Which are the largest airports in the world? And among these giants, what is the biggest airport in the world? Join us as we delve into the sprawling landscapes, intricate infrastructure, and mind-boggling dimensions of these colossal aviation hubs.
Exploring the World’s Biggest Airports
Flying out of the world’s biggest airports is impressive in more ways than one. Not only do you get bragging rights, but it’s also usually more convenient. The biggest airports in the world have greater facilities that make your travel comfortable. Additionally, you’ll have larger parking areas and more (meaning shorter) lines for check-in and security. Most of these airports also feature enormous terminals, lounges, and plenty of other things to do. As air traffic is on the upswing again, some of these biggest airports are upgrading facilities to encourage even more people to travel. Here’s all the info you need to know about the largest airports in the world.
What is the biggest airport in the world?
King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Saudi Arabia –With a surface area of around 300 sq miles, King Fahd International Airport (DMM) is the largest airport in the world by size. The airport is located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and sprawls over 192,000 acres of land!
What are the top 10 largest airports in the world?
- King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Damman, Saudi Arabia (300 sq. mi)
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver, CO, USA (52.4 sq. mi)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Dallas, TX, USA (27 sq. mi)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Orlando, FL, USA (21 sq. mi)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Washington DC, USA (20.3 sq. mi)
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – Beijing, China (18 sq. mi)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Houston, Texas, USA (15.6 sq. mi)
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – Shanghai, China (15.4 sq. mi)
- Cairo International Airport (CAI) – Cairo, Egypt (14 sq. mi)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Bangkok, Thailand (12.5 sq. mi)
King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Damman, Saudi Arabia (300 sq. mi)
You can locate this airport around 19 miles northwest of downtown Dammam. Despite being the largest airport in the world by size, King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) is only the third-busiest airport in Saudi Arabia. This is because the airport was a former US airbase during the Gulf War. KFIA started commercial operations in 1999 and can handle around 13 million passengers.
Currently, KFIA serves as a major hub for Saudia, SaudiGulf Airlines, and Flynas, with 37 airlines operating in and out of the airport. Even though Dammam Airport is almost the size of NYC, it doesn’t feature among the 50 busiest airports in the world! The airport covers 192,000 acres. Also, the six-storeyed main terminal building is spread across a 3,520,000 sq ft. area.
Some interesting facts about the largest international airport in the world
- The airport got its name from Fahd ibn Abdulaziz, the former King of Saudi Arabia.
- King Fahd Airport has a 177,000 sq ft. exclusive royal terminal. The royal family, VIPs, top government officials, and foreign officials are the only people who can use this terminal.
- The airport was the first among Saudi Airports to open duty-free stores.
- KFIA also consists of a residential community accommodating around 3,000 people.
- Further, the airport features a beautiful mosque (around 497,000 sq ft) constructed on the car park roof. The mosque can accommodate around 2,000 worshippers.
Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver, CO, USA (52.4 sq. mi)
With a surface area of around 52.4 sq miles, Denver International Airport is the biggest airport in the U.S. and the second-biggest airport in the world. The airport is located around 25 miles from the city center. The airport has an annual passenger traffic of around 82 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the world.
Also, DIA serves as a hub for Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and a base for Southwest Airlines. It is the fourth US airport to operate flights to more than 200 destinations. Denver Airport features the Jeppesen Terminal, with three concourses and 146 gates.
If these changes don’t help with Denver Airport parking woes, there’s always offsite DEN parking!
Fun facts about the second-largest airport in the world
- Despite being one of the biggest airports in the world and the largest airport in the US, Denver Airport shot into global fame owing to the various conspiracy theories surrounding it. One major conspiracy theory is that the New World Order (NWO) controls the airport. The airport features the longest runway in North America. However, the Swastika shape of the runway makes it peculiar! Meanwhile, the 32-foot-tall Blue Mustang statue nicknamed ‘Blucifer’ is believed to be haunted. Another major theory is that the airport was constructed on a burial ground.
- The airport features four onsite parking lots spread over 30 acres.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Dallas, TX, USA (27 sq. mi)
Covering an area of around 27 sq miles, Dallas International Airport is the third-largest airport in the world. Regardless, Dallas Airport is larger than Manhattan Island. You can locate this airport roughly midway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. American Airlines has its largest hub at DFW Airport.
Also, the airport operates flight services to around 273 destinations across 44 countries. With around 85 million passengers using its terminals annually, the airport is one of the busiest in the world. Dallas Airport features five terminals (A-E) and has 184 gates.
What makes the third-largest airport in the world interesting?
- Dallas Airport is also the fourth busiest airport globally in terms of aircraft movements.
- Around 95% of the domestic US Airports are within four hours of flying time from DFW.
- The Atlantis space shuttle landed at this airport in May 1989. It was the first time that a space shuttle landed at a commercial airport.
Hot tip: The price to park at DFW International Airport has gone up, as has the cost of Uber and Lyft. To cut down on travel expenses, book offsite DFW parking before your trip.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Orlando, FL, USA (21 sq. mi)
Sprawling across 21 square miles, Orlando or MCO Airport is the third-largest in the US and the fourth-largest airport in the world. Orlando Airport is located around six miles southwest of Downtown Orlando. With more than 850 daily flights operated via around 44 airlines, Orlando Airport is a pivotal international gateway for the mid-Florida region.
MCO Airport serves nearly 135 domestic and international destinations and has an annual average passenger traffic of around 57 million. The airport has Terminals A and B, having a total of 129 gates. Orlando Airport is one of the main hubs for Silver Airways and also serves as an operating base for Southwest Airlines and JetBlue.
Key facts about the fourth-largest airport in the world
- The airport code MCO is derived from the airport’s former name, McCoy Air Force Base.
- Orlando Airport is around 20 miles away from Walt Disney World Resort.
Orlando Travel Tip: If you plan to fly out of Orlando International Airport, you should expect to pay more for parking thanks to recent parking fee hikes. If you don’t want to pay too much, book MCO parking at offsite lots near the airport.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Washington, D.C., USA (20.3 sq. mi)
Commonly called Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Dulles, the airport is the fifth biggest airport in the world. It covers s a surface area of 20.3 sq miles. Dulles Airport is located around 26 miles west of Downtown Washington DC. IAD Airport is a major air hub for the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
The airport has to-and-from services to more than 125 destinations worldwide and has an average yearly passenger traffic of around 29 million. United Airlines has one of its hubs at Dulles Airport. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa are the other major airlines that operate from this major airport. Dulles Airport has a single terminal featuring 139 gates.
Some quick facts
- Washington Dulles International Airport was the first US airport designed to accommodate commercial jets.
- The airport features many art and photography exhibits. It occasionally offers live music and dance performances too.
- The airport got its name from John Foster Dulles, who served as the US Secretary of State from 1953 to 1959.
Dulles travel tip: Finding parking at Dulles Airport has always been a bit of a challenge. You might find cheaper options if you pre-book IAD parking online.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – Beijing, China (18 sq. mi)
Beijing Daxing International Airport, the sixth-largest airport in the world, is located on the border of Langfang and Beijing. Nicknamed ‘the starfish,’ the airport covers a surface area of 18 sq miles. It is Beijing’s 2nd international airport. The first, of course, is the Beijing Capital International Airport.
Beijing Daxing Airport is located around 29 miles south of Tiananmen Square and around 40 miles south of Beijing Capital International Airport. The airport is a major hub for SkyTeam alliance airlines and a few Oneworld members. With around 7.5 million sq feet, Daxing Airport has the greatest square footage of any airport terminal in the world.
Quick facts
- The area of the airport terminal is equivalent to that of 130 football stadiums.
- With the help of ‘starfish’ architecture, the airport is expected to become the busiest airport by 2040.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Houston, Texas, USA (15.6 sq. mi)
This international airport in Houston is the seventh-biggest airport in the world, occupying a surface area of around 15.6 sq miles. Serving the Greater Houston area, the airport is situated around 23 miles north of Downtown Houston. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the second-busiest airport in Texas. Originally named Houston International Airport, the airport was renamed in 1997 after George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the USA.
The airport features five terminals (A-E) and has 161 gates, with Skyway and Subway connecting all the terminals. United Airlines and Atlas Air have their hub at the airport. The airport also serves as the largest passenger hub for United Airlines.
IAH entertains you!
- There are several artworks displayed at the terminals. ‘Lights Spikes,’ created for the 1990 G7 Summit, can be seen outside Terminal E.
- IAH Airport also hosts weekday live concerts featuring pop, jazz, classical, and international music.
- Besides these, the airport has a yoga studio for passengers at Terminal A.
Travel tip: IAH often runs out of terminal parking spots. To avoid last-minute hassles, pre-book offsite IAH parking as soon as your travel plans are finalized.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – Shanghai, China (15.4 sq. mi)
Covering an area of around 15.4 sq miles, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the eighth-biggest airport in the world by size. Situated around 19 miles east of Shanghai city center, the airport serves as a major hub of East Asia. China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines have their main hub at this airport. In addition, Shanghai Pudong Airport also serves as a hub for Air China and China Southern Airlines.
Cairo International Airport (CAI) – Cairo, Egypt (14 sq. mi)
Cairo Airport covers an area of 14 sq miles. This airport is the ninth-largest airport in the world and the busiest in Egypt! Cairo International Airport is located northeast of Cairo, around 9.3 miles from the city’s business area. EgyptAir and Nile Air have their primary hub at this airport.
Cairo Airport features three terminals (1-3) and a seasonal flight terminal that you can locate west of Terminal 3. Cairo Airport is the second-busiest in Africa after OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa. Shuttle buses and a mini metro connect all the terminals.
Quick facts
- Cairo Airport is not only one of the biggest airports in the world, but it’s also the busiest in Africa.
- It was originally a US Air Force Base during WW2
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Bangkok, Thailand (12.5 sq. mi)
More familiar as the Bangkok Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the two airports that serve Bangkok. Sprawling over 12.5 sq miles, Suvarnabhumi Airport is also one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. It serves as an aviation hub for the region.
The airport operates as a main hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile Airways, and Thai Vietjet Air. Suvarnabhumi Airport is also a regional gateway and a connection/transfer point for flights connecting Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Africa.
Quick facts
- The airport’s only terminal covers an area of over six million sq feet!
- Suvarnabhumi Airport has more than 350 check-in counters, 100 elevators, 22 luggage conveyors, and 26 customs control desks.
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.
