Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World for Long-Haul Flights – September 2025
Long-haul travel continues to surge in 2025, with global demand fueling expansion at leading airports across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Defined as flights covering at least 3,000 statute miles, long-haul services are now offered at nearly 400 airports worldwide. Yet the top 10 dominate the sector, accounting for 1,336 daily departures in September 2025—a 3% increase from last year’s 1,296.
London Heathrow (LHR) maintains its position as the world’s busiest long-haul hub, while other airports such as Doha (DOH) and Madrid (MAD) are climbing the ranks thanks to new routes and expanded airline operations. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 busiest airports for long-haul flights this month.
| Rank | Airport (IATA) | Daily Long-Haul Departures | Long-Haul Share | Leading Airline | Airline Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London Heathrow (LHR) | 251 | 37% | British Airways (BA) | 33% |
| 2 | New York JFK (JFK) | 155 | 26% | Delta Air Lines (DL) | 22% |
| 3 | Dubai (DXB) | 153 | 25% | Emirates (EK) | 84% |
| 4 | Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 145 | 23% | Air France (AF) | 50% |
| 5 | Doha (DOH) | 121 | 34% | Qatar Airways (QR) | 86% |
| 6 | Frankfurt (FRA) | 113 | 17% | Lufthansa (LH) | 37% |
| 7 | Singapore Changi (SIN) | 103 | 22% | Singapore Airlines (SQ) | 50% |
| 8 | Madrid Barajas (MAD) | 102 | 18% | Iberia (IB) | 33% |
| 9 | Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) | 100 | 15% | KLM (KL) | 50% |
| 10 | Los Angeles (LAX) | 92 | 13% | United Airlines (UA) | 9% |
1. London Heathrow (LHR)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 251
- Share (%): 37%
- Leading Airline: British Airways (BA)
- Airline Share: 33%
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) dominates with 251 daily long-haul departures, cementing its role as Europe’s premier intercontinental hub. British Airways (BA) operates one-third of these flights, supported by a wide mix of international carriers. With a 37% long-haul share, Heathrow’s position is unrivaled in Europe. However, if plans for a new runway advance, BA’s dominance may decline as more carriers expand their presence.
2. New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 155
- Share (%): 26%
- Leading Airline: Delta Air Lines (DL)
- Airline Share: 22%
JFK secures second place with 155 daily long-haul departures, making up 26% of its operations. Delta Air Lines (DL) leads, though without fortress hub status. Instead, JFK thrives as a truly global gateway, home to a diverse array of carriers and competitive international services that highlight its role as the busiest U.S. hub for long-haul travel.
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3. Dubai International (DXB)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 153
- Share (%): 25%
- Leading Airline: Emirates (EK)
- Airline Share: 84%
Dubai International (DXB) ranks third globally, with 153 daily long-haul flights representing 25% of its traffic. The airport is dominated by Emirates (EK), which controls a remarkable 84% of departures. DXB’s strategic location makes it a critical connector between East and West, linking passengers across six continents and reinforcing the Gulf’s pivotal role in aviation.
4. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 145
- Share (%): 23%
- Leading Airline: Air France (AF)
- Airline Share: 50%
Paris CDG ranks fourth, with 145 daily long-haul departures and a 23% long-haul share. Air France (AF) operates half of these flights, strengthening its dominance at the French capital’s primary hub. Connectivity is expected to expand further with Korean Air’s (KE) return of the Airbus A380, bolstering CDG’s position as a major European gateway.
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5. Doha Hamad International (DOH)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 121
- Share (%): 34%
- Leading Airline: Qatar Airways (QR)
- Airline Share: 86%
Doha (DOH) has climbed to fifth place with 121 long-haul daily departures, a 6% increase from last year. Qatar Airways (QR) dominates with 86% of operations, while partnerships with Virgin Australia (VA) and Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) have strengthened its growth. This rapid rise highlights DOH’s increasing importance as a central hub for intercontinental travel.
6. Frankfurt (FRA)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 113
- Share (%): 17%
- Leading Airline: Lufthansa (LH)
- Airline Share: 37%
Frankfurt (FRA) registers 113 daily long-haul flights, with Lufthansa (LH) leading at 37% of operations. With a 17% long-haul share, FRA remains a vital European gateway. However, it has been overtaken by Doha this year, reflecting shifting global dynamics as Gulf hubs expand their dominance.
7. Singapore Changi (SIN)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 103
- Share (%): 22%
- Leading Airline: Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- Airline Share: 50%
Singapore Changi (SIN) ranks seventh with 103 long-haul departures, half operated by Singapore Airlines (SQ). With a 22% share, Changi continues to serve as the Asia-Pacific’s leading intercontinental hub, supported by strong demand and growing Boeing 787-10 networks. Its reputation for efficiency and connectivity keeps it a standout in the region.
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8. Madrid Barajas (MAD)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 102
- Share (%): 18%
- Leading Airline: Iberia (IB)
- Airline Share: 33%
Madrid Barajas (MAD) jumps to eighth place with 102 daily long-haul departures—an 11% increase over last year. Iberia (IB) leads with one-third of flights, while the addition of carriers like JetBlue (B6) and the arrival of Airbus A321XLR aircraft have fueled its growth. MAD’s rapid ascent underscores its growing influence among European hubs.
9. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 100
- Share (%): 15%
- Leading Airline: KLM (KL)
- Airline Share: 50%
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) takes ninth place with 100 long-haul daily departures, half operated by KLM (KL). Its 15% long-haul share highlights its strong hub structure, but it has slipped behind Madrid this year. Still, AMS remains a critical connector, especially within Europe and to intercontinental destinations.
10. Los Angeles International (LAX)
- Daily Long-Haul Departures: 92
- Share (%): 13%
- Leading Airline: United Airlines (UA)
- Airline Share: 9%
Los Angeles International (LAX) rounds out the top 10 with 92 daily long-haul departures, representing 13% of its total flights. Unlike other hubs, LAX lacks a dominant carrier—United Airlines (UA) leads with just 9%. Its diverse airline mix and strong connections to Asia and Australia make it one of the most important trans-Pacific gateways.
Global Trends and Takeaways
The top 10 airports highlight shifting dynamics in global long-haul travel. Heathrow’s unmatched dominance underscores the strength of European gateways, while JFK and LAX demonstrate the competitive U.S. market. The rapid ascent of Doha and Madrid reflects how new routes and airline partnerships can quickly reshape rankings. Meanwhile, Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha continue to consolidate their role as global connectors, linking passengers across continents with unmatched efficiency.
With daily long-haul departures rising 3% year-over-year, the outlook for intercontinental travel remains strong. As airlines deploy new aircraft and expand partnerships, the global long-haul map is set for even more changes in the years ahead.
Image Credits- JFK Airport
