Largest airports in the world

As of 2022, all the busiest airports in the world are in the USA:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — 75,704,760 passengers
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — 62,465,756 passengers
• Denver International Airport (DEN) — 58,828,552 passengers
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) — 54,020,399 passengers
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — 48,007,284 passengers

Among plenty of significant airports across the globe, Singapore Changi Airport undoubtedly deserves special attention. Throughout its history, the airport has received the highest number of various awards. If you get lucky and visit it someday, don’t miss the chance to set off on a free tour and discover five stunning themed gardens, playgrounds for children, computer game zones, cinemas, museums, and swimming pools.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has the most flights. Along with the status of the busiest airport in the world by passenger number, it is also the busiest in terms of aircraft movements — over 707,660.

Counting international and domestic airports together, there are around 45,000 airports worldwide. And that’s not calculating private airfields and runways.

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has taken the status of No 1 airport repeatedly. Besides the impressive number of passengers and flights, the airport is also recognized as one of the most luxurious buildings. In addition, it is an airport hub for Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Cargo and Qatar Executive.

In total, the US has the highest number of airports (around 20,000 of all types). However, only 50 of them operate international flights.

• Andorra
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Vatican City

In terms of size, these are the leading airports in the world:

• King Fahd International (DMM) 776 km2 (299.61 mi2)
• Denver International (DEN) 135.7 km2 (53.09 mi2)
• Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) — 69.6 km2 (26.88 mi2)
• Orlando International (MCO) — 53.8 km2 (20.78 mi2)
• Washington Dulles International (IAD) — 48.6 km2 (18.75 mi2)
• Beijing Daxing International (PKX) — 46.6 km2 (18 mi2)
• George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) — Houston, 44.5 km2 (17.19 mi2)
• Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) — 39.9 km2 (15.4 mi2)
• Cairo International (CAI) — Cairo, 36.3 km2 (14 mi2)
• Suvarnabhumi International (BKK) — Bangkok, Thailand, 32.4 km2 (12.51 mi2)

To understand the size of King Fahd International airport, imagine all five districts of New York City — this is how it looks. However, size does not always imply functioning capacity: King Fahd International is only the third busiest airport in Saudi Arabia and does not even get in the top 100 busiest airports in the world because of its inconvenient location.

Usually, the public authorities own and operate the airport. The ownership and duties are divided between the federal states, cities, or municipalities like in the US, Germany, and France.

Generally, the answer is yes if we are talking about big airports. Only a few tiny airports in the world don’t allow travelers to sleep. You can stay in most airports overnight. However, note that certain airports close at night; check it in advance.

A few tips will help you to ease this experience:

• In case of flight delay or cancellation, feel free to ask the airport staff for different sleeping facilities like blankets or pillows.
• Buy food in advance since all airport cafes close at night (or ask for a food voucher if you have to stay overnight through no fault of your own).
• Ensure the safety of your belongings. You can use baggage storage. If you don’t have access to it, keep your things close by (some airport sleepers even wear sunglasses so it wouldn’t be so obvious they’re sleeping.) However, there is only so much you can do when sleeping in any public place.

All airports work on their own schedule. Some work around the clock, and some airports close at night till early morning (like Geneva Airport).

If you plan to stay overnight in an airport, remember that some small airports simply don’t allow passengers to sleep inside (like Stockholm Skavsta Airport).

As of 2022, only one airport has a Capital One lounge — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW.) It’s open daily from 18:00 to 21:00 and is located in Terminal D by Gate D22.

Two more Capital One lounges are expected to open this year at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

If you travel through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, check out the benefits of the Capital One lounge:

• Seclude from the rush of airport crowds in a cozy space
• Try tasty food, often inspired by local traditions
• High-speed Wi-Fi and charge-up areas
• Sport facilities
• Private shower suite

Normally, people have a nap on the bench seating or take to the floor on a piece of cardboard if there are no sleeping facilities. If you fly for the first time, feel free to do this, nobody will judge you.

The following airports have sleeping pods currently:

• John F. Kennedy Airport
• Singapore Changi Airport
• London Heathrow Airport
• Seoul Incheon Airport
• Helsinki Vantaa Airport
• Munich Airport

Sleeping pods are built-in capsule-shaped beds. Prices vary; they usually may cost $10-30 per hour. If you have a long transfer, it’s better to try sleeping pods because of the following conveniences:

• A full bed that you can lay on
• Compartments for luggage
• Power sockets for charging electronic items
• A lamp light for reading books

Any experienced traveler would give you this good advice — arrive three hours in advance. You are very unlikely to encounter any difficulties (and even if you do, you will have enough time to resolve them it.) You can spend the extra time in a waiting hall or shopping in duty-free shops. Besides, some airports are architectural masterpieces, so it’s interesting to just walk around.

Tijuana Airport is the only airport with a terminal in two countries. It is located on the US-Mexican border. The terminal is called Cross Border Xpress. There is a bridge where travelers can cross the border (actually, this is the fastest way to do this).