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10 Biggest and Busiest Airports in the US 2023 - With Images

The USA is the home country of many big airports, as many airlines arrive/depart from the US daily. Here is the list of the 10 biggest airports in the USA based on the land size in 2023.

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By Amir

Published: May 19, 2023 min read

10 Biggest and Busiest Airports in the US 2023 - With Images

Here is the list of the 10 Biggest Airports in the USA by their Land Size in 2023

RankAirportStateCitySize
1Denver International AirportDenverColorado33,531 acres (135,6 km2)
2Dallas/Fort Worth International AirportDallas/Fort WorthTexas17,207 acres (69,6 km2)
3Washington Dulles International AirportWashington, D.C.Virginia13,000 acres (52,6 km2)
4Orlando International AirportOrlandoFlorida12,600 acres (50,9 km2)
5George Bush Intercontinental AirportHoustonTexas10,000 acres (40.4 km2)
6Salt Lake City International AirportSalt Lake CityUtah8,044 acres (32.5 km2)
7O'Hare International AirportChicagoIllinois7,627 acres (30.8 km2)
8San Francisco International AirportSan FranciscoCalifornia5,201 acres (21.04 km2)
9John F Kennedy International AirportNew York CityNew York5,164 acres (20.8 km2)
10Detroit Metropolitan AirportDetroitMichigan4,850 acres (19.6 km2)

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Here is the list of the 11 Busiest Airports in the USA by Estimated Passenger Traffic

Rank

Airport

Estimated Passenger Traffic 

City

State

Year Built

1

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

42,918,685

Atlanta

Georgia

1925

2

Los Angeles International

39,497,237

Los Angeles

California

1928

3

O'Hare International

37,556,590

Chicago

Illinois

1942

4

Dallas/Fort Worth International

34,713,649

Dallas/Fort Worth

Texas

1974

5

Denver International

27,148,798

Denver

Colorado

1995

6

John F. Kennedy International

26,691,637

New York City

New York

1948

7

San Francisco International

24,871,288

San Francisco

California

1927

8

McCarran International

24,581,788

Las Vegas

Nevada

1942

9

Charlotte Douglas International

24,154,852

Charlotte

North Carolina

1935

10

Phoenix Sky Harbor International

23,907,292

Phoenix

Arizona

1935

11

Miami International

23,543,653

Miami

Florida

1928

What are the biggest Airports in the USA?

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport is the biggest airport in the United States by land size. Built in 1995, this airport is 33,531 acres (135,6 km2) and has an estimated passenger traffic of 27,148,798, which makes it also one of the busiest airports in the US.

Twenty-three domestic and international airlines fly from/to this airport daily. Some of these big brands are Air Canada, Southwest Airlines, and Lufthansa.

In addition, there are various dining places, shopping places, and relaxation areas, and you can find all the locations on the Denver Airport Map.

This airport is 4 times bigger than Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, which is the biggest airport in Europe.

inside view of Denver International Airport

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the second biggest airport in the US, and it is planned to be expanded soon to become larger. This airport is located in Texas and is 17,207 acres (69,6 km2) large. 

Although this airport is smaller than Denver International Airport in size, it has more estimated passenger traffic, 34,713,649. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport

Head out to Skyscanner for the easiest way to find flights.

An airplane captain wearing a uniform and carrying a suitcase walks in the terminal of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport

Opened in 1962, this airport is the third biggest in the united states, with 13,000 acres (52,6 km2). This airport is not one of the busiest in terms of estimated passenger traffic, but it is the leading airport in cargo gateway. Washington Dulles offers a cargo-friendly environment with 24-hour operations, no night-time flight restrictions, and the ability to handle the world’s largest aircraft.

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inside Dulles International Airport with people and tourists.

Orlando International Airport

Slightly smaller than Washington Dulles International Airport, Orlando International Airport is the fourth biggest airport in the US. This airport has nonstop service to over 150 destinations worldwide.

Some of the amenities at this airport include, Over 90 shops and 50 restaurants, a full-service bank, currency exchanges, spas, shoe shine, mailbox and shipping drop-boxes, and 11 on-airport rental car companies.

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Interior atrium of Orlando International Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Originally named Houston Intercontinental Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is another big airport in the US that is one of the biggest hubs of United Airlines.

Some of the big airlines operating from/to this airport are Air Canada, Southwest Airlines, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways.

Unidentified passengers walking with lugagge in airport Houston Intercontinental Airport, Houston

Salt Lake City International Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport is the sixth biggest airport on our list and is by far the busiest airport in Utah. Opened in 1911, this airport is a civil-military airport and the oldest on our list. 

This airport is expanding in 2023-2034, and 19 new shops and restaurants plus 22 additional gates are being added, which will make this airport even bigger than before.

ULTIMATE Flight Booking Guide 2023

Passengers pass through the central part of the brand new terminal at Salt Lake City International Airport

O'Hare International Airport

Although O'Hare International Airport is number 7th on our list for its size, it is one of the busiest airports in the US in terms of estimated passenger traffic, with 68,340,619 in 2022.

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Airport works as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines and is a Focus city for Polar Air Cargo and Spirit Airlines.

The colored electric neon tunnel The Sky Is the Limit at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) connects the B and C concourses at the United Airlines (UA)

San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is the only chosen airport in California and is the second busiest after Los Angeles International Airport in the state.

The largest Airlines at SFO include: United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines , American Airlines, others.

There are many markets and different types of dining available at this airport. Right outside of the airport, there is the Hyatt Hotel for those who want to stay over a night, and it is the host for the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum and Library.

Francisco International Airport (SFO)

John F Kennedy International Airport

Opened in the 1940s and officially originally called Idlewild Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport is one of the most famous airports in the US, as it is located in Queens, New York. This airport has four runways, eight terminals, and more than 150 gates.

More than 80 airlines operate to/from this famous airport which is located just 12 miles outside of Manhattan.

Long Haul Flight Essentials

inside of JFK airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is the last biggest airport on our list, but still a major airport in the United States. The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and is also a base for Spirit Airlines. Detroit serves as Delta's main gateway to Asia for the Eastern United States.

This was the list of the biggest airports in the United States based on their land size. You may be interested in reading about the longest bridges in the United States.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport

May 19, 2023

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