In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 busiest routes by number of seat capacity in 2023. All of the top 10 routes were domestic, and most were in Asia.
1. Jeju International (CJU) – Seoul Gimpo (GMP), South Korea
Seat Capacity in 2023: 13,728,786 seats
Change vs 2022: -12% (Ranking: 1)
Change vs 2019: -21% (Ranking: 1)
Major Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, JejuAir, Air Busan, T’way Air
Maintaining its stronghold as the busiest route, the domestic connection between Jeju and Seoul Gimpo boasted a seating capacity of 13.7 million in 2023. Despite a 12% decrease from the previous year and a substantial 21% dip since 2019, this route, often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of South Korea,’ continued to claim the top spot.
2. Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) – Tokyo Haneda (HND), Japan
Seat Capacity in 2023: 11,936,302 seats
Change vs 2022: 12% (Ranking: 2)
Change vs 2019: -4% (Ranking: 2)
Major Airlines: ANA, Japan Airlines, Air Do, Skymark Airlines
The air bridge between Sapporo New Chitose and Tokyo Haneda secured the second position with a capacity of close to 12 million seats in 2023. With a commendable 12% increase from 2022 and a modest 4% decline since 2019, this Japanese route remains pivotal, served by all the major carriers in the region.
Comparing the annual seating capacity, there is a 15% gap in capacity between the two busiest routes of 2023.
3. Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND), Japan
Seat Capacity in 2023: 11,264,229 seats
Change vs 2022: 8% (Ranking: 4)
Change vs 2019: -1% (Ranking: 3)
Major Airlines: ANA, Japan Airlines, Skymark Airlines, StarFlyer
Fukuoka to Tokyo Haneda was the third busiest route with 11.3 million seats. There is only a 6% gap in capacity between the second and third busiest routes of 2023.
Many aircraft ranging from Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies to widebodies were used on this route. Along with Boeing 737s, Japan Airlines used Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s and 787s. ANA also operated a mix of narrowbodies and Boeing 767, and 787 widebodies.
4. Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam
Seat Capacity in 2023: 10,883,555 seats
Change vs 2022: 3% (Ranking: 3)
Change vs 2019: 6% (Ranking: 4)
Major Airlines: Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air
The Vietnamese domestic route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City secured the fourth position with a seating capacity of 10.8 million seats in 2023.
Both narrow and widebody jets served the high-demand route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines operated around one-quarter of the flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, whereas narrowbody jets operated the rest of the flights. Vietnam Airlines also used Airbus A350s on some flights.
5. Melbourne (MEL) – Sydney (SYD), Australia
Seat Capacity in 2023: 9,342,312 seats
Change vs 2022: 14% (Ranking: 5)
Change vs 2019: -6% (Ranking: 5)
Major Airlines: Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex Airlines
Connecting two major Australian cities, the Melbourne to Sydney route secured the fifth spot, with a seat capacity of 9.4 million seats in 2023.
While most of the airlines used Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies to operate this route, Qantas occasionally used Airbus A330s to ensure high seats per flight.
6. Beijing (PEK) – Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), China
Seat Capacity in 2023: 8,355,225 seats
Change vs 2022: 49%
Change vs 2019: 3% (Ranking: 7)
Major Airlines: Air China, Hainan Airlines, China Eastern
Linking the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai, this Chinese route claimed the sixth position with a seating capacity of 8.3 million seats in 2023. This route experienced noteworthy growth, driven by a 49% increase in seat capacity as compared to 2022.
Many aircraft types were used on this route, with China Eastern Airlines and Air China operating the most diverse fleet of Airbus A330, A350, Boeing 777, and narrowbody jets. Hainan Airlines also used Airbus A330 and B787s on the majority of its flights.
7. Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Okinawa Naha (OKA), Japan
Seat Capacity in 2023: 7,982,218 seats
Change vs 2022: 9% (Ranking: 7)
Change vs 2019: 4% (Ranking: 9)
Major Airlines: ANA, Japan Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Solaseed Air
Securing the seventh position, the route between Tokyo Haneda and Okinawa Naha recorded a seating capacity of around 8 million seats in 2023.
Many aircraft types ranging from Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies to widebodies were used on this route. Along with Boeing 737s, Japan Airlines, and ANA used Airbus A350s, Boeing 767s, 777s, and 787s widebodies.
8. Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia
Seat Capacity in 2023: 7,902,142 seats
Change vs 2022: 5% (Ranking: 6)
Change vs 2019: -1% (Ranking: 8)
Major Airlines: Saudia, Flyadeal, Flynas
The Saudi Arabian domestic route between King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, and King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh clinched the eighth position with a seating capacity of 7.9 million seats in 2023.
Aircraft types on this route range from the Airbus A320 family jets to Boeing 737s. Saudia also used Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebodies regularly on flights between the two cities.
9. Mumbai (BOM) – Delhi (DEL), India
Seat Capacity in 2023: 7,276,430 seats
Change vs 2022: 4% (Ranking: 9)
Change vs 2019: -12% (Ranking: 6)
Major Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, Akasa Air
Connecting two major Indian metropolises, the Mumbai to Delhi route secured the ninth position with a seating capacity of 7.2 million in 2023.
Despite a 12% decline in capacity from 2019, the route remains an integral part of the Indian aviation landscape, facilitating essential connections. This route is heavily dependent on Airbus A320 family jets and Boeing 737s.
10. Jakarta (CGK) – Denpasar Bali (DPS), Indonesia
Seat Capacity in 2023: 7,190,961 seats
Change vs 2022: 1% (Ranking: 8)
Change vs 2019: 8%
Major Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, Citilink, Air Asia, Super Air Jet
Wrapping up the top ten, the route between Jakarta and Denpasar Bali in Indonesia recorded a seating capacity of 7.1 million seats in 2023. It is the only route in the top 10 which did not appear in the top 10 in 2019.
While the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 were common on this route, Garuda Indonesia deployed Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 on the route.
| 2023 Ranking | Route | Seats | 2022 Ranking | 2023 vs 2022 |
| 1 | Jeju (CJU) – Seoul Gimpo (GMP) | 13,728,786 | 1 | -12% |
| 2 | Sapporo (CTS) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 11,936,302 | 2 | 12% |
| 3 | Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 11,264,229 | 4 | 8% |
| 4 | Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | 10,883,555 | 3 | 3% |
| 5 | Melbourne (MEL) – Sydney (SYD) | 9,342,312 | 5 | 14% |
| 6 | Beijing (PEK) – Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 8,355,225 | – | 49% |
| 7 | Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Okinawa Naha (OKA) | 7,982,218 | 7 | 9% |
| 8 | Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH) | 7,902,142 | 6 | 5% |
| 9 | Mumbai (BOM) – Delhi (DEL) | 7,276,430 | 9 | 4% |
| 10 | Jakarta (CGK) – Denpasar-Bali (DPS) | 7,190,961 | 8 | 1% |
How many of these routes have you flown to date? Let us know in the comments below: