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The Top 100 Busiest Airports in the US (Updated for 2022)

March 25, 2022
Kenneth Holland

Flying in the United States (as well as the world) has become a staple of life and everyone needs to fly from time-to-time. In this deep-dive data article, we're going to look at some of the busiest airports in the US, including some revealing and sobering airport stats for the year 2020.

The number of domestic passengers varies immensely between airports, with some airports serving millions more than others. The US is home to three out of the ten busiest in the world in 2020.

As most know, 2020 was an extraordinary year. With the Pandemic, all industries the world over were deeply affected, and air travel was hit maybe the worst off all. In 2020, the majority of airports saw an over 90 percent DECREASE in passenger numbers in the hardest hit months of The Pandemic compared to any other year.

People often ask us the question: 'What is the busiest passenger airport in the US?'

Read below to find out...the 100 busiest airports in the US:

Total Airport Passenger Number Changes from 2021 - 2022:

The top 3 U.S. Airports by passenger traffic...ATL, DFW and DEN, remain unchanged.

Los Angeles International (LAX) moves up to #4 (pushing down ORD to #5)

In 2021, Charlotte (CLT) was #6 but falls out of the top 10 for 2022.

Las Vegas (LAS) moves from #8 in 2021 to #6 in 2022.

Miami (MIA) vaults in to the #7 ranking for 2022 from outside the top 10 in 2021. This pushes MCO from #7 to #8.

Phoenix (PHX) holds at #9 from 2021 to 2022 (updated data for PHX will be updated shortly).

San Francisco (SFO) jumps back in to the top ten...where it usually resided a few years ago.

NOTE: Total passenger figures are still settling back to more traditional numbers after past few years' world health events.

- Statistics were compiled by individual airports' reporting and the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

(NOTE: You Can Use This Information: Please See Our Fair Use Statement Below)

Top 10 Busiest Airports in the US by Passenger Traffic (Updated in 2023 for 2022 Data) 


1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) handles the most passengers of any airport in the United States. Atlanta Airport Passenger Traffic is at or near the top in sheer volume of flyers as ATL is the gateway not only to Europe and Asia but also South America and the Southern Hemisphere.

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Passengers: 2021

Passengers: 2022

Jan

8,064,004

8,310,329

1,712,111

6,018,162

Feb

7,638,788

7,790,620

1,682,377

6,209,095

Mar

9,620,308

4,612,678

2,394,001

7,890,089

Apr

9,233,034

453,362

2,512,845

7,822,788

May

9,889,920

846,919

3,418,045

8,399,947

Jun

9,942,237

1,586,596

3,702,222

8,239,522

Jul

10,216,284

2,533,136

4,088,910

8,470,230

Aug

9,885,232

2,995,139

3,850,112

8,243,423

Sep

8,733,259

3,124,231

3,502,968

8,013,866

Oct

9,513,870

3,589,319

3,899,011

8,412,617

Nov

8,699,537

3,487,910

3,770,500

8,058,824

Dec

9,094,827

3,588,446

3,556,343

7,921,067

2. Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport is just huge...well, it IS in Texas. Boasting over 35 million flyers, DFW Airport has SEVEN runways and also has a huge cargo presence due to its advantageous geographical location.

(NOTE: Data for DFW contains enplaned and deplaned traffic as no other data was available)

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Passengers: 2021

Passengers: 2022

Jan

5,492,062

5,783,847

3,081,185

4,782,897

Feb

5,137,190

5,557,975

2,529,152

4,283,349

Mar

6,104,021

3,327,669

4,506,304

5,935,624

Apr

5,987,164

483,713

4,729,286

6,071,554

May

6,556,592

1,353,656

5,448,765

6,637,523

Jun

6,839,573

2,213,443

6,349,808

6,867,677

Jul

7,152,230

3,235,548

6,866,796

6,992,526

Aug

6,873,067

3,266,754

5,770,141

6,492,368

Sep

6,147,293

3,392,680

5,382,266

6,304,008

Oct

6,377,552

3,816,018

5,950,168

6,622,925

Nov

6,001,075

3,413,174

5,853,140

6,069,544

Dec

6,394,228

3,520,513

5,998,745

6,302,951

3. Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver International airport passengers per year hit 33.5 million in 2019 and just over 16 million in 2020 due to the Pandemic. DEN replaced Stapleton Airport in 1995 after countless delays in budget and construction but now it's a powerhouse. Another interior US field that can boast route advantages regionally.

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Percent Change

Passengers: 2021

Jan

4,914,602

5,198,334

5.80%

1,377,782

Feb

4,588,397

4,908,375

7.00%

1,360,861

Mar

5,451,215

2,923,357

-46.4%

1,916,505

Apr

5,321,437

299,098

-94.4%

2,142,635

May

6,041,706

834,871

-86.2%

2,466,578

Jun

6,385,666

1,750,368

-72.6%

2,740,354

Jul

6,732,686

2,592,277

-61.5%

3,080,351

Aug

6,455,071

2,985,681

-53.7%

2,877,749

Sep

5,958,431

2,901,918

-51.3%

2,658,753

Oct

6,073,368

3,314,971

-45.4%

2,770,462

Nov

5,304,165

2,868,692

-45.9%

2,553,730

Dec

5,788,959

3,163,187

-45.4%

2,541,971

4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport is commonly known to just about everyone as 'LAX'. It officially became LAX in 1949 and its passenger statistics routinely place it as one of the top 10 busiest airports every year.

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Percent Change

Passengers: 2021

Jan

6,766,010 LAX

6,678,451

-1.03%

834,789

Feb

6,066,401

5,821,460

-3.78%

804,619

Mar

7,368,798

3,287,411

-55.39%

1,295,987

Apr

7,233,370

299,364

-95.86%

1,528,092

May

7,613,449

575,728

-92.44%

2,025,150

Jun

8,035,567

1,033,861

-87.13%

2,480,201

Jul

8,469,815

1,523,462

-82.01%

2,768,059

Aug

8,136,876

1,707,500

-79.02%

2,508,076

Sep

7,007,176

1,749,360

-75.03%

2,173,888

Oct

7,194,836

2,088,438

-70.97%

2,400,593

Nov

6,731,520

2,038,082

-69.72%

2,463,775

Dec

7,478,418

1,976,284

-73.57%

2,619,690

5. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

O'Hare...as it it mostly referred to (official moniker is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) pushes its volume as a huge hub that rests toward the middle of the U.S. Chicago O'Hare passengers per year topped 40 million in 2019...and 2020 looked to beat that. Obviously that did not happen...

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Percent Change

Passengers: 2021

Jan

5,509,189

5,881,671

6.76%

2,045,468

Feb

5,422,326

5,576,393

2.84%

1,990,837

Mar

7,056,673

3,416,628

-51.58%

3,074,184

Apr

6,874,026

341,670

-95.03%

3,536,252

May

7,649,304

700,874

-90.84%

4,381,688

Jun

7,904,988

1,225,304

-84.50%

5,348,862

Jul

8,155,018

2,055,969

-74.79%

5,965,201

Aug

7,985,926

2,281,478

-71.43%

5,892,735

Sep

7,081,469

2,331,635

-67.07%

5,392,301

Oct

7,540,084

2,555,414

-66.11%

5,813,566

Nov

6,590,075

2,195,130

-66.69%

5,297,105

Dec

6,880,039

2,296,572

-66.62%

5,264,334

6. Harry Reid International - Las Vegas (LAS)

Las Vegas International, known as McCarran Airport, was named after a Nevada Senator Pat McCarran. Interestingly, the airport will change names and be called Harry Reid International, another US senator.

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Percent Change

Passengers: 2021

Jan

1,971,530

2,090,846

6.05%

781,696

Feb

1,800,482

1,936,013

7.53%

797,731

Mar

2,193,181

1,103,257

-49.70%

1,273,183

Apr

2,151,138

76,710

-96.43%

1,392,612

May

2,293,578

199,098

-91.32%

1,705,146

Jun

2,237,011

511,343

-77.14%

1,835,970

Jul

2,252,925

803,070

-64.35%

2,008,906

Aug

2,206,661

873,813

-60.40%

1,856,568

Sep

2,176,796

849,448

-60.97%

1,797,918

Oct

2,302,668

979,323

-57.47%

1,988,172

Nov

2,097,923

922,537

-56.03%

1,912,935

Dec

2,095,169

806,421

-61.51%

1,807,331

7. Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA data to follow shortly...

8. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Home of Walt Disney World and Mickey Mouse, Orlando International is the busiest airport in Florida and is firmly in the top 10 U.S. airports in passenger volume. The airport code, MCO, stand for McCoy Air Force Base, that was closed in 1975.

Month

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

Percent Change

Passengers: 2021

Jan

2,084,238

2,200,391

5.57%

1,005,364

Feb

1,946,961

2,151,015

10.48%

975,947

Mar

2,384,019

1,368,452

-42.60%

1,503,614

Apr

2,179,366

82,335

-96.22%

1,658,706

May

2,218,675

183,966

-91.71%

1,878,627

Jun

2,128,331

433,523

-79.63%

1,906,837

Jul

2,210,681

597,557

-72.97%

2,061,525

Aug

2,123,800

569,069

-73.21%

1,794,414

Sep

1,558,101

583,307

-62.56%

1,509,929

Oct

2,000,975

778,779

-61.08%

1,801,982

Nov

2,095,613

899,464

-57.08%

1,935,408

Dec

2,271,923

1,011,036

-55.50%

2,035,735

Data for PHX coming soon...

10. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Francisco International resides in the south part of the bay area near Daly City. The number of passengers annually at San Francisco Airport usually exceeds 20 million. The field competes with Oakland Airport across the bay to the east and San Jose Airport to the south.

Data to follow shortly...


Yearly Passengers: Top 100 U.S. Airports

2021 Airport Passenger Figures

(2019 and 2020 data is below...)

Rank, Airport & Code

Passengers: 2021

1. Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

35,838,045

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

28,305,599

3. Denver International Airport (DEN)

28,194,277

4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

24,601,007

5. Charlotte International Airport (CLT)

21,588,511

6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

20,877,461

7. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

19,784,692

8. Las Vegas International Airport (LAS)

19,224,995

9. Phoenix International Airport (PHX)

19,006,576

10. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

16,998.102

11. Houston Bush International Airport (IAD)

14,671,334

12. Miami International Airport (MIA)

13,264,840

13. Minneapolis International Airport (MSP)

12,599,886

14. Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)

11,904,194

15. Newark International Airport (EWR)

11,550,144

(NOTE: 2021 airport rankings above will be updated continuously as we get more data so keep checking back)

2019 and 2020 Airport Passenger Rankings by Airport:

Rank, Airport & Code

Passengers: 2019

Passengers: 2020

1. Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

53,486,127

20,549,875

2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

42,940,050

14,029,050

3. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

40,876,846

14,596,667

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

35,770,570

18,589,432

5. Denver International Airport (DEN)

33,575,149

16,232,150

6. New York JFK International Airport (JFK)

31,118,728

8,257,586

7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

27,706,442

7,735,478

8. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

24,961,558

9,418,082

9. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

24,564,014

10,459,827

10. Las Vegas International Airport (LAS)

24,414,495

10,486,146

11. Charlotte International Airport (CLT)

24,181,051

12,944,897

12. Newark International Airport (EWR)

23,151,529

7,969,995

13. Phoenix International Airport (PHX)

22,410,533

10,489,346

14. Houston Bush International Airport (IAD)

21,897,017

8,665,304

15. Miami International Airport (MIA)

21,315,009

8,586,668

16. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

20,686,410

6,029,643

17. Minneapolis International Airport (MSP)

19,152,727

7,044,871

18. Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

18,122,016

6,810,475

19. Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)

17,942,566

8,005,515

20. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

15,995,429

5,744,954

21. New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)

15,391,626

4,146,699

22. Baltimore International Airport (BWI)

13,238,628

5,390,735

23. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

12,829,406

5,977,316

24. San Diego International Airport (SAN)

12,640,740

4,622,455

25. Washington/Dulles International Airport (IAD)

11,868,077

3,842,982

26. Washington Reagan Airport (DCA)

11,576,064

3,572,947

27. Tampa International Airport (TPA)

10,922,377

4,952,077

28. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

10,063,812

4,231,049

29. Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

9,892,979

3,084,710

30. Portland International Airport (PDX)

9,789,568

3,451,861

31. Nashville International Airport (BNA)

8,922,998

4,005,116

32. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

8,498,092

3,136,435

33. Dallas Love Field International Airport (DAL)

8,068,752

3,658,161

34. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

7,752,773

3,029,192

35. San Jose International Airport (SJC)

7,675,954

2,277,538

36. Houston Hobby International Airport (HOU)

7,056,967

3,120,116

37. Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)

6,906,877

2,329,765

38. New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

6,857,851

2,622,985

39. Oakland International Airport (OAK)

6,540,412

2,217,972

40. Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

6,448,574

2,706,976

41. Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

5,747,537

2,160,444

42. John Wayne International Airport (SNA)

5,150,370

1,802,735

43. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

5,039,408

2,943,762

44. San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

5,020,733

1,908,051

45. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

4,883,595

1,984,175

46. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

4,683,917

1,976,552

47. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

4,675,250

1,729,749

48. San Juan International Airport (SJU)

4,551,439

2,336,851

49. Cincinnati International Airport (CIN)

4,395,571

1,721,071

50. Columbus International Airport (CMH)

4,155,133

1,571,412

51. Kahului Airport (OGG)

3,776,388

1,120,606

52. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

3,472,151

1,362,415

53. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

3,452,636

1,515,885

54. Mitchell (Milwaukee) International Airport (MKE)

3,358,255

1,257,206

55. Hartford Bradley International Airport (BDL)

3,318,130

1,147,597

56. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

2,985,436

996,506

57. Ontario International Airport (ONT)

2,717,456

1,234,886

58. Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

2,653,617

1,074,283

59. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

2,637,554

867,565

60. Omaha Eppley International Airport (OMA)

2,450,254

1,032,354

61. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

2,448,150

696,866

62. Charleston International Airport (CHS)

2,374,632

942,791

63. Memphis International Airport (MEM)

2,306,590

1,007,351

64. Richmond International Airport (RIC)

2,187,204

839,042

65. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

2,157,085

972,034

66. Oklahoma City International Airport (OKC)

2,131,687

929,538

67. Boise International Airport (BOI)

2,053,852

989,291

68. Louisville International Airport (SDF)

2,034,716

780,645

69. Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

1,987,016

883,057

70. Providence International Airport (PVD)

1,965,055

639,425

71. Spokane International Airport (GEG)

1,940,820

912,292

72. Kona International Airport (KOA)

1,925,951

622,206

1,844,785

821,412

74. Grand Rapids (Ford) International Airport (GRR)

1,783,677

855,406

75. Long Beach International Airport (LGB)

1,748,940

502,187

76. El Paso International Airport (ELP)

1,737,737

719,770

77. Lihue International Airport (LIH)

1,629,310

492,505

78. Birmingham International Airport (BHM)

1,510,503

620,795

79. Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

1,510,469

754,680

80. Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

1,502,074

662,482

81. Albany International Airport (ALB)

1,495,021

508,597

82. Savannah International Airport (SAV)

1,458,392

574,176

83. Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

1,420,670

626,785

1,307,413

631,760

85. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)

1,282,399

541,971

86. Rochester International Airport (ROC)

1,276,043

411,682

87. Greenville-Spartanburg Intl Airport (GSP)

1,269,096

505,616

88. Syracuse International Airport (SYR)

1,267,136

430,032

89. Knoxville International Airport (TYS)

1,236,228

551,289

90. Madison International Airport (MSN)

1,152,652

409,815

91. St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

1,125,744

689,329

92. Pensacola International Airport (PEN)

1,098,227

577,425

93. Portland International Airport (PDX)

1,087,606

393,677

94. Little Rock (Clinton) Airport (LIT)

1,083,826

468,409

95. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

1,073,053

375,826

96. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

974,399

613,998

97. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

964,591

484,202

98. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)

887,087

343,817

876,344

574,507

100. Westchester County Airport (HPN)

863,381

226,965

Fair Use Statement

We freely give permission to use the images and data found on this page for informational purposes. When doing so, we ask that you kindly give credit to the creators by linking to this page so your readers can have access to more data and make more informed decisions.

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