Airports across the United States are equipped with runways of different lengths depending on their location, aircraft traffic, elevation, weather conditions, and operational requirements. Some airports have exceptionally long runways capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft, heavy cargo planes, military aircraft, and long-haul flights.
The longest commercial runway in the USA is at Denver International Airport, where Runway 16R/34L measures 16,000 feet (4,877 meters). Denver’s high elevation is one reason the airport benefits from an unusually long runway.
List airports with the longest runways in the USA:
1. Denver International Airport — 16,000 Feet
Location: Denver, Colorado
Airport Code: DEN
Longest Runway: 16,000 feet (4,877 meters)
Denver International Airport has the longest commercial runway in the United States. Runway 16R/34L stretches an impressive 16,000 feet, or more than three miles.
DEN has six runways. Five are 12,000 feet long, while the sixth is the 16,000-foot runway. The airport’s elevation is about 5,434 feet above sea level, and thinner air at high elevations can increase the distance required for heavily loaded aircraft to take off.
The runway is also 200 feet wide, providing substantial pavement for large aircraft operations.
2. Harry Reid International Airport — 14,515 Feet
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Airport Code: LAS
Longest Runway: 14,515 feet (4,424 meters)
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas has one of the longest commercial runways in the United States. Its Runway 8L/26R measures approximately 14,515 feet long and 150 feet wide.
Las Vegas experiences high temperatures, and the airport is located at an elevation of roughly 2,000 feet. Temperature and elevation can affect aircraft performance, making runway length an important consideration for aircraft operations.
The airport is also one of the busiest aviation facilities in the country, serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area and large numbers of leisure and business travelers.
3. John F. Kennedy International Airport — 14,511 Feet
Location: Queens, New York
Airport Code: JFK
Longest Runway: 14,511 feet (4,423 meters)
John F. Kennedy International Airport has one of the longest runways among major U.S. commercial airports. Runway 13R/31L measures approximately 14,511 feet.
The airport serves as a major gateway for international air travel in the New York metropolitan area. Its long runway is particularly important for large aircraft operating long-distance routes.
JFK has multiple runways arranged around its terminal complex, allowing air traffic controllers to manage a very high volume of aircraft movements.
4. Albuquerque International Sunport — 13,793 Feet
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Airport Code: ABQ
Longest Runway: 13,793 feet (4,204 meters)
Albuquerque International Sunport has a remarkably long 13,793-foot runway, designated Runway 08/26. The airport officially describes it as its east-west air carrier runway.
Albuquerque sits at an elevation of approximately 5,355 feet, making aircraft performance an important consideration. The combination of elevation, temperature, and aircraft weight can influence takeoff requirements.
The airport also shares its runways with Kirtland Air Force Base, adding another dimension to its aviation operations.
5. Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport — 13,502 Feet
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Airport Code: AMA
Longest Runway: 13,502 feet (4,115 meters)
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport has a 13,502-foot primary runway, making it one of the longest civilian runways in the United States.
The City of Amarillo states that the airport’s 13,502-foot runway is the 7th longest civilian runway in the USA.
The airport is located about six miles east of downtown Amarillo and provides commercial aviation services to the Texas Panhandle. Its long runway also reflects the area’s aviation history and the airport’s former military connection.
6. Colorado Springs Airport — 13,500 Feet
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Airport Code: COS
Longest Runway: 13,500 feet (4,115 meters)
Colorado Springs Airport features a 13,500-foot runway, designated 17L/35R. According to the City of Colorado Springs, the runway is 150 feet wide and constructed of grooved concrete.
The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 6,187 feet, making it one of the higher-elevation commercial airports in the United States.
The combination of altitude and runway length makes Colorado Springs an interesting example of how geography can influence airport infrastructure.
7. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — 13,401 Feet
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas
Airport Code: DFW
Longest Runway: 13,401 feet (4,085 meters)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States, and it has several long runways.
Its longest runway measures 13,401 feet. DFW Airport reports that Runway 17C/35C is 13,401 feet long and has handled a significant share of arrivals.
Current runway data also lists Runway 18L/36R at 13,401 feet, while several other DFW runways measure approximately 13,400 feet.
This extensive runway system helps DFW manage large numbers of commercial, cargo, and connecting flights.
8. Yuma International Airport — 13,300 Feet
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Airport Code: YUM
Longest Runway: 13,300 feet (4,054 meters)
Yuma International Airport has a 13,300-foot runway, designated 3L/21R. The runway is approximately 4,054 meters long and is made of concrete.
Yuma International is unusual because it operates as a public airport with significant military aviation activity. The airport shares facilities with Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Its long runway supports the area’s diverse aviation requirements and makes Yuma an important aviation facility in southwestern Arizona.
9. Chicago O’Hare International Airport — 13,000 Feet
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Airport Code: ORD
Longest Runway: 13,000 feet (3,962 meters)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of America’s major aviation hubs. Its longest reported active runway is 13,000 feet long and designated 10L/28R.
O’Hare operates an extensive runway system designed to accommodate a large number of aircraft movements. The airport handles domestic and international passenger flights as well as significant cargo activity.
Its long runway is particularly notable considering O’Hare’s location within the heavily developed Chicago metropolitan area.
10. Los Angeles International Airport — 12,923 Feet
Location: Los Angeles, California
Airport Code: LAX
Longest Runway: 12,923 feet (3,939 meters)
Los Angeles International Airport rounds out this list with a longest runway of approximately 12,923 feet.
LAX has four major runways serving its extensive passenger and cargo operations. Airport documentation lists Runway 7L/25R at 12,923 feet long and 150 feet wide.
Because LAX handles substantial domestic and international traffic, its runway infrastructure is an important part of the airport’s overall capacity.
Why Do Some Airports Need Extremely Long Runways?
Runway length is determined by several factors. Aircraft weight is one of the most important. A fully loaded wide-body aircraft carrying passengers, luggage, and fuel generally requires more runway for takeoff than a smaller aircraft.
Airport elevation also matters. Higher elevations mean thinner air, which can reduce aerodynamic lift and engine performance. Denver and Albuquerque are good examples of airports where high elevation is an important consideration. Denver International Airport specifically notes that its extra-long runway is useful because of the airport’s high elevation and summer temperatures.
Temperature is another factor. Hot air is less dense than cool air, which can increase takeoff distances. Airports in hot and elevated locations therefore may require longer runways for certain aircraft operations.
Finally, airports that handle large international aircraft, cargo planes, military aircraft, or specialized operations may have longer runways than airports serving primarily smaller aircraft.
Final Thoughts
The United States has some of the world’s most impressive airport infrastructure. From Denver’s 16,000-foot runway to Los Angeles International Airport’s 12,923-foot runway, these facilities demonstrate the scale required to support modern aviation.
The 10 airports with the longest runways in the USA featured here are:
- Denver International Airport — 16,000 ft
- Harry Reid International Airport — 14,515 ft
- John F. Kennedy International Airport — 14,511 ft
- Albuquerque International Sunport — 13,793 ft
- Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport — 13,502 ft
- Colorado Springs Airport — 13,500 ft
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — 13,401 ft
- Yuma International Airport — 13,300 ft
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport — 13,000 ft
- Los Angeles International Airport — 12,923 ft
