Top 10 most well connected US airports
October 31, 2025
The United States is home to some of the world’s largest and busiest airports. Thanks to a wide range of legacy and budget carriers, major U.S. airports serve as mega-hubs for both domestic and international flights. Analyzing OAG data, we discuss some of the most connected US airports in 2025.
1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) tops the list of most connected US airports this year, offering flights to 214 domestic destinations. Retaining its number one position from last year, ORD is also one of the world’s busiest airports by passenger numbers.
- Major hub for: United Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 80 million
- Number of domestic connections: 214
The airport serves as a major hub for United Airlines, which operates 49% of all flights. The airport offered more domestic connections than any other US airport on July 18, the busiest day for US domestic travel in 2025. Low-cost carriers offer 76,244 connections through O’Hare airport.
2. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
The world’s busiest airport by passenger volume, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), is second on our list of most connected US airports this year. The airport shared the number one place with Chicago ORD last year.
- Major hub for: Delta Air Lines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 108 million
- Number of domestic connections: 161
A diverse range of US carriers offer flights to 161 domestic destinations from Atlanta. Delta Air Lines serves 79% of all flight operations at ATL, making it the airline’s largest hub. Low-cost carriers offer 54,533 connections through Atlanta airport.
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the third-most connected airport in the US, offering 191 domestic connections. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is also headquartered near DFW.
- Major hub for: American Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 88 million
- Number of domestic connections: 191
With 85% of all domestic flights operated by American Airlines, it is the world’s second-largest single airline hub behind Delta’s Atlanta hub. Located roughly halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, the airport operates as the largest gateway to the North Texas region. US low-cost carriers offer 46,212 connections through the Dallas/Fort Worth airport.
4. Denver International Airport (DEN)
Number four on our list is Denver International Airport (DEN), the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere in terms of land area. The airport advanced one rank since last year, offering nonstop flights to 198 domestic destinations.
- Major hub for: United Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 82 million
- Number of domestic connections: 198
Last year, Denver Airport served more than 82 million passengers, a record for the airport. It is the largest operating hub for United Airlines, with 54% of all flights operated by the carrier. A variety of low-cost carriers offer 45.528 connections through the DEN airport.
5. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Another large hub for American Airlines, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), is the fifth-most connected airport in the nation. Located west of the central business district in Charlotte, North Carolina, it offers 148 domestic connections. Last year, nearly 59 million passengers passed through CLT, recording approximately 600,000 aircraft operations.
- Major hub for: American Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 59 million
- Number of domestic connections: 148
American Airlines operates over 88% of all flights at Douglas Airport. Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines operate major domestic connections at the airport. This year, nearly 24,500 connections are served by low-cost carriers.
6. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the sixth-most connected airport in the US, offering 99 domestic connections. Located approximately midway between Seattle and Tacoma, it is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest.
- Major hub for: Alaska Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 52 million
- Number of domestic connections: 99
The airport serves as the primary hub for Alaska Airlines, which operates 54% of all domestic flights at SEA. The airport is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines.
Last year, the airport served over 52 million passengers with more than 424,000 aircraft movements, a record for SEA airport. US low-cost carriers offer 12,950 connections through SeaTac airport.
7. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
In seventh position is Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), offering connections to 88 domestic destinations. It is the largest airport in the New England region for passenger and cargo volume, serving over 43 million passengers and 284,000 tonnes of cargo last year.
- Major hub for: Delta Air Lines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 43 million
- Number of domestic connections: 88
Logan Airport serves as a transatlantic hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates 27% of all domestic flights at BOS. American, United, and JetBlue utilize the airport as their operating bases, offering a diverse range of connections, including transcontinental flights. The US low-cost carriers offer 8,563 connections from Boston Logan Airport.
8. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the eighth-most connected airport in the US, connecting 116 domestic destinations with nonstop flights. The primary airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan areas, it is the second-largest hub for Delta Air Lines.
- Major hub for: Delta Air Lines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 33 million
- Number of domestic connections: 116
The US low-cost carrier (LLC) Spirit Airlines operates a base at DTW. With its six runways and two terminals, the airport served just under 33 million passengers last year. The airport offers 10,615 domestic LLC connections.
9. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Another major Texan airport on the list, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) offers 128 domestic connections this year. It is the second-busiest airport in Texas, behind DFW, and one of the largest hubs for United Airlines.
- Major hub for: United Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 48 million
- Number of domestic connections: 128
United operates 80% of all domestic flights out of IAH. The airport handled over 48 million passengers last year. US-based LLCs offer 10,921 connections from George Bush Airport.
10. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is at the bottom of our list of the top ten most connected US airports this year, offering nonstop connections to 125 domestic destinations.
- Major hub for: United Airlines
- Total number of passengers handled in 2024: 77 million
- Number of domestic connections: 125
Known to be the world’s busiest airport for origin and destination flights rather than connections, LAX’s ranking dropped from seventh last year. Over 80% of travelers at LAX are originating or destination passengers, with the rest connecting through the airport.
The airport serves as a hub for Delta Air Lines, along with several other major airlines that utilize it as a focus airport. Low-cost carriers offer 9,833 connections through LAX this year.
Featured Image: Mahargg / Wikimedia Commons
