Chicago O’Hare International Airport Named Busiest Airport in the U. S.
In a recent report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Chicago O’Hare International Airport has been named the busiest airport in the United States for the year 2025. This title was previously held by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport since 2020. O’Hare saw a significant increase in air travel, with a 10. 5% rise from 2024 to 2025.
According to the preliminary data collected, O’Hare had a total of 857,392 airplanes landing or taking off from the hub throughout the year, surpassing Atlanta’s 807,625 takeoffs and landings. This marks a significant achievement for the Windy City airport, which was previously ranked as the busiest airport in 2019.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport serves as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with 90 and 71 gates respectively. The other airports in the top five list of busiest airports in the U. S. for 2025 include Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport.
The city’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, expressed his pride in this accomplishment, stating that it is more than just a statistic, but a statement about Chicago’s momentum. He added that the city is open for business, open to the world, and setting the pace for the nation.
The activity at O’Hare is expected to continue growing with the completion of the $1. 3 billion, 19-gate New Concourse D in late 2028, adding to its flight capacity. Currently, O’Hare has 201 gates, 146 food and beverage vendors, and 86 news and gift shops, special retail, duty-free, and service locations.
Despite being named the busiest airport, O’Hare did not make it to the list of the most stressful airports. According to a report by iSelect, an Australian-based travel insurance comparison company, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport was named the most stressful airport in the world. Two other U. S. airports, New York’s John F. Kennedy International and Chicago O’Hare International, were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport continues to be a vital transportation hub, connecting travelers from all over the world. With ongoing developments and expansions, it is expected to maintain its position as the busiest airport in the U. S. for years to come.