Every year, millions of travelers pass through airports around the world, making air travel a central part of global movement, business, and family life. The latest rankings for August 2025, based on scheduled seat capacity, show a surprising shift: none of New York City’s airports—John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), or Newark Liberty (EWR)—are among the world’s top 10 busiest airports. This is a big change, especially since New York City has long been seen as a major gateway for international travel. The new rankings highlight how airport traffic is changing, with other cities and regions now leading in passenger seat capacity.
This ranked list will cover the world’s top 10 busiest airports as of August 2025, based on scheduled seat capacity. For each airport, you’ll find details about their location, what makes them busy, how they serve travelers, and what this means for people moving between countries. The list also explains why New York City’s airports are missing and what this means for travelers and immigrants. The rankings use data from OAG, which tracks scheduled seat capacity—the number of seats airlines plan to offer, not the actual number of passengers who fly. This method gives a clear picture of which airports are set up to handle the most travelers.
Let’s look at each airport in the top 10, what they offer, and how they compare.
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), United States 🇺🇸
Scheduled seat capacity: 5,432,723 (August 2025)
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has held the title of the world’s busiest airport for years. Its central location in the United States 🇺🇸 makes it a key hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport is the main base for Delta Air Lines and connects travelers to hundreds of destinations.
Key features:
– Massive domestic network: Atlanta connects to almost every major city in the United States 🇺🇸, making it a top choice for connecting flights.
– International reach: While most flights are domestic, ATL also offers many international routes, especially to Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
– Immigration process: International arrivals go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Travelers should have their passports, visas, and any required documents ready. The airport has modern facilities to speed up processing.
– Costs and fees: Standard U.S. entry fees apply, and travelers may need to pay for checked bags or other airline services.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Easy connections: Atlanta’s large network makes it simple to reach almost any U.S. city.
– Efficient processing: The airport’s size means it has many customs officers and automated passport control kiosks.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB), United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
Scheduled seat capacity: 5,348,694
Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport outside the United States 🇺🇸 and a major global hub. Its location between Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it a perfect stop for long-haul flights. Emirates, Dubai’s flagship airline, uses DXB as its main base.
Key features:
– Global connections: Dubai connects travelers to over 240 destinations worldwide.
– Modern facilities: The airport is known for its luxury shopping, dining, and lounges.
– Immigration process: Travelers from many countries can get a visa on arrival, but others need to apply in advance. The airport has e-gates for quick entry for eligible travelers.
– Costs and fees: Visa fees vary by nationality and length of stay.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Transit-friendly: Many people use Dubai as a stopover on long trips.
– Family-friendly services: The airport offers play areas, quiet rooms, and special help for families.
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Japan 🇯🇵
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,827,332
Tokyo Haneda is the busiest airport in Japan 🇯🇵 and one of the busiest in Asia. It serves both domestic and international flights and is known for its efficiency and cleanliness.
Key features:
– Close to city center: Haneda is only about 30 minutes from central Tokyo, making it very convenient.
– Smooth immigration: Japan 🇯🇵 uses automated gates for many travelers, speeding up entry.
– Visa requirements: Many nationalities can enter Japan 🇯🇵 visa-free for short visits, but others need to apply in advance.
– Costs and fees: Japan 🇯🇵 charges a small departure tax, usually included in the ticket price.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Fast transfers: Haneda’s layout makes it easy to switch between domestic and international flights.
– Clean and safe: The airport is famous for its high standards.
- Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey 🇹🇷
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,757,558
Istanbul Airport is a new mega-hub that opened in 2018. It quickly became one of the world’s busiest airports, thanks to its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Key features:
– Huge terminal: The airport can handle up to 90 million passengers a year.
– Visa process: Many travelers can get an e-visa online before arrival. Others may need to apply at a Turkish embassy.
– Transit options: Istanbul is a popular stop for flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
– Costs and fees: E-visa fees depend on nationality.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Easy transfers: The airport is designed for quick connections.
– Wide range of flights: Turkish Airlines offers flights to more countries than any other airline.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), United States 🇺🇸
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,658,786
Chicago O’Hare is one of the largest airports in the United States 🇺🇸 and a major hub for both United and American Airlines. It connects the Midwest to the rest of the country and the world.
Key features:
– Central location: Chicago is a natural meeting point for flights across North America.
– Immigration process: International arrivals go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Automated passport control is available for many travelers.
– Costs and fees: Standard U.S. entry fees and airline charges apply.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Many flight options: O’Hare offers a wide range of domestic and international flights.
– Strong support services: The airport has translation services and help desks for newcomers.
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,529,093
London Heathrow is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and a key gateway to Europe. It serves as the main hub for British Airways.
Key features:
– Global reach: Heathrow connects to over 180 destinations in 90 countries.
– Visa requirements: Travelers from many countries need a visa to enter the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The application process can be done online for most visitors.
– Immigration process: The airport uses e-gates for eligible travelers, making entry faster.
– Costs and fees: Visa fees depend on the type and length of stay.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Strong connections: Heathrow is a top choice for flights between North America, Europe, and Asia.
– Support for newcomers: The airport offers help for first-time visitors and families.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), China 🇨🇳
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,518,851
Shanghai Pudong is one of the busiest airports in China 🇨🇳 and a major gateway to East Asia. It serves as a hub for China Eastern Airlines and many international carriers.
Key features:
– Modern terminals: Pudong has two large terminals with many shops and restaurants.
– Visa policy: China 🇨🇳 offers 24-, 72-, and 144-hour visa-free transit for travelers from certain countries. Others need to apply for a visa in advance.
– Costs and fees: Visa fees depend on nationality and type.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Transit options: Pudong is a popular stop for flights between Asia, Europe, and North America.
– Language support: The airport provides translation services and signs in English.
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), China 🇨🇳
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,390,403
Guangzhou Baiyun is another major Chinese airport, serving southern China 🇨🇳 and connecting to many Asian and international destinations.
Key features:
– Large network: The airport is a hub for China Southern Airlines.
– Visa policy: Similar to Shanghai, Guangzhou offers visa-free transit for certain travelers.
– Costs and fees: Visa fees vary by country.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Good for business travelers: Guangzhou is a major business center.
– Family services: The airport has play areas and family-friendly facilities.
- Denver International Airport (DEN), United States 🇺🇸
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,386,869
Denver International is the largest airport in the United States 🇺🇸 by land area and a key hub for flights across the western half of the country.
Key features:
– Wide domestic reach: Denver connects to many U.S. cities, making it a top choice for domestic travel.
– Immigration process: International arrivals go through standard U.S. customs procedures.
– Costs and fees: Standard U.S. entry fees apply.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Easy connections: Denver’s location makes it a good choice for reaching mountain and western states.
– Modern facilities: The airport has been updated with new terminals and services.
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), United States 🇺🇸
Scheduled seat capacity: 4,366,381
Dallas/Fort Worth is a major hub in Texas and the main base for American Airlines. It serves as a gateway to the southern United States 🇺🇸 and Latin America.
Key features:
– Large airport: DFW covers more land than any other U.S. airport except Denver.
– Immigration process: International arrivals use U.S. Customs and Border Protection services.
– Costs and fees: Standard U.S. entry fees and airline charges apply.
Benefits for immigrants and travelers:
– Strong Latin American connections: DFW offers many flights to Mexico, Central America, and South America.
– Family-friendly: The airport has play areas and services for families.
Why Are New York City’s Airports Missing?
Despite being home to some of the busiest airports in the United States 🇺🇸, New York City’s airports did not make the global top 10 for seat capacity in August 2025. JFK, the city’s largest airport, is the sixth busiest in the United States 🇺🇸 with 23.6 million scheduled seats for the summer season. However, it falls short of the numbers seen at Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.
Several reasons explain this:
– Urban location: New York City’s airports face space and noise limits, making it hard to add more flights.
– Slot restrictions: Airlines must get special permission (slots) to land and take off, which limits growth.
– Focus on quality: The Port Authority is investing in better terminals and passenger experience, not just more flights.
– Changing travel patterns: More travelers are using mega-hubs in the Middle East and Asia for long trips.
LaGuardia Airport, while not the largest, was named the best airport in North America for domestic and short-haul international travel by Skytrax in April 2025. This shows that New York City’s airports are focusing on service and comfort, even if they don’t handle the most passengers.
How to Choose the Best Airport for Your Needs
When deciding which airport to use for international travel or immigration, consider these factors:
– Location: Choose an airport close to your final destination or with easy connections.
– Visa and entry rules: Check the visa requirements for your nationality. Some airports offer visa-free transit or e-visas.
– Services: Look for airports with good support for families, business travelers, or people with special needs.
– Flight options: Some airports have more direct flights, while others require connections.
– Processing times: Larger airports may have longer lines, but also more staff and automated systems.
For official information about New York City’s airports and their services, visit the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Conclusion
The world’s busiest airports by seat capacity in August 2025 show a clear shift toward mega-hubs in the United States 🇺🇸, Middle East, and Asia. While New York City’s airports are not in the top 10, they remain important gateways for millions of travelers and immigrants. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the focus in New York is now on quality and modernization rather than just increasing seat capacity. Travelers should look at their own needs—location, visa rules, and services—when choosing an airport for their next journey. The global airport landscape will keep changing, but the right airport can make all the difference for a smooth and successful trip.
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