Don Mammoser/Shutterstock
These Are the 10 Biggest Airports in the World
International travel is back on the table after two years of lockdowns. The world is opening up and people are looking to travel again. is on the rise as borders are opening up. This means airports are once again becoming hives of activity as people travel across the globe. If it makes you wonder what the biggest airports in the world are, you’re in luck. That’s the question being addressed in this article.
Some of the airports featured below are bigger than multiple football stadiums joined together and can accommodate thousands of people as they fly in and out on all the big name airlines. These airports are scattered across the globe and are often in heavily populated cities. You might be surprised to find the likes of , , , Istanbul Airport, and don’t make the cut.
Some of these airports below will be familiar to you, while others might surprise you. What they all have in common is that they are the busiest and biggest in the world.
The Top 10 Biggest Airports in the World
The sheer size of these airports will blow your mind. Not only do they cover huge amounts of land, but they offer passengers a wide range of services, such as hotels, shops, restaurants, and leisure activities. The statistics are provided by World Population Review and are correct as of 2022.
1. King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Dammam, Saudi Arabia (299.61 square miles)
Faisal Islam VLOGS/YouTube
Covering almost 300 square miles of land, the King Fahd International airport in Dammam is by far the biggest airport in the world. This former United States airbase is the size of the five boroughs of New York. The airport is named after the former King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd Ibn Abdulaziz. This giant airport assists over 10 million passengers a year through 37 different airlines. As you can imagine, the gets crazy during a standard day at this airport.
There are three main terminals, with one for passengers, one for private customers, and the third for the royal family of Saudia Arabia. The airport itself has a mosque that can accommodate 2,000 worshippers, an onsite greenhouse, and a large shopping precinct to spend your money.
The King Fahd International Airport is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest airport on earth.
2. Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, CO United States (53.09 square miles)
JW_PNW/Shutterstock
Denver International Airport is more associated with conspiracy theories than its size these days. Covering approximately 53.09 square miles, this American airport is not only the second-largest in the world, but has the longest runway in North America. It serves 215 different destinations through 23 airlines. It is a hub for several American airlines, including United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
The Denver International Airport is full of strange and confronting paintings and statues. These artworks appear to depict the coming of a New World Order. There are lots of references to the Freemasons and supernatural creatures, with many believing the airport is actually hiding a massive underground bunker. This bunker is said to be where the President of the United States and all the important people will gather when the great war comes and destroys the country. You can read more about it here.
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport(DFW), Dallas, TX United States (26.88 square miles)
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The third-largest airport in the world also happens to be in the United States. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is so huge it has its own ZIP code. Not only that, but Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport also has its own postage service, police force, fire brigade, and emergency medical services.
DFW is larger than the island of Manhatten and is situated between Dallas and Fort Worth, hence its name. It is the busiest airport in America and services many different national and international airlines. The airport consists of five different terminals and has a stack of great experiences for travelers. There are more than 30 artworks commissioned from artists around the world to enjoy, yoga rooms, travel lounges, and even several spas. You will certainly feel relaxed after spending a few hours at this airport.
4. Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, FL United States (20.78 squared miles)
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Situated just six miles from Downtown Orlando, the fourth biggest airport in the world is the major international gateway for the mid-Florida region. There are 850 daily flights on 44 airlines, with many people no doubt flying in to visit Disney World.
Originally used by the US military, Orlando International Airport covers 20.78 square miles and serves 135 domestic and international destinations. Facilities at the airport include an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel, over 50 restaurants, and over 60 retail outlets. You can literally get anything you want from Orlando International Airport.
5. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington D.C., United States (18.75 square miles)
Steve Heap/Shutterstock
America dominates the top 10 biggest airports in the world, taking up four of the top five spots. Surprisingly neither nor Harry Reid () feature. Coming in at fifth place is Washington Dulles International Airport. Serving all the big wigs working at the Oval Office and in parliament, the airport first opened in 1962. Named after John Foster Dulles, the 52nd US Secretary of State, the main terminal was created by famous well-known designer Eero Saarinen.
Washington Dulles International Airport caters to more than 60,000 passengers a day, servicing 125 different destinations around the world. There are six major airline lounges open and a host of shopping and dining options available.
See more about - Top 15 Most Beautiful Cities In The World
6. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), Beijing, China (18 square miles)
Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
The second that’s not located in America and the sixth- in the world covers a rather large 18 square miles. Beijing Daxing International Airport only opened in 2019 and is nicknamed ‘the starfish’ due to its shape. It is the world’s largest single-building airport terminal and costs roughly $11.4 billion.
You can travel to over 120 locations around the world, with more set to be announced over the coming years. Many believe will soon become one of the busiest airports in the world, with millions of passing through daily. As it is relatively new, it contains state-of-the-art facilities and a fantastic customer experience. There are a host of airline lounges, a hotel, a yoga room, a traditional Chinese garden, and more shops and restaurants than you can poke a stick at.
7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, TX United States (17.19 square miles)
ungvar/Shutterstock
This is the second busiest airport in Texas, after Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. George Bush International Airport covers 17.19 square miles and consists of five different terminals. Originally named the Houston Intercontinental Airport, it was later changed to the George Bush Intercontial Airport in honor of the 41st President.
As the airport continues to be a major hot spot, with around 45 million people passing through every year, it is currently undergoing a $1.3 billion renovation that is expected to be finished by 2025. These refurbishments will mean the airport can accommodate an incredible 33 million international passengers per year.
8. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai, China (15.4 mi2)
Blanscape/Shutterstock
With the largest population in the world, it makes sense that China would have one of the biggest airports in the world. While not the largest, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of two major airports servicing Shanghai. It mainly deals with international flights, especially such as , welcoming over 35 million passengers every year. A third terminal and two additional runways opened last year to accommodate extra
also contains an art gallery, maritime museum, 24 lounges, and enough food and retail outlets to keep passengers busy during a long layover.
9. Cairo International Airport (CAI), Cairo, Egypt (14 square miles)
Ossamaabdelbary/Shutterstock
The busiest airport in Africa based on total passengers, Cairo International Airport is located just nine miles from the city center. The airport was originally built as an American airforce base during World War II. After the war, it was turned into a commercial venture. There are four terminals and a luxury 350-room five-star Le Méridien hotel for those passengers looking to stay a night or two.
It’s estimated around 15 million people fly in and out of Cairo International Airport on a yearly basis.
10. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Bangkok, Thailand (12.51 square miles)
SIHASAKPRACHUM/Shutterstock
Unofficially known as Bangkok Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport covers 12.51 square miles. It is one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia. Over 60 million passengers pass through this airport every year. An impressive total of 95 airlines operate here, including Thai Airways International, Thai Smile, and Bangkok Airways.
First opened in 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport takes its name from Sanskrit and stands for ‘land of gold.’ It is quite a modern airport with top-notch facilities.
See more about - Connaught Bar Tops List Of World’s 50 Best Bars For 2022
