Traveling can involve a lot of waiting around, whether for a flight or during the journey itself, but it can also mean covering significant distances in large airports. At some major hubs, the walk to your gate can be quite a hike.
The longest airport walk in the United States is at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where travelers can cover up to 2.16 miles just to reach their gate, according to a new study from KURU Footwear. This Texas airport, one of the busiest globally, has more than 170 gates spread across five terminals.
Following closely is Washington Dulles International Airport, with a maximum walking distance of 1.62 miles. Notably, this airport had the most on-time departures globally in February. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport also requires travelers to walk up to 1.52 miles.
“Are you ready for a potential workout on the way to your gate?” KURU Footwear noted in their study. “Many airports involve quite a trek from check-in to boarding, and as air travel continues to grow and hit record numbers as it did in 2023, the distance between gates and terminals may only continue to increase.”
While some major airports feel like a marathon, others are small and easier to navigate.
For instance, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, has a maximum walking distance of just 0.11 miles. This airport, with a single terminal, offers flights from major carriers like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, as well as low-cost carrier Allegiant Air.
Travelers seeking a more compact airport experience can also choose Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York. This airport, with only a few gates, has a maximum walking distance of 0.12 miles, according to the study.
