The United States is home to some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other major metro areas all see millions of tourists per year. While this is great for the economy and local business, it also makes these airports some of the busiest in the country, and in some cases the globe. So which airports are the busiest in the United States? Here we’ll give you the rundown of what to expect at America’s busiest airports.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Not only is Hartsfield-Jackson the busiest passenger airport in the United States, it’s also the busiest passenger airport in the world, with more than 100 million passengers passing through its terminals annually. Sitting on the southern edge of Atlanta, it serves as the primary hub for homegrown Delta Airlines, as well as dozens of other regional airlines. Atlanta is just a short 2-hour plane ride from the entire Eastern Seaboard and Southern States, which makes this airport convenient for many commuters. So many passengers using Hartsfield every year has taken a toll on the airport’s infrastructure, which is why this airfield is currently undergoing a $6 billion renovation to meet demand. This the massive overhaul is expected to take more than 20 years.
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
For years, Chicago’s O’Hare International, famous as the backdrop for a scene in Home Alone 2, was the busiest airport in the US. It got bumped out of the number one spot by Hartsfield-Jackson back in the late 90s. O’Hare serves as a key connecting point to the Midwest and as the headquarters for United Airlines, the 4th largest airline in the States. O’Hare sees business travelers and tourists alike throughout the year.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the main airport for the millions of visitors to southern California, along with those traveling to and from Hawaii, Australia, and Asia. Originally built in 1928 on top of wheat, barley, and lima bean fields, the once modest Los Angeles airport now hosts over 73 million travelers a year. It’s also a great spot for celebrity spotting, though the airport’s new celebrity terminal may reduce your chances of seeing the rich and famous.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
This is the busiest airport in the state of Texas, and like everything in Texas, it is BIGGER. The airport’s size means it has its own zip code and an actual on-site post office. DFW is one of the hubs for American Airlines and is consistently rated among the top tech-friendly airports. Optimal for the world traveler, DFW offers fliers more than 200 worldwide destinations.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
It’s no surprise that Kennedy is on this list, but it is surprising that it isn’t the number one spot. Every major international airline in the world lands flights here. While there are some domestic flights that go in and out of Kennedy, it is mostly serves international traffic in and out of NYC. American Airlines and Delta both have major operations here, and the airport is home to JetBlue, an airline known for its sleek branding and low costs.