Have you ever wondered which airport is the largest in the world? Traveling around the world has become easier than ever before! With advances in technology, new and improved airports have been popping up all over the globe.
Now more than ever, you can fly to some of the world’s biggest and best airports. Airports require a great deal of space for the movement of passengers and aircraft. As travelers, we typically evaluate an airport based on the small portion we encounter as customers. However, airports contain much more than meets the eye, so most people cannot identify the largest airports in the world.
Today, we will examine the question from a new perspective: largest by area. Put away your tray tables because we’re about to take off! This article will explore the top 15 biggest airports in the world 2023! Get ready to explore exciting new places with incredible amenities and make your travel dreams come true!
15 Biggest Airports in the World
From bustling hubs to smaller regional gateways, 15 significant airports will offer convenience and a sense of adventure. These air travel centers boast modern amenities, cutting-edge technologies, and plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options for passengers, making them the perfect place to begin your next journey!
The 15 biggest airports in the world are listed below:
15. Salt Lake City International, United States (31.2 square kilometers)
Salt Lake City’s airport, the ninth-largest in the United States, is a gateway to exciting destinations such as Utah’s renowned ski town Park City. This airport spans a total of 12.05 square miles.
However, based on the number of restaurants, shops, and other services offered, travelers consider this airport to be of average size, despite its expansive size.
Passengers can find plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options throughout the airport, so you’ll always be energized while waiting for your next flight! With its convenient location and accessibility, this airport is sure to be a popular travel destination.
14. Paris Charles de Gaulle, France (32.38 square kilometers)
Roissy Airport is another name for the airport that serves Paris Charles de Gaulle. It is the second busiest airport in Europe and the most significant international airport in France and Europe. It is a suburb of Paris situated to the northeast of the city and was named after Charles de Gaulle, a former President of France. This airport spans a total of 12.5 square miles.
It’s difficult not to get lost in the bustling chaos of Charles de Gaulle Airport, Europe’s largest. It connects directly to Paris via the RER-B and serves as a central hub for travelers visiting the world’s most visited country and those connecting to flights worldwide.
13. Suvarnabhumi International, Thailand (37 square kilometers)
Suvarnabhumi International, which serves a city of over 10 million people, is plagued by issues such as long lines and constant traffic. However, the airport compensates with uniquely Thai decorations, aesthetically pleasing arched hallways, and family play areas. Southeast Asia’s largest international airport, Suvarnabhumi, covers an area of 14.29 square miles, making it a regional hub for aviation.
This airport is the 17th busiest in the world and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. This has proven to be a popular location for people to take and upload photos to social media. Thai Airways International, Thai Smile Airways, and Bangkok Airlines use it as their primary hub.
12. Cairo International, Egypt (37 square kilometers)
Cairo has Africa’s largest airport, built partly to support the massive number of visitors who visit Egypt’s wonders. Even though it is currently tied for 12th place, there are plans for future expansion and development.
Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s busiest airport and the primary hub for EgyptAir, EgyptAir Express, Nile Air, and several other airlines. It is Africa’s second busiest airport, trailing only South Africa’s main airport in Johannesburg. This airport has a total area of 14.3 square miles.
11. Shanghai Pudong International, China (40 square kilometers)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai is China’s second airport to make a list. There are two major airports serving Shanghai, and PVG is one of them. It covers 15.4 square miles and houses six runways and three passenger terminals.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport serves over 35 million passengers annually, making it China’s busiest international gateway. PVG also joins an elite group of airports that serve over 200 destinations worldwide.
10. Pittsburgh International, United States (40.5 square kilometers)
Despite occupying more than 15.64 square miles of land, Pittsburgh International Airport only serves about 6.3 million passengers annually. This disparity is due to the city’s decline as a central American economic hub, which has left large portions of the airport in disuse and near disrepair.
The situation is so dire that the city of Pennsylvania intends to build a smaller airport and let this one run its course. The airport changed its name in 1972 from Greater Pittsburgh Airport to its current moniker.
09. George Bush Intercontinental, United States (40.5 square kilometers)
This is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. It is the fifth and final airport in the United States to make it onto the list of the world’s largest airports. There are 15.64 square miles devoted to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The airport was given its current name in honor of George H. W. Bush, who served as the 41st President of the United States. The airport’s terminal and five runways take up nearly 16 square miles of land. Each year, 45 million passengers use the airport’s five terminals, and they do so with the assistance of a subway and a skyway.
08. Kansas City International, United States (43.2 square kilometers)
If you have flown into Kansas City International Airport in Missouri, you might be surprised that it is included on this list. Compared to other, more compact airports, the section of the airport that passengers use is small. However, the fact that there are fewer flights and three runways means that there is a lower likelihood of flight delays.
The City of Kansas City, Missouri, was responsible for constructing Kansas City International Airport, which opened its doors in 1972. The KCI complex encompasses over 16.68 square miles, and the airport’s three runways can support 139 aircraft takeoffs and landings every hour.
07. Beijing Daxing International, China (47 square kilometers)
The Beijing Daxing International Airport is not only one of the most beautifully designed airports we’ve seen, but it also holds the title of the world’s largest airport terminal within a single building. Costing over $11 billion to construct, the starfish-shaped terminal covers more than 18 square miles of land.
Commercial and cargo flights are handled at this airport, designed in the shape of a starfish, and share its responsibilities with Beijing Capital International Airport.
06. Orlando International, United States (51 square kilometers)
Following in the footsteps of its home city, Orlando International does its best to keep customers entertained even as they endure the most trying part of their journey. The Florida airport tries to make long waits and layovers bearable by providing passengers with over one hundred restaurants, water fountains, shops, and trees (yes, trees).
The MCO airport encompasses a land area of 19.7 square miles and is served by 44 airlines that fly to 135 domestic and international destinations—looking to kill time before your flight? Before your flight, MCO has 50 restaurants and 60 shops where you can purchase last-minute souvenirs and grab a quick meal.
05. Washington Dulles International, United States (52.6 square kilometers)
You would expect the international airport serving the capital of the United States to be more impressive. And while its size certainly distinguishes it, its services need to be revised. Transiting passengers at Dulles have access to only 13 dining options and 50 shops. When compared to JFK’s 139 restaurants, it is clear that this airport needs to improve.
The Washington Dulles International Airport, located in Virginia and covers an area of 20.3 square miles of land, is the fifth largest airport in the world when measured by size.
04. Southwest Florida International, United States (54.9 square kilometers)
Southwest Florida International Airport, more commonly known as Fort Myers Airport, is frequently omitted from lists of the world’s largest airports because only some people know its existence. The airport, however, is firmly established in fourth place, although only some people are familiar with its name. Southwest Florida International Airport has a land area of 21.2 square miles.
03. Dallas/Fort Worth International, United States (69.6 square kilometers)
Another airport in America that is larger than the island of Manhattan is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The 26.9 square-mile DFW airport was constructed halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth (hence the name) and had 26 airlines flying to 260 destinations, making it one of the few airports in the world with more than 200 destinations.
In 2019, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport welcomed over 75 million passengers, making it the fourth busiest airport in the world. Flying out of DFW is a mini-vacation in and of itself. You can visit the spa, practice yoga in the designated yoga area, and even take an hourly nap in their newly introduced sleep pods.
02. Denver International, United States (135.7 square kilometers)
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is approximately half the size of the Denver International Airport. Its exterior is distinguished by many tent-shaped structures and gently undulating lines, which are meant to evoke the movement of water. Denver International Airport has a total land area of 52.4 square miles and is North America’s largest airport.
You can easily reach Denver and other cities in Colorado, such as Boulder, by taking advantage of the public transportation that is readily available to you.
01. King Fahd International, Saudi Arabia (780 square kilometers)
The 52.39 square miles of Denver International Airport may be impressive, but they pale compared to King Fahd International’s 299.6 square miles. The Saudi Arabian airport occupies the same land as New York City, which measures 303 square miles.
It is true that the record-breaking airport primarily occupies desert land, but we doubt that any air traffic hub needs to be this absurdly large. We do not wish to consider the maintenance costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your burning questions about the world’s 15 largest airports right here!
What is the world’s largest airport by size?
King Fahd International Airport (DMM) — Dammam, Saudi Arabia. At 299.6 square miles (780 square kilometers), King Fahd International Airport is the largest airport in the world by total area.
Which country has no airport?
Vatican City has no airport, but heads of state and Vatican officials use the Vatican City Heliport in its western corner. It is physically impossible to fit an airport on the 0.44 km2 (0.17 sq mi) land that the Holy See occupies.
Which are the world’s three busiest airports?
Atlanta stands to be the world’s busiest airport month, with 4.3 million seats. Dubai International and Tokyo Haneda airports are in second and third place, respectively, with capacity down 9%.
Conclusion
The list of the 15 largest airports in the world in 2023 is impressive, as it highlights many of the top-tier destinations all over the world. These airports provide safe and efficient air transportation services that make traveling easier than it has ever been before. Whether looking for a new place to conduct business or simply exploring the world on vacation, these airports are a great resource.
