These are lists of the busiest flight routes by the number of passengers flown, by seat capacity and by aircraft movements in the 2020s. For previous data, see List of busiest passenger flight routes, 2010s
Global statistics
By available seats The following are the lists of the world's busiest flight routes based on the number of seats available in the flights scheduled in both directions. Note that these statistics do not consider the number of passengers actually carried (load factor). OAG did not conduct the busiest flights survey in 2020. As of 2025, all of the top 10 busiest routes are domestic. The busiest international route connects Hong Kong and Taipei–Taoyuan, ranked 11th overall. (See the international route table further below.)
Top 10 flight routes by available seats
International flight routes (airport pairs) by available seats
By aircraft movements The following are the lists of the world's busiest flight routes based on the number of scheduled flights in both directions. Note that these statistics do not consider the number of passengers carried.
Domestic
International The only international route to make the Top 50 busiest routes in 2021 was between Saint Barthélemy (SBH) and Sint Maarten (SXM).
Regional statistics
Europe by passengers carried Busiest flight routes originating within the EU, Switzerland, and Turkey. Passenger numbers are reported for routes with more than 1.2 million passengers, based on airport statistics collected by Eurostat. Therfore, domestic routes within the UK, Norway or Russia, as well as international routes involving the UK, Norway and Russia (that do not originate in the EU, Switzerland, or Turkey) are excluded.
National statistics
Brazil
China
India
Mexico
See also
References