Airports in North America with the Highest Number of International Departures and Landings
Top International Airports in North America: A Look at the Leading Hubs
According to a travel data provider, OAG, the top international airports in North America by seat capacity in 2025 are as follows:
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – With a staggering 125.5 million seats, Atlanta takes the lead as the busiest airport in North America. Known for its extensive domestic and international connectivity, ATL is expected to handle over 125 million passengers soon, cementing its role as a vital transportation junction.
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – In second place, DFW serves 87 million passengers and boasts a growing international route network. As a primary base for American Airlines, DFW offers strong domestic and international links, supported by terminal enhancements and ongoing growth in passenger volume.
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver ranks third with a seat capacity of 98.4 million. Benefiting from its central U.S. location, DEN acts as a key hub for United and Southwest Airlines, with its international route offerings growing alongside its capacity expansions.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – While specific seat capacity is not stated, ORD ranks among the busiest and fastest-growing airports with 31.3 million scheduled summer seats in 2025. United and American Airlines have increased domestic seats significantly, and ORD’s strategic location helps it connect coast to coast and internationally, with robust flight growth supporting its status as a top busy airport.
In terms of international routes and their comparison to other airports, London Heathrow (LHR) remains the busiest in Europe by international traffic with 103.2 million seats and 83 million passengers in 2024. Despite its constrained runway capacity, Heathrow efficiently handles high volumes of international flights, serving as a significant benchmark compared to North American airports.
Other notable airports in North America include:
- Miami (MIA) – Ranked third overall, Miami services 112 destinations abroad.
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH) – Placing tenth on the list, IAH has 68 international destinations.
- Oakland (OAK) – The U.S. airport within the "Large airports" category with the most international flights is Oakland, with 13 routes.
- Edmonton (YEG) – The second airport in the "Large airports" list is Edmonton, with 9 international routes.
In addition to these, Calgary (YYC) takes the first position in the "Large airports" list with 11 international routes, while San Jose, Austin, and Raleigh-Durham airports experienced more than 10% growth last year in terms of total seat capacity on international routes.
Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) holds the top spot as the most international airport on this list, followed by Montreal (YUL) in fourth place. New York (JFK) is the second-ranked airport, with 127 international routes, and Newark (EWR) is the sixth-ranked airport, with flights to 88 destinations overseas.
Seven of the 10 most international airports in North America are located in the United States, demonstrating the country's strong aviation infrastructure and connectivity. More than 70 airlines operate out of JFK, flying to places as far as Tokyo, New Delhi, and Nairobi.
In summary, North America's top airports by seat capacity are ATL, DFW, DEN, and ORD, with ATL leading overall capacity and passenger volume. These airports are expanding their international routes with growing destinations and increasing passenger numbers, supported by airline hub strategies and airport infrastructure investments, placing them in strong positions relative to other major global airports in terms of connectivity and growth.
To help travelers who prioritize international destinations, saving on flights could be facilitated through an app that compares airfare prices to top international airports such as Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Denver International Airport (DEN). Additionally, to explore new cultures and broaden one's lifestyle, it might be beneficial to take advantage of the growing international route network offered by apps like this, which includes Miami (MIA), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Oakland (OAK). These airports provide numerous opportunities for travel by offering numerous connections abroad.
