With 104 million passengers in 2017, Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, was the world’s busiest airport in 2017 according to a report from the Airports Council International (ACI). I have only been to Hartsfield a few times, once in a wheel chair! It is literally a mad house, no doubt. Plus, it is hard to understand any of the locals with their accent.
The ACI’s ranking of the world’s busiest airports is based on total passenger traffic in 2017. China’s Beijing airport takes second place, with 96 million passengers, and Dubai airport in the UAE comes third, with 88 million passengers. Tokyo’s Haneda airport in Japan is next in line with some 85 million passengers. By far, Haneda is one of the niftiest airports in the world. Besides great food at reasonable prices, the airport boasts an Edo style village for strolling and eating in the best Japanese tradition.
Europe’s busiest airport is London Heathrow, with 78 million passengers, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle, which takes 10th place in the global ranking with 69 million passengers. Most people do not like Heathrow, I think it is okay. Chuck DG in Paris has a huge shortage of good places to eat.
However, when it comes to international passenger traffic in 2017, Dubai takes the top spot with 87 million passengers, ahead of London Heathrow with 73 million.
One of my favorite airports, Hong Kong has outstanding shopping, great food, and lots to see. Also on my favorites list: Seattle, Bangkok, San Francisco, Honolulu (Why not? That means you are in paradise!) and Chicago (also crazy busy). My least favorites: LAX, San Diego, Frankfurt, Kennedy, Sydney, and Dulles.
If you have spent as much time as I have in airports, you will understand my favorites. I can only read or email for short periods. I want to be entertained. And I like to walk around. Even the airport lounges tend to bore me. What about you?
