In America, bigger is better, and while some of the country’s busiest airports can spread thousands of acres, there are seven much smaller, major airports that cater to commercial flights. From St. Thomas to Key West, these are some of the smallest airports by acreage in the US, at just several hundred acres, a far cry from Denver International (DEN), which covers an eye-watering 33,000 acres! What are the smallest major airports in the United States by acreage?
IATA/ICAO Code
DEN/KDEN
CEO
Phillip A. Washington
IATA Code
DEN
Before diving into the smallest major commercial airports in the United States, let’s put the spotlight on the country’s biggest. Denver International Airport, also referred to as DIA (IATA code: DEN), is the primary airport for the state of Colorado and a base for United, Southwest, and Frontier Airlines. The airport grounds cover an astonishing 33,531 acres, which is equal to around 52.4 square miles. This is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere, and second only in the world behind Dammam, King Fahd International Airport (DMM), in Saudi Arabia. Let’s look at the smallest commercial airports in the US by acreage, as previously analysed by Panethos:
7
Chicago Midway Airport
650 acres
Photo: Jim Wissemes | Flickr
Perhaps one of the best-known, ‘small’ major airports is that of Midway International Airport (MDW). The airport is located on the southwest side of Chicago’s famous Loop business district. Located 12 miles from the city’s downtown core, Midway was originally Chicago’s main airport until 1944.
Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost carrier by fleet size, operates a base at Midway and accounts for over 90% of all airport operations. The airport welcomed its first flight back in December 1927, which will see the airport celebrate iits100 year centennary in just three years’ time (December 2027).
Total size
650 acres
Runway(s)
4L/22R (5,507 ft)
4R/22L (6,445 ft)
13C/31C (6,522 ft)
13R/31L (3,859 ft)
Airlines served
Allegiant Air
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
Frontier Airlines
Porter Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Volaris
While the majority of flights out of Midway are domestic, there are a select number of international services also on offer. Porter Airlines flies to Toronto Island (Billy Bishop), Southwest Airlines to Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and San Jose del Cabo, and Volaris, with services to Aguascalientes, Durango, Guadalajara, León/Del Bajío, Morelia, and Zacatecas.
6
Hollywood Burbank Airport
555 acres
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
Located three miles from Burbank, Los Angeles County. The airport serves the northern Greater Los Angeles region. The airport is close to major tourist attractions like Universal Studios and Griffith Park. Hollywood Burbank Airport is the only airport currently with a direct rail link, and is conveniently located closer to downtown LA than Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The airport is an operating base for Ameriflight, Avelo Airlines, and JSX, and throughout the airport’s history, has had a number of different official names, these included United Airport, Union Air Terminal, Lockeed Air Terminal, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport, and Bob Hope Airport. In 2017, the airport was renamed once again to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Total size
555 acres
Runway(s)
15/33 (6,886 ft)
08/26 (5,802 ft)
Airlines served
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
American Eagle
Avelo Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue (seasonal)
JSX
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
United Airlines
United Express
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the most popular route is to Las Vegas, Nevada, operated by Southwest and Spirit Airlines. On average, almost half a million passengers travel on the route each year. The second busiest route is to Oakland, also served by Southwest and Spirit.
Related
Did You Know That Hollywood Burbank Airport Has Changed Its Name 6 Times?
A look at the multiple name changes the Burbank Airport has undergone.
5
Jackson Hole Airport
533 acres
Photo: Mike X-d | Flickr
Located seven miles from the main street of Jackson, Wyoming, Jackson Hole is the busiest airport in the state. It is uniquely located within the Grand Teton National Park, the only airport in the country to hold such a title. Holding the IATA code, JAC, the airport operates several year-round services to destinations across the United States, and is served by most major US carriers, with the most popular routes to Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The biggest carrier at Jackson Hole, is United Airlines, which holds around 38% market share according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Year round, United operates jet services to Denver, however adds seasonal operations to Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, and San Francisco. Otherwise, United Express operates additional services to Denver, and seasonally to Los Angeles.
Total size
533 acres
Runway(s)
Airlines served
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
American Eagle (seasonal)
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
Sun Country Airlines (seasonal)
United Airlines
United Express
Due to the airport’s altitude (6,451 ft), and short runway (6,300 ft), the airport is required to restrict aircraft types, and loading. The most common aircraft seen at Jackson Hole, ypically includes the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175 and Bombardier CRJ700.
4
John Wayne Airport
504 acres
Photo: John Wayne Airport
Located in Orange County, John Wayne Airport serves greater Los Angeles and is one of several airports in the region. The airport is owned by the local county and is uniquely home to the shortest runway in the United States that is regularly served by international jet flights. The airport has never seen a passenger aircraft that is larger than the Boeing 757, and no widebodies have ever been operated to John Wayne.
Due to the airport’s proximity to a number of residential areas, the airport operates under a strict curfew, prohibiting departures between 22:00 and 07:00 six days of the week (restriction until 08:00 on Sunday mornings). Commerical arrivals, can take place between 23:00 and 07:00 (08:00 on Sundays). Airport’s that operated under strict curfews, can see this rule bended only in emergencies, mechanical issues, or weather delays.
Total size
504 acres
Runway(s)
02L/20R (5,700 ft)
02R/20L (2,886 ft)
Airlines served
Air Canada
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Breeze Airways
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
Frontier Airlines
JSX
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
United Airlines
United Express
WestJet
International jet services, are offered by Air Canada with year-round operations to Vancouver, and WestJet operates to its hub at Calgary International Airport. Other international services are with Southwest, to Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose del Cabo.
3
McAllen International Airport
370 acres
Photo: McAllen International Airport
Located in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas, McAllen International Airport is situated around 107 feet above sea level. The airport covers just 370 acres and has two asphalt runways. The airport’s 20-year master plan is optimistic about continued growth.
The airport, which welcomes both domestic and international services, primarily has flights within the state of Texas, with additional year-round and seasonal services on popular tourist routes. Those looking to get a stamp in their passport can travel directly to two Mexican destinations, being Cancun or Mexico City ( Felipe Ángeles International Airport).
Total size
370 acres
Runway(s)
14/32 (7,120 ft)
18/36 (2,639 ft)
Airlines served
Aeromexico Connect
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
American Eagle
Delta Connection
United Airlines
United Express
Volaris
With such a small footprint, McAllen is one of the busiest airports in the Rio Grande Valley and is also served by all three global airline alliances (Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam). Allegiant Air provides low-cost direct services with a year-round schedule to Las Vegas, with additional seasonal connections to Los Angeles and Orlando Sanford. Allegiant Air is the only domestic operator that provides flights outside of the state.
Related
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This facility has only continued to grow.
2
Key West International Airport
334 acres
Photo: Florida Keys History Center-Monroe County Public Library | Flickr
Serving the city of Key West, this picturesque airport serves Monroe County and the islands in the Straits of Florida. Located a short 1.7 miles from the commercial centre of Key West, tourists flock to this airport for its easy access to many of the region’s sun-soaked beaches.
Key West International Airport, has a short runway reaching just 5,076 ft, which see’s aircraft size limits restricted. The airport’s history dates back to 1913, when the first recorded flight was to Cuba by Augustin Parla, and when fast fowarding to today, the airport has grown respectively within it’s capacity, and those traveling the region by boat can even see the terminal from the Atlantic Ocean.
Total size
334 acres
Runway(s)
Airlines served
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
American Eagle
Breeze Airways (from June 2025)
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
JetBlue (seasonal)
Silver Airways
United Airlines
United Express
The most common aircraft types at Key West include the CRJ700, ATR 42, ATR 72 and Embraer E170/175 given the airport’s restrictions, however mainline jets are operated by a select number of carriers which include the Airbus A319 or A220. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the airport’s most popular route is to Atlanta, Georgia followed closely by Charlotte, North Carolina.
1
Cyril E. King Airport
280 acres
Photo: Sean Davis | Flickr
The busiest airport in the United States Virgin Islands and eastern Caribbean, this slice of paradise serves the island of St. John. The airport is a short flight from the neighbouring British Virgin Islands. When traveling to Cyril E. King Airport from the US, a passport is not required, however, all passengers must pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Modernization plans have seen a number of expansions take place, and it’s most recent development has seen new padestrian bridges, and even a ferry terminal to aid in improving transportation to and from the airport. Today, the airport is served by most major US carriers, and a number of smaller regional operators to neighbouring islands.
Total size
280 acres
Runway(s)
Airlines served
American Airlines
Cape Air
Delta Air Lines
Fly The Whale
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue
Silver Airways
Sky High
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines (seasonal)
Tradewind Aviation
United Airlines
VI Airlink
This airport, which is the smallest in this analysis of the smallest major US airports, see’s it’s busiest route operate to Miami, Florida, followed by Atlanta, Georgia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The airport is served by two unique water taxis, that can collect passengers from the airport terminal directly, before cruising the ocean to their final local destination.
