O'Hare Reclaims Busiest U.S. Airport Title: What Does the FAA Data Reveal?

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has officially reclaimed the title of the nation's busiest airport. Preliminary data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows O'Hare led the country in total aircraft operations for 2025. This marks the first time since 2019 that ORD has held the top spot, ending a seven-year run by its rival.

The New U.S. Airport Ranking

The preliminary FAA data, released on Tuesday, confirms O'Hare's strong performance. The airport logged 857,392 flights in 2025, including both takeoffs and landings. This figure placed it ahead of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which recorded 807,625 operations.

O'Hare's total operations represent a significant increase. The airport saw a nearly 10.5% climb from its 2024 total of 776,036 flights. Aviation experts note this surge is due to concurrent expansion by major hub carriers, including United Airlines and American Airlines, along with new international routes.

Top Five Busiest U.S. Airports by Operations (2025 Preliminary FAA Data)

The top five busiest airports, ranked by total aircraft operations, underscore the overall growth in U.S. air travel:

• 1. O'Hare International Airport (ORD): 857,392 operations
• 2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 807,625 operations
• 3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 741,286 operations
• 4. Denver International Airport (DEN): 707,268 operations
• 5. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): 586,821 operations

Impact and Future Capacity

Chicago city officials hailed the FAA aircraft operations 2025 data as a statement on the city's economic momentum. Mayor Brandon Johnson noted the achievement reflects Chicago's position as a global hub. Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray emphasized that every flight represents commerce and jobs.

This milestone comes as the city continues its massive airport modernization efforts. The multi-billion-dollar ORDNext program is designed to expand capacity and improve the passenger experience.

Key Infrastructure Investment

Central to the expansion is the construction of a new concourse. The $1.3 billion, 19-gate O'Hare Concourse D expansion is currently underway. This major project is scheduled to open its doors in late 2028.

The new concourse will feature 19 gates designed for narrow-body aircraft. Importantly, 18 of these gates can be adapted to accommodate nine larger wide-body aircraft. This flexibility is critical for managing the airport's growing domestic and international traffic.

• Opportunity: The ORD beats Atlanta ATL ranking reinforces Chicago's position as a premier aviation hub.
• Challenge: Sustaining this high level of traffic requires the timely completion of the O'Hare Concourse D expansion and other ORDNext projects.
• Stakeholders: The increased operations benefit airlines like American and United, local businesses, and the broader U.S. air travel network.

Continued investment in the FAA air traffic control system is also essential. This will ensure safe and efficient management of the surging flight volumes at O'Hare International Airport busiest hub.

For global airline trends and commercial aviation news, turn to flying.flights.