10 Busiest Airports in the U.S.

Going through a busy airport can be a stressful affair. The lines are hellishly long, the gates are crowded, and everyone seems to be on the verge of a stroke. 

Sadly, we don’t always get a say on which airport we fly in or out of when we travel. But on the off-chance that you can decide, it helps to know the 10 busiest airports in the U.S.

Avoid them if possible — or seek them out if you love to be surrounded by hoards of people. To each their own.

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Location: Miami, Florida

Yearly passengers: 37.3 million

Miami’s airport is — how shall we put this nicely? — a dumpster fire of chaos that makes us wonder if it’s even worth traveling to the city. It’s busy and disorganized, and its structure seems to change every single time you travel to it. The food offerings aren’t great (except for Versailles Restaurant), and the TSA agents are ruder than in most other places, something we didn’t think was possible. 

But we’ll give MIA credit for being a major connection point for the U.S. and Latin America and the Caribbean. Also, its pretty great if you want to do some shopping while waiting for your flight.

Where to stay: Pullman Miami Airport

*Rankings are based on an Airports Council International 2022 report for passenger traffic.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Yearly passengers: 38.8 million

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport serves as the gateway to Arizona’s capital and its metropolitan area. This includes Phoenix, of course, but also other exciting destinations like Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale. All in all, it’s not an exciting airport and mostly stands out because of the impressive number of passengers that fly through here each year.

Where to stay: Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport  

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Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Yearly passengers: 39.8 million

Formerly known as the McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas’ main transit hub is as much of a mess as you would imagine. There’s really only so much the airport can do to maintain order when most people arriving are drunk and willing to gamble away their life savings on a weekend. 

Still, it doesn’t do too badly, considering almost 40 million people use it each year. Plus, it also serves as the main airport for incredible destinations like Zion National Park in Utah.

Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas  

Location: Orlando, Florida

Yearly passengers: 40.4 million

Orlando International Airport proves that being busy doesn’t mean being disorganized. The airport has invested into its design, creating a pleasing aesthetic that gets you in the mood for traveling. Its public art exhibitions and interactive installations help keep kids entertained — a huge relief for parents dealing with post-Disney World burnout.

Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport