Atlanta knocked out as world's busiest airport as pandemic shuffles 2020 rankings
Atlanta has been knocked off its perch as the world’s busiest airport.
The airport finished No. 2 in passenger traffic for 2020, coming in second to Guangzhou, China (CAN), according to an initial count for 2020 from Airports Council International (ACI).
That ends Atlanta’s run of more than two decades as the “world’s busiest airport" as measured by passenger traffic. The last time an airport other than Atlanta (ATL) could make such a claim was 1997, when Chicago O’Hare (ORD) held the top spot.
Atlanta’s fall from the top comes as the COVID-19 pandemic upended travel and sent passenger numbers plummeting around the globe.
The pandemic-related shake-up went beyond just the top spot, dramatically dramatically shuffling the rankings of the world’s 10 busiest airports. The changes underscored how the COVID-19 crisis initially moved across the globe from one region to another.
China, where the COVID-19 crisis first emerged in late 2019, was the first to see air travel wind down. On the flipside, China was also one of the earlier markets to experience a recovery in air travel, with flights and passenger numbers picking up earlier in 2020 than in nations where the effects of the pandemic arrived later — and lingered longer.
And, across nearly all parts of the world, domestic and regional travel have recovered faster than international and long-haul travel. China, of course, has a huge population base for domestic air travel.
Those factors help explain how China ended up with seven of the world’s 10 busiest airports in 2020. In 2019, only two of the global top 10 were in China.
Looking back: IATA: 2020 worst year ever, but some recovery likely by 2022
"In most cases, domestic air travel is beginning a modest rebound while international air travel remains depressed because of on-going travel restrictions," ACI said in a statement announcing the busiest airports. "For example, Hongqiao International Airport in China has moved from 46th position in 2019 to the 9th in 2020, illustrating the uneven nature of the impact of, and recovery from, the pandemic across the world."
The U.S. accounted for all three of the other top 10 airports in 2020, with Atlanta joined by No. 4 Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and No. 7 Denver (DEN).
All three are major hubs for U.S. carriers – Delta, American and United, respectively – that leaned heavily on those airports to funnel connecting domestic traffic during the pandemic.
Several other U.S. airports that were among the world’s busiest in 2019 didn't even place in the top 20 last year: Los Angeles (No. 3 in 2019), Chicago O’Hare (No. 7) and New York-JFK (No. 20).
Also at ATL: Delta’s building a brand-new Sky Club in Atlanta — funded by local taxpayers
As for how the list could look next year as the pandemic (hopefully) eases, don't be surprised if it returns to a more familiar look.
"While the industry recovers, we expect ATL to retake its spot at the top in the coming years," Patrick Lucas, ACI World's vice president for economics, said to CNN.
And, Atlanta did remain No. 1 by another metric: aircraft movements. The airport recorded 548,016 takeoffs and landings in 2020, a figure that was down 39.4% year-over-year but was still enough to finish ahead of No. 2 Chicago O'Hare. Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and Phoenix (PHX) rounded out the top 5 in that category.
Although both passenger count and aircraft movements are legitimate measures for how busy an airport is, it's the passenger count that's been the traditional metric used for bestowing the title of world's busiest.
The full list of the 10 busiest airports by passengers for 2020 is below.
| AIRPORT | 2019 RANK | 2020 PASSENGER COUNT | 2019 PASSENGER COUNT | PERCENT CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Guangzhou, China (CAN) | 11 | 43,767,558 | 73,394,810 | -40.4% |
2. Atlanta (ATL) | 1 | 42,918,685 | 110,531,300 | -61.2% |
3. Chengdu, China (CTU) | 24 | 40,741,509 | 55,858,552 | -27.1% |
4. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) | 10 | 39,364,990 | 75,066,956 | -47.6% |
5. Shenzhen, China (SZX) | 26 | 37,916,054 | 52,931,925 | -28.4% |
6. Beijing Capital (PEK) | 2 | 34,513,827 | 100,013,642 | -65.5% |
7. Denver (DEN) | 16 | 33,741,129 | 69,015,703 | -51.5% |
8. Kunming, China (KMG) | 37 | 32,990,805 | 48,076,238 | -31.4% |
9. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 46 | 31,165,641 | 45,637,882 | -31.7% |
10. Xi'an, China (XIY) | 40 | 31,073,924 | 47,220,745 | -34.2% |
Source: Airports Council International
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)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.