Busiest flight routes in the world

Which are the world's busiest flight routes?

November 2026

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OAG · Busiest Routes Right Now · November 2026
Busiest Routes Right Now  • 
Jeju to Seoul
is the world's
busiest route
1.05 million seats  •  CJU to GMP
Busiest domestic route
CJU → GMP
Jeju International to Seoul Gimpo
1.05m
−24% YoY
Busiest international route
ICN → NRT
Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita
550k
+42% YoY
Fastest growing route (global domestic)
SHA → SZX
Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen — year-on-year
+5%
687k seats

What are the world's busiest domestic flight routes?

The World's Busiest Domestic route in November 2026 is Jeju International (CJU) to Seoul Gimpo (GMP), offering 1.05 million seats, despite capacity declining by 24% compared with November 2025. Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) remains in second place with 988k seats, with capacity broadly unchanged year-on-year. Fukuoka (FUK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) remains third with 964k seats, declining by 2%, while Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) ranks fourth with 909k seats, recording a 7% decline. Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) completes the top five with 690k seats, also declining by 7% compared with November 2025. Further down the rankings, Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Shenzhen (SZX) climbs to sixth place with 687k seats and records the strongest growth among the global top ten, increasing capacity by 5%. Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Okinawa Naha (OKA) follows in seventh with 686k seats, posting 3% growth, while Mumbai (BOM) to Delhi (DEL) ranks eighth with 684k seats, also increasing by 3% year-on-year. Beijing (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) ranks ninth with 631k seats, declining slightly by 1%, while Jeddah (JED) to Riyadh (RUH) falls to tenth place with 617k seats, recording the largest decline among the world's ten busiest domestic routes at 28% compared with November 2025.

Scheduled seats • November 2026 • bidirectional • hover a route for details

Top 10 global domestic routes

Route (thickness = seats) Airport
RouteSectorSeatsYoY
1.CJU-GMPJeju International – Seoul Gimpo1.05m−24%
2.CTS-HNDSapporo New Chitose – Tokyo Haneda988k0%
3.FUK-HNDFukuoka – Tokyo Haneda964k−2%
4.HAN-SGNHanoi – Ho Chi Minh City909k−7%
5.MEL-SYDMelbourne – Sydney690k−7%
6.SHA-SZXShanghai Hongqiao – Shenzhen687k+5%
7.HND-OKATokyo Haneda – Okinawa686k+3%
8.BOM-DELMumbai – Delhi684k+3%
9.PEK-SHABeijing – Shanghai Hongqiao631k−1%
10.JED-RUHJeddah – Riyadh617k−28%
Source: OAG Schedules Analyser · November 2026 · bidirectional seat volumes

What are the world's busiest international flight routes?

Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) remains the World's Busiest International route in November 2026, offering 550k seats and recording exceptional 42% growth compared with November 2025, the strongest increase among the world's top ten international routes. Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE) remains in second place with 513k seats, despite capacity declining by 3% year-on-year. Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Osaka Kansai (KIX) retains third place with 473k seats, posting strong 16% growth, while Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore Changi (SIN) moves into fourth with 446k seats, with capacity broadly unchanged compared with last year. Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) completes the top five with 439k seats, declining by 6% compared with November 2025.

Scheduled seats • November 2026 • bidirectional • hover a route for details

Top 10 global international routes

Route (thickness = seats) Airport
RouteSectorSeatsYoY
1.ICN-NRTSeoul Incheon – Tokyo Narita550k+42%
2.HKG-TPEHong Kong – Taipei513k−3%
3.ICN-KIXSeoul Incheon – Osaka Kansai473k+16%
4.KUL-SINKuala Lumpur – Singapore Changi446k0%
5.CAI-JEDCairo – Jeddah439k−6%
6.CGK-SINJakarta – Singapore Changi362k−1%
7.NRT-TPETokyo Narita – Taipei354k+9%
8.FUK-ICNFukuoka – Seoul Incheon319k+10%
9.HKG-MNLHong Kong – Manila304k−6%
10.BKK-HKGBangkok – Hong Kong301k−5%
Source: OAG Schedules Analyser · November 2026 · bidirectional seat volumes

Further down the rankings, Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore Changi (SIN) remains sixth with 362k seats, recording a modest 1% decline year-on-year. Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Taipei (TPE) ranks seventh with 354k seats, increasing capacity by 9%, while Fukuoka (FUK) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) follows in eighth with 319k seats, posting strong 10% growth. Hong Kong (HKG) to Manila (MNL) enters the top ten in ninth place with 304k seats, recording a 6% decline compared with November 2025. Bangkok (BKK) to Hong Kong (HKG) rounds out the top ten with 301k seats, declining by 5% year-on-year.

Asia Pacific continues to dominate the international market in November 2026, accounting for nine of the world's ten busiest international routes. Seoul Incheon (ICN) remains a particularly important regional hub, featuring in three of the top ten markets, including the world's busiest international route. Tokyo Narita (NRT) also features twice, while Hong Kong (HKG) appears across three leading routes, highlighting the continued importance of intra-Asia connectivity. The strongest capacity growth is concentrated on routes linking South Korea and Japan, with Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) increasing by 42%, Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Osaka Kansai (KIX) by 16%, and Fukuoka (FUK) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) by 10%. Outside Asia Pacific, Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) remains the only Middle East–Africa route in the global top ten, while New York JFK (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR) drops out of the rankings in November 2026.

What are China's busiest domestic flight routes?

Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Shenzhen (SZX) becomes China's Busiest Domestic route in November 2026, offering 687k seats and recording 5% growth compared with November 2025. Beijing (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) moves into second place with 631k seats, declining slightly by 1% year-on-year. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) remains third with 598k seats, increasing capacity by 7%, while Beijing (PEK) to Shenzhen (SZX) ranks fourth with 452k seats, recording a 6% decline. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Hangzhou (HGH) completes the top five with 394k seats, posting 3% growth compared with last year. Hangzhou (HGH) to Shenzhen (SZX) ranks sixth with 361k seats, declining by 8% year-on-year, while Chengdu (CTU) to Beijing (PEK) follows in seventh with 346k seats, recording the largest decline among China's top ten routes at 10%. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Beijing (PEK) ranks eighth with 330k seats, down 4%, while Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Beijing Daxing (PKX) follows in ninth with 329k seats, increasing capacity by 6%. Beijing Daxing (PKX) to Shenzhen (SZX) enters the top ten in tenth place with 270k seats, recording the strongest growth among China's ten busiest domestic routes at 8% compared with November 2025.

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser · November 2026

What are the USA's busiest domestic flight routes?

Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) remains the USA's Busiest Domestic route in November 2026, offering 380k seats and recording strong 39% growth compared with November 2025. New York La Guardia (LGA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) retains second place with 328k seats, increasing capacity by 10%, while New York JFK (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) remains third with 328k seats, posting 9% year-on-year growth. Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) ranks fourth with 282k seats, recording a 20% increase, while Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) completes the top five with 281k seats, growing by 4% compared with last year.

Route 1
LAX→SFO
Los Angeles – San Francisco
380,312 seats
+39%
Route 2
LGA→ORD
New York La Guardia – Chicago O'Hare
328,322 seats
+10%
Route 3
JFK→LAX
New York JFK – Los Angeles
327,842 seats
+9%
Route 4
LAX→ORD
Los Angeles – Chicago O'Hare
282,076 seats
+20%
Route 5
DEN→PHX
Denver – Phoenix
280,738 seats
+4%
Route 6
ATL→MCO
Atlanta – Orlando
259,840 seats
+2%
Route 7
BOS→ORD
Boston – Chicago O'Hare
246,886 seats
+37%
Route 8
HNL→OGG
Honolulu – Kahului
240,100 seats
+1%
Route 9
ORD→SFO
Chicago O'Hare – San Francisco
237,343 seats
+46%
Route 10
LAX→SEA
Los Angeles – Seattle
236,158 seats
+28%

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser · November 2026

Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO) ranks sixth with 260k seats, recording modest 2% growth, while Boston (BOS) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) follows in seventh with 247k seats, posting strong 37% year-on-year growth. Honolulu (HNL) to Kahului (OGG) ranks eighth with 240k seats, increasing capacity by 1%. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) moves into ninth place with 237k seats and records the strongest growth among the USA's top ten domestic routes, increasing capacity by 46%. Los Angeles (LAX) to Seattle (SEA) enters the top ten in tenth place with 236k seats, recording strong 28% growth compared with November 2025. Notably, all ten of the USA's busiest domestic routes record year-on-year capacity growth in November 2026.

Busiest international routes by region

The top international routes in each region — click a region to expand.

RouteSectorSeats
1ICN-NRTSeoul Incheon – Tokyo Narita549,928
2HKG-TPEHong Kong – Taipei513,161
3ICN-KIXSeoul Incheon – Osaka Kansai473,424
4KUL-SINKuala Lumpur – Singapore Changi446,214
5CGK-SINJakarta – Singapore Changi362,028
6NRT-TPETokyo Narita – Taipei354,114
7FUK-ICNFukuoka – Seoul Incheon318,548
8HKG-MNLHong Kong – Manila303,575
9BKK-HKGBangkok – Hong Kong300,815
10HKG-PVGHong Kong – Shanghai Pudong298,408
RouteSectorSeats
1JFK-LHRNew York JFK – London Heathrow274,386
2FCO-MADRome Fiumicino – Madrid221,964
3DXB-LHRDubai – London Heathrow200,248
4DOH-LHRDoha – London Heathrow189,552
5ECN-SAWErcan – Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen189,428
6ARN-CPHStockholm – Copenhagen181,474
7LIS-MADLisbon – Madrid181,446
8CPH-OSLCopenhagen – Oslo180,731
9DUB-LHRDublin – London Heathrow171,194
10LHR-SINLondon Heathrow – Singapore Changi167,100
RouteSectorSeats
1JFK-LHRNew York JFK – London Heathrow274,386
2MCO-SJUOrlando – San Juan201,800
3CUN-YYZCancun – Toronto155,410
4CDG-JFKParis CDG – New York JFK145,924
5SFO-TPESan Francisco – Taipei135,622
6LAX-LHRLos Angeles – London Heathrow124,022
7ICN-LAXSeoul Incheon – Los Angeles118,110
8LGA-YYZNew York La Guardia – Toronto113,402
9LHR-MIALondon Heathrow – Miami112,073
10IAH-MEXHouston – Mexico City108,540
RouteSectorSeats
1MCO-SJUOrlando – San Juan201,800
2CUN-YYZCancun – Toronto155,410
3BOG-MADBogota – Madrid143,738
4BOG-PTYBogota – Panama City142,271
5AEP-GRUBuenos Aires Aeroparque – Sao Paulo Guarulhos127,660
6GRU-SCLSao Paulo Guarulhos – Santiago121,000
7LIM-SCLLima – Santiago119,574
8IAH-MEXHouston – Mexico City108,540
9AEP-SCLBuenos Aires Aeroparque – Santiago107,874
10GDL-LAXGuadalajara – Los Angeles106,873
RouteSectorSeats
1CAI-JEDCairo – Jeddah438,876
2CAI-MEDCairo – Madinah193,898
3CAI-RUHCairo – Riyadh187,864
4CAI-DXBCairo – Dubai180,016
5CAI-KWICairo – Kuwait126,230
6ADD-DXBAddis Ababa – Dubai119,180
7CAI-DOHCairo – Doha96,742
8DXB-JNBDubai – Johannesburg93,396
9CAI-ELQCairo – Gassim92,980
10CAI-ISTCairo – Istanbul Ataturk92,792
RouteSectorSeats
1CAI-JEDCairo – Jeddah438,876
2BOM-DXBMumbai – Dubai225,650
3DEL-DXBDelhi – Dubai206,604
4DXB-LHRDubai – London Heathrow200,248
5DXB-JEDDubai – Jeddah195,302
6CAI-MEDCairo – Madinah193,898
7DXB-RUHDubai – Riyadh190,030
8DOH-LHRDoha – London Heathrow189,552
9CAI-RUHCairo – Riyadh187,864
10CGK-JEDJakarta – Jeddah180,114

Busiest routes data: November 2026

Static reference tables for the top busiest air routes in November 2026. Data sourced from OAG Schedules Analyser.

Top 10 global domestic routes — November 2026

RouteSectorSeats
1.CJU-GMPJeju International – Seoul Gimpo1,048,829
2.CTS-HNDSapporo New Chitose – Tokyo Haneda988,247
3.FUK-HNDFukuoka – Tokyo Haneda964,157
4.HAN-SGNHanoi – Ho Chi Minh City909,145
5.MEL-SYDMelbourne – Sydney689,778
6.SHA-SZXShanghai Hongqiao – Shenzhen687,052
7.HND-OKATokyo Haneda – Okinawa Naha685,658
8.BOM-DELMumbai – Delhi684,478
9.PEK-SHABeijing – Shanghai Hongqiao631,426
10.JED-RUHJeddah – Riyadh616,891

Top 10 global international routes — November 2026

RouteSectorSeats
1.ICN-NRTSeoul Incheon – Tokyo Narita549,928
2.HKG-TPEHong Kong – Taipei513,161
3.ICN-KIXSeoul Incheon – Osaka Kansai473,424
4.KUL-SINKuala Lumpur – Singapore Changi446,214
5.CAI-JEDCairo – Jeddah438,876
6.CGK-SINJakarta – Singapore Changi362,028
7.NRT-TPETokyo Narita – Taipei354,114
8.FUK-ICNFukuoka – Seoul Incheon318,548
9.HKG-MNLHong Kong – Manila303,575
10.BKK-HKGBangkok – Hong Kong300,815

Busiest airline routes: frequently asked questions

The world’s busiest airline route in November 2026 is Jeju International (CJU) to Seoul Gimpo (GMP) in South Korea, with 1,048,829 scheduled seats — despite a 24% decline vs November 2025. Sapporo New Chitose to Tokyo Haneda (CTS-HND) is second with 988,247 seats (broadly unchanged). The busiest international route is Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita (ICN-NRT) with 549,928 seats. Source: OAG Schedules Analyser, November 2026.
Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita (ICN-NRT) is the world’s busiest international airline route in November 2026, with 549,928 seats, up 42% year-on-year. Nine of the top ten international routes are in Asia Pacific. Hong Kong to Taipei (HKG-TPE) ranks second with 513,161 seats (−3%), while Seoul Incheon to Osaka Kansai (ICN-KIX) retains third with 473,424 seats (+16%). ICN-NRT posts the strongest growth at +42%. Source: OAG Schedules Analyser, November 2026.
Los Angeles to San Francisco (LAX-SFO) is the busiest domestic route in the USA in November 2026, with 380,312 seats — up 39% vs November 2025. New York La Guardia to Chicago O’Hare (LGA-ORD) is second with 328,322 seats (+10%). Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (ORD-SFO) recorded the strongest growth in the top ten at +46%. Source: OAG Schedules Analyser, November 2026.
Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen (SHA-SZX) is the busiest domestic route in China in November 2026 with 687,052 seats, up 5% vs November 2025. Beijing to Shanghai Hongqiao (PEK-SHA) is second with 631,426 seats (−1%), and Guangzhou Baiyun to Shanghai Hongqiao (CAN-SHA) ranks third with 598,199 seats (+7%). Source: OAG Schedules Analyser, November 2026.
The busiest air routes are defined as those with the largest volume of scheduled airline seats in the current calendar month. Data covers flights in both directions on each route and is sourced from OAG Schedules Analyser in the first week of each month. The data reflects the most recent full calendar month of scheduled domestic and international aviation routes. From July 2026, Middle East international routes are included in the regional breakdown and global rankings.

View and interrogate OAG’s ever-popular Busiest Airline Routes, including the Top 10 Busiest Global Airline Routes, Top 10 Domestic Airline Routes and International Airline Routes by region. Our flight routes data is powered by Schedules Analyser.

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