Examining the Most Connected Airports in North America
Exploring the most voted-on inter-connected airports in American travel!
This article at Brooke In The Air Travel focuses on taking a close look at the most interconnected airports in the North American continent!
What do we mean by connected? Well, from coast to coast, North America’s top airports in 2026 connect millions of travelers with United, Delta, and American Airlines which dominate the U.S. domestic air network, then of course, you have Air Canada and WestJet which make up the majority of major carriers up north on the same continent. (Air Transat is a leisure carrier now owned in whole by Air Canada.)
North America remains one of the world’s busiest aviation regions. In 2025, the continent’s top airports continue to play a central role in connecting millions of travelers across the U.S., Canada, and beyond which feeds into 2026.
This year’s ranking, based on emerging 2025 data, highlights both traditional giants and emerging leaders, showing how airlines and airports have adapted to evolving travel demand while maintaining high levels of connectivity.
Primary Hub Dominance
It would be a mistake to discount the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (United Airlines’ headquarters and base), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) -American Airlines’ base, once again top the list in North America.
O’Hare maintains its number one position, with United Airlines operating nearly half of all daily flights.
Its central location in the Midwest makes it a natural hub for cross-country travel, linking passengers between the East Coast, West Coast, and the central U.S. O’Hare’s extensive network also ensures strong international connectivity, although domestic flights remain its backbone.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson ranks second (Delta’s base). Known as one of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic, ATL combines high efficiency with frequent scheduling, making it a key connector for both business and leisure travelers.
East Coast Connection
New York’s airports—JFK and Newark (EWR)—dominate the East Coast’s connectivity rankings, not so much LaGuardia which is a regional focus airport. Delta’s 35% share at JFK ensures it remains a major gateway to domestic and international destinations.
United’s 70% share at EWR highlights its strength in connecting the U.S. Northeast with other regions, cementing its position as United’s designated “fortress hub.” United will gain gates at JFK airport due to their alliance and partnership with JetBlue labeled BlueSky abnd in return, JetBlue will gain access to United’s gates at Newak.
Miami International Airport (MIA) also plays a vital role, particularly for Latin American and Caribbean routes. American Airlines operates two-thirds of its flights here, making it one of the airline’s strongest domestic and international hubs.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is another major center for United Airlines, which operates 80% of the flights. Its geographic location makes it ideal for connecting passengers between the southern United States, Mexico, and Latin America.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) stands out as the only Canadian airport in the top ten, with Air Canada handling 51% of flights, just 19% shy of Fortress Hub designation.
YYZ serves as the primary gateway to Canada for both domestic and international travel. Toronto-Pearson’s efficient layout and strategic location near major business and industrial centers make it a critical hub for North American connectivity.
Market Patterns & Correlations
Several patterns emerge from the 2025 ranking. Some of these are the following:
- Airline Concentration – Many of these top airports are heavily dominated by one airline. For example, American Airlines operates nearly all flights at DFW and MIA, while United Airlines controls ORD, EWR, and IAH. This concentration allows airlines to offer efficient connections and scheduling, but also means passengers have fewer carrier choices at these hubs.
- Geographic Spread – The top ten airports cover the Midwest, South, East Coast, and West Coast, showing that North America’s air network is widely distributed. Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta act as central nodes, while LAX, SFO, and MIA anchor the coasts.
- International Gateway Function – While this ranking focuses on domestic connectivity, almost all these airports also serve as gateways for international travel. JFK, LAX, MIA, and YYZ all handle high volumes of international passengers, underscoring their dual roles in connecting both domestic and global networks.
- Market Dominance – Delta, American, and United continue to dominate U.S. domestic travel. Their hub-and-spoke networks allow them to maintain efficiency while connecting smaller cities to major hubs.
Another notable trend is the concentration of airline power at these hubs, which directly shapes connectivity and travel patterns. Airports like DFW, ATL, and ORD are dominated by a single carrier. For example, the blue lighting in T1, T3, and the international T5 at Chicago-O’Hare want you to know you are on United’s home turf and the lit-up signs and advertisements reinforce this fact.
Additionally, geographic distribution ensures that the network spans the Midwest, East Coast, South, and West Coast, balancing passenger flow across the continent.
This combination of airline dominance and regional spread keeps North America’s air travel network resilient and highly adaptable.
TOP INTERCONNECTED AIRPORTS 2025/2026 (North America)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) USA, United Airlines 49% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) USA, Delta Air Lines 79%- Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) USA, American Airlines 85% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- New York JFK (JFK)USA, Delta Air Lines 35% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), USA United Airlines 80% - Share of Flights
- Miami International (MIA) USA, American Airlines 66% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Los Angeles International (LAX) USA, Delta Air Lines 20% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Canada, Air Canada 51% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- Newark Liberty International (EWR) USA, United Airlines 70% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline
- San Francisco International (SFO) USA, United Airlines 51% - Share of Flights/Dominant Airline (as of March, 2026, 72% market dominance, officially a fortress hub)
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