These list of International airports in the USA form one of the largest and most important aviation networks in the world, serving as major gateways for global tourism, trade, immigration, and education. The United States is one of the most visited countries globally, attracting millions of travelers each year for business, study, and leisure, making its airports critical hubs of connectivity. With more than 150 international airports distributed across its 50 states and regions, the United States ensures smooth connectivity to every corner of the globe, linking North America with Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. These airports not only serve international passengers but also contribute significantly to the economy, national security, and regional development by facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people across borders.
This blog provides a comprehensive guide to the international airports in the USA, arranged by state and region, to help travelers, students, and researchers understand the importance and distribution of these aviation hubs.
List of International Airports in the USA by State and Region
1. Northeast Region
The Northeast region, home to bustling metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, hosts some of the busiest international airports in the world.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | New York City | New York |
| LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – limited international | New York City | New York |
| Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | Newark | New Jersey |
| Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) | Boston | Massachusetts |
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
| Bradley International Airport (BDL) | Hartford | Connecticut |
| Portland International Jetport (PWM) | Portland | Maine |
2. Southeast Region
This region is known for tourism, beaches, and strong links with Latin America and the Caribbean. Florida, in particular, is home to several major international airports.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Miami International Airport (MIA) | Miami | Florida |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Orlando | Florida |
| Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) | Fort Lauderdale | Florida |
| Tampa International Airport (TPA) | Tampa | Florida |
| Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | Atlanta | Georgia |
| Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) | Charlotte | North Carolina |
| Nashville International Airport (BNA) | Nashville | Tennessee |
3. Midwest Region
The Midwest region plays a vital role in connecting the United States with Europe and Asia through its central hubs.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago | Illinois |
| Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) – limited | Chicago | Illinois |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) | Detroit | Michigan |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) | Minneapolis | Minnesota |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) | Cleveland | Ohio |
| Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) | Cincinnati | Ohio/Kentucky |
| Kansas City International Airport (MCI) | Kansas City | Missouri |
4. Southwest Region
This region is home to international airports that connect the United States to Latin America and the Pacific.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | Dallas–Fort Worth | Texas |
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | Houston | Texas |
| Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Austin | Texas |
| San Antonio International Airport (SAT) | San Antonio | Texas |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) | Phoenix | Arizona |
| El Paso International Airport (ELP) | El Paso | Texas |
5. West Coast Region
The West Coast of the USA has some of the busiest international airports, linking America with Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | Los Angeles | California |
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | San Francisco | California |
| San Diego International Airport (SAN) | San Diego | California |
| Sacramento International Airport (SMF) | Sacramento | California |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | Portland | Oregon |
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | Seattle | Washington |
| Oakland International Airport (OAK) | Oakland | California |
6. Mountain and Central States
These airports serve as critical transit hubs for both domestic and international flights.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | Denver | Colorado |
| Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) | Salt Lake City | Utah |
| Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) | Albuquerque | New Mexico |
| Boise Airport (BOI) – limited | Boise | Idaho |
7. Alaska and Hawaii
The United States also includes key international airports in Alaska and Hawaii that connect to Asia and Oceania.
| Airport Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) | Anchorage | Alaska |
| Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) | Fairbanks | Alaska |
| Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu | Hawaii |
| Kahului Airport (OGG) | Maui | Hawaii |
| Kona International Airport (KOA) | Kona | Hawaii |
Top 10 Major International Airports in the USA
The United States is home to some of the largest and busiest international airports in the world, handling millions of travelers every year. Below is a list of the top 10 major international airports in the USA, based on their passenger volume, global connections, and importance in international travel.
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia – The busiest airport in the USA by total passengers, serving as Delta Air Lines’ primary hub and connecting travelers worldwide.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California – The main West Coast hub and gateway to Asia and Oceania, with extensive global airline services.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York – The largest international airport in New York and one of the top entry points for travelers from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois – A central US hub with strong global connections, particularly to Europe and Asia.
- Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida – The leading US airport for travel to and from Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas – A fast-growing hub with extensive international operations, especially to Europe and Asia.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California – Known for its high-volume international flights to Asia and as a hub for United Airlines.
- Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado – A key central hub with increasing global routes and one of the largest airports by land size in the world.
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington – A major Pacific Northwest hub, with international routes to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts – A historic and strategic hub for flights between the USA and Europe, particularly the UK and Ireland.
These top 10 airports represent the core of the United States’ international aviation network, linking North America to every continent and serving as vital gateways for tourism, immigration, business, and education.
Top 10 Busiest International Airports in the USA
The United States is home to some of the busiest airports in the world, both in terms of passenger numbers and international connectivity. These airports act as the primary gateways for business travelers, tourists, immigrants, and students arriving from across the globe.
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – The busiest airport in the USA by total passenger traffic, with strong connections to Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – The leading West Coast hub, serving as a major gateway to Asia and Oceania.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – The busiest airport in New York for international passengers, with routes to almost every continent.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – A central hub in the Midwest with extensive international flights to Europe and Asia.
- Miami International Airport (MIA) – The top airport for connections between the USA, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – A rapidly growing hub that connects North America to international destinations across Europe and Asia.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – Known for its strong connections to Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
These airports not only handle millions of international passengers annually but also rank among the world’s most significant hubs for global aviation.
Major Airlines Operating in the USA’s International Airports
The USA has a well-developed airline industry with both domestic and international carriers operating across its airports.
Major US Airlines with International Routes
- American Airlines – Based in Dallas/Fort Worth, it operates extensive networks to Europe, South America, and Asia.
- Delta Air Lines – A leading carrier based in Atlanta with global reach across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
- United Airlines – Based in Chicago and Newark, it connects the USA with major destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- Alaska Airlines – Though primarily domestic, it also operates select international flights to Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
- Southwest Airlines – Known for low-cost flights, including international routes to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Prominent International Airlines Serving the USA
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways – Connecting the USA to the Middle East and beyond.
- British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France – Linking major US hubs to Europe.
- Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Japan Airlines – Providing key connections between the USA and Asia.
- Air Canada – Strong presence in US-Canada routes.
- LATAM Airlines and Avianca – Major carriers linking the USA with Latin America.
The combination of US-based and global carriers makes the United States one of the most connected countries in the world, with nonstop routes to nearly every continent.
Frequently Asked Questions – List of International Airports in the USA
1. How many international airports are in the United States?
The United States has over 150 international airports spread across its 50 states, with major hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami handling the majority of global air traffic.
2. What is the busiest international airport in the USA?
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) consistently ranks as the busiest in the USA, handling more than 100 million passengers annually, though New York JFK and Los Angeles LAX lead in international traffic.
3. Which are the major international airports in New York?
New York is served by John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark Liberty (EWR). JFK is the largest hub for international travel.
4. What is the primary international airport on the West Coast?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest West Coast gateway, connecting the USA to Asia, Europe, and Oceania, followed by San Francisco International (SFO) and Seattle–Tacoma (SEA).
5. Which airports connect the USA with Europe?
Airports such as JFK (New York), BOS (Boston), PHL (Philadelphia), ORD (Chicago O’Hare), and ATL (Atlanta) have the highest frequency of direct flights to European cities.
6. What are the main international airports in Florida?
Florida’s busiest international airports include Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Tampa (TPA), with Miami serving as the largest hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.
7. Are there international airports in Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes, Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) in Alaska connects the USA with Asia, while Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) in Hawaii links to Oceania, Asia, and North America.
8. Which US airports are best for students and immigrants?
JFK (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), ORD (Chicago), and IAH (Houston) are popular for students and immigrants due to strong international connections and proximity to major universities and communities.
9. What airlines dominate international flights in the USA?
Major US carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines operate globally, while international airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines also serve the USA.
10. How are US international airports connected to their cities?
Most international airports have express rail, metro, or bus links. For example, JFK connects via the AirTrain to New York’s subway, LAX has FlyAway buses, and Chicago O’Hare links directly with the CTA Blue Line.
SEE ALSO: Cheapest Cities in USA for Students to Live and Study
Conclusion – List of International airports in the USA
International airports in the USA are not just transportation hubs but also global gateways that represent America’s role in international trade, tourism, education, and diplomacy. From the busy terminals of New York and Los Angeles to the regional gateways in Alaska and Hawaii, each airport plays a crucial role in ensuring worldwide connectivity. For students, travelers, and business professionals, knowing the distribution of these airports provides valuable insights into how the United States maintains one of the most advanced and extensive aviation systems in the world.
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