List of Airports in United States (USA)

List of Airports in United States (USA): Airports play a crucial role in the transportation infrastructure of any country, and the United States is no exception. With one of the largest and most advanced airport systems in the world, the United States is connected to destinations both domestically and internationally. In this article, we will take a look at the airports in the United States, including a list of the busiest, most significant, most important, and most unique airports in the country.

Types of USA Airports and their Classification System

The airport system in the United States is one of the most advanced and extensive in the world, with over 5,000 airports of various sizes and types. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the classification and regulation of these airports.

The FAA classifies airports into several categories:

• Public-Use Airports: These airports are open to the public and can be used by any aircraft with the appropriate clearance.
• Private-Use Airports: These airports are privately owned and are not open to the public. They are typically used by corporations or individuals.
• Military Airports: These airports are owned and operated by the United States military.
• Seaplane Bases: These are airports that are located on a body of water and are used by seaplanes and amphibious aircraft.

The FAA also classifies airports into several categories based on the number of passengers boarding per year:

• Non-Primary Commercial Service Airports: These airports have fewer than 10,000 passenger boarding per year.
• Primary Commercial Service Airports: These airports have at least 10,000 passenger boarding per year.
• Large Hub Airports: These are the busiest airports in the country, handling more than 1% of total passenger boarding in the United States.
• Medium Hub Airports: These airports handle between 0.25% and 1% of total passenger boarding in the United States.
• Small Hub Airports: These airports handle between 0.05% and 0.25% of total passenger boarding in the United States.

List of Busiest Airports in United States (USA)

Here is the list of busiest airports in United States with their location along with the number of passengers also provided.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 107 million passengers in 2019.
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Located in Los Angeles, California, LAX is the second busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 87 million passengers in 2019.
3. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Located in Chicago, Illinois, O’Hare is the third busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 86 million passengers in 2019.
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Located in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, DFW is the fourth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 69 million passengers in 2019.
5. Denver International Airport (DEN) – Located in Denver, Colorado, DEN is the fifth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 66 million passengers in 2019.
6. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – Located in San Francisco, California, SFO is the sixth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 55 million passengers in 2019.
7. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – Located in New York, New York, JFK is the seventh busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 49 million passengers in 2019.
8. McCarran International Airport (LAS) – Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, LAS is the eighth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 49 million passengers in 2019.
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, CLT is the ninth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 47 million passengers in 2019.
10. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Located in Phoenix, Arizona, PHX is the tenth busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. It handled over 44 million passengers in 2019.

List of the Largest Airports in United States (USA) – By Land Area

Given below is the list of largest airports in United States. the area of the airport is also provided:

1. Denver International Airport (DEN) – Located in Denver, Colorado, DEN is the largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 53 square miles.
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Located in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, DFW is the second-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 18 square miles.
3. Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Located in Orlando, Florida, MCO is the third-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 13 square miles.
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Located in Chicago, Illinois, ORD is the fourth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 7 square miles.
5. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Located in Atlanta, Georgia, ATL is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 4 square miles.
6. McCarran International Airport (LAS) – Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, LAS is the sixth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 3 square miles.
7. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Located in Los Angeles, California, LAX is the seventh-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 3 square miles.
8. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – Located in San Francisco, California, SFO is the eighth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 3 square miles.
9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Located in Seattle, Washington, SEA is the ninth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 2 square miles.
10. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – Located in New York, New York, JFK is the tenth-largest airport in the United States by land area, spanning more than 2 square miles.

List of the Airports in United States with the Most General Aviation Traffic

Here is the top 10 list of airports with the most general aviation traffic:

1. Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Los Angeles, California
2. Teterboro Airport (TEB) in Teterboro, New Jersey
3. Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in Chicago, Illinois
4. Centennial Airport (APA) in Denver, Colorado
5. Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona
6. Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in Santa Monica, California
7. Scottsdale Airport (SDL) in Scottsdale, Arizona
8. John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California
9. Meacham International Airport (FTW) in Fort Worth, Texas
10. Addison Airport (ADS) in Addison, Texas

List of Most Important Regional Airports in United States (USA)

The List of most important regional airports in United States is given below:

1. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, Texas – serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
2. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) in Cleveland, Ohio – serves as a hub for United Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Europe.
3. Denver International Airport (DEN) in Denver, Colorado – serves as a hub for United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
4. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, Utah – serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
5. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina – serves as a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
6. Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon – serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
7. San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego, California – serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
8. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in San Antonio, Texas – serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
9. Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville, Tennessee – serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
10. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans, Louisiana – serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.

List of Newest Airports in United States (USA)

The airports in United States which are newly built are given in the list provided below:

1. Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, Washington – opened in 2019, this airport serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States.
2. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Terminal 2, North Carolina – opened in 2021, this airport serves as a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
3. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) South Terminal in Texas – opened in 2021, this airport serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
4. Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Texas – opened the new terminal in 2022, it serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
5. Denver International Airport (DEN) Great Hall Project, Colorado – set to open in 2021, this airport serves as a hub for United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.
6. San Diego International Airport (SAN) Terminal 1 Expansion, California – set to open in 2022, this airport serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Canada and Mexico.
7. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) North Terminal, Louisiana – set to open in 2022, this airport serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines and offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, as well as to Mexico and Canada.

List of the Most Unique Airports in United States (USA)

Here are the top 10 most unique airports in United States (USA) along with their uniqueness:

1. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in Colorado, known for its challenging approach and picturesque mountain setting.
2. Barrow Airport (BRW) in Alaska, the northernmost airport in the United States.
3. Catalina Airport (AVX) in California, located on Santa Catalina Island and accessible only by boat or small plane.
4. Deadhorse Airport (SCC) in Alaska, serves the Prudhoe Bay oil fields and is the northernmost airport open to the public in the United States.
5. Key West International Airport (EYW) in Florida, located on an island and known for its proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Duval Street and the southernmost point in the continental United States.
6. Kodiak Airport (ADQ) in Alaska, known for its challenging approach over the water and its location on Kodiak Island.
7. Merced Regional Airport (MCE) in California, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley and serves as a gateway to Yosemite National Park.
8. Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) in Colorado, known for its challenging approach and stunning views of the San Juan Mountains.
9. Unalaska Airport (DUT) in Alaska, located on Unalaska Island and serves as a hub for the commercial fishing industry.
10. Yeager Airport (CRW) in West Virginia, named after famous test pilot Chuck Yeager and known for its challenging approach over the nearby hills.

List of the Airports with the Highest Numbers of Domestic and International flights

The airports with the highest number of flights – domestic as well as international are given below:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Georgia, is the busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, is the second busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
3. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois, is the third busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas, is the fourth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
5. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, is the fifth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
6. Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado, is the sixth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California, is the seventh busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
8. McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Nevada, is the eighth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina, is the ninth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.
10. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Arizona, is the tenth busiest airport in the United States in terms of both domestic and international flights.

List of the Airports in United States (USA) with the Most Cargo Traffic 

Here is the list of airports in United States with the most cargo traffic:

1. Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Tennessee, also known as the “SuperHub” of FedEx Express.
2. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska, serves as a major cargo hub for several airlines, including FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas, serves as a major cargo hub for American Airlines and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world.
4. Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida, serves as a major cargo hub for American Airlines and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the Americas.
5. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, serves as a major cargo hub for several airlines, including UPS, FedEx, and Atlas Air.
6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, serves as a major cargo hub for several airlines, including UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
7. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Illinois, serves as a major cargo hub for several airlines, including UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
8. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Kentucky, serves as a major cargo hub for DHL and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States.
9. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Texas, serves as a major cargo hub for United Airlines and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States.
10. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, serves as a major cargo hub for UPS and FedEx and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States.

FAQ on List of Airports in United States

1. Which is the top airport in the US?

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is considered the number 1 airport in the United States and the World as of 2023. The sheer number of passengers that were recorded to board a flight there is well over 45.4 million, making it the busiest US airport in 2022.

2. How many airports are there in the USA?

America has 14,712 airports, out of which 102 are international airports in the USA, making it the country with the most airports in the world. 

3. Which city in the US has six airports?

New York City has a total of 6 airports, all of which are commercial. New York airports include John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York International Airport), LaGuardia Airport (and Marine Air Terminal), Long Island MacArthur Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Westchester County Airport.

4. What are the security protocols at U.S. airports?

Security protocols at U.S. airports are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, airline staff, and the general public. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the agency responsible for overseeing security measures at U.S. airports like Security Screening, Identification Checks, Baggage Screening, Prohibited Items, Behavior Detection, Security Personnel, Random Checks, K9 Units etc.