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This Midwestern hub is officially the most connected airport in the country

It offers potential connections to more domestic destinations than any other U.S. airport

Gerrish Lopez
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Gerrish Lopez
Time Out Contributor, US
Chicago O'Hare airport
Photograph: Shutterstock
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O’Hare International Airport (ORD) has been named the most connected airport in the United States in the 2025 OAG Megahubs Index, edging out Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) to reclaim the top spot.

The annual rankings, now in their 10th year, measure how many possible flight connections travelers can make through major airports. Using the world’s most comprehensive airline schedule data, OAG analyzes the numbers to see which hubs truly keep passengers moving. For U.S. domestic travel, the top ten airports remain unchanged from last year, but the order has shuffled.

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On July 18—the busiest travel day of 2025—O’Hare stood out. It offered potential connections to 214 domestic destinations, more than any other airport in the country and nine more than it served the year before. That edge was enough to push ORD back into first place after tying with ATL in 2024. Atlanta landed in second, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) held steady in third, while Denver (DEN) climbed to fourth, overtaking Charlotte (CLT).

Globally, O’Hare also moved up two places to rank seventh worldwide. Midway International Airport (MDW) pulled its own weight too, coming in at 22nd in the U.S.—just behind New York’s JFK.

“Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson continue to play a vital role in connecting travelers across North America and the world,” says OAG Chief Analyst John Grant. “Their ability to expand destinations and connections underscores their importance in shaping the region’s aviation network.”

Chicago’s central location, combined with its sheer volume of flights, makes it a powerhouse for both business and leisure travelers. More than 100 million passengers pass through the city’s airports each year, and O’Hare continues to smash records. July 2025 was its busiest month ever, with over 8.26 million travelers.

For flyers, this means more choices, smoother connections and Chicago’s continued status as a gateway to just about everywhere. Whether you’re jetting to a small Midwest city or hopping across continents, chances are good you’ll pass through O’Hare—the most connected airport in America.

The top 10 airport megahubs in the U.S.:

  1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  2. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
  3. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  4. Denver International Airport (DEN)
  5. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
  6. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  7. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
  8. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  9. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  10. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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