Chicago O'Hare is officially the busiest airport in the U.S.

For the first time in six years, Chicago has regained the title of America’s busiest airport.

According to newly released preliminary data from the Federal Aviation Administration, O’Hare International Airport logged 857,392 takeoffs and landings in 2025, officially surpassing Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and reclaiming the top spot it last held in 2019. Atlanta, long the reigning champ, recorded 807,625 operations over the same period.

The data doesn't reflect passenger numbers just yet. Those final counts, along with global rankings, are still to come. But in aviation terms, aircraft movements matter. And by that measure, O’Hare is once again the busiest airfield in the United States.

Mayor Brandon Johnson wasted no time celebrating the news, calling it more than just a statistic. In a press release, he framed O’Hare’s comeback a sign of Chicago’s broader momentum, pointing to growth, investment and global reach.

O’Hare’s advantage is connectivity. For the past four years, it’s been the most connected airport in the country, with more direct routes than any other U.S. hub. It’s also one of the few major airports anchored by two legacy carriers, serving as a major hub for both American and United Airlines. Atlanta, by contrast, is overwhelmingly Delta territory.

Across O’Hare and Midway combined, an aircraft took off or landed in Chicago roughly every 30 seconds in 2025. Midway alone ranked 38th nationally, with just over 210,000 operations, putting Chicago firmly in dual-hub territory.

O’Hare’s return to the top spot reflects a strong post-pandemic recovery and years of investment in modernizing its airfield and terminals. A new 19-gate Concourse D is already in the works, part of a $1.3 billion expansion project slated for completion in late 2028, and O’Hare is sure to get even busier.

Global data expected later this spring could push the bragging rights even further. Early indications suggest O’Hare may also reclaim the title of the world’s busiest airfield, with official rankings from Airports Council International due out this summer.