FAQ

Everything you need to know about the Worlds Biggest Airports – Frequency Asked Questions.

Airports are more than just transit points. They are complex hubs that move millions of people around the globe everyday.

Here at BiggestAirports.com we want to try and cover as any inquiries from curious travellers and aviation enthusiasts.

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is designed to answer the most common and important questions about major international airports.

So whether you are planning your next trip, working on a school project or just fascinated by aviation, then this FAQ page will give you a clear understanding of how the largest airports in the world function and evolve.

How is ranking airports at Biggest Airports done?

Here at Biggest Airports we rank the largest airports based off the total land area that the airport occupies. 

Currently the Biggest Airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The land area of this airport is a whooping 780 square kilometers. To put it into some size perspective, its roughly the same size as New York City. 

To read all about the worlds biggest airport, King Fahd International Airport – CLICK HERE

The busiest airport in the world based on annual passenger traffic is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in the United States. It consistently handles over 100 million passengers per year, thanks to its strategic location as a major domestic and international hub, especially for Delta Air Lines.

Other major contenders include Dubai International Airport (DXB) for international traffic and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in Asia. However, rankings can change year-to-year based on global travel trends and events like the COVID-19 pandemic or airline shifts.

ICAO stands for International Civil Aviation Organization.

IATA stands for International Air Transport Association

FAA LIDS stands for Federal Aviation Administration Location Identifiers

The main difference between IATA and ICAO codes lies in their structure and purpose.

  • IATA codes are the 3-letter codes most travelers are familiar with — for example, LAX for Los Angeles or SYD for Sydney. These are used on tickets, boarding passes and baggage tags.

  • ICAO codes, on the other hand, are 4-letter alphanumeric codes used by air traffic control and aviation professionals — for example, KLAX for Los Angeles International Airport and YSSY for Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

While IATA codes are designed for commercial convenience, ICAO codes are meant for global aviation safety and logistics. Every airport has one of each and understanding both helps in deciphering global flight data and infrastructure.

The airport classification codes, often referred to as “airport code designators,” typically denote the types of aircraft that can operate at an airport based on their size, wingspan, weight, and other factors. These codes help categorize the airport’s infrastructure, including runway length, taxiways, and gate sizes, to ensure that certain types of aircraft can safely take off, land, and maneuver on the ground.

Here’s a breakdown of what the size categories generally represent:

  1. ICAO Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) and Pavement Classification Number (PCN):
    This system categorizes both the aircraft and the runway/pavement strength. Larger aircraft with higher weight may need runways with higher pavement ratings to ensure they can safely land and take off. ACNs and PCNs help in managing this interaction.

  2. IATA Letter Codes (A through F):
    These are used by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and define aircraft size for airport planning purposes. The categories are based on wingspan:

    • A: Small aircraft with a wingspan less than 15 meters (49 feet).
    • B: Medium-sized aircraft with a wingspan of 15-24 meters (49-79 feet).
    • C: Larger aircraft with a wingspan of 24-36 meters (79-118 feet).
    • D: Larger aircraft with a wingspan of 36-52 meters (118-171 feet).
    • E: Even larger aircraft with a wingspan of 52-65 meters (171-213 feet).
    • F: Very large aircraft with a wingspan greater than 65 meters (213 feet).

These categories help airports ensure that they have appropriate infrastructure for aircraft of different sizes. It also plays a role in things like gate assignments, runway usage, and safety requirements.

Airport code XYZ is often used as a placeholder or example code in aviation training, documentation, or tech systems. It isn’t an actual airport identifier. In real-world use, airport codes are either:

  • IATA codes (3 letters): e.g., JFK, LAX, CDG

  • ICAO codes (4 letters): e.g., KJFK, EGLL, LFPG

If you’re seeing “XYZ” in documentation, it likely stands in for a code example, not an actual airport.

Many airport codes seem confusing at first, but they usually have historical or naming roots:

  • ORD = Chicago O’Hare, originally called Orchard Field

  • MCO = Orlando International, named after McCoy Air Force Base

  • YYZ = Toronto Pearson, where “Y” is a Canadian code prefix

  • CDG = Paris Charles de Gaulle

  • LHR = London Heathrow

In some cases, codes are based on former names, military origins, or location identifiers that no longer match the airport’s current name.

An airport terminal is the main building of the airport where you arrive to check-in and go through security. An airport concourse is the section of the main building which branches out where you can access where you board your airplane for your flight. An airport gate is the small area of the concourse where you board the plane. Each concourse will have a selected number of gates. eg 1-12, 13-25 etc

As of 2025, the largest airport in the world by land area is King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It covers a staggering 780 square kilometers (301 square miles) — more than the entire city of Chicago. Although it doesn’t handle the highest passenger volume, its vast infrastructure includes multiple terminals, cargo zones, and future development space.

This makes King Fahd International the reigning champion in terms of physical size, even though airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Dubai International (DXB) are busier in terms of travelers.

Australia has a 11 international airports. These include Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Melbourne Airport, Brisbane Airport and Perth Airport and many more….

Large cities like New York, London, and Tokyo often have more than one airport due to several factors:

  • Passenger demand: Millions of travelers need more than one facility.

  • Geographic distribution: Multiple airports allow better access from different areas of a city.

  • Specialization: One airport may focus on international flights (e.g., JFK), while another handles domestic or low-cost carriers (e.g., LaGuardia).

Having multiple airports helps reduce congestion, improve service, and offer more airline and destination options. It also allows for smoother logistics for cargo and private flights.

An international airport is one that offers customs and immigration facilities, allowing it to handle flights to and from other countries. It’s not just about having international routes — the airport must be officially designated to process passengers, goods, and aircraft crossing borders under national and international aviation laws.

For example, an airport like Denver International Airport (DEN) is considered international because it has the infrastructure and authorities in place to manage international traffic, even if most flights are domestic.

The best airports for layovers are those that combine comfort, entertainment, and efficient connectivity. As of 2025, top-rated layover-friendly airports include:

  • Singapore Changi (SIN) – with gardens, a butterfly enclosure, and even a swimming pool

  • Doha Hamad International (DOH) – modern design, high-end lounges, luxury shopping

  • Incheon International (ICN) – cultural performances, sleeping zones, and shower facilities

  • Istanbul Airport (IST) – large, modern, and equipped with a transit hotel and prayer rooms

  • Dubai International (DXB) – world-class lounges and 24/7 shopping/dining

These airports consistently rank high due to passenger experience, cleanliness, transit speed, and entertainment options.

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