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 |
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