Top 10 Biggest Airports In The Us: As you get ready for your next travel adventure, you may be deciding on which airports to include in your route and which ones to steer clear of. While many opt to avoid the most crowded airports, have you considered the largest ones?
Have you ever wondered about the largest airports in the US? Well, interestingly, the biggest airports in terms of size are not always the largest ones. Sometimes, the largest airports in the US are also the biggest, but that’s not always the case.
Explore with us as we uncover a list of the largest and top 10 biggest airports in the US in this article.
Top 10 Biggest Airports In The US
1. Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado
Did you know that when you inquire about the largest airports in the US, Denver might not be the first one that comes to mind? Surprisingly, Denver takes the crown for being the largest in terms of sheer size, even though it ranks fifth in terms of daily passenger traffic.
DEN, spanning across approximately 135.69 square kilometers (equivalent to about 52 and a half miles), is a remarkable airport. Ensuring utmost safety, it features 6 distinct runways, each spaced around 4,200 feet apart. Notably, the airport takes pride in having the largest runway in the United States, stretching an impressive 16,000 feet in length.
Denver International Airport stands out as one of the top airports in the nation for travel convenience. It’s quite impressive, given that it was finished in 1995 and is among the most recent airports featured. The process of updating the two-terminal, 89-gate airport began in 2018.
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
Dallas/Fort Worth takes the second spot on this list, spanning approximately 70 square kilometers (27 square miles) of land. With a whopping 5 terminals and 191 gates, this airport is nestled in an area that’s just about half the size of Denver. Those fortunate enough to have visited DFW can attest to the unforgettable experience it offers.
Connecting all terminals is the Skylink people mover system, a key component of the airport’s recent modernisation efforts. With nearly 70 million passengers served in 2017, this airport ranks as the 12th busiest globally.
3. Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida
Orlando International Airport bustles with activity, being conveniently located just half an hour away from Walt Disney World and numerous other captivating attractions in this tourism hub.
Spanning an area of about 54 square kilometers (equivalent to 21 square feet), MCO started off as McCoy US Air Force Base back in 1942 before being repurposed for civilian operations in 1976.
The airport boasts two terminals and 129 gates across 4 concourses. Every year, approximately 50 million travellers pass through MCO, prompting the airport to consider constructing an additional terminal to handle the growing number of passengers.
Orlando Airport offers various transportation choices like shuttles, taxis, ride-sharing services, and car rentals, ensuring a convenient journey to Disney World.
4. Washington (Dulles) International Airport (IAD)
It’s no wonder that Dulles, situated on the Northern Virginia side of Washington DC, stands as one of the largest airports in the United States. Spanning across an impressive 53 square kilometers (20 square feet), this bustling airport welcomes approximately 22 million travellers each year.
The airport sits 25 miles to the west of DC, with a quick 45-minute commute into the city. Boasting 3 terminals and 113 gates, it’s known for its easy navigation, especially within the main terminal where most foot traffic flows.
5. George Bush International Airport (IAH), Houston, TX
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston is the city’s major airport, operated by the city itself and recognised as United Airlines’ second largest hub. IAH sees close to half a million aircraft movements each year, transporting more than 40 million travellers. The airport covers an impressive 15 square miles, which is roughly 40 square kilometers.
IAH, being a highly sought-after airport in a prime location, has taken the lead in implementing United Airline’s cutting-edge contactless customer service system. This innovative system enables passengers to effortlessly connect with agents without the hassle of waiting in long queues. By simply utilising their mobile devices, travellers can engage in video chats with friendly customer service representatives, ensuring a seamless and convenient airport experience.
6. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah
Located in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, the picturesque SLC airport sprawls across approximately 12 square miles (31 square kilometers) of stunning landscape. This delightful airport offers a unique advantage to residents by providing direct access to the Utah Transit Authority’s TRAX system. By parking their vehicles outside the airport, travellers can effortlessly commute in without having to bear the burden of expensive airport parking fees.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is known for its relatively low passenger traffic compared to other airports, welcoming approximately 24 million travellers annually. Since its establishment in 1960, SLC has been undergoing various renovations to accommodate the increasing number of visitors passing through its gates.
7. O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago
O’Hare International Airport, situated in the heart of the Midwest, is a bustling hub with more than 80 million travellers passing through annually. Despite being similar in size to SLC, which has significantly less traffic, O’Hare can get pretty hectic at times.
ORD boasts 7 runways, and an 8th one is in the final stages of construction. The airport is home to a total of 191 gates spread across four terminals. Collaborating with architects, they are strategising ways to improve traffic flow for the future.
8. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
Out of the four airports that cater to the Bay Area, San Francisco International stands out as the only one featured on the list of the largest airports in the US. Spanning across 8.5 square miles (21.07 km) of land, this airport is a significant presence. Situated about 13 miles to the south of downtown, it serves as a vital gateway to the city.
With approximately 55 million passengers passing through its four terminals each year, this bustling airport is notorious for its noise and challenging navigation. However, in an effort to create a more serene environment, the airport has launched a quiet airport initiative. This innovative approach involves minimising the use of the PA system and embracing written and digital communication methods to effectively interact with passengers.
9. John F Kennedy Airport (JFK), New York City
Another popular choice among the biggest airports in the US is John F Kennedy Airport in New York City, commonly known as “JFK.” With 8 terminals and serving approximately 60 million passengers annually, this airport covers 8 square miles of land.
Governor Cuomo is collaborating with the city to enhance the airport, improve ground transportation, and modernise the runways. The goal is for the Queens-based airport to add 2 new terminals over the course of a 5-year project, ultimately easing congestion and boosting overall capacity.
10. Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
Tucked away just outside the bustling city of Detroit in Wayne County, lies the remarkable Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Spanning across a mere 3 square miles, this airport is a true hidden gem. Despite its compact size, it manages to handle a staggering 34 million passengers each year, making it a hive of constant activity.
This airport crams 103 gates into its compact space, spread across 4 concourses (the most recent one opening in 2008). With its increasing popularity as a transit hub and final destination, it’s probable that they will eventually expand to accommodate even more travellers.
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