What are Class B airports?

The airspace around the busiest US airports is classified as ICAO Class B, and the primary airport (one or more) for which this airspace is designated is called Class B airport. As of January 2023, there are 37 Class B airports in the United States.



Class B airspace is designed to regulate the air traffic environment around the nation's busiest airports in terms of IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations and passenger enplanements. Geographically, Class B airspace is often described as an "upside-down wedding cake," consisting of a surface area and two or more layers that extend outward as the altitude increases. This design allows large commercial jets to remain within protected airspace as they descend toward or climb away from the primary airport. To enter Class B airspace, pilots must receive a specific "clearance" from Air Traffic Control, even if they are flying in clear weather (VFR). Additionally, the aircraft must be equipped with a two-way radio and a Mode C or Mode S transponder with altitude reporting capabilities. Famous examples of Class B airports include LAX in Los Angeles, JFK in New York, and O'Hare in Chicago. The strict requirements for entry ensure that high-velocity jet traffic and smaller general aviation aircraft are safely separated in these high-density corridors, minimizing the risk of mid-air collisions.

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B - Economy/Coach – Usually an upgradable fare to Business. C - Business Class. D - Business Class Discounted. E - Shuttle Service (no reservation allowed) or Economy/Coach Discounted. F - First Class.

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Class C airspace areas are designed to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of mid-air collisions in the terminal area and enhance the management of air traffic operations therein. Aircraft operating in these airspace areas are subject to certain operating rules and equipment requirements.

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Most Class C airports are home to flight schools and small aircraft hangars as well as scheduled service by airlines. While still busy, Class C airports have less traffic than Class B, so ATC doesn't need as much space to keep them organized. Like Class B, approach control services are provided.

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There are six classifications of airspace in the United States; A, B, C, D, E, and G. Class A is the most restrictive and Class G the least restrictive. They can be categorized as: Class A – 18,000 feet and higher above mean sea level (MSL). Class B – Airspace around the 40 most congested airports in the country.

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To enter Class B airspace, all aircraft must meet the following requirements:
  1. ATC clearance required to enter.
  2. Establish and maintain two-way communication prior to entering and while in airspace.
  3. Mode C transponder (within 30 nm, up to 10,000 feet msl)
  4. Student pilot operations restricted.


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Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS–B) is an advanced surveillance technology that combines an aircraft's positioning source, aircraft avionics, and a ground infrastructure to create an accurate surveillance interface between aircraft and ATC.

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No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at the following primary airports within Class B airspace unless the pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate: Andrews Air Force Base, MD. Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, GA. Boston Logan Airport, MA.

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When the number of flights increases to a level that creates regular and significant flight delays, and infrastructure improvements to manage the capacity are not feasible in the near future, the airport may be declared a Level 3 airport by the FAA.

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Class D airports have an Air Traffic Control Tower to coordinate airport operations. However, unlike Class B and C airports, they don't require a mandatory approach and departure control (though many do have approach/departure).

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Class C service requires pilots to establish two-way radio communications before entering Class C airspace. If the controller responds to a radio call with, “(a/c call sign) standby,” radio communications have been established and the pilot can enter Class C airspace.

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Class C Airspace (Mandatory Radar) A shelf area with an outer radius of 10 nautical miles surrounds the core area. It extends from 1200 feet AGL to 4000 feet AGL. The airspace is depicted on charts as 2 concentric magenta circles. For example, an airport with a surface altitude of 500 feet MSL is depicted above.

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