Love ’em or hate ’em, the busiest airports in the world are where many of our holidays begin and end.
Once you’ve gone through security and found your gate, the excitement of travel kicks in. Unless, of course, your vacation mode was immediately unactivated by horrendous crowds, endless queues, and relentless transfers.
For most of us, choosing an airport largely comes down to which offers the best flight prices, convenient times, and proximity to destinations on either end of the journey. Discovering that your airline’s terminal also happens to have yummy food options, discounted Duty Free stores, or crowd-free security checks are all added bonuses.
But those ever hopeful for a calm airport experience will be pleased to hear that global travel statistics provider OAG pulls together data on the world’s busiest airports each year. By calculating the airline capacity (the total number of seats), for international and domestic flights in airports across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, OAG has determined which airports truly are the world’s most frenetic.
Dubai International Airport is the second-busiest airport in the world, with an airline capacity of 62,743,665 total seats in 2024, according to OAG.
Holding firm in first place is Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). This won’t come as a surprise—the Georgia airport has been named the world’s busiest for 23 of the 24 years the report has been published. It operates more than 2,000 arrivals and departures per day, and has been the chief hub for Delta Airlines since it first opened in 1930.
Second place went to Dubai International Airport, which has steadily grown in airline capacity over the years (its capacity was 12% higher in 2024 than in 2019). It was also the only Middle Eastern airport to make the 2024 list—four entries are in North America, three are in Asia, and two are in Europe. London Heathrow was the only UK entry in this year’s list—the airport came in fourth place with 51.6 million seats (4% higher than 2023).
But there are some new names on the list, too. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, and Istanbul Airport are four new additions, compared to 2019. Some of the names may surprise you, as a few less-frequented global airports have seen a substantial increase in their total airline capacity in recent years. Among the 10 busiest global airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) saw the most rapid growth, with a 29% increase in airline capacity compared to 2023. “This is largely due to China’s ongoing air travel recovery following the global pandemic,” the report notes. “As a result, PVG moved from the 15th busiest global airport in
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
While travelers have felt the pain of expensive airfare, a new report reveals a clever way that can help save money. The Department of Transportation regularly publishes a ranking of the cheapest, and most expensive, airports within the United States based on the price of an average round-trip ticket. In its most recent filing, the range of airfare prices varies widely from a low $90, to an expensive $1,600 ticket. Within the data, the ranking shows how driving a few extra miles can help a traveler save dramatically on their flight.
When it’s cold in northern North America, it’s high season in the warm reaches of the south — especially in the Caribbean — as snowbirds flock to sunnier shores.
For over 30 years, I helped companies ranging from startups to giants like Shell and Chevron navigate strategic change. As a consultant, I focused on guiding organizations through uncertainty — always with a servant leadership mindset.
For many Black travelers, trip planning isn’t as simple as clicking “book.” Travelers can be met with racism, unconscious bias, and stereotypes upon arrival. When choosing where to stay, it's common to seek out a place that feels safe and welcoming, and also works within your budget.
Nothing can rekindle romance quite like travel. No matter your love language, quality time together — especially in a new destination — simply makes people feel closer. While flutes of Champagne and candlelit dinners are all well and good, embarking on an escape built around a shared passion is even better and can create a deeper connection whether you've been together for four months or 40 years.
Every year in late January, streets transform into a sea of red — lights, lanterns, and even little kids dressed in festive hues signal the start of Lunar New Year celebrations.