Most popular flights out of 20 major airports

Published by: Katrina Sirotta8 June, 2022
article picture

Lukas Gojda // Shutterstock

Most popular flights out of 20 major airports

After a year of pandemic-induced isolation in the U.S., air travel began to pick up again in 2021. Many people traveled for work, while others cooped up at home decided to go on a much-needed vacation.

Last year, 674 million passengers flew on U.S. airlines, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. While that number seems like a big one—it’s 83% more than the year before—it still remains below pre-pandemic levels.

To shed more light on the state of travel in the U.S., luggage storage app Bounce examined flight data from the Department of Transportation to find the most popular destinations from major U.S. airports in 2021, the latest information available. The data only includes domestic flights, as reported by U.S. airlines. In the event of a tie, the most popular location in 2020 was used.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular destinations were warm-weather spots like Los Angeles and Orlando; however, there are a few surprises on the list, as well.

As the country continues to emerge from the lingering pandemic, new travel trends have also emerged. Corporate travel—which made up a large portion of air and hotel spending—has made a slow rebound. Business travel is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, according to a 2022 Deloitte outlook report.

The age of travelers may also be shifting. Travelers over age 55, who were projected to be a large share of travelers before the pandemic, are now less likely than 18-34 year olds to take a trip, the report also found. This continues the trend in 2021, when 18-34 years took an average of 2.7 trips. This was higher compared to 35-54 year olds (2.4 average trips) and those 55 years and older (1.7 average trips).

article subject image

JW_PNW // Shutterstock

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

  • Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Top destination: Denver, Colorado
  • Travelers in 2021: 690,690

Luggage Storage in DC

Find the most convenient luggage storage in Washington DC can provide with insurance options and 24/7 customer support.

article subject image

Keith J Finks // Shutterstock

General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS)

  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Top destination: Orlando, Florida
  • Travelers in 2021: 594,460
article subject image

Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock

Detroit Metro Wayne County (DTW)

  • Location: Detroit, Michigan
  • Top destination: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Travelers in 2021: 682,330
article subject image

JW_PNW // Shutterstock

Minneapolis-St. Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Field (MSP)

  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Top destination: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Travelers in 2021: 641,880
article subject image

JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • Top destination: Los Angeles, California
  • Travelers in 2021: 795,540
article subject image

EQRoy // Shutterstock

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

  • Location: Newark, New Jersey
  • Top destination: Orlando, Florida
  • Travelers in 2021: 971,460
article subject image

Markus Mainka // Shutterstock

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Top destination: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.1 million
article subject image

Pit Stock // Shutterstock

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

  • Location: Queens, New York
  • Top destination: Los Angeles, California
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.1 million

New York's Secure Bag Storage

Find luggage storage in New York City with just a few clicks and keep your belongings safe while you explore the Big Apple.

article subject image

Arina P Habich // Shutterstock

George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH)

  • Location: Houston, Texas
  • Top destination: Denver, Colorado
  • Travelers in 2021: 741,410
article subject image

EQRoy // Shutterstock

Miami International Airport (MIA)

  • Location: Miami, Florida
  • Top destination: New York, New York
  • Travelers in 2021: 917,830

Enjoy Miami Baggage Free

Locate secure luggage storage in Miami, and travel with confidence using an all-in-one luggage storage app.


article subject image

EQRoy // Shutterstock

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

  • Location: Seattle, Washington
  • Top destination: Anchorage, Alaska
  • Travelers in 2021: 844,500
article subject image

Joni Hanebutt // Shutterstock

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

  • Location: Orlando, Florida
  • Top destination: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.1 million
article subject image

Markus Mainka // Shutterstock

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Top destination: Denver, Colorado
  • Travelers in 2021: 1 million
article subject image

Kit Leong // Shutterstock

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Top destination: Los Angeles, California
  • Travelers in 2021: 923,540
article subject image

Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

  • Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Top destination: Orlando, Florida
  • Travelers in 2021: 614,650
article subject image

Phillip B. Espinasse // Shutterstock

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Top destination: New York, New York
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.1 million

Instantly Reserve LA Bag Storage

Access the best luggage storage in Los Angeles has to offer and reserve the nearest location at affordable rates.

article subject image

Tupungato // Shutterstock

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Top destination: Los Angeles, California
  • Travelers in 2021: 948,890
article subject image

Arina P Habich // Shutterstock

Denver International Airport (DEN)

  • Location: Denver, Colorado
  • Top destination: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.0 million

Denver's Secure Bag Storage

Find luggage storage in Denver with just a few clicks and keep your belongings safe while you explore Colorado.

article subject image

max.ku // Shutterstock

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

  • Location: Fort Worth, Texas
  • Top destination: Los Angeles, California
  • Travelers in 2021: 992,140
article subject image

ESB Professional // Shutterstock

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Top destination: Orlando, Florida
  • Travelers in 2021: 1.1 million
abstract illustration

Get the Bounce Luggage Storage App

Instantly find locations nearby to drop off your luggage wherever you go

download on androiddownload on ios
bounce appbounce app