It's now official: Atlanta is the world's busiest airport. Again...
It’s official: The world’s busiest airport is in Atlanta.
Again.
More than 107 million passengers flew through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in 2018, helping the airport claim the “world’s busiest” title for the 22nd consecutive year.
Atlanta outpaced No. 2 Beijing (PEK), which was the only other airport to see more than 100 million passengers, according to the count from Airports Council International (ACI).
The ACI’s numbers for busiest airports were first reported in March, though those figures were “preliminary.” ACI confirmed its final numbers on Tuesday, cementing Atlanta’s spot at the top in its World Airport Traffic Report.
Related: Delta’s Atlanta Sky Deck Reopens With Retractable Roof for Year-Round Planespotting
The preliminary numbers almost always hold. That was true at the top this year, though revisions between the preliminary and final numbers did lead to one change. Istanbul (IST) finished at No. 16 while Seoul Incheon (ICN) finished No. 17, reversing their positions from the preliminary March numbers.
Overall, the top three spots remained unchanged from a year ago, with Dubai (DXB) third behind Atlanta and Beijing. Los Angeles (LAX) jumped past Tokyo Haneda (HND) for the only shake-up in the top five.
The full list of the world’s 20 busiest airports is below.
1. Atlanta (ATL)
2018 passenger count: 107.4 million, up 3.3%
2017 rank: 1
2. Beijing (PEK)
2018 passenger count: 101 million, up 5.4%
2017 rank: 2
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB)
2018 passenger count: 89.1 million, up 1%
2017 rank: 3
4. Los Angeles (LAX)
2018 passenger count: 87.5 million, up 3.5%
2017 rank: 5
Related: 18 Time-Saving Travel Hacks for Los Angeles International Airport
5. Tokyo Haneda (HND)
2018 passenger count: 86.9 million, up 4.4%
2017 rank: 4
6. Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
2018 passenger count: 83.2 million, up 4.3%
2017 rank: 6
7. London Heathrow (LHR)
2018 passenger count: 80.1 million, up 2.7%
2017 rank: 7
8. Hong Kong (HKG)
2018 passenger count: 74.5 million, up 2.6%
2017 rank: 8
9. Shanghai (PVG)
2018 passenger count: 74 million, up 5.7%
2017 rank: 9
10. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
2018 passenger count: 72.2 million, up 4%
2017 rank: 10
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11. Amsterdam (AMS)
2018 passenger count: 71.1 million, up 3.7%
2017 rank: 11
12. New Delhi (DEL)
2018 passenger count: 69.9 million, up 10.2%
2017 rank: 16
13. Guangzhou, China (CAN)
2018 passenger count: 69.7 million, up 5.9%
2017 rank: 13
14. Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
2018 passenger count: 69.5 million, up 7.8%
2017 rank: 14
15. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
2018 passenger count: 69.1 million, up 3%
2017 rank: 12
16. Istanbul, Turkey (IST)
2018 passenger count: 68.36 million, up 6.6%
2017 rank: 15
17. Seoul Incheon, South Korea (ICN)
2018 passenger count: 68.35 million, up 10%
2017 rank: 19
Related: Sayonara, Narita: The Rise and Fall of Delta’s Tokyo Hub
18. Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK)
2018 passenger count: 65.7 million, up 4.2%
2017 rank: 17
19. Singapore (SIN)
2018 passenger count: 65.6 million, up 5.5%
2017 rank: 18
20. Denver (DEN)
2018 passenger count: 64.5 million, up 5.1%
2017 rank: 20
Related: The Truth About Flight Turbulence: What Every Passenger Should Know
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- 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.
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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. |
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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.