experience with new amenities and services.
It’s all about making sure that DFW remains a top choice for travelers, whether they’re flying domestically or internationally.
So, Which Airport Is the Biggest?
As you can see, the answer to “What is the biggest airport in the U.S.?” really depends on what you mean by “biggest.” If you’re talking about land area, Denver International Airport has it in the bag. When it comes to passenger traffic, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reigns supreme.
FAQs
Summary
It’s fascinating to see how airports evolve, and even more intriguing to think about what the future holds for these giants. Whether they’re expanding runways, building new terminals, or finding innovative ways to handle more passengers and cargo, the biggest airports in the U.S. are always looking ahead, ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.
