The US Airports With The Most Runways

With abundant land and a rapidly increasing population, the United States has long been host to the ideal set of circumstances for rapid airport development. Some of the world’s largest transit hubs are located in the nation, and many of the country’s airports have runways that can be miles in length.

Furthermore, the United States Air Force (USAF) has played no small role in the growth of American airport infrastructure, especially as the organization bankrolled the expansion of many airports during the Second World War. Nonetheless, some US airports stand out from the rest by their sheer scale. In this article, we will take a closer look at the five facilities with the highest number of runways.

1

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Number of runways: 8

Chicago O’Hare is one of the largest global transportation gateways in the United States and is one of the rare facilities to serve as a hub for two major American legacy carriers: American Airlines and United Airlines. As of 2023, the airport had nonstop flights to 214 different destinations across the globe, making it one of the world’s best-connected facilities.

When the airport first opened in 1944, it only had four runways, but this number was quickly increased to six within just a few years of operations, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Initially, O’Hare was intended to serve as a successor to nearby Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) but was unable to capture the overwhelming demand during a post-war boom in air travel, and Midway remained open.

Related

8 Runways: The History Of Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare has grown as the main airport for the city as well as a hub for several airlines.

O’Hare Airport maintains the unique distinction of having the most runways of any civilian airport in the world. The most recent adjustment to the runways was made in 2015, when runway 32R/14L was closed, while a new runway, 10R/28L, opened for service.

2

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Number of runways: 7

With the second-most runways in the United States, Dallas/Fort Worth is another of the nation’s most prominent global gateways. The facility is not just a major hub for American Airlines and the oneworld alliance as a whole but is also the location of the legacy carrier’s corporate headquarters.

The history of Dallas/Fort Worth is fascinating to explore, and one of the key reasons for such numerous runways is the fact that the airport was built to serve two different but neighboring large metropolitan areas. According to the facility, DFW ranks third globally in terms of flight operations and second for number of passengers.

3

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Number of runways: 6

Denver International Airport, one of America’s largest and hub for US-based legacy carrier United Airlines, primarily serves Colorado’s Front Range Urban Corridor. The facility, which opened in 1995, replaced the earlier Stapleton Airport. It has been surrounded by mystery and conspiracy since its opening and offers some of the longest runways in the United States.

The most noteworthy of the airport’s six runways is undoubtedly its longest, runway 16R/34L, which sits at over three miles long. According to reporting from 9News, part of the reason Denver’s runways are so long is the high-altitude conditions that force aircraft to utilize longer runways, especially during the summer months.

Even under the most harsh and boiling conditions, the 16,000-foot runway allows for fully-loaded Airbus A380 and 747-8 jets to take off safely. This immense runway is only exceeded in length by six others around the globe.

Related

Why Is Colorado Home To Some Of The Longest Runways In The US?

The answer lies in the altitudes of airports located in Colorado.

4

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Number of runways: 6

Detroit Metro Airport is one of the largest hubs for Delta Air Lines and also serves as an operating base for ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. The facility first opened in 1930 and has continued to expand since commencing commercial operations.

New runways were added during the 1940s, when the Army took over the facility, and another runway was constructed much later in 1997, according to the airport. The current configuration of four parallel runways and two crossing ones was achieved in 2001, with the opening of 4L/22R.

Related

JD Power: Detroit Airport Is The Best ‘Mega’ Airport In The US

While Detroit scored top for the ‘Mega’ airport category, New York’s La Guardia saw the best improvement overall.

5

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Number of runways: 6

The largest airport in New England, Boston Logan, is one of the primary northeastern hubs for Delta Air Lines and has a rich history. Opened over 100 years ago in 1923, the facility has grown and expanded in parallel with the aviation industry as a whole.

According to Massport, which manages the facility, not all the runways are used at any given time. Under optimal conditions, three will be used, allowing for 120 takeoffs and landings per hour. But when weather conditions worsen, only 60 movements can be conducted per hour with just a single runway.

Have you ever flown from one of these airports? Let us know your stories in the comments.