Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport retained its ranking in 2025 as the world’s busiest, with capacity of 63.1 million seats across domestic and international services, according to a new OAG report that ranks airports by available departing seats. The airport’s capacity increased 1% year over year and “is now broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels,” according to the report. In 2024, that number had been 1% below 2019 levels.
Dubai International Airport was in second place, with more than 62.4 million seats, up 4% year over year and up 16% over 2019 levels. Tokyo Haneda remained in third place with nearly 55.4 million seats. Its capacity was level year over year, but increased 1% compared with 2019.
All of the 10 busiest global airports in 2025 are at or above 2019 capacity levels, according to OAG. All but one reported an increase in capacity compared with 2024.
The remaining three US airports that made the global list include Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, down one spot to sixth place with 51.2 million seats. This was the only airport with a capacity decline versus 2024 (down 1%) but its number of seats increased 17% compared with 2019 levels.
Chicago O’Hare moved up to eighth place from 10th in 2024 with 50.6 million seats, an 8% year-over-year capacity increase — the most of the top 10 busiest airports. Its capacity is now even with 2019 levels. Denver International dropped to 10th place from sixth, with 49.5 million seats. Its capacity increased 1% year over year and was 24% above 2019 levels.
In Europe, London Heathrow led with 52.1 million seats across domestic and international services. Its capacity increased 1% year over year and was 4% higher than 2019 levels.
Istanbul Airport was second with 51.5 million seats, a capacity increase of 6% compared with 2024 and 22% versus 2019. Paris Charles de Gaulle was third at 43.2 million seats. Capacity increased 3% year over year but declined 4% compared with 2019 levels.
The only new entry on the list was Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport in ninth, up from 11th in 2024. Munich fell to 10th, with 28.6 million seats. Its capacity increased 15% year over year and was 37% above 2019 levels.
