Next time you board a flight, will you grab your favorite combo en route to the gate? Upgraded Points, recently crunched the numbers, and analyzed how many fast food outlets are located in our favorite airports and which chain you are most likely to spot. Grab-and-go meals are perfect for airports.

Travelers are usually time-poor and want something familiar. Airports today are abundant with a range of fast food options, which unsurprisingly sees McDonald’s as one of the most popular nationwide.

Checking the statistics at some of the largest airports in the United States

If you love a good burger, fried chicken, or sub, it’s no surprise that the number of fast food locations at the country’s biggest airports might stagger you. Upgraded Points statistics show that six of the nation’s busiest airports see fast food chains in the double digits; let’s look at the numbers:

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 19 outlets

One of the most popular airline hubs for oneworld
member, American Airlines, sees 19 fast food chains in total available for travelers. Considering daily passenger numbers at the time of analysis, this equates to one chain per 10,579 passengers.

American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (N833AA) taking off from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Photo: LJ Jones | Shutterstock

Unsurprisingly, this airport is popular; the airline is a hub for American Airlines and a focus city for Spirit and Frontier. The airport serves over 254 destinations, including 63 international, from 28 airlines.

Dallas’s geographic location makes it easy to travel, given that all major cities can be reached within an hour’s flight or less. While fast food may be bad for our diet, DFW can pat itself on the back, being the first carbon-neutral airport in the world.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) – 15 outlets

In Georgia, Delta Air Lines hub in Atlanta sees 15 fast food chains across its terminals. Taking into consideration passenger numbers, this equates to 17,114 passengers per outlet. Atlanta is commonly known as one of the busiest airports by passenger numbers and flights in the world, and it sees not just what Delta calls it home but also an operating base for Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit Airlines.

ATL is considered the first mega-hub for an airline in America and sees international services across North America, Latin and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 15 outlets

For Houston travelers, 15 popular fast food outlets are on hand to fill your craving. This equates to 7,484 passengers per outlet based on daily passenger numbers and is 70% less than the national average.

Late president George H. W. Bush, of which the airport bears his name, was a past resident of Houston and, during his time in power, thoroughly enjoyed pork rinds, so much that he ate them on the campaign trail and sent their popularity soaring, according to Parade. No doubt, you can still purchase pork rinds at the airport, and you can be assured that some stalls within the airport grounds also sell Bush’s most miniature favorite vegetables, cabbage, and broccoli.

IAH airport

Photo: Houston Airports

Miami International Airport (MIA) – 11 outlets

Florida’s busiest airport, Miami, is home to 11 outlets from popular fast food chains. These outlets serve 12,624 passengers daily, 50.62% less than the national average. MIA serves over 1,000 international and domestic flights daily and is popular for direct flights throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Miami is a hub for American Airlines, focus city for Avianca
, and operating base for Frontier, Global Crossing, Norse Atlantic and Spirit Airlines
.

Denver International Airport (DEN) – 10 outlets

Denver International Airport serves the state of Colorado, which sees ten fast food outlets within the precinct for travelers. This equates to 18,983 passengers per outlet and is 25% less than the national average.

The airport is the second largest on earth by land area, only behind

King Fahd International
in Damman, Saudi Arabia. It is a hub for United Airlines and an operating base for Frontier and Southwest Airlines.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 10 outlets

Rounding out the top six is Chicago, which is the home of United Airlines
. This airport has ten fast food outlets, which equates to 18,723 passengers per restaurant. ORD is considered one of the best-connected airports in the world and is a hub for both American and United Airlines.

While not in the top six, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), by passenger numbers, has the densest number of fast food outlets. While just three stand in the airport terminal, these cater for just 6,916 passengers per restaurant.

The most common chains, to no surprise, are the golden arches. McDonald’s can be found in 35 airports across the United States and is tied for first place with Chick-fil-A, which shows its dominance in the South at many of its busiest airports.

Spirit Airlines plane on tarmac at Miami International Airport.

Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky | Shutterstock

Subway comes in tied for second with Burger King, spread across 24 locations, and Panda Express is located at 22 airports nationwide. Other notable mentions include:

  • Wendys – located at 20 airports
  • Pizza Hut – 10 airports
  • Popeyes – seven airports
  • Panera Bread – six locations
  • Whataburger – six locations

I hope this article hasn’t made you too hungry. However, next time you’re taking a flight, count how many food outlets you spot and if they repeat themselves at your final destination.

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