Discover the 10 Largest Airports in the South

Traveling is a popular thing among Americans. Ultimately, people enjoy the chance to visit other places and new cities. The 10 largest airports in the United States have always had an appeal due to their proximity to big cities across the nation. Therefore, it usually has gained fame due to its massive size.

But people also love traveling to the south. Ultimately, there are many southern destinations like Texas or Florida that people love traveling to. But what are the biggest airports in the Southern United States?

We are here to bring you the 10 largest airports in the south while giving you some history about them and explaining their purpose. Additionally, we will give you small facts about these airports and highlight what makes them so successful.

10. Miami International Airport 3,230 acres

The second Florida airport to show up on our list is Miami International Airport. Amazingly, the airport opened in 1929, highlighting its standing among the older airports in the country. It came nine years after the city opened Miami City Airport, which was adjacent to this new airport.

Miami International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, with 50,684,396 people traveling through in 2022, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Yet, it is not even the largest airport in Florida. The airport still has flights that go from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Additionally, the busiest flights from Miami International Airport go to Mexico and Colombia. You will find it challenging to see any grounded planes at this airport.

9. Tampa International Airport 3,300 acres

It is interesting to discover that Tampa International Airport is only ninth on this list. Yet, it falls lower than two airports in Florida. It is technically one of the “newer” airports in the country, as it opened under its current name in 1971. Furthermore, the original name for the airport was Drew Field, named after the developer John H. Drew, who had owned land where the airport stood. There was another airport in Tampa, called Peter O’ Knight Airport, that operated until 1946.

Tampa International Airport took over for Drew Field Airport in 1971. Since then, it has served millions of people across the country. Last year, 21,527,863 people traveled through Tampa International Airport. It is one of the largest airports in the South but also not the largest in Florida.

8. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 4,700 acres

Flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can be a marvel. Everywhere you go, you will see people from all over the world and planes taking off constantly. It is one of the oldest airports in the country, having opened in 1926. Additionally, it has had many name changes over the years while continuing to grow over the last century.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also has the distinction of being the busiest airport in the country. Amazingly, an incredible 93,699,630 passengers flew through this airport in 2022, according to the FAA. It may be the busiest airport in the country, but it is only the eighth-largest airport in the South. Regardless, the amazing infrastructure at this airport allows flights all over the world while being the home of Delta Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the United States. The airport also has four major runways that are 100 meters apart, allowing multiple flights to take off at once.

7. Charlotte Douglas International Airport 5,558 acres

We go slightly higher up the states and find ourselves in North Carolina. Specifically, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the main hub. This airport opened in 1935 and has been serving the citizens of Charlotte ever since. Also, it is constantly expanding and growing every year.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport saw 47,758,605 people pass through the airport last year, according to the FAA. Significantly, the airport takes flights across the country and through international nations such as Aruba, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

6. Jacksonville International Airport 7,911 acres

Jacksonville International is among the largest airports in Florida. Yet, it is also one of the “newer” airports in the state, having opened in 1968. It is the perfect hub for those who are traveling to the northern side of Florida. Also, it is the ideal place for those who are visiting St. Augustine.

Jacksonville International Airport saw 6,574,903 people come through the airport in 2022, according to the FAA. Curiously, the airport also has some military facilities they have operated since the middle of the Cold War. Their overall mass makes them one of the largest airports in the South.

5. Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) 8,081 acres

This is the only airport on this list you will see from Okhaloma. Yet, Will Rogers World Airport sees a lot of traffic and is massive. This airport in Oklahoma City is six miles south of the downtown district. Additionally, it has been operating since 1911 and is one of the oldest airports in the U.S. The operators renamed the airport in 1941 to honor the comedian and cowboy Will Rogers.

Despite having the designation “world” in its name, Will Rogers World Airport does not make any international flights. Regardless, it is still one of the largest airports in the South and one of the busiest in the country. Will Rogers World Airport saw 3,950,806 people pass through their airport, according to the FAA.

4. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport 10,000 acres

If Dallas did not have an airport, this would be the largest airport in Texas. Ultimately, it still is humungous, coming in at an astonishing 10,000 acres. The original idea for this airport came in 1957, while William B. Hobby Airport was the main hub for Houston. Then, several businessmen came up with the idea to replace that airport with a new airport. They officially opened Houston International Airport in 1969. Later, in 1997, several members of the city council took a vote to rename the airport George Bush Airport in honor of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States.

George Bush Airport saw 40,977,839 people pass through its terminals in 2022, according to the FAA. Significantly, this airport passes through numerous American cities and flies through over 20 international routes, including stops in Belize and Qatar. It remains one of the busiest and largest airports in the South.

3. Orlando International Airport 11,605 acres

The next spot on our list is Orlando International Airport. Significantly, it is a gigantic airport with a rich history. The airport originally served as a U.S. Military base in 1940. Ultimately, it was not used as a major commercial airport until the 1970s. It served five million people in 1978. Thus, it was the beginning of a massive airport with plenty of passengers.

There were 50,178,499 people that traveled through Orlando International Airport in 2022, according to the FAA. The airport also ranks as the busiest airport in Florida, 11th in the U.S., and 39th in the world, accoridng to the City of Orlando. Exceptionally, the airport continues flying to over 10 international destinations, including Panama. It is one of the lagrest airports in the country, and in the South.

2. Southwest Florida International Airport 13,555 acres

The largest airport in Florida is not even in one of the major cities. Instead, Southwest Florida International Airport is in Fort Meyers, FL. Southwest Florida International Airport sits on a massive land of 13,555 acres. Amazingly, there is so much space around this airport because it is one of the newer airports in the state, having opened in 193. City officials opened this airport due to the need for a bigger airport since the airfield in Page Field was too small.

It was originally called Southwest Florida Regional Airport. Yet, in 1993, officials renamed it Southwest Florida International Airport, to coincide with the completed construction of a 55,000-square foot Federal Inspection facility on the grounds.

Southwest Florida International Airport saw 10,343,802 passengers in 2022, according to the FAA. Amazingly, it is the largest hub and also serves passengers who do not want to go to Tampa, which is approximately two hours away. The airport has seen over 232 million passengers since it opened.

1. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 17,207 acres

The largest airport in the South is unsurprisingly, in Dallas, TX. Significantly, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport sits on an incredible 17,207 acres of land. Unlike other airports in Texas, DFW is not as old, having opened in 1973. Before DFW opened, Dallas Love Field was the main airport for Dallas while Meacham Field was the main hub for Fort Worth. The two cities decided to combine efforts after decades of discussion.

It only became a reality after the FAA refused to authorize money in 1961 to speerate airports in the two cities. Eventually, voters approved the construction of a new airport. DFW is the largest airport in the south and the second-largest in the country. Additionally, many people travel through it.

DFW saw an exceptional 73,362,946 passengers in 2022, accoridng to the FAA. Also, the airport has routes all over the country and over 10 routes to international destinations, including Germany and France. DFW is the largest airport in the South and remains one of the busiest across the country.

Summary of the 10 Largest Airports in the South