What Are The Top Ten Largest Airports In The US?

The top ten largest airports in the US are Denver International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Loa Angeles International Airport. 

Size does matter when it comes to air travel, not necessarily in the number of passengers boarding an aircraft, but in land size. There are also mega-sized airports in the United States that are constructed to handle mega-infrastructures, cargo transportation, and millions of customers every year.

This guide is a list of the 10 largest airports in the US based on land area size, explains why some airports can be called large, and pinpoints the most important characteristics that make these airports international aviation hubs.

How Is Airport Size Measured?

When we talk about the “largest” airports, we’re referring to land area, not passenger volume.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airports Council International (ACI) typically use acres or square miles to measure airport size.

Key factors include:

1. Total land area (acres)
   
2. Number of runways and terminals
   
3. Aircraft movement space
   
4. Cargo and support infrastructure 

This is different from “busiest airports,” which are ranked based on passenger traffic or flight operations.

Top 10 Largest Airports in the US by Land Area

The following airports are ranked by total land area, not by passenger traffic. These are the biggest airports in America that are critical to the nation’s aviation infrastructure and support millions of travelers, cargo operations, and airline hubs across the country.

1. Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado

• Largest airport in the US by land area (33,531 acres)
• Handles ~77 million passengers annually
• Known for its iconic tent-like roof and long-term expansion plans

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas

• Covers 17,207 acres
• Serves as a major hub for American Airlines
• Welcomed ~78 million passengers in 2023

3. Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida
   

• Spans 13,302 acres
• Key gateway to Central Florida’s tourism industry
• Handled ~50 million passengers in 2023

4. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
   

• Occupies ~12,000 acres
• Major international gateway for the D.C. area
• Served ~25 million passengers in 2023

5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas
   

• Covers over 10,000 acres
• Located in Houston, a key hub for United Airlines
• Hosted ~40 million passengers in 2023

6. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah
   

• Built on approximately 7,700 acres
• Recently underwent a major terminal upgrade
• Saw ~26 million passengers in 2023

7. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
   

• Spans 7,627 acres
• One of the busiest and most connected airports in the US
• Served ~73 million passengers in 2023

8. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
   

• Covers 5,207 acres
• Main international hub for Northern California
• Welcomed ~57 million passengers in 2023

9. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
   

• Sits on approximately 5,000 acres
• Handles a high volume of international traffic
• Recorded ~62 million passengers in 2023

10. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
    

• Occupies about 3,500 acres
• One of the busiest airports globally for international travel
• Managed ~70 million passengers in 2023

 

Special Features of These Airports

The major airports in the United States have different features as:

Denver International Airport (DEN)

1. Largest airport in the US and second-largest in the world 
2. Features solar farms, underground tunnels, and a futuristic terminal design 
3. Designed with long-term expansion in mind 
4. Located on a sprawling 33,531-acre site northeast of Denver 

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

1. Serves as a central US hub with connections across the world 
2. Spans five terminals and includes its ZIP code 
3. Offers direct flights to over 260 destinations 

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

1. Key gateway to Florida’s major tourist attractions 
2. Known for its spacious terminals and new high-tech South Terminal Complex 

Are the Largest Airports Also the Busiest?

No, it is not necessary, but understanding this distinction helps travelers and analysts gauge efficiency vs. size. For example:

1. Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) is the busiest airport in the US by passenger volume, but not among the top 10 largest by land. 
2. DEN, on the other hand, is both large and busy, balancing airspace and growth potential. 

How do US Airports Compare Globally?

1. King Fahd International (DMM) in Saudi Arabia holds the global record (~192,000 acres). 
2. Denver (DEN) is the second-largest globally and the largest in North America. 
3. DFW also ranks in the global top 10 for land area. 

This puts the US at the forefront of airport infrastructure and long-range planning.

The Future of Airport Expansion in the US

Many large US airports are investing in:

1. Sustainable design (solar panels, LEED-certified buildings) 
2. Smart terminals with biometrics and AI for check-ins 
3. Transit hubs integrating rail, road, and air travel 

Notable future projects:

1. DEN’s multi-billion-dollar expansion 
2. LAX’s Automated People Mover and terminal upgrades 
3. ORD’s Terminal Area Plan (O’Hare 21) 

To Summarize

From the massive grounds of Denver International to the multi-terminal layout of DFW, America’s largest airports serve as critical gateways for both domestic and global travelers. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an aviation enthusiast, understanding these mega-airports offers insight into the scale and sophistication of the US air travel system.

However, if you are traveling from USA to India, then you can book flights online through the Tripbeam platform. 

FAQs

Q1. What is the largest airport in the US by land area?

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest, spanning 33,531 acres.

Q2. Which state has the most large airports?

Texas, with DFW and IAH both ranking in the top 5.

Q3. How many acres is the average US airport?

Most large US airports range from 3,000 to 33,000 acres, with regional airports occupying much less.

Q4. Is the largest airport also the most modern?

Not always; some smaller airports like Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) or Boston Logan (BOS) are highly modernized despite their smaller size.