It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? We often think of flying as a way to escape, to go somewhere new, but sometimes the most fascinating journeys are the ones happening right under our noses, or rather, above our heads. The sheer scale of air travel in the United States is staggering, a testament to a country that’s vast and always on the move. In 2019, before the world took a collective pause, a whopping 15 of the 50 busiest airports globally were right here on American soil.
When you start digging into the numbers, some things become clear, and others are a delightful surprise. For instance, you might assume that major hubs like Newark or Miami would be right at the top, but they don't even crack the top 10 domestically. The data, primarily from the 2019 Port Authority Airport Traffic Report, paints a vivid picture of where the real action was happening. Of course, we all know 2020 and 2021 brought a dramatic shift, but looking back at that pre-pandemic peak gives us a fantastic baseline.
So, who's leading the pack? It’s no surprise that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia holds the crown, not just for the US, but for the entire planet. Over 110 million passengers in 2019! That’s more than 300,000 people a day. You might wonder, how can a city of around 500,000 residents support such a colossal airport? Well, Atlanta’s metropolitan area is massive, ranking among the top ten largest urban areas in the US. Plus, it’s strategically located about 250 miles from any other major airport, giving it a huge catchment area. Add to that its role as a primary hub for Delta Air Lines and a crucial gateway to Latin America, and you start to see why it’s such a powerhouse.
Next up, we jet over to the West Coast to Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, as it’s more commonly known. With over 88 million passengers in 2019, it was a global contender, linking the US West Coast to the Far East and a vast network across the Americas. While it handles a significant number of international travelers – second only to JFK in New York – the majority of its traffic is actually domestic. It’s also a major player in air cargo, so much so that it needs four runways just to keep up with the constant flow.
Heading inland, Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Illinois comes in third. This airport, which opened its doors during World War II, is a major hub for United Airlines and boasts direct connections to destinations worldwide. Interestingly, most of its traffic is domestic, and it has a rather unique feature: an apiary home to about a million bees! It’s a little slice of nature amidst the hustle and bustle.
Then there’s Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, the fourth busiest in the US and the busiest in the Lone Star State. With around 75 million passengers annually, the vast majority are connecting to other US cities. It’s the headquarters for American Airlines, often considered the world’s largest airline. DFW also achieved a significant milestone, offering direct flights to over 200 destinations, a feat shared by only a handful of other airports globally. It’s also a behemoth in terms of sheer size, covering more ground than Manhattan Island.
Rounding out our top five is Denver International Airport in Colorado. This airport is truly enormous, covering a staggering 140 square kilometers. It boasts the longest runway in the US, which is partly due to the 'hot and high' conditions in Denver that can affect aircraft performance during takeoff and landing. It’s a testament to the engineering and planning required to manage such a massive flow of people and planes.
