What is the Busiest Airport in the World?

A lot of airports around the world handle massive passenger volumes. But do you know which one has held the title of the busiest airport in the world for several years? The title goes to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Since 1998, this airport has been ranked as the busiest, with the exception of 2020 due to the covid 19 pandemic. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) handles over 110 million passengers annually, which definitely showcases its importance in global air travel. Here in this ultimate guide to What Is The Busiest Airport In The World, you will discover various key factors why the airport has earned this title and what makes it stand out among other busy airports.

What Makes Atlanta’s Airport So Busy?

Numerous factors contribute to the incredible busyness of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Here are some of the main reasons:

• First of all, ATL is the hub for one of the largest airlines in the world, which is Delta Air Lines. This means that every passing passenger for Delta Air Lines often passes through ATL, raising its overall traffic. 

• The airport is typically located in the southeastern United States, which makes it an ideal connecting spot for both domestic and international flights. Its central location attracts a huge number of tourists.

• ATL manages all its operations in one of the most efficient manners in the aviation industry, handling a large volume of flights. This efficiency makes sure that the airport serves various flights and passengers without any delays.

• Not just the terminals and runways but also the comprehensive services offered contribute to ATL’s efficiency. 

• Atlanta Airport is a central hub for business hub that attracts a multitude of business travelers. 

• Atlanta has been a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, lively culture, and various attractions. This adds to various tourists passing through the airport.  

Key Features Of Atlanta Airport

If Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport, there might be several reasons behind this achievement. Right? So, here are some highlights of what makes ATL stand out:

Pet Relief Areas

ATL features designated pet relief areas located both inside and outside the terminals. So, travelers who have their pets on the journey can easily access these areas. These areas are specially designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Pet relief areas are equipped with waste disposal bags, trash bins, and more so that pets relieve themselves in a clean and hygienic environment. 

Art Exhibition

The Art Exhibition at Atlanta Airport aims to enhance the travel experience by organizing exhibits that showcase various artistic expressions. There, you will find everything from sculptures to multimedia installations, providing travelers with an enriching cultural experience. For travelers’ convenience, art pieces are typically placed throughout the airport, including transportation malls and terminal areas. 

Shopping And Dining Options

Passengers can spare their time at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) by exploring a variety of shopping and dining options available throughout the terminals. Whether you have some travel essentials left on your checklist or are craving a delicious meal, ATL has something for every palette. 

Free WiFi

Travelers can connect with the network named “ATL Free WiFi,” available throughout the terminals at ATL. This free WiFi helps you pass your time more enjoyably by surfing the web, catching up on emails, and streaming your favorite series and music. So, if you have enough time left before your departure, you can make the most of your wait at the airport.

Ground Transportations

Upon arrival, you don’t have to wander aimlessly in search of transportation options. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has a number of ground transportation choices to suit every traveler’s needs. From rental cars, taxis and rideshare services, shuttles, and buses to limousines and private car services, there are plenty of modes you can use to get to and from the airport. 

ATL West Parking Deck

Travelers who are at the airport with their vehicles can benefit from the convenience of the ATL West Parking Deck. Parking areas are located at 4199 Sky Train Way, College Park, GA. After parking your car, you can utilize the complimentary shuttle services that run every 5-10 minutes to transport you to and from the airport terminals. Additionally, the parking deck provides covered parking, meaning your vehicle is protected from the elements. 

Plane Train

At ATL Airport, you will find the Plane Train, a convenient underground automated people mover that connects all seven concourses (A, B, C, D, E, F, and T) with the domestic and international terminals. The plane train typically arrives every 2 minutes so that no passenger can miss their connection or face long waits. Passengers with disabilities can also benefit from the accessibility features of the Plane Train.

Airlines And Destinations

At Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), a number of airlines operate flights to 241 destinations worldwide. Both domestic and international routes are covered, making ATL a major hub for global travel. 

Passenger

Airlines	Destinations
Aeroméxico Connect	Guadalajara, León/El Bajío, Manzanillo, Monterrey, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí (begins June 5, 2025)
Air Canada	Toronto–PearsonSeasonal: Montréal-Trudeau (begins June 1, 2025)
Air Canada Express	Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson
Air France	Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Alaska Airlines	Portland, San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma
Eagle	Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Philadelphia, Washington–NationalSeasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami
Avelo Airlines	New Haven, Wilmington (DE)
British Airways	London–Heathrow
Copa Airlines	Panama City–Tocumen
Delta Air Lines	Albany (NY), Albuquerque, Amsterdam, Antigua, Aruba, Asheville, Augusta (GA), Austin, Baltimore, Barbados, Barcelona, Baton Rouge, Belize City, Bermuda, Birmingham (AL), Bogotá, Boise, Bonaire, Boston, Bozeman, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Buffalo, Burbank, Burlington (VT), Cancún, Cape Town, Cartagena, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Charlottesville (VA), Chattanooga, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O’Hare, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbia (SC), Columbus–Glenn, Curaçao, Dallas/Fort Worth, Dallas–Love, Dayton, Daytona Beach, Denver, Des Moines, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Detroit, Dublin, El Paso, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Fayetteville (NC), Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Frankfurt, Fresno, Gainesville, Grand Cayman, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Guadalajara, Guatemala City, Gulfport/Biloxi, Harrisburg, Hartford, Honolulu, Houston–Hobby, Houston–Intercontinental, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jackson (MS), Jacksonville (FL), Jacksonville (NC), Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo, Kansas City, Key West, Kingston–Norman Manley, Knoxville, Lagos, Las Vegas, Lexington, Liberia (CR), Lima, Little Rock, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Madrid, Melbourne/Orlando, Memphis, Mexico City, Miami, Milan–Malpensa, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mobile–Regional, Montego Bay, Monterrey, Montréal–Trudeau, Munich, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Nassau, New Orleans, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Norfolk, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ontario (CA), Orange County, Orlando, Panama City (FL), Panama City–Tocumen, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Pensacola, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Portland (OR), Providence, Providenciales, Puerto Plata, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Quito, Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, Richmond, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Roanoke, Roatán, Rochester (NY), Rome–Fiumicino, Sacramento, St. Louis, St. Lucia–Hewanorra, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San José (CR), San José del Cabo, San Juan, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, Santa Barbara, Santiago de Chile, Santo Domingo–Las Américas, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Sarasota, Savannah, Seattle/Tacoma, Seoul–Incheon, Sioux Falls, Spokane, Springfield/Branson, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Tampa, Tokyo–Haneda, Toronto–Pearson, Tucson, Tulsa, Tulum, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National, West Palm Beach, White Plains, Wichita, Wilmington (NC)Seasonal: Anchorage, Appleton, Athens, Bangor (begins June 8, 2025), Brussels (resumes June 10, 2025), Cozumel, Eagle/Vail, Edinburgh, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Jackson Hole, Kahului, Montrose, Naples (begins May 23, 2025), Nice, Palm Springs, Rapid City (begins June 8, 2025), St. Croix, St. Kitts, Traverse City, Venice, Zürich
Delta Connection	Albany (GA), Alexandria, Allentown, Aspen, Augusta (GA), Bloomington/Normal, Brunswick, Charleston (WV), Charlottesville (VA), Chattanooga, Columbia (SC), Columbus (GA), Columbus (MS), Dothan, Evansville, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Fayetteville (NC), Fort Wayne, Gainesville, George Town, Jacksonville (NC), Key West, Knoxville, Lafayette, Lexington, Marsh Harbour, Mobile–Regional, Moline/Quad Cities, Monroe, Montgomery, North Eleuthera, Roanoke, Shreveport, South Bend, Springfield/Branson, Tri-Cities (TN), Valdosta, White Plains, Wilmington (NC)Seasonal: Harrisburg, Hilton Head
Denver Air Connection	Jackson (TN)
Ethiopian Airlines	Addis Ababa1
Etihad Airways	Abu Dhabi (begins July 2, 2025)
Frontier Airlines	Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Cancún, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O’Hare, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis (begins March 7, 2025), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Montego Bay, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, San Francisco, San José (CR), San Juan, San Salvador, Tampa, Trenton, Washington–Dulles Seasonal: Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hartford, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Punta Cana
JetBlue	Boston, New York–JFK
KLM	Amsterdam
Korean Air	Seoul–Incheon
LATAM Perú	Lima
Lufthansa	Frankfurt
Qatar Airways	Doha
Scandinavian Airlines	Copenhagen
Southwest Airlines	Austin, Baltimore, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas–Love, Denver, Seasonal: Los Angeles, Norfolk, Oakland, Panama City (FL), Pensacola,
Spirit Airlines	Baltimore, Boston, Columbus–Glenn (begins April 9, 2025), Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis (begins May 7, 2025), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Juan, Tampa
Sun Country Airlines	Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul
United Airlines	Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco, Washington–Dulles
United Express	Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles
Virgin Atlantic	London–Heathrow, Manchester (UK)
WestJet	Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg

Cargo

Airlines	Destinations
AeroLogic	Frankfurt
Amazon Air	Baltimore, Ontario
Air Canada Cargo	Miami, Toronto–Pearson
Asiana Cargo	Dallas/Fort Worth, Seoul–Incheon
ASL Airlines Belgium	Liège
Atlas Air	Amsterdam, Anchorage, Birmingham (AL), Detroit, Harrisburg, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Liège
CAL Cargo Air Lines	Liège, Tel Aviv
Cargolux	Chicago–O’Hare, Huntsville, Luxembourg, Los Angeles, New York–JFK, Seattle/Tacoma
Cathay Pacific Cargo	Anchorage, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong
China Airlines Cargo	Anchorage, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Taipei–Taoyuan
China Cargo Airlines	Anchorage, Chicago–O’Hare, Shanghai–Pudong
DHL Aviation	Brussels, Cincinnati, Miami, New York–JFK
EVA Air Cargo	Anchorage, Osaka–Kansai, Taipei–Taoyuan
FedEx Express	Fort Lauderdale, Fort Worth/Alliance, Greensboro, Indianapolis, Memphis, Miami, Newark
Korean Air Cargo	Anchorage, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–JFK
Lufthansa Cargo	Frankfurt
Qatar Airways Cargo	Anchorage, Doha, Houston–Intercontinental, Liège, Luxembourg, Mexico City–AIFA
Turkish Cargo	Istanbul, Shannon
UPS Airlines	Columbia (SC), Dallas/Fort Worth, Fargo, Louisville, Miami, Philadelphia, San Juan
KLM	Amsterdam
Korean Air	Seoul–Incheon
LATAM Perú	Lima
Lufthansa	Frankfurt
Qatar Airways	Doha
Scandinavian Airlines	Copenhagen
Southwest Airlines	Austin, Baltimore, Cancún, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, San Antonio, Tampa, Washington–National, Seasonal: Los Angeles, Norfolk, Oakland, Panama City (FL), Pensacola,
Spirit Airlines	Baltimore, Boston, Columbus–Glenn (begins April 9, 2025), Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis (begins May 7, 2025), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Juan, Tampa
Sun Country Airlines	Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul
United Airlines	Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco, Washington–Dulles
United Express	Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles
Virgin Atlantic	London–Heathrow, Manchester (UK)
WestJet	Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg

Top 10 Busiest Airports In The World

Besides Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, there are other bustling airports around the globe that handle various passengers. Here are the top 10 busiest airports in the world: 

Airport	Country	Location	Total passengers
Dubai International Airport	United Arab Emirates	Garhoud, Dubai, Dubai	86,994,365
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport	United States	Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas	81,755,538
Heathrow Airport	United Kingdom	Hillingdon, London	79,183,364
Tokyo Haneda Airport	Tokyo	Haneda Airport Ōta, Tokyo	78,719,302
Denver International Airport	United States	Denver, Colorado	77,837,917
Istanbul Airport	United States	Arnavutköy, Istanbul	76,027,321
Los Angeles International Airport	United States	Los Angeles, California	75,050,875
O’Hare International Airport	United States	Chicago, Illinois	73,894,226
Indira Gandhi International Airport	India	Palam, Delhi	72,214,841
Charles de Gaulle Airport	France	Roissy-en-France, Île-de-France	67,421,316

Final Thoughts

So, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) undoubtedly stands as the busiest airport in the world, consistently handling passengers from across the globe with remarkable efficiency. The airport’s outstanding features and services continue to set it apart, offering numerous ground transportation services, free WiFi, and various other amenities. Apart from this, there are several other airports around the world that have heavy traffic of travelers each year. These airports also facilitate the movement of millions of passengers. 

Commonly Asked Questions