New data from aviation analytics firm OAG shows Dubai International Airport has once again been ranked the world's busiest airport for international seat capacity in November 2026. The airport posted 4.47 million departing international seats, or 8.94 million when both directions are counted, giving it a lead of roughly 680,000 seats over its closest rival, London Heathrow, which recorded 3.79 million international seats.

Seoul Incheon followed in third place with 3.7 million seats, ahead of Singapore Changi with 3.58 million, Amsterdam Schiphol with 3.25 million and Hong Kong International with 3.19 million. Istanbul, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Frankfurt rounded out the top ten airports globally for international capacity.

Despite retaining the top spot, Dubai's capacity fell by about 16 per cent compared with November last year, a decline that could reflect shifts in airline scheduling or changes in regional travel demand. When domestic capacity is included in the comparison, Dubai International drops to fourth place worldwide, trailing Atlanta, Chicago and Tokyo, all of which handle significant volumes of domestic traffic that Dubai's network largely lacks.

Emirates and flydubai, the two main carriers operating out of the airport, continue to account for the bulk of its international seat capacity, reinforcing Dubai's role as one of the world's principal long-haul connecting hubs even as competition among major international airports intensifies.