Busiest Airports in the U.S.

Air travel in the United States is a complex web of connecting hubs, crowded skies, and bustling airports. Passenger traffic is a critical measure of an airport's "busyness", and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses passenger boardings to determine its airports' classifications and eligibility for the Airports Improvement Program (AIP). With the U.S.'s largest airports moving an astonishing total of 70% of passengers, the nation's air travel industry is a labyrinth of statistics and microcosms, each airport a world in and of itself.

• Leading the pack is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, handling an impressive 45.4 million arrivals in a year. Following Atlanta, other top spots rounded out by Dallas/Fort Worth International (35.3M), Denver International (33.8M), and Chicago's O'Hare International (33.1M).
• There is a significant drop in the number of arrivals between the top five and the rest of the list. Los Angeles International is the fifth busiest airport with 32.3 million arrivals, while the sixth place, John F. Kennedy International, sees a decrease with 26.9 million arrivals.
• It is interesting to note that even within the top 30 bustling airports, there is a wide variation in passenger traffic. The 30th busiest airport, Chicago Midway International, has 9.7 million arrivals, a stark contrast to Hartsfield-Jackson's 45.4 million.
• While the bulk of arrivals are centered in major hubs, data shows that there is a significant volume of traffic at mid-sized hubs as well, highlighting the necessity and viability of point-to-point services offered by airlines like Southwest.

Claiming the first spot, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International handles an impressive 45.4 million arrivals, making it the epitome of a bustling hub. The second spot is occupied by Dallas/Fort Worth International, managing a massive 35.3 million arrivals at their terminals. Denver International follows close behind with 33.8 million arrivals in the third position.

Coming in fourth is Chicago's O'Hare International with 33.1 million arrivals, while rounding off the top five is Los Angeles International with 32.3 million arrivals. John F. Kennedy International serves as the sixth busiest airport in America, handling 26.9 million arrivals.

Harry Reid International claims the seventh spot with a significant 25.5 million arrivals. Orlando International holds the eighth position handling 24.5 million arrivals, while the ninth spot on the list belongs to Miami International, having processed 23.9 million arrivals.

Last on the list, but still managing a respected 23.1 million arrivals, is Charlotte Douglas International.

The 10 Busiest Airports in the U.S. are:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International - 45.4M arrivals
2. Dallas/Fort Worth International - 35.3M arrivals
3. Denver International - 33.8M arrivals
4. Chicago O'Hare International - 33.1M arrivals
5. Los Angeles International - 32.3M arrivals
6. John F. Kennedy International - 26.9M arrivals
7. Harry Reid International - 25.5M arrivals
8. Orlando International - 24.5M arrivals
9. Miami International - 23.9M arrivals
10. Charlotte Douglas International - 23.1M arrivals