The U.S. airports that operate the most connecting flights have been revealed, as surging flight delays put travel plans at risk.  

The recent TSA strikes have also caused long security wait times at hubs like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Houston George Bush Intercontinental, putting even more strain on travelers with short connections.1 

Booking.com for Business has revealed which major U.S. airports operate the most connecting flights, highlighting where passengers could face an increased risk of disruption to their journey. 

Major U.S airports with the most connecting flights:

1. Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a global hub for business travel as one of the largest airports in the U.S, covering 7,200 acres in the centre of Chicago.2 With 1,040 daily direct flights to 171 U.S. cities and approximately 113 daily direct flights to 65​ international destinations, the airport is a common highway for both domestic and global business travelers.3 Chicago O'Hare has the highest volume of connecting flights among major U.S. airports, with more than 76,000 each year. 

2. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Ranking second is Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) with 54,533 annual low-cost carrier connections. The Atlanta travel hub is one of the busiest airports in the world, operating 155 domestic and 43 international gates.4 The high volume of connecting flights creates both opportunities and considerations for business travelers, who depend on timely connections for corporate meetings, events, and client engagements. 

3. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport rounds out the top three with 47,212 low-cost carrier connections each year. Known as a major partner of American Airlines, the Texan airport sits at the midpoint between the East and West coasts.5 This central position gives travelers an ideal starting or connecting point for flights heading in every direction in the country. For professionals traveling to time-sensitive meetings, the increased probability of a layover and potential disruption must be factored into travel schedules. 

Joshua Wood, Business Director at Booking.com for Business, offers tips on planning for a smooth corporate trip:

“Coordinating complex business trips involving multiple flights and personnel can be a logistical challenge, especially when you’re intending to travel to a particular event or have important meetings booked. 

“As a frequent business traveler myself, and with many people on my team also constantly on the move, I understand that one of the biggest sources of stress is whether a layover is actually long enough. While the average layover is typically 3.5 hours, factors such as airport size, security procedures, and walking distance between terminals can affect how manageable a connection is. 

“Travelers and travel managers should research these factors to work out a minimum layover time before booking connecting flights. Packing light and reviewing the airport map ahead of time can also help expedite the process. 

“Business travel management platforms are another helpful tool. They can provide a one-stop solution for booking, tracking, and managing corporate travel, ensuring smooth coordination across the board. Whether it’s organizing multi-leg flights or booking travel for several team members, these tools simplify the process, saving time and minimizing the risk of mistakes.

“Business travelers and travel managers should, wherever possible, prioritize direct flights. Direct routes not only save time but also reduce the risk of delays or missed connections, which is critical when tight schedules are involved. Travel management platforms can help with this, simplifying the process of comparing flights and hotels by aggregating options from different companies in one place.”

Is this of interest to you and your readers? If so, you can view the full report and methodology here.