Which are the biggest airports in the world?

Written By Joanna Teljeur

6 minutes read
Last Updated: October 04, 2024

Airports are measured all the time based on everything from number of amenities, destinations, traffic volumes, and more. But what about sheer, physical size?

From the Saudi Arabian desert to the mountain terminals in Denver, the largest airports in the world provide dazzling travel experiences to the millions of passengers who pass through them annually, and most are still in the midst of expansion.

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Top 10 Airports in the World by Size

Let’s jump in and explore the world’s largest hubs - what they have to offer, their destinations, and the number of airlines they serve.

10. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

As one of two major airports serving Bangkok, BKK opened in 2006 and is one of the largest airports in the whole of Southeast Asia. Its name comes from a Sanskrit word that means "Land of Gold''. This airport handles roughly 1,000 flights a day!

Bangkok Airport’s many amenities include kids’ play areas, medical facilities, and plenty of shops and dining options, helping you make the most of your time if you missed a connection or were bumped from your flight. You can kill time by exploring the 7 concourses on the free shuttle service offered.

9. Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Since 2020, Cairo International has been the busiest airport in Africa. At the moment, CAI is working to improve passenger experience through renovations, adding to the number of shops, restaurants and other amenities - a smart move! Last year they saw a 30% increase in volume from 2022 with 26 million passengers flying to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the US.

8. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Located outside Shanghai, this airport is the 2nd biggest in China and one of the busiest in terms of global cargo traffic. PVG provides plenty of luxury shopping as well as a wide range of restaurants for passengers who might have a delay or cancellation. Pudong is also undergoing expansion of its cargo facilities and terminals as well as planning new runways slated for completion by 2030.

7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Located in Houston, Texas, just 23 miles south of downtown, George Bush Intercontinental offers travel to 5 continents with 118 domestic and 70 international routes. This massive airport has 5 terminals and is currently in the process of adding a new international terminal as part of a $1.3 billion redevelopment project.

6. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

This airport is one of two international airports serving the city of Beijing, China. Nicknamed "The Starfish" due to its star-like shape, PKX only opened in 2019, but is already undergoing expansion to handle as many as 100 million passengers per year by 2040.

5. Dulles International Airport (IAD)

This airport, which opened back in 1962, is just 26 miles away from downtown Washington DC. Named in honour of John Foster Dulles, the 52nd Secretary of State for the United States, this airport offers plenty of amenities and is known for the architecture of its main terminal designed by Eero Saarinen. 

In 2023, IAD increased its passenger volume to 25 million, a 26.9% increase from 2022. This jump helped the airport become one of the fastest growing airports in the US. As part of a $1 billion project, Dulles is planning to add to its cargo facilities as well as its concourses.

4. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Originally an Air Force base back in 1975, Orlando International is just a half-hour away from Walt Disney World and numerous other popular tourist attractions in the area. MCO proudly holds the 7th position in our ranking of the best airports in the world, and an astounding 57.7 million passengers traveled through its gates in 2023, making it the 18th busiest airport in the world.

3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Serving over 250 destinations worldwide, DFW is so big it has its own postal code! Not only is this airport huge based on the amount of space it occupies, but it also comes in as the 5th busiest airport in the world. Right now, the airport is adding a new terminal (Terminal F) that will help accommodate the growing number of passengers that pass through every year. It is slated to open in 2025.

2. Denver International Airport (DEN)

Well known for its iconic design, DEN is the biggest in the US. Denver International takes 6th place on our list of the worst-rated airports in America for delays or cancellations because of its tendency to have low-lying clouds and thick fog that can impede air traffic.

Nevertheless, passenger volumes have continued to climb. In fact, DEN is the 6th busiest airport in the world, and is currently undergoing a $2 billion renovation project, adding new gates and improving facilities by 2028.

1. King Fahd International Airport (DMM) 

Located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, DMM is hands-down the largest airport in the world by land area. It covers an astounding 780 square km (301 square miles) which is larger than the whole of Bahrain! It’s so big that it houses a mosque built to accommodate as many as 2,000 people.

Even though this airport covers more land area than any other in the world, it actually serves fewer passengers when compared to other major hubs. Last year (2023), 10.9 million passengers were served. While this is a 16.2% increase from 2022, the passenger volume is roughly the same as Lisbon Airport in Portugal.

In Conclusion

As enormous as these 10 airports may be, most are still working on expanding to meet the ever-growing demand in air travel. Whether in China, the Middle East, or the United States, these gateways continue to surprise and astound us with their innovation and role as portals for global connectivity.

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