Capacity Is Growing at Top US Airports

The top 10 U.S. airports have seen capacity growth of between 3-5 percent in May compared to April 2023, according to the latest data from OAG.

U.S. airline capacity this month reached 98.4 million seats, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) leading the way, handling 5 percent of all capacity at U.S. airports.

While there are 665 U.S. airports with scheduled services, the top 10 airports contribute 36 percent of all U.S. air capacity, OAG. Meanwhile, the Big Four carriers, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines account for 74 percent of all U.S. airline capacity.

Trailing ATL’s nearly 5.3 million seats in May are Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport at 4,023,222 and 3,834,485, respectively.

Los Angeles International and Chicago’s O’Hare International round out the top five for capacity this month, followed by New York City’s JFK International, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, Orlando International, Charlotte Douglas International and Newark Liberty International.

American Airlines is the top carrier for capacity this month at 19.7 million seats, followed by Southwest and Delta at 19.6 million and 18.2 million, respectively. After United’s 15.1 million, the next closest carrier is Alaska Airlines with 4.5 million seats.