Which Is The Largest Airport In The US?

The largest airport in the US is the Denver International Airport (DEN). It is in Denver, Colorado, and is over 33,531 acres (52.4 square miles), which is almost two times Manhattan. No matter whether you are an aviation nerd, time traveller, or simply interested, what constitutes a large airport may vary depending on the size of the land that it occupies, the number of passengers using the airport, or the number of flights. However, when physical size is concerned, DEN is the largest one.

Here, in this blog, you will learn about the Denver International Airport in detail. Scroll down to know more. 

The Biggest Airport in the U.S. at a Glance

1. Name: Denver International Airport

2. Airport Code: DEN

3. Location: Denver, Colorado

4. Land Area: 33,531 acres / 52.4 square miles

5. Opened: 1995

6. Rank: #1 largest U.S. airport by land

7. Fun Fact: It has room to expand up to 12 runways, but currently has 6 runways.

    

Why Is Denver International Airport the Largest?

Denver International Airport is one of the biggest airports in the United States due to these reasons:

1. Massive Land Reserves

DEN was built with long-term scalability in mind. City planners acquired over 33,000 acres, more than any other airport in America. This gives the airport the flexibility to grow for decades, with plenty of room for terminals, cargo, and runways.

2. Strategic Geographic Location

Situated in the center of the U.S., DEN is ideally placed for cross-country and international connections. It’s a major hub for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier, and acts as a critical point for east-west and north-south travel.

3. Visionary Infrastructure

Unlike older airports, DEN was built from scratch in the 1990s, allowing modern, forward-looking design. With wide taxiways, automated baggage systems, and future expansion built in, it’s one of the most efficiently designed large airports.

Top 5 Largest Airports in the U.S. by Land Area

1. Denver International Airport (DEN) – Colorado – 33,531 acres

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Texas – 17,207 acres

3. Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Florida – 13,302 acres

4. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Virginia – ~12,000 acres

5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Texas – ~10,000 acres

 

Biggest Doesn’t Mean Busiest – ATL vs. DEN

1. Land Area:
   Denver (DEN) – 33,531 acres
   Atlanta (ATL) – ~4,700 acres

    

2. Passenger Volume (2023):
   Denver (DEN) – ~77 million
   Atlanta (ATL) – ~93 million

    

3. Number of Runways:
   Denver (DEN) – 6
   Atlanta (ATL) – 5

    

4. Airport Rank:
   Denver (DEN) – Largest (by land area)
   Atlanta (ATL) – Busiest (by passenger traffic)

 

Top Features of Denver International Airport

Some of the top features of this airport are:

Iconic Tented Roof Design

• The terminal’s white, peaked roof resembles snow-capped Rocky Mountains.

• Made of Teflon-coated fiberglass, it allows natural light in and reduces energy use.

   

Underground Train System

• DEN uses an Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS).

• It shuttles passengers quickly between terminals and concourses.

   

Extensive Public Art Collection

• Home to one of the most talked-about airport art installations in the world.

   

• Includes:

  • “Blue Mustang” (aka Blucifer) – a 32-foot-tall blue horse statue.

  • Murals, sculptures, and rotating exhibits throughout the terminal.

     

Eco-Friendly Operations

• Features LEED-certified buildings and solar panel farms on airport grounds.

• Runs large-scale recycling and composting programs.

• Plans to become one of the greenest airports in the U.S. by 2030.

   

Six Wide Runways

• The longest runway is 16,000 feet, being one of the longest in North America.

• Can handle multiple jumbo jets simultaneously, even in snowy weather.

Expansive Future Growth Potential

• Has enough reserved land to add up to 12 runways and expand terminal space.

• Designed with scalability in mind, as very few global airports have this flexibility.

Advanced Technology & Automation

• Uses smart security lanes, automated bag drop, and biometric boarding.

• Offers robust Wi-Fi, charging stations, and mobile-friendly services throughout.

On-Site Hotel & Transit Hub

• The Westin Hotel is connected directly to the Jeppesen Terminal.

• Includes a light rail station connecting DEN to downtown Denver in 37 minutes.
  

   

How Denver Compares to the World’s Largest Airports?

• King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Saudi Arabia – ~192,000 acres

• Denver International Airport (DEN) – USA – 33,531 acres

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – USA – 17,207 acres

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) – USA – 13,302 acres

• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – China – ~7,500 acres

To Summarize

No other airport in the United States even compares to the Denver International Airport in terms of sheer numbers. Designed to handle the future with gigantic tracts of land, an intelligent location, and a focus on global interconnectedness, DEN is not only the biggest but also one of the most visionary. Flying across the nation or globe, chances are you may be using this expansive aviation hub in Colorado.

However, if you are traveling from the USA to India, then you can book air tickets to Delhi easily at the Budgetairfares platform. 

 

FAQs

Q1. What is the largest airport in the USA by land?

Denver International Airport (DEN) is at 33,531 acres.

Q2. What is the busiest airport in the U.S.?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) is based on annual passenger volume.

Q3. Is Denver Airport larger than Dallas Airport?

Yes. DEN is almost double the size of DFW (17,207 acres).

Q4. How many runways does DEN have?

Six operational runways, with space for more in future expansions.

Q5. Why was Denver Airport built so large?

To future-proof operations and avoid space constraints seen in older airports.