North America is home to some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, connecting millions of passengers to destinations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and beyond. From major airline transfer centres to international gateways, these airports play a key role in global travel.
Based on 2025 passenger traffic, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport ranks as the busiest airport in North America, handling more than 106 million passengers. The latest ranking also highlights strong growth at Chicago O’Hare and a decline in passenger traffic at Las Vegas. (ACI-NA)
Top 10 Busiest Airports in North America
The following ranking is based on total passenger traffic, including arriving and departing passengers on domestic and international flights.
| Rank | Airport | Location | Passengers in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | Atlanta, USA | 106.3 million |
| 2 | Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | Dallas–Fort Worth, USA | 85.7 million |
| 3 | Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago, USA | 84.9 million |
| 4 | Denver International Airport (DEN) | Denver, USA | 82.4 million |
| 5 | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Los Angeles, USA | 73.7 million |
| 6 | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | New York, USA | 62.6 million |
| 7 | Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Orlando, USA | 57.7 million |
| 8 | Miami International Airport (MIA) | Miami, USA | 55.3 million |
| 9 | Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) | Las Vegas, USA | 55.0 million |
| 10 | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | San Francisco, USA | 54.5 million |
Source: Airports Council International–North America’s 2025 airport traffic rankings. (ACI-NA)
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport holds the top position, handling approximately 106.3 million passengers in 2025. It remains one of the world’s most important aviation hubs and serves as a major connecting point for domestic and international flights.
The airport is a key hub for Delta Air Lines. Its location in the southeastern United States makes it convenient for connecting passengers travelling between many cities across the country.
Despite a 1.6% year-over-year decline in passenger traffic, Atlanta remained well ahead of the other North American airports in the ranking. (ACI-NA)
2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport ranked second, with approximately 85.7 million passengers in 2025.
The airport is a major hub for American Airlines and connects travellers to destinations throughout the United States and around the world. Its large footprint and extensive route network make it one of the most significant airports in North America.
Passenger traffic declined 2.5% compared with 2024, but Dallas Fort Worth maintained a strong position in the rankings.
3. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Chicago O’Hare handled approximately 84.9 million passengers, placing it third in North America.
O’Hare is a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines. Its location in the Midwest makes it an important transfer point for domestic and international travel.
The airport recorded a notable 6% increase in passenger traffic in 2025, the strongest growth among the top 10 airports in this ranking. It also led North America in aircraft movements, which measure takeoffs and landings. (ACI-NA)
4. Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport ranked fourth, with around 82.4 million passengers in 2025.
Located in the central United States, Denver serves as a major connecting hub for travellers moving between eastern and western destinations. The airport is also an important base for United Airlines and a major hub for Southwest Airlines.
Passenger traffic increased slightly by 0.1% compared with the previous year.
5. Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, ranked fifth with approximately 73.7 million passengers.
LAX is one of the country’s leading international gateways, particularly for flights connecting the United States with Asia and the Pacific region. It also serves a large domestic passenger market.
Passenger traffic declined 3.8% in 2025, but the airport remained among North America’s busiest aviation centres.
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport ranked sixth, handling around 62.6 million passengers.
JFK is a major international gateway for the New York metropolitan area and serves a wide range of long-haul destinations. Its extensive international network makes it particularly important for transatlantic and other overseas travel.
Passenger traffic fell approximately 1% in 2025.
7. Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport ranked seventh with approximately 57.7 million passengers.
The airport serves one of the most popular tourism destinations in the United States, attracting visitors to theme parks, resorts and other attractions across central Florida.
Passenger traffic increased 0.8% in 2025, reflecting continued demand for travel to the Orlando region.
8. Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport handled around 55.3 million passengers, placing it eighth.
Miami is a major gateway for travel between the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. The airport also plays an important role in international cargo operations.
Passenger traffic declined 1.1% in 2025, although Miami remained one of North America’s leading international airports.
9. Harry Reid International Airport
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas ranked ninth, with approximately 55.0 million passengers.
The airport supports travel to Las Vegas, a major destination for leisure tourism, conventions and entertainment. Its passenger volumes are closely connected to tourism demand and visitor activity.
Traffic fell 5.9% in 2025, the largest decline among the top 10 airports. (ACI-NA)
10. San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport completed the top 10, handling approximately 54.5 million passengers in 2025.
SFO is an important gateway for travel between the United States and Asia, as well as a major airport for the San Francisco Bay Area. It serves both business and leisure travellers.
Passenger traffic increased 4.3% in 2025, placing it among the stronger performers in the ranking.
Atlanta Leads by a Wide Margin
Atlanta handled around 20.6 million more passengers than second-place Dallas Fort Worth. The gap highlights the airport’s scale as a major airline hub.
The competition among the next three airports was much closer. Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare and Denver each handled between 82 million and 86 million passengers in 2025.
The ranking also shows that passenger growth varied significantly. Chicago O’Hare and San Francisco recorded increases, while Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Dallas Fort Worth experienced declines.
Why Are All 10 Airports in the United States?
The 2025 North American top 10 includes airports from the United States only. Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, handled approximately 47.2 million passengers—below San Francisco’s 54.5 million.
The result reflects the scale of the U.S. domestic aviation market, the size of its major airline networks and the role of large hub airports in connecting passengers between cities.
Conclusion
The busiest airports in North America demonstrate the scale and importance of air travel across the region. Atlanta leads by a substantial margin, while Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare and Denver form a closely contested group behind it.
The 2025 figures also reveal changing travel patterns, with growth at airports such as Chicago O’Hare and San Francisco contrasting with declines at Las Vegas and Los Angeles. These airports remain essential to passenger connectivity, tourism and the wider aviation industry.
FAQs
Which is the busiest airport in North America?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest, handling approximately 106.3 million passengers in 2025.
What is the second-busiest airport in North America?
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport ranked second, with about 85.7 million passengers in 2025.
Which airport had the strongest growth among the top 10?
Chicago O’Hare International Airport recorded the strongest year-over-year growth among the top 10, increasing passenger traffic by 6%.
Which airport experienced the largest decline?
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas recorded the largest decline among the top 10, with passenger traffic down 5.9%.
Is Toronto Pearson among North America’s 10 busiest airports?
No. Toronto Pearson handled approximately 47.2 million passengers in 2025 and did not make the top 10.
