Biggest Airports In The World - Top 10 Ranking | SkyRefund

Airports are among the biggest and busiest places on Earth. Some of them are so gigantic, they even have their postcode and police department. Others are genuine feats of architecture, combining tradition with modern technology.  But which airport is the largest in the world?

The answer depends on our definition of 'large’. Mega-airports can be ranked according to physical size, number of flights (air traffic) or number of passengers 

In this article, we are going to navigate the top 10 biggest airports in the world by size. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for take-off!

 

What are the biggest airports in the world? 

Around the world, there are hundreds of thousands of airports of all sizes, ranging from small local airstrips to enormous international hubs. That’s why it’s useful to know which ones are the largest — so we’ve identified the top 10 biggest airports in the world by land area:

1. King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia Area: 776 km²
2. Denver International Airport, USA Area: 135.7 km²
3. Istanbul Airport, Turkey Area: 76.6 km²
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA Area: 69.63 km²
5. Orlando International Airport, USA Area: 53.83 km²
6. Washington Dulles International Airport, USA Area: 52.6 km²
7. Beijing Daxing International Airport, China Area: 47 km²
8. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, USA Area: 40.46 km²
9. Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China Area: 40 km²
10. Cairo International Airport, Egypt Area: 37 km²

Our ranking is based on the total size of the airport, including the runaways. Performance data is taken from the aviation analytics firm Cirium, the Bureau for Transportation Statistics, and SkyRefund's own data gathered from over 200,000 flights. 

 

1. King Fahd International — Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Named after the former king of Saudi Arabia — Fahd bin Abdulaziz, King Fahd International Airport (DMM) is the biggest airport in the world by size. It’s, in fact, larger than Bahrain (one of Saudi Arabia’s neighbouring countries) and almost as big as the city of New York. No wonder it is in the Guinness Book of World Records!

According to Cirium, King Fahd Airport was also the third most punctual airport in October, with 88.10% on-time departures out of nearly 8,000 flights, currently serving 53 routes.

The airport, formerly a US airbase used during the Gulf War, started operating in 1999. It can handle 12 million passengers a year and is served by 37 airlines. King Fahd International has 3 terminals. One of these is a passenger terminal. The second one is used by state-owned oil giant Aramco. The third terminal, covering an area of 16,400 m 2, is luxuriously decorated and reserved for the royal family.

King Fahd Airport has an 85-metre-high observation tower (as tall as a 30-storey building), a magnificent mosque and even a Royal Hall (reserved for the royal family, official guests and government employees). Its busiest route is between Dammam and Dubai, with 70 flights per week.

King Fahd is also home to one of the world’s shortest international flights, Dammam to Bahrain, which takes 45 minutes gate-to-gate.

 

2. Denver International — Denver, Colorado, United States

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in North America. Its vast expanse is served by 35,000 employees. About 210,000 passengers use the airport on peak days (such as Memorial Day in the US).

Famous for its iconic tented-roof echoing the nearby Rocky Mountains, Denver International boasts one of the world’s lengthiest runways, stretching over 5 kilometres. 

In terms of performance, Denver International Airport recorded 73.34% of on-time departures in the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-over-year improvement in its performance.

One of the key features of this airport is that it serves as an art gallery displaying paintings, murals and various art installations. It is also renowned for its gargoyles and the eerie giant blue mustang called Blucifer.

All passengers can enjoy the fresh air at the 3 outdoor patios of the airport, they can also play mini-golf in the park in the summer or even attend fitness classes.

Fun fact: There are numerous conspiracy theories about Denver International Airport that you may find amusing if you are a fan of the lizard people or secret underground bunkers.

 

3. Istanbul Airport (IST) — Istanbul, Türkiye

The new Istanbul Airport ranks as the 3rd biggest airport in the world. It is planned to cover the impressive 76.5 km 2 with 8 runways, 16 taxiways, and 4 terminals by 2027. The designers shaped the control tower to resemble Turkey’s national flower, the tulip.

Istanbul International Airport is also the second-busiest airport in Europe in 2025. We estimated that 80.1 million passengers will pass through it by the end of the year. 

 

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International — Dallas, Texas, United States

With its total area of about 70 square kilometres, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is almost as big as Manhattan. It has its own zip code, police department , fire brigade and emergency medical service.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport started operating in 1974. With its 600-room hotel, a post office, restaurant and shops it was the biggest airport in the world at the time.

Today the international airport has 7 runways, 5 Terminals and 171 gates. It is served by 26 passenger airlines offering 260 destinations. Additional 22 cargo airlines use it as a hub.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Dallas–Fort Worth Airport has 69.28% on-time departures, which places it 30th among airports in the United States.

Being one of the biggest and busiest airports worldwide, Dallas/Fort is sometimes described as a nightmare for connecting passengers since they have to walk long distances between gates with no walkways or shortcuts. So, if you're passing through it make sure you're quick on your feed to not miss your connecting flight. 

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport features:

• 3 Hyatt Hotels
• 131 restaurants and bars
• 103 retail shops
• 11 lounges
• 6 spas
• 4 ‘Classic Shoe Shines’ stations 

 

5. Orlando International — Orlando, Florida, United States

Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves 140 domestic and international destinations, with over 850 flights per day. It is the hub for 44 airlines. 

The airport reached 76.23% on-time departures in the first half of 2025, which is about a 4% increase compared to 2024.

The airport code MCO stands for its former name: McCoy — an Air Force Base which was closed in 1975 after the end of the Vietnam War.

Today, due to its strategic location, Orlando Airport is a hub for tourism and entertainment. It even offers a complimentary coach transport service (the Disney’s Magical Express) to all Disney guests who have a resort reservation. An extra bonus: a special checked luggage pickup service. 

Orlando International boasts a luxurious hotel, several restaurants, various shops, and club lounge facilities.

 

6. Washington Dulles International — Washington, D.C., United States

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) serves 125 international destinations. Today, Washington Dulles has 139 gates and is served by 36 airline carriers.

According to Cirium, in October, 21,291 flights operated from Washington Dulles International Airport across 141 routes resulted in a departure punctuality rate of 85.73%.

It is famous for being among the most kid-friendly airports with its unlimited Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations in its lounges, multiple nursing areas and special play zones created in partnership with NASA.

The airport has over 100 retail stores and restaurants and often hosts art/ photography exhibitions and live performances by well-known musicians and dancers.

Fun fact: Action movie Die Hard 2: Die Harder takes place mainly at Washington Dulles Airport.

 

7. Beijing Daxing International — Beijing, China

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is the newest airport in our ranking. When completed in 2019, it replaced the 109-year-old Nanyuan Airport (Beijing’s first-ever airport).

Beijing Daxing took 8000 workers, 5 years and $11.5 billion to build. Its unique star-fish-shaped Terminal is the world’s largest single building, with its 700,000 square metres (as big as 97 soccer fields).

This extraordinary engineering feat by architect Zaha Hadid features a remarkable design inspired by traditional Chinese architecture. All airport concourses are connected to a central main hall — just like interconnected spaces in Chinese palaces linked to a central courtyard. 

The building is also a fascinating mix of the traditional and the modern. Along with Chinese gardens and koi-carp ponds, travellers interact with robots providing flight updates and airport information and get scanned by facial recognition cameras.

The airport has a remarkable rain-water collection system, which stores and purifies water from nearby lakes and streams.

Beijing Daxing International is expected to become the world’s busiest airport by 2040.

 

8. George Bush Intercontinental — Houston, Texas, United States

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) boasts 5 terminals, 5 runways and serves well over 45 million passengers a year. A special Skyway train service connects all terminal buildings and the 600-room airport Marriott Hotel. 

George Bush Intercontinental was voted Best Airport in the USA in 2020. It is renowned for its impressive leisure activities and interactive airport maps. 

The airport is a hub for 27 passenger airlines and offers 185 non-stop destinations. George Bush Intercontinental Airport achieved nearly 76% on-time departures, which represents an improvement of about 3% compared to last year.

 

9. Shanghai Pudong International — Shanghai, China

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is China’s second-largest airport. It is served by 104 airlines that take passengers to over 210 destinations.

Building Shanghai Airport took 2 years and an investment of $1.67 billion. 

The H-shaped airport has two main terminals connected by a 600-metre-long hallway. Travellers can go between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 by bus, using a moving walkway, or simply on foot.

Shanghai Pudong houses Asia’s largest DHL Express hub, which handles up to 6 million tons of cargo every year.

Travellers can find Post Offices at both Terminals 1 and 2. Economy passengers can also pay for access to the lounges where they can freely use the Wi-Fi, enjoy the showers and drink unlimited amounts of tea.

Online reviews describe the food at Shanghai Pudong as underwhelming and pricey. However, massage and manicure/pedicure at Youngqi Spa at Terminal 2 come highly recommended.

 

10. Cairo International — Cairo, Egypt

Located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and The Middle East, Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the busiest and largest airport in Egypt. It’s the main hub for Egyptair and Nile air.

Cairo Airport started as a US Air Force Base serving the Allied Forces in WWII in the 1940s and in 1963 replaced the old Heliopolis Airport near Cairo.

Today, Cairo International is used by more than 30 million passengers a year. It has 3 Terminals serving both domestic and international flights and an extra Seasonal Terminal with the remarkable capacity to handle 1200 passengers an hour in peak pilgrim seasons.

A special free MiniMetro line which can serve up to 170 passengers connects the three terminals, the AirMall and the multi-storey airport car park.

Passengers can stay at the luxurious five-star airport hotel. Le Méridien has 350 rooms and is connected to Terminal 3 via a 230-metre-long skyway equipped with a moving walkway. So even if your flight gets cancelled, you can relax in luxury and wait for your next flight.

Cairo International Airport is used by 45 passenger airlines, several charters and 9 cargo airlines.

 

Which is the smallest airport in the world?

Juancho E Yrausquin Airport, located on the Dutch Caribbean Island of Saba, is considered the world's smallest airport as it has the shortest commercial runway in the world, with a length of 400 m.

 

How can SkyRefund help? 

While their size is impressive, catching a flight from one of the biggest airports in the world can be challenging. There's a higher risk of delays and cancellations, even denied boarding. This is where we can help. 

With over 8 years of legal experience and a global legal network, SkyRefund is a flight compensation company helping passengers claim compensation. So, in case of disrupted flights, we can help you claim compensation from the airline.