A new analysis from OAG reveals London Heathrow (LHR) has maintained its position as the world’s best-connected airport for the last decade, a ranking underpinned by a significant 24% increase in destinations served. Despite rising competition, LHR’s consistent network growth solidifies its number one status.
According to OAG Chief Analyst John Grant, the rankings reflect a dynamic and shifting global aviation landscape. While London Heathrow has held strong, other major hubs are rapidly improving their connectivity, posing a challenge to the traditional European leaders.
Notable improvements in ranking include Amsterdam (AMS), which has climbed from 7th to 3rd place globally. In Asia, emerging “Megahubs” have seen particularly strong gains. Istanbul (IST) has jumped from 4th to 2nd place, driven by a 24% increase in destinations served over the last 10 years. Incheon (ICN) in South Korea stands out as a major mover, climbing from 10th to 6th with a remarkable 58% increase in potential connections on its busiest day. Similarly, Kuala Lumpur (KUL) has moved up to 4th place, with a 22% increase in destinations.
Conversely, some long-standing European hubs have seen a decline in their rankings. Paris (CDG) has slipped from 6th to 10th place, and Frankfurt (FRA) is now 4th, down from 3rd a decade ago. Grant notes that these declines are partly due to reductions in domestic connectivity and a shift towards alternative modes of transport. In the U.S., while Atlanta (ATL) held its position at 8th, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) has fallen from what would have been second place in 2015 to 7th in the 2025 rankings.
Grant concludes that while some changes appear subtle, the last ten years have shown a clear evolution in global air travel, with Asian and Middle Eastern Megahubs gaining significant ground. This trend provides a glimpse into how the world’s most connected airports may continue to evolve over the next decade.
