Airports Council International (ACI) World tallies airline traffic numbers each year and the trade group just released the official list of the busiest airports in the world in 2023.
A preliminary list was released in April. And, as it did then, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) tops the list for passenger traffic, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth.
We have once again been confirmed as the 2023 World's Busiest Airport by @ACIWorld. With 104.6 million passengers passing through ATL – an 11.7% increase from the previous year – we are dedicated to serving our passengers for years to come! ❤️✈️ pic.twitter.com/rD87Yvgi5z
Eight airports from the top 20 rankings are in the United States. And, according to the report, the biggest jump in the top 20 rankings is Incheon International Airport. The airport soared from the 99th position in 2022 to the 20th spot in 2023.
See the full list below of the 20 busiest airports in 2023.
The hotel is on the plaza between the terminal and the covered parking garage. Just outside the hotel is an aviation-themed playground, a large fenced area for dogs, chair swings and other spaces to hang out before or after a flight.
Our corner room was super comfy and quiet. And it provided a great perch to watch airplanes coming and going from the gates.
The hotel has a lovely restaurant and a lobby bar that features occasional live music. On the 9th floor, there’s a well-equipped fitness center with views of downtown and the airport. And, on the 10th floor, the hotel’s best feature: the BNA Sky Pavilion. The rooftop has a pool, a fire pit, indoor and outdoor seating, a bar and great views of the runways, the downtown skyline and the surrounding area. While we were there, we even spotted fireworks off in the distance.
The BNA PASSport program
BNA debuted its guest pass program, called BNA PASSport, on July 1 and is issuing 75 visitor passes a day to non-ticketed passengers.
We used our pass on Friday evening to explore the airport’s restaurants, bars and shops.
We had dinner and stopped to listen to live music on at least four stages in various airport restaurants and bars. The airport’s ‘drinks to go’ policy meant we could easily mosey with our cocktails from one stage to the next. And the fact that bottles of really great Tennessee whiskey are sold in seemingly every airport gift shop made us a wee bit sorry we were traveling with only carry-on luggage.
Stay tuned for the story of the surprise in-store event some passengers were treated to during our BNA visit.
The BNA Passport guest pass program allows a non-ticketed guest to go through the TSA security checkpoint like a ticketed passenger into the secure side of the airport.
No more than 75 visitor passes a day are being issued. But those who do get them can greet an arriving passenger at the gate, hang with a friend or family member until they need to board their plane or take the opportunity to explore the art, shops, and dining at the airport without lugging around a carry-on bag or worrying about catching a flight.
The Stuck at the Airport team has already applied for a pass and will be touring the airport on Friday. So stay tuned for our report.
In the meantime, here is a list of other airports with guest pass programs. Each program has its own rules, but for BNA’s guest pass program and those below, you’ll need to fill out an online form and give some personal information, usually name, birthdate and gender.
If the TSA clears you, you’ll get instructions for getting through the checkpoint without a ticket to fly.
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), home to exhibits and experiences celebrating rock and roll music, science fiction and other expressions of popular culture, wants to The National Museum of Pop Culture.
And this week a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to get the process in motion. The bill will have to pass through congressional committees before it can be voted on by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and then the President would have to sign the bill into law. But we’re confident that will happen.
While that process is going on, we encourage you to visit the museum when you’re in town to see exhibits that include Massive: The Power of Pop Culture, Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika, Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel, Fantasy World of Myth and Magic – and much more.
Help test out the new main terminal at PDX Airport
Portland International Airport (PDX) will open its new main terminal sometime in August. But first, they need to test it out.
As part of that process, the airport is seeking volunteers for a PDX Dress Rehearsal on Saturday, August 3. Volunteers will serve as pretend travelers and test out the check-in and security systems and share feedback.
As a bonus, the airport is giving volunteers a $50 gift card.
Little Free Libraries and Take a Book/Leave a Book racks can be found at more and more airports.
And the Stuck at The Airport literature department is all for it.
We especially like this one: a Children’s Lending Library at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that is the brainchild of an actual child.
#DYK, your kids can find a new and exciting book to read at the Children’s Lending Library at @EWRairport’s Terminal A (near Gate 32A)? Fun fact: this library was the brainchild of Sia Malhotra, a local 5th grader!
— Newark Liberty International Airport (@EWRairport) December 22, 2023
The library at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is filled with novels by Dutch writers in 40 languages, as well as photography books and music by Dutch musicians and composers.
But wouldn’t it be great if there was an airport that had a full-fledged library branch on-site? Like this one that was once at Nashville International Airport (BNA).
On Monday, Airports Council International (ACI) World unveiled the preliminary list of the top 10 busiest airports worldwide for 2023 and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) once again tops the list.
ATL welcomed 104.7 million passengers in 2023, an 11.7% increase over the 2022.
Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW), which has for years taken the second-busiest-airport spot, dropped to third busiest, edged out out Dubai International Airport (DXB).
While 5 airports in the top 10 rankings for total passenger traffic are in the United States, the shuffle at the top showcases “significant shifts driven by the resurgence of international air travel,” said ACI.
Tokyo Haneda (HND) is in the top 10 rankings at number 5 for 2023, which is a giant leap from its ranking of number 16 in 2022.
ACI estimated that the global total passenger forecast for 2023 will be close to 8.5 billion, reflecting a healthy recovery of 93.8% from pre-pandemic levels.
The airport rankings are based on data gathered from over 2,600 airports across more than 180 countries and territories globally.
Here are the rest of the Top 10 Busiest Airport rankings:
The Port of Oakland, which operates Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), wants to add “San Francisco” to its official name to raise awareness about its location on the San Francisco Bay.
If the plan goes forward, the new name will be San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport instead of Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK).
The airport code OAK and the airport’s visual branding will stay the same.
“Market research and interviews with airline partners have shown that routes have not performed as well as they should have due to the lack of geographic awareness, making air carriers reluctant to sustain and add new routes in Oakland,” said Port of Oakland Interim Director of Aviation Craig Simon.
Here’s a short video explaining OAK’s name modification plan. Port Commissioners will vote on the plan at their April 11, 2024, Port Board meeting. If they approve it, OAK staff will start moving forward with the formal renaming.
“SFO has operated since 1927 and has used the name ‘San Francisco Airport’ or ‘San Francisco International Airport’ for most of its history, making it immediately recognizable to customers,” SFO director Ivar C. Satero said in a release. “Given this history, we anticipate the new name being considered by the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport will cause confusion for the public, either through a misunderstanding of its physical location or its perceived relationship to SFO. This concern is only compounded considering SFO’s status as a major international gateway.”
What do you think? Should SFO and OAK both have “San Francisco in their names?
The San Francisco Airport Commission approved a resolution to rename the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for the late Senator and former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, who died in September.
Feinstein was a big supporter of the airport. She advocated for the construction of the airport’s first International Terminal, which opened in 1983 and played a major role in making sure BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit service, was extended to SFO.
It’s Official! SFO is proud to announce that the International Terminal will be named for the late Senator and former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein. As Mayor and Senator, she was committed to making SFO a world-class facility.(Photo: at a 1980 event for Eastern Air Lines) pic.twitter.com/4Fd0lnif46
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) January 16, 2024
While we’re at SFO
The SFO Museum shared this image of a model airplane to mark the anniversary of the first Pan American Airways scheduled flight, which took off on January 16, 1928 from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba.
The museum notes that the eight-passenger plane made the 90-mile trip in just under 90 minutes and that the fare was 50, or about $887 in today’s dollars.
Fort Wayne Int’l Airport celebrates passengers with food treats
Year-round, Hospitality Hosts at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) welcome passengers with a (wrapped) cookie from a nearby bakery. But this week, during Customer Appreciation Week, the airport has been going above and beyond by treating passengers to a different free, fun food each day.
So far, they’ve hosted a popcorn bar, a caramel apple bar, a hot dog bar, and a walking taco bar- with all manner of toppings.
What’s on the menu for Friday?
A coffee and hot chocolate bar with all the creamers, syrups, and toppings that passengers might want to mix and match with their drinks.
If you’re heading to PHL, be sure to study the wide range of menu offerings before you arrive at the terminal. While tax is not included in this offer, a Pepsi beverage is.
Just in time for Halloween – Gargoyles back at DEN Airport
Since 1995, two bronze gargoyles sitting inside suitcases have been on guard in the east and west bag claim areas at Denver International Airport (DEN) trying their best to help baggage arrive safely.
The gargoyles make up an art piece by Terry Allen called “Notre Denver.”
And due to construction in the airport’s Great Hall, one of the gargoyles has been in storage.
Now both gargoyles are back on duty. And we’re hoping that someday the chatty gargoyle (see video below) will return to the airport as well.
Planning 2024 Travel? This Lonely Planet’s list may help.
The world is a big place and it can be overwhelming choosing your next adventure. That’s why the “where to go” lists put out by all sorts of publications and groups can be helpful.
Lonely Planet is early out of the gates for 2024 with its “Best in Travel 2024” list of suggestions across five key categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations, and best-value locations.
Each category features 10 destinations chosen for their topicality, unique experiences, ‘wow’ factor, and ongoing commitment to sustainability and community. Below is a summary chart of the ‘winners.’
Where have you been? And where would you like to go?
COUNTRY
REGION
CITY
SUSTAINABLE
VALUE
Mongolia
Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route
Nairobi, Kenya
Spain
The Midwest, USA
India
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Paris, France
Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Poland
Morocco
Tuscany, Italy
Montreal, Canada
Greenland
Nicaragua
Chile
Donegal, Ireland
Mostar, Bosnia
Wales’ trails
Danube Limes, Bulgaria
Benin
País Vasco, Spain
Philadelphia, USA
The Portuguese Way / Caminho Português de Santiago
Oregon’s Eugene Airport (EUG) is also known as Mahlon Sweet Field and was named in honor of Mahlon Sweet. He was the automobile dealer and aviation enthusiast who built the city’s first airstrip – Eugene Airport Park – in 1919.
Today, EUG has 10 gates and is served by 7 air carriers – Alaska, America, Avela, Allegiant, Delta, Southwest, and United – and offers direct flights to 14 cities.
Here are 5 Things to Love About EUG Airport
1. Free Short Stories
EUG is one of a handful of airports around the country that hosts a Short Story Dispenser from French Publishing House Short Édition.
The dispenser at EUG is in a prime location: right at the top of the stairs on the way to the busy A Gates and is offered in partnership with the Eugene Public Library.
Passengers may choose one of three buttons and request a local, international, or kid’s story. Once a selection is made, a free short story or poem is printed right away on an ink-free, eco-friendly strip of paper.
2. A Great Art Collection at EUG
A mural-sized version of a license plate that benefits the Oregon Cultural Trust is on display near the A Gates. Travelers are invited to search for the 127 Oregon cultural symbols featured in the artwork.
The airport has plenty of other art throughout the terminal, including a changing gallery of work by adults in the Oregon Supported Living Program; a collection of images taken from data collected by University of Oregon researchers in astronomy, biology, and other sciences; and a fun multi-site work called “Flight Patterns,” by David Joyce that features almost life-sized photos of people in various mid-flight poses.
3. Rocking Chairs
EUG offers seating with power ports, seating at high tables, and, of course, banks of traditional airport seating.
But the most coveted seats at Eugene Airport, as at many other airports, are the rocking chairs.
4. Big Duck Statues
A handful of the 6-foot-tall fiberglass ducks that were once part of an art installation around town back in 2002 have waddled their way to the airport.
5. Souvenir Sasquatch Poo
There are lots of local and regionally-themed souvenirs to buy in the airport shops. But one of the most popular items is Bigfoot Poop.
