Navigating a massive airport can feel like an adventure in itself. These travel hubs can be as big as cities and cover dozens of square miles.
You might expect New York City's John F Kennedy Airport, commonly known as JFK, to make this list, but the airport only has 8 terminals and handles 60 million passengers a year.
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
ATL isn’t just an airport—it’s a destination, offering passengers many dining, shopping and service choices. The airport also has a robust arts program with exhibits, music performances and other events to enliven the travel experience.
The largest airline hub in the United States, ATL serves 150 U.S. destinations and 75 international ones. Delta Air Lines operates the majority of the flights, which are as diverse as Johannesburg and Jacksonville. The airport is a hub for the global economy and is within two hours of 80 percent of the United States population.
Like most large airports, ATL is occasionally prone to flight delays but usually only during afternoon thunderstorms. Its five runways can handle almost 300,000 scheduled passengers each day. The airport also features many airline-operated lounges and independent ones that offer comfortable seating, workstations, snacks and drinks, and free Wi-Fi access.
2. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
At a massive 776 square kilometers, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN, ICAO: DMM) is the largest airport in the world. This sprawling facility, named after King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, is a architectural marvel and was once a US airbase during the Gulf War.
It is a top-performing hub with passenger numbers dropping during the COVID-19 pandemic to 65 million. In 2021, it handled nearly 69 million passengers.
This airport is also one of the busiest in Asia with an average of 1,460 aircraft movements per day. Other airports reinstated in the top 10 include Dubai (DXB), which gained 5 spots to rank as the world’s third-busiest airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which gained 2 spots from its pre-pandemic ranking. This is based on a number of factors including passenger traffic and terminal size.
3. Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Next up, we have Shanghai Pudong International Airport (IATA code PKX). This massive airport was built in 2019 and is the busiest in all of China. It's also ranked as one of the cleanest airports in the world.
This impressive airport spans dozens of square miles and is nearly as big as some cities. As air traffic resumes, more travelers will be flying through these massive travel hubs.
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IATA code IAH) lands in the third spot on our list of the largest airports. It's the first airport outside of the US to make the cut and handles over 66 million passengers per year. That's a lot of people! The airport has two passenger terminals and is connected by a 600m train. The sleek, modern airport offers a streamlined experience and provides real-time flight information.
4. King Abdulaziz International Airport
Located in the city of Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is a testament to modernity and efficiency. It offers a variety of dining and shopping options, as well as luxurious lounges and duty-free shops. JED is also a hub for several airlines, including Flynas and Saudia.
The airport’s Hajj terminal is a massive complex that caters to pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Umrah each year. It features check-in areas, baggage handling systems, and health services.
The best time to visit Jeddah and the surrounding area is from November to February, when the weather is cooler and less humid. You should also dress modestly, as Saudi Arabia has strict laws regarding religious attire. Also, be sure to carry all necessary travel documents. You may be asked to show them at various security checks. Moreover, you should avoid carrying products that are illegal in Saudi Arabia.
5. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Previously known as Shuangguisi Airport, it was founded in 1938 and expanded to include an earth surface for small biplanes. It became a civil aviation airport in 1956 and currently serves 82 destinations, including Beijing (PEK) and Moscow (SVO).
The airport has a variety of restaurants serving local food, although not much choice for foreign travelers. There is also a range of shops with souvenirs and books, but the prices are quite high.
Bus routes are available to connect the airport with downtown Chengdu. The schedules and stops are published at the coach station between T1 and T2. In addition, trains can be taken to South Railway Station and East Railway Station. Besides buses, taxis are easy to hire at the airport. They are usually cheaper than a private car. Alternatively, metro line 10 is accessible from the airport.
6. Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport
The sparkling Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced suwan-napoom), nicknamed 'The Golden Land' is a large hub serving domestic and international flights. It was constructed to replace the overcrowded old Don Meuang airport, and is well connected to the city centre by train and bus.
The airport is a modern, futuristic building with an impressive atrium and both Asian and Western cultural influences. It's an enormous facility, but it does come in for criticism due to some disjointedness - you have to walk nearly a kilometre from an arrival gate to the immigration counters; and lack of entertainment for departing passengers other than free Wi-Fi, expensive restaurants and shops.
Prior to the COVID crisis the airport was handling far more passengers than its 65 million annual capacity, so expansion works are in progress. There are plenty of lounges for business and first class passengers, though many travellers opt to take advantage of the fast track security check.
7. Dubai International Airport
In addition to its sprawling footprint, Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB) is also a major hub for the Middle East and Africa. It handles 90 million passengers a year and has a terminal that's larger than all of Manhattan in New York City.
With the COVID-19 pandemic having taken a toll on passenger traffic, some of the world's largest airports have seen their ranking fall. However, some of them have regained their position on the list as passenger numbers increase.
Passenger numbers are the key metric that determines an airport's size, as it impacts how much infrastructure is required to handle traffic. As air travel continues to rebound, we'll see more of the juggernauts on the list rise up the rankings in 2023 and beyond.
8. Seoul Incheon International Airport
Traveling via air is a fast and efficient way to cover long distances. It can transport vacationers, business people or armed forces personnel to their destinations more quickly than trains or roads could. Airports, which are essentially aviation hubs, are the backbone of global air travel.
These massive travel hubs are a marvel of engineering and logistics, covering dozens of square miles and accommodating millions of passengers every year. But navigating one can be a journey of its own, especially when there’s a delay or cancellation.
Airports are ranked on passenger traffic, runway capacity and terminal size, among other factors, using data from reliable sources. Data for 2022 aircraft movements are based on airports reporting to ACI. This data includes both international and domestic traffic. The most impressive airports are designed for hyper-efficiency, with streamlined security systems and innovative technologies.
9. Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA code: BKK) opened September 15, 2006, for domestic flights and later took over all international operations from the city's older Don Mueang International Airport. It is named for King Bhumibol Adulyadej and translates to "Land of Gold."
This airport is huge, so you'll need plenty of time to move around. Expect long corridors with boarding gates that are connected by lifts, escalators, and travelators.
If you have a layover here, head to Wat Kaew, a stunning temple near the airport. It's a great place to relax and meditate during your layover. The airport also has several first-class lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access. See our Airport Lounge Guide for more information.
10. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, DFW Airport is the second largest airport by land area. This sprawling hub has wide corridors that make the time between flights feel a little shorter, and plenty of amenities to help the hours tick by.
With a footprint that spans nearly 300 square miles, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the world's biggest airport by surface area. By comparison, Manhattan covers just over 23 square miles.
The top 10 largest airports are a mix of familiar names and some that may surprise you. This list also includes some notable up-and-comers. Most notably, Denver International Airport (DEN) has moved up the ranks dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted travel in 2020. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have both climbed up the rankings, too.
