As global travel continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the list of the world’s busiest airports remains similar to that of 2019. The majority of these airports are located in the United States and Asia, in some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. These airports serve as hubs for major airlines with extensive global networks, and primarily see a high volume of transfer passengers rather than those traveling to or from the city itself.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has consistently held the top spot as the world’s busiest airport, despite experiencing a brief drop to second place behind Guangzhou during the pandemic. However, it quickly regained its position and has maintained it ever since. Using data from OAG, we can take a closer look at the world’s six busiest airports in July 2025 based on scheduled seat count.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, located in Texas, takes the sixth spot with a combined total of 4,720,180 seats scheduled for July 2025. While it currently ranks sixth in the world, it held the third spot in July 2024. This airport serves as the primary hub for American Airlines, making it a convenient layover location for passengers traveling between the eastern and western parts of the United States. It also serves as a gateway to Latin America, with American Airlines operating numerous flights to and from international destinations.
Tokyo Haneda Airport, one of the two major airports in the Japanese capital, takes the fifth spot on the list. It was traditionally designated as the city’s domestic airport, but in 2010, the Japanese government opened it for long-haul international flights. This airport is a major hub for All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, with both airlines focusing their domestic operations at Haneda. It is also preferred by many international airlines due to its close proximity to the city center.
Istanbul Airport, located in Turkey, takes the fourth spot with 4,754,253 seats scheduled for July 2025. This airport surpassed its previous ranking of seventh place in July 2024 and is the busiest airport in Europe. It serves as the main hub for Turkish Airlines, which has a vast network of destinations around the world. Istanbul Airport also sees service from over 100 foreign carriers, making it a major international hub.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport takes the bronze as the third busiest airport in the world, with a total of 4,759,865 seats scheduled for July 2025. It has experienced significant growth over the past year, with new services being added by both American Airlines and United Airlines. This airport serves as a hub for both carriers, with United’s headquarters located in Chicago. Its location in the third-largest city in the US also attracts a high volume of international service from foreign carriers.
Dubai International Airport, the second-busiest airport in the world, sees a combined total of 5,284,810 seats scheduled for July 202