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
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Airline Lounge Access
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees


