Travel Planning7 min read

Major Airports in the USA

The United States has hundreds of commercial airports. Here is a guide to the major US airports, organized by region, with key facts and links to detailed airport guides.

Northeast

The Northeast is served by three major New York area airports: JFK (John F. Kennedy International), LGA (LaGuardia), and EWR (Newark Liberty). Boston Logan (BOS) serves New England. Philadelphia International (PHL) serves the Delaware Valley. Washington D.C. is served by Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

South

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) is the world's busiest airport and a major connecting hub. Miami International (MIA) is the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Orlando International (MCO) is the busiest airport in Florida. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is a major American Airlines hub. Houston's George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is a United Airlines hub.

Midwest

Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is one of the world's busiest airports and a major hub for American and United Airlines. Chicago Midway (MDW) is a Southwest Airlines hub. Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) is a Delta Air Lines hub. Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) is a Delta Air Lines hub.

West

Los Angeles International (LAX) is the primary West Coast international gateway. San Francisco International (SFO) is a United Airlines hub and major transpacific gateway. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) is an Alaska Airlines hub. Denver International (DEN) is a United Airlines and Frontier Airlines hub. Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS) is one of the busiest leisure airports in the US.

Southwest

Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is a major American Airlines hub. Salt Lake City International (SLC) is a Delta Air Lines hub. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) serves New Mexico.

Key Tips

  • ATL, ORD, DFW, DEN, and LAX are the five busiest airports in the US β€” allow extra time for connections at these airports.

  • Many US cities are served by multiple airports β€” compare prices and convenience for all options.

  • Secondary airports (BUR, LGB, MDW, OAK) are often less congested and can offer cheaper fares than primary airports.

Guide Info

Category
Travel Planning
Read time
7 min read

Sources

  • Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics (bts.gov)

Last reviewed:

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