You already know that the US has some of the world’s busiest airports. Is that it? No, the country also has some of the biggest airports in the world. But which one is the largest? Here’s everything you need to know about the biggest airport in the US!
The biggest airport in the US
With a surface area of 52.4 square miles, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the biggest airport in the US. We also list the other biggest airports in the US.
- Denver International Airport – 52.4 sq miles
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport – 27 sq miles
- Orlando International Airport – 21 sq miles
- Washington Dulles International Airport – 20.3 sq miles
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport – 15.6 sq miles
- Salt Lake City International Airport – 12 sq miles
- O’Hare International Airport – 11.89 sq miles
- San Francisco International Airport – 8.14 sq miles
- John F Kennedy International Airport – 8.1 sq miles
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport – 7.5 sq miles
Denver International Airport
| Airport Name | Denver International Airport |
| IATA Code | DEN |
| Location | Northeast Denver, Colorado |
| Serves | Denver metropolitan area and Front Range Urban Corridor |
| Hub for | Frontier Airlines, United Airlines |
- Denver International Airport (DEN), famous as DIA, is also the world’s second-biggest airport, behind King Fahd International Airport.
- DIA is located about 25 miles from Downtown Denver, spanning around 34,000 acres.
- DEN Airport has between 1,700 and 2,000+ daily flights. The airport has an average yearly traffic of 82 million, making it one of the busiest airports globally.
- The airport also boasts the longest runway in North America.
- The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has also set up an electric commuter rail (A-Line) to connect downtown Denver to DIA.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
| Airport Name | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |
| IATA Code | DFW |
| Location | Between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth |
| Serves | Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex |
| Hub for | American Airlines |
- DFW is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and sprawls over an area of 17,207 acres.
- The airport has an average yearly passenger traffic of around 85 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the world.
- The American Airlines hub at DFW is the second-biggest single-airline hub in the US and the world.
- DFW has nonstop service to more destinations than any other airport in the US.
Orlando International Airport
| Airport Name | Orlando International Airport |
| IATA Code | MCO |
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Serves | Greater Orlando |
| Hub for | Silver Airways |
- MCO is located around six miles southeast of downtown Orlando. The airport sprawls over an area of around 11,605 acres.
- Orlando International Airport is a primary international gateway for the mid-Florida region.
- MCO has an average passenger traffic of close to 57 million yearly, making it one of the busiest airports in the US.
Washington Dulles International Airport
| Airport Name | Washington Dulles International Airport |
| IATA Code | IAD |
| Location | Dulles, Virginia |
| Serves | Washington metropolitan area, Northern Virginia, Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, South Central PA |
| Hub for | United Airlines |
- Situated 26 miles west of Downtown Washington, DC, IAD sprawls an area of around 13,000 acres.
- Dulles Airport is an international air hub for the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
- Dulles has an average annual passenger traffic of around 29 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the country.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
| Airport Name | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| IATA Code | IAH |
| Location | Houston, Texas |
| Serves | Greater Houston |
| Hub for | United Airlines |
- The airport is located around 23 miles (37 km) north of Downtown Houston.
- IAH sprawls over an area of around 10,000 acres.
- Houston International Airport has an average annual passenger traffic of around 48 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the country.
- The five IAH terminals (A-E) are connected via Skyway and Subway.
Salt Lake City International Airport
| Airport Name | Salt Lake City International Airport |
| IATA Code | SLC |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Serves | Salt Lake City metropolitan area and Wasatch Front |
| Hub for | Delta Air Lines |
- Salt Lake City Airport, located just a short 4 miles northwest of downtown Salt Lake City, is the perfect entry point to the natural wonders of Utah.
- The airport straddles 7,700 acres and has four runways.
- SLC has an average yearly passenger traffic of close to 28 million.
O’Hare International Airport
| Airport Name | Chicago O’Hare International Airport |
| IATA Code | ORD |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Serves | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Hub for | American Airlines, United Airlines |
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located just 17 miles northwest of the Windy City’s vibrant downtown, stands as one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.
- Boasting a sprawling layout with a myriad of gates, O’Hare ensures seamless connectivity for travelers.
- O’Hare Airport covers an area of around 7,627 acres.
- ORD has an average yearly passenger traffic of close to 84 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the country.
San Francisco International Airport
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| IATA Code | SFO |
| Location | San Mateo County, California |
| Serves | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Hub for | Alaska Airlines, United Airlines |
- San Francisco International Airport, nestled just 13 miles south of the charming city it serves, warmly welcomes travelers to the Bay Area.
- With its well-kept terminals and excellent transport links, SFO ensures that your journey kicks off with ease and comfort.
- SFO sprawls over an area of around 5,207 acres.
- Around 54 million passengers use the SFO Airport terminals yearly.
John F Kennedy International Airport
| Airport Name | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| IATA Code | JFK |
| Location | Queens, NYC |
| Serves | New York metropolitan area |
| Hub for | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines |
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, also known as JFK, sits just 15 miles from the heart of the city that never sleeps.
- Not only does it link you to the dynamic energy of New York City, but it also opens the door to the world with 90 airlines, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all 6 continents!
- JFK occupies an area of around 5,200 acres.
- Around 62 million passengers use the JFK Airport terminals yearly, making it one of the busiest airports globally.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
| Airport Name | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
| IATA Code | DTW |
| Location | Romulus, Michigan |
| Serves | Detroit metropolitan area and Greater Toledo |
| Hub for | Delta Air Lines |
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, or DTW as most folks like to call it, sits 20 miles southwest of Motor City’s bustling heart.
- DTW serves 30 international destinations and 39 states across the US.
- The airport covers an area of around 4,850 acres.
- DTW has an average passenger traffic of close to 33 million yearly.
Gerard Stevens is a travel writer with five years of experience specializing in U.S. air travel and airport navigation. From comprehensive airport guides to savvy parking tips, he simplifies the flight experience to help travelers move from the parking lot to the boarding gate with total confidence.
