Largest Airports Statistics in US 2026 | Key Facts

Largest Airports in the US 2026

The United States aviation infrastructure represents one of the most sophisticated air transportation networks worldwide, with airports spanning over 15,900 facilities across the nation as of 2026. The largest airports in the US 2026 continue to serve as critical economic engines, connecting millions of passengers daily while supporting substantial employment and regional development. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the nation’s commercial service airports processed more than 880 million passenger enplanements in 2025, demonstrating robust recovery and growth in air travel demand.

When examining the largest airports in the US 2026, size measurement can vary significantly based on criteria. While Denver International Airport (DEN) claims the distinction as the largest airport by land area with an expansive 52.4 square miles, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) dominates as the busiest by passenger traffic with 52.5 million enplanements recorded in Calendar Year 2024. These major hub airports serve diverse functions from international gateways to domestic connection points, with infrastructure ranging from single runway regional facilities to multi-terminal complexes featuring advanced technological systems. The largest airports statistics in the US 2026 reveal a dynamic aviation landscape where passenger volumes, aircraft movements, cargo operations, and geographic footprints all contribute to defining airport significance.

Interesting Facts About Largest Airports in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Calendar Year 2024 Air Carrier Activity Information System (ACAIS), Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Official Airport Authority Reports

The largest airports in the US 2026 demonstrate remarkable diversity in their operational characteristics and economic contributions. Denver International Airport’s massive 52.4 square mile footprint provides unparalleled room for expansion, with current plans to eventually accommodate twelve runways compared to its existing six operational runways. This strategic land acquisition dating back to the airport’s 1995 opening has proven instrumental in maintaining operational efficiency and allowing for future growth without the constraints facing older metropolitan airports. The airport’s elevation at 5,430 feet above sea level necessitates longer runways due to reduced air density affecting aircraft performance, which explains the extraordinary 16,000-foot length of its primary runway.

Meanwhile, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport achieves its busiest airport status through optimal geographic positioning as a connecting hub for Delta Air Lines and strategic placement for both domestic and international routes. The 52.5 million passenger enplanements recorded in 2024 represent a 3.06 percent increase from the previous year, indicating sustained growth in air travel demand. The FAA’s hub classification system designates 31 airports as large hubs, 32 airports as medium hubs, 77 airports as small hubs, and 254 airports as non-hub primary commercial service facilities, creating a hierarchical network that efficiently distributes air traffic across the nation. This comprehensive infrastructure supports the 15,900 total airports operating nationwide, though only 394 primary airports provide scheduled commercial passenger service accessible to the general public.

Top 10 Busiest Airports by Passenger Enplanements in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Calendar Year 2024 Air Carrier Activity Information System (ACAIS), Published September 15, 2025

The top 10 busiest airports in the US 2026 collectively processed 354,894,815 passenger enplanements during Calendar Year 2024, representing approximately 40 percent of total US commercial air traffic. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has maintained its position as the busiest airport in the United States for over two decades, benefiting from its strategic location in the southeastern United States and serving as the primary hub for Delta Air Lines, one of the world’s largest carriers. The airport’s 52.5 million enplanements in 2024 mark sustained recovery from pandemic-era disruptions and reflect strong domestic and international travel demand.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport recorded impressive 7.91 percent growth in 2024, adding 3.1 million additional passenger enplanements compared to the previous year. This growth positions DFW as a rapidly expanding hub with 42.4 million enplanements, driven by American Airlines’ extensive hub operations and the airport’s central geographic location enabling four-hour flight access to virtually every major continental US city. Charlotte Douglas International Airport demonstrated the strongest growth rate among large hubs at 10.15 percent, reflecting increased connectivity through American Airlines’ hub operations and growing population in the southeastern region. Notably, Los Angeles International Airport experienced a 7.80 percent decline in enplanements, the only major hub showing negative growth, potentially attributable to increased competition from secondary airports and shifting travel patterns in the California market.

Largest Airports by Physical Size in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Official Airport Master Plans, Airport Authority Reports

The largest airports by physical size in the US 2026 reveal that land area does not directly correlate with passenger traffic volume. Denver International Airport occupies an area twice the size of Manhattan Island and larger than the entire city boundaries of Boston, Miami, or San Francisco. The airport’s 52.4 square miles provide exceptional flexibility for future expansion, with current plans envisioning growth from six to twelve runways to accommodate projected passenger demand reaching 100 million annually by 2027. The massive land acquisition was a deliberate strategy when the airport opened in February 1995, replacing the constrained Stapleton International Airport which lacked space for modern operations.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport spans 26.9 square miles across Dallas and Tarrant counties, operating seven runways that support its position as the third busiest airport globally by aircraft movements. The airport possesses its own ZIP code (75261), police force, fire department, and emergency medical services, essentially functioning as an independent municipality. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, despite ranking only seventh in physical size at 7.6 square miles, operates the highest number of runways at eight, demonstrating intensive utilization of available space through advanced air traffic management. The largest airports typically dedicate significant land areas to non-aeronautical uses including rental car facilities, cargo operations, fuel storage, maintenance facilities, and in some cases agricultural leasing to manage vegetation and control wildlife attractants near runway environments.

Large Hub Airports Classification in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), CY2024 Air Carrier Activity Information System, Hub Classification Standards

The FAA hub classification system designates airports based on their percentage of total US passenger enplanements, with large hub airports defined as facilities accounting for at least 1 percent of the national total. The 31 large hub airports collectively handled approximately 60 percent of all US passenger enplanements in 2024, demonstrating the concentration of air traffic at major facilities. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport alone accounts for nearly 6 percent of total US passenger traffic, underscoring its dominant position in the national aviation network.

Hub airports serve critical functions beyond simple origin-destination traffic, facilitating passenger connections between hundreds of city pairs through efficient transfer operations. Delta Air Lines operates its largest hub at Atlanta, connecting passengers throughout the southeastern United States, across the Atlantic to Europe and Africa, and to destinations throughout the Americas. American Airlines maintains major hub operations at Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, and Philadelphia, creating a comprehensive network spanning the continental United States. The large hub designation qualifies airports for enhanced federal funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and infrastructure investment programs, supporting capacity expansion, safety improvements, and modernization initiatives essential for handling growing passenger demand.

Medium Hub Airports in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), CY2024 ACAIS Enplanement Data

Medium hub airports are defined by the FAA as commercial service airports that account for between 0.25 percent and 1 percent of total US passenger enplanements. The 32 medium hub airports identified in 2024 serve essential regional connectivity functions, often supporting both hub operations for regional carriers and point-to-point service from low-cost carriers. Dallas Love Field leads the medium hub category with 8.7 million enplanements, serving primarily as a Southwest Airlines focus city with predominantly domestic operations.

Portland International Airport demonstrated strong growth at 6.35 percent in 2024, reflecting increased Pacific Northwest travel demand and expanded service offerings. The medium hub airports collectively processed approximately 15 percent of total US passenger enplanements, serving markets that may lack the population density or connectivity requirements to support large hub operations but maintain significant commercial air service demand. Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico recorded 8.45 percent growth, the strongest among medium hubs, benefiting from tourism recovery and increased connectivity between the US mainland and Caribbean destinations. These airports typically feature two to four concourses, operate 30 to 60 gates, and accommodate a mix of major network carriers, low-cost airlines, and regional operators serving the surrounding metropolitan areas.

Small Hub Airports Performance in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), CY2024 Commercial Service Airport Enplanements

Small hub airports encompass facilities serving between 0.05 percent and 0.25 percent of total US passenger enplanements, with 77 airports classified in this category during 2024. These airports provide essential air service to mid-sized metropolitan areas, typically offering 10 to 30 daily departures with connectivity to major hub airports and selected point-to-point routes. Richmond International Airport leads the small hub category with 2.46 million enplanements, serving the Virginia capital region with connections throughout the eastern United States.

Gerald R Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan recorded exceptional 8.70 percent growth in 2024, reflecting increased service offerings and economic development in western Michigan. The small hub airports often serve as crucial economic drivers for their regions, providing business travelers access to major markets while supporting tourism and commerce. Memphis International Airport, despite its classification as a small hub for passenger traffic, operates as one of the world’s busiest cargo airports, serving as the primary FedEx Express global “SuperHub” with extensive overnight package sorting operations. The 77 small hub airports demonstrate diverse operational characteristics, ranging from seasonal resort destinations like Reno/Tahoe to year-round business markets like Oklahoma City and Louisville, each tailored to their specific regional demands and economic profiles.

Non-Hub Primary Airports in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) 2025-2029

Non-hub primary airports represent the largest category of commercial service facilities, with 254 airports providing scheduled passenger service despite individually accounting for less than 0.05 percent of total US enplanements. These airports serve critical roles in maintaining air connectivity for smaller communities, rural areas, and isolated regions where ground transportation alternatives may require extensive travel times. The Essential Air Service (EAS) program, established by the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, provides federal subsidies to maintain scheduled service to over 110 communities that would otherwise lack commercial air service.

Non-hub primary airports typically operate with one or two runways measuring 5,000 to 8,000 feet in length, accommodating regional jets with 50 to 76 seats and turboprop aircraft serving as feeders to major hub airports. Atlantic City International Airport recorded 489,848 enplanements in 2024, providing gaming destination service and seasonal vacation traffic to the New Jersey shore. Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington serves the Columbia River region with 476,639 enplanements, connecting agricultural and technology sectors to major markets. The 254 non-hub primary airports collectively handled approximately 5 percent of total US passenger enplanements in 2024, demonstrating their importance in maintaining comprehensive national air transportation coverage despite individually modest passenger volumes.

Airport Operations and Aircraft Movements in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Traffic By The Numbers FY2024, Operations Data

Airport operations at FAA and contract towers totaled 56.5 million in 2024, representing a 3.6 percent increase from the previous year and completing the recovery from COVID-19 disruptions that saw traffic plummet to 44.4 million operations in 2020 from 53.3 million in 2019. The FAA projects operations will reach 58.2 million in 2025 and grow to 72.8 million by 2045, representing an average annual increase of 1.1 percent over the forecast period.

Commercial operations are forecast to increase 1.9 percent annually, approximately four times faster than non-commercial operations, reflecting increasing passenger demand and airlines’ ability to serve more passengers through larger aircraft and higher load factors. General aviation operations accounted for 54.7 percent of total tower operations in 2024, slightly higher than the pre-COVID share of 51.7 percent in 2019, demonstrating the sector’s strong recovery. The FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) provides service to more than 44,000 flights and over 3 million airline passengers daily across more than 29 million square miles of airspace, utilizing advanced technology including Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) capabilities for improved efficiency, safety, and capacity.

Cargo Operations at Major US Airports in 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Cargo Statistics 2024

Cargo operations at US airports represent a critical component of global supply chain infrastructure, with domestic and international freight movements supporting e-commerce, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and perishable goods transportation. Memphis International Airport handles the highest cargo tonnage domestically, serving as the FedEx Express global SuperHub where the company operates the world’s largest aircraft fleet dedicated to overnight package delivery. Freight volumes at Memphis peak during nighttime hours when FedEx sorts and redistributes packages from across the globe, with aircraft arrivals and departures concentrated between 10 PM and 4 AM.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport functions as the UPS Worldport, the company’s international air hub featuring a 5.2 million square foot sorting facility capable of processing 416,000 packages per hour. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport serves as a critical refueling and cargo transfer point for flights between Asia and North America, with its geographic location reducing flight times and enabling efficient freight routing. Miami International Airport dominates Latin American cargo traffic, handling extensive perishable goods including flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, while Los Angeles International serves as the primary Pacific Rim gateway for Asian imports including electronics and consumer goods destined for US markets.

Economic Impact of Largest Airports in the US 2026

Data Source: Airport Authority Economic Impact Studies, State Transportation Departments

The largest airports in the US 2026 function as significant economic engines for their regions, generating billions in economic activity through direct operations, induced spending, and catalyzed business development. Denver International Airport generates $47.2 billion in annual economic impact for Colorado, supporting nearly 190,000 jobs directly and indirectly across aviation, hospitality, retail, ground transportation, and related industries. As the largest single-site employer in Colorado with over 35,000 direct employees, the airport creates substantial payroll impact and serves as an anchor for northeast metro Denver development.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport produces the highest documented economic impact at $78 billion annually, supporting 684,000 jobs throughout the North Texas region with $48 billion in supported payroll. The airport’s central location and extensive connectivity enable businesses to establish operations with efficient access to national and international markets, attracting corporate headquarters, logistics facilities, and technology centers to the surrounding area. Airport-adjacent development generates additional economic benefits through hotel construction, restaurant expansion, retail centers, and office parks serving business travelers and airport employees. The multiplier effect of airport spending circulates through regional economies as employees purchase goods and services, creating secondary economic impacts beyond direct airport operations.

Infrastructure Development and Modernization in the US 2026

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration, Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment Projects

Infrastructure development at the largest airports in the US 2026 addresses growing passenger demand, aging facilities, and technological advancement requirements. Denver International Airport is implementing massive expansion projects including a new Great Hall renovation in the Jeppesen Terminal, adding 100 gates through new concourse construction to accommodate projected growth to 100 million annual passengers by 2027. The $1.8 billion Great Hall Project modernizes ticketing, security screening, and passenger flow through the main terminal, replacing systems installed at the airport’s 1995 opening.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is constructing Terminal F, a $4 billion sixth terminal featuring 31 gates with completion of the first 15 gates scheduled for 2027. The new terminal includes integrated ticketing, security, baggage claim, and parking facilities, with direct connectivity to existing terminals via the Skylink automated people mover system. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding provides approximately $15 billion over five years for airport improvements nationwide, supplementing traditional Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants that distribute over $3 billion annually based on passenger enplanements and project prioritization.

Technology and Innovation at US Airports in 2026

Data Source: Transportation Security Administration, Airport Technology Reports

Technology transformation is reshaping passenger experiences and operational efficiency at airports across the US in 2026. Biometric identity verification systems enable seamless passenger processing from curb to gate, with facial recognition technology eliminating the need for repeated document checks at ticketing, security, and boarding. Over 40 airports have deployed biometric systems for international travel, with expansion planned for domestic operations pending regulatory approval. The technology reduces processing time while enhancing security through automated identity verification against government databases.

Advanced screening technology including 3D computed tomography (CT) scanners allows passengers to leave laptops and liquids in carry-on bags, streamlining security checkpoint flow while improving threat detection capabilities. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is deploying CT scanners at checkpoints nationwide, with completion expected across all Category X airports by 2028. Automated baggage handling systems at major hubs use radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking to monitor luggage throughout the journey, reducing mishandling rates and enabling real-time passenger notifications of baggage location. Mobile technology integration provides passengers real-time flight information, gate changes, security wait times, and ground transportation options through airport-specific applications and airline apps.

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives in the US 2026

Data Source: Airport Environmental Management Systems, Federal Aviation Administration Environmental Programs

Environmental sustainability has become a priority focus for the largest airports in the US 2026, with comprehensive programs addressing carbon emissions, energy consumption, water usage, and waste management. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport became the first carbon-neutral airport in North America and the largest carbon-neutral airport globally, achieving this milestone through renewable energy purchases, energy efficiency improvements, and carbon offset programs. Denver International Airport operates extensive solar panel arrays generating renewable electricity for airport operations, with future expansion plans targeting 100 megawatts of on-site solar generation capacity.

Electric ground support equipment is replacing diesel-powered tugs, belt loaders, and ground power units at major airports, reducing emissions and noise in terminal areas. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has committed to 100 percent electric ground service equipment by 2030, requiring substantial investment in charging infrastructure and equipment replacement. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programs are emerging at major hubs, with Los Angeles International and San Francisco International pioneering SAF availability for commercial flights, though current production remains limited and costs significantly exceed conventional jet fuel. Water conservation initiatives in arid regions like Phoenix Sky Harbor and Harry Reid International in Las Vegas employ advanced irrigation systems, xeriscaping, and reclaimed water usage to minimize freshwater consumption.

Future Growth Projections for US Airports Through 2045

Data Source: Federal Aviation Administration Aerospace Forecast 2025-2045, Terminal Area Forecast (TAF)

Future growth projections for US aviation indicate sustained expansion through 2045, with domestic passenger enplanements forecast to grow from approximately 880 million in 2025 to over 1.2 billion by 2045. International passengers on US carriers are projected to increase from about 140 million to 240 million over the same period, reflecting expanding global connectivity and economic integration. This growth requires substantial capacity additions through new aircraft deliveries, with the commercial fleet expanding from 7,500 aircraft in 2025 to over 10,600 by 2045.

Near-term growth faces constraints from aircraft production delays affecting Boeing and Airbus, supply chain disruptions limiting manufacturing output, and labor negotiations that increase operating costs and potentially restrict expansion plans. Airport capacity constraints at major hubs will require significant infrastructure investment to accommodate projected demand, with estimates suggesting $40 billion annually in capital expenditures by 2045 for runway construction, terminal expansion, and technology upgrades. The largest airports must plan decades ahead given the extended timelines required for major construction projects, environmental reviews, and financing arrangements.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft may emerge as a new segment during the forecast period, potentially requiring dedicated infrastructure at major airports for urban air taxi operations connecting airports with downtown areas and satellite facilities. Automation technologies including autonomous baggage handling, robotic cleaning systems, and AI-powered traffic management will increasingly influence airport operations, improving efficiency while potentially reducing labor requirements in certain functions.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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