Atlanta Still the Busiest Airport, and Beijing Just Hit 100 Million Passengers
Another year, another crown for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It is yet again the world's busiest airport, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World's preliminary airport traffic rankings covering passenger traffic, cargo volumes and aircraft movements.
In fact, the top three from the prior year have all remained unchanged, with Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) grabbing the silver and bronze, respectively. Dubai managed to grab the top spot when looking at total international passenger traffic for 2018, followed by London (LHR), Hong Kong (HKG), Amsterdam (AMS) and Seoul (ICN).
Atlanta's total passenger traffic grew by 3.3%, swelling to 107 million for full-year 2018. It represented the fourth year in a row that ATL served more than 100 million passengers. Five of the top 20 and three of the top 10 were based in the United States, including Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Dallas–Ft. Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN).
Behind Atlanta, Beijing (PEK) surpassed the 100 million passengers mark and grew by 5.4%. Of course, aviation in general has been booming in China. It took Boeing four decades to reach its first 1,000 deliveries, but with China's rapid growth rates, it added 1,000 more in just five years. Boeing says that currently one out of every four aircraft it's producing is headed to China.
However, with the upcoming opening of the new Beijing airport, Daxing, the current one -- which will split flights with Daxing -- won't threaten to take the top spot from Atlanta.
The top 20 airports in terms of passenger traffic all saw year-over-year growth, with Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi (DEL) and Incheon International Airport in Seoul (ICN) rising the most at 10.2% and 10%, respectively.
ACI World Director General Angela Gittens, said the following: "With the cost of travel decreasing in many markets, and a burgeoning middle class growing in emerging markets, passenger traffic growth has remained irrepressible. Indeed, ACI's global medium-term forecasts reveal growth in demand for air services between 2018 to 2023 will grow by almost 30%. This means many national governments face the predicament of demand outstripping available airport infrastructure."
For a behind-the-scenes look at the world's busiest airport, be sure to check out our tour of Delta's TechOps facility at its headquarters. If you find yourself at ATL with time to spare, you can satisfy your inner AvGeek with a visit to the nearby Delta Flight Museum.
This story has been amended to reflect the upcoming opening of a new airport in Beijing.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.