The Busiest Airports in the World (2023)
Ava Bailey These are the busiest airports on earth! For this list, we're looking at airports bustling with the most activity, meaning you shouldn't arrive fifteen minutes before your flight! Our countdown of the busiest airports in the world includes Charles de Gaulle Airport, Heathrow Airport, Dubai International Airport, and more!
The-Top-10-Busiest-Airports-in-the-World-2023
Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we’re counting down our picks for the busiest airports in the world for 2023.
For this list, we’re looking at airports bustling with the most activity, meaning you shouldn’t arrive fifteen minutes before your flight.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
FranceParis is the most-visited city in France and one of the busiest in Europe. Before you even step out into the bustling streets, you can sense just how lively Paris is the minute you exit the plane. Charles de Gaulle is France’s foremost international airport. According to the airport’s website, they fly to 119 countries with 328 destinations. Many of these are direct flights with most of the major airline chains operating through them. In 2019, i.e. before the pandemic, they reached a new height of 76.2 million passengers. As is the case with most airports, COVID took a toll on travel over the next two years, but 2022 saw a 119.4% uptick for Charles de Gaulle, attracting over 57 million passengers. With three massive terminals, four runways, and nearly 300 aircraft parking stands, Charles de Gaulle is prepared for another busy year.
Istanbul Airport
TurkeyOpening in 2018 following a nearly four-year construction period, Istanbul Airport has established itself as one of the most active travel hubs in Europe. 2023 marked the third year in a row that it was honored with the Airport of the Year Award. You can see why thanks to its sleek design, complete with an entrance that makes visitors feel as if they’re entering a shopping mall. In a way, they kind of are given all the fashion brand stores lining the terminals. However, the stores are an afterthought compared to the service. Following the inevitable 2020 slump, Istanbul Airport gained 37 million passengers in 2021 and 64 million in 2022. By the end of February 2023, the airport had already accommodated more than 10 million passengers, meaning the sky’s the limit for the rest of the year.
Indira Gandhi International Airport
IndiaFor nearly 15 years, no airport in India has accumulated more passenger traffic than Indira Gandhi. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stood out as the country’s busiest airport for cargo until 2015 when Indira Gandhi claimed that title as well. Indira Gandhi also picked up several accolades that year, coming out on top for service quality. Since peaking with 67.3 million passengers a few years back, Indira Gandhi has managed 37 million in 2021 and more than 57 million in 2022. Covering roughly 5,000 acres with over 3.6 million seats to fill, Indira Gandhi accommodates more visitors than any other airport in Asia. While every corner of the airport is buzzing with activity, Terminal 3 and its retail stores provide the most happenin’ travel hub, making room for 34 million annual visitors.
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Heathrow Airport
United KingdomIn 1929, the site now known as Heathrow Airport was but a humble airfield. The airport expanded with World War II requiring more long-distance travel for the troops. In the late 60s, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Terminal 1, which at the time was Europe’s largest airport terminal. In 2015, it was closed in order to expand upon Terminal 2 with the airport now having four terminals overall. What started as an airfield is now London’s leading international travel hub with over 61 million in 2022. At this rate, Heathrow Airport could soon recapture its pre-COVID numbers of more than 80 million passengers. Nearly half of the airport’s flights can be attributed to British Airways. A few years back, BA grossed $1 billion in sales thanks to London to New York Air Route alone. If you thought JFK was busy, just wait until you land at Heathrow.
Los Angeles International Airport
United StatesWhen you live in a city as energetic as L.A., sometimes you need to just get away. Of course, before reaching your destination, you may need to venture through the obstacle course that is LAX. Opening in 1928, Los Angeles International Airport is like Disneyland in the sense that it will never be completed. This is reflected through its most recent expansion, which commenced all the way back in 2008. Terminals are still being refurbished while some are undergoing entire reconstructions. Also, going back to the Disneyland comparison, LAX is planning to open an ambitious automated people mover in 2024, giving the airport a Tomorrowland vibe. Even with all of this ongoing construction, LAX handled almost 66 million passengers in 2022. It can be a hectic airport, but it’s an experience nonetheless.
Dubai International Airport
United Arab EmiratesWhen it comes to international travel, Dubai hosts the single busiest airport. In fact, it’s held that title for nine years now. As of April 2023, Dubai International Airport possesses around 4.5 million seats to fill. That’s just under 20% more than London Heathrow in terms of international capacity. In 2022, Dubai International Airport bounced back from the effects of the pandemic with 66 million passengers. By the end of 2023, those numbers are expected to flourish to 78 million. Dubai International is beyond ready for a passenger surge with its annual capacity being 90 million. In pre-pandemic years, Dubai International came close to reaching that ceiling with its annual passengers being in the upper 80 millions. Terminal 3 alone is the world’s second-largest building by floor area, trailing behind China’s New Century Global Center.
O’Hare International Airport
United StatesNamed in memory of naval aviator Edward O’Hare, this mega travel hub has come a long way since its debut in 1944. In 2019, O’Hare International Airport saw over 84 million passengers with 2,520 daily flights. O’Hare International climbed back to normalcy in 2022 with 68 million annual passengers. In addition to being one of the busiest hubs, O’Hare was named the “World’s Best-Connected Airport” by the Official Aviation Guide in 2023. You can only expect its reputation to grow in the ensuing years. The latest expansion, which commenced in 2018, is inclined to increase the airport’s terminals by more than 3 million square feet with completion aiming for 2030. For now, O’Hare International takes up more than 7,500 acres with four terminals, 213 gates, and nearly 800 domestic nonstop flights. It also offers almost 100 nonstop international flights per day, keeping us all connected.
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Denver International Airport
United StatesWhile it falls short of being the single busiest airport, Denver International holds some prominent records nonetheless. In the entire Western Hemisphere, you won’t find a larger airport by land area, covering over 33,500 acres. Even if you were to extend your search to the whole world, King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia would be its only rival. Even if King Fahd has it beat in sheer size, Denver International attracts far more annual passengers than its competitor. 2022 brought in over 69 million visitors, just 15 million less than its pre-COVID numbers. Denver International also holds the record for North America’s longest commercial runway, which stretches 16,000 feet. The airport has 11 additional runways, five of which measure to 12,000 feet each. At its busiest, Denver International has been known to see 1,700 daily flight movements.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
United StatesTexas is the second-largest U.S. state by area. So, it only makes sense that the Lone Star State would also have the second-largest airport, encompassing over 17,000 acres. Dallas Fort Worth International is the second-busiest airport as well, hosting almost 30 passenger airlines. American Airlines and its subsidiary American Eagle are the clear standouts. In 2022, American Airlines had over 40 million visitors pass through DFW, accounting for 67% of the airport’s business. It’s no wonder why American is their most popular airline, as the brand is headquartered there. In total, DFW had more than 73 million passengers that year. With 193 domestic destinations and 67 international, DFW is among the select few airports that can fly you to more than 200 places. With 2023 marking its 50th anniversary, now seems as good a time as any to book a trip through DFW.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
United StatesOnly one other airline hub is larger than American at DFW: The Delta Air Lines hub at Hartsfield–Jackson, which oversees more than 1,000 daily flights. At 4,700 acres, Hartsfield–Jackson isn’t an airport you can just casually walk through. The Plane Train, which operates 24/7, can make passengers feel as if they’re taking the subway to their aircraft. Hartsfield–Jackson’s scope mirrors its heart-racing nature. From 1998 to 2019, it was by far the busiest airport in the world. Although Guangzhou Baiyun International claimed the title in 2020, the Atlanta Airport still only fell to second place with less than 43 million passengers. Even at the height of a pandemic, it was a titan. Hartsfield–Jackson has since climbed back to the top, gathering 75 million passengers in 2021 and 93 million in 2022. 2023 just might take it to greater heights.
