More passengers, larger aircraft and additional gates mean that terminals are constantly expanding.Image: www.imago-images.de
Ranking
Those who change planes at major US airports often need not only patience, but also perseverance. A current evaluation shows at which airports the distances between two gates are particularly long.
Jul 7, 2026, 2:22 amJul 7, 2026, 2:22 am
Dorothea Meadows / t-online
Modern airports have been growing for years. More passengers, larger aircraft and additional gates mean that terminals are constantly expanding. For travelers this often means long walks, especially when there are short transfer times. If you examine the largest US airports according to their maximum walking distances between terminals and gates, one airport stands out.
The longest continuous walk passengers have to take is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in the US state of Texas. Anyone who has to walk from the outer area of Terminal B to the furthest gates in Terminal E will cover up to 3.5 kilometers.
Allow at least 90 minutes transfer time
Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) in the US state of Illinois follows in second place. The longest possible walking distance there is 2.2 kilometers. Passengers who transfer between international and national areas in particular often have to plan longer journeys.
At Atlanta (ATL in Georgia), Denver (DEN in Colorado) and Orlando (MCO in Florida) airports, the longest walking distances between the gates are also 1 to 1.6 kilometers.
These long distances can become a problem, especially with short transfer times. Delays when disembarking, changing gates or long walks increase the risk of missing your connecting flight. Travel experts therefore recommend allowing at least 90 minutes of transfer time at major hubs. This leaves enough time for the journey through the terminal, possible security checks or last-minute changes to the departure gate.
Shuttle systems shorten the route
Many major airports now rely on automatic transport systems to shorten long journeys. These include the Skylink in Dallas and the Plane Train in Atlanta. They take passengers between the different terminal areas to their destination within just a few minutes.
Older travelers, families with small children or people with limited mobility can often register a wheelchair or driving service with the airport or airline in advance.