When it comes to air travel, the US has the biggest airport network globally. Well, if you don’t know, the US has the largest number of airports in the world, making it well-connected to domestic and international destinations. But how many airports are there in the US? Our article has everything that you want to know!
How many airports are there in the US?
According to Statista, there are around 5,193 public-use airports and 14,776 private-use airports in the country, making it a total of 19,969 airports. In 1990, the country had around 5,589 public airports and 11,901 private-use ones.
According to the FAA, the general public can access a public-use airport without getting the approval of the airport owner or operator in advance. However, they’ll need to have approval in advance if planning to use private-use airports.
Airport classification
The FAA classifies the airport into the following categories.
- Public Use: The public can access these airports. Also, any aircraft with the right clearance can use these.
- Private Use: These airports are inaccessible to the public. Mostly, individuals or corporations use these.
- Military: The US Military owns and operates these airports.
- Seaplane: You can find these airports on waterbodies. Amphibious aircraft and seaplanes use these.
Categories based on the number of boarding passengers
These are the different airport categories based on the yearly passenger boardings.
| Category | Passenger boardings per year |
| Small Hub | Has 0.05-0.25% of the yearly US commercial boardings |
| Medium Hub | Has 0.25-1% of the yearly US commercial boardings |
| Large Hub | Has 1% or more of the yearly US commercial boardings |
| Nonprimary Commercial Service, Nonhub | These have scheduled passenger service and boardings between 2,500 and 10,000. |
| Nonhub | It has less than 0.05%, but over 10,000 of the yearly US commercial boardings |
How many commercial airports are there in the US?
There are around 5,193 public-use airports in the country, and around 503 serve commercial flights.
How many international airports are there in the US?
There are a total of 483 international airports in the country. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), John F.Kennedy International Airport (JFK), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), Miami International Airport (MIA), etc, are some of the major international airports in the country.
How many domestic airports are there in the US?
Currently, there are around 5,193 airports that the general public can access, among which 503 serve commercial flights. Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), Orlando International Airport, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), etc, are some of the major airports serving domestic destinations.
How many intercontinental airports are there in the US?
Currently, there are around 102 airports that provide intercontinental travel.
How many large hub airports are there in the US?
According to the FAA’s 2019–2023 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, the country has around 30 large hub airports. 70% of the total passenger traffic in the country is handled by these large hub airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Denver International Airport (DEN), Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW), etc, are some of the large hub airports in the country.
How many medium hub airports are there in the US?
According to the FAA’s 2019–2023 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, there are almost 31 medium hub airports in the country. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Dallas Love Field (DAL), etc, are some of the medium hub airports in the country.
How many small airports are there in the US?
According to the FAA’s 2019–2023 National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, there are almost 72 small hub airports in the country. Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Birmingham International Airport (BHM), TF Green Airport (PVD), etc, are some of the small hub airports in the country.
How many Class B airports are there in the US?
Currently, there are around 37 Class B airports in the country. Class B signifies controlled airspace that encloses the busiest airports in the country, safeguarding them from continual airliner and local jet traffic.
How many Class C airports are there in the US?
Currently, there are around 122 Class C airports in the country. Class C signifies controlled airspace that encloses main airports and is less crowded than Class B airspace. These are ideally used by mid-size airports that serve both general aviation and airline traffic.
Related info
How many general aviation airports are there in the US?
According to the FAA, there are around 300 GA airports in the country.
How many airports are there in the US Virgin Islands?
Four airports in the US Virgin Islands have scheduled flights. Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) are the main airports in the Virgin Islands.
How many public airports are there in the US?
Currently, there are around 5,193 public-use airports in the country.
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.
