Top 10 Busiest Airports Worldwide in 2024

Man with shoulder bag and hand luggage walking in airport terminal — Adobe Stock

The Airports Council International (ACI) just released its latest report, and it seems like air travel is almost back to normal. In 2023, a whopping 8.5 billion people took to the skies, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, several Asian airports made it into the top 10 this year, showing a surge in international travel. Five American airports are in the top ten, so if you’re flying domestically, you might want to steer clear of these travel hotspots or plan your flights around less busy times of day.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport's air traffic control tower — Wikimedia Commons / Harrison Keely / CC 4.0

In 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) claimed the title of the world’s busiest airport, handling over 104 million passengers, an 11.7% rise from 2022 but 5.3% below 2019 levels. ATL offers nonstop flights to over 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. The expansive airport also features art exhibits, bookstores, a spa, and high-end stores for travelers with long layovers.

2. Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai International Airport (DXB) became the second-busiest airport in the world in 2023 with 87 million passengers, up 31.7% from 2022. Hosting over 100 airlines to 240 destinations, it’s a major international hub that offers free Wi-Fi and top-notch amenities like luxury lounges, currency exchange services and dozens of restaurants.

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Dallas/Fort Worth International ranked as the third busiest airport in 2023 with 81.8 million passengers, showing an 11.4% increase from 2022 and 8.9% from 2019. DFW is the second-largest airport in the United States, covering an area bigger than Manhattan. That means that you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of time to make it to your gate when you’re flying out of this airport.

4. Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow Airport (LHR) served 79.2 million passengers last year, marking a 28.5% increase from 2022 but still 2.1% less than in 2019. As the UK’s primary international hub, Heathrow connects to 214 destinations in 84 countries and hosts 89 airlines, typically handling long-haul international flights.