If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been a bit lax — LAX? — about keeping up with airport statistics.

After a fire triggered a flight-crippling blackout at Harstfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week, many of us backward types were surprised to learn, shortly after the lights went out in Georgia, that this airport is the busiest in the United States — and the world.

Beijing, alas, is trailing behind at No. 2.

But, Atlanta? Really? What happened to O’Hare?

According to Trip Savvy, O’Hare gave up the title in the late 1990s, in part because Atlanta “is only a two-hour flight from 80 percent of the U.S. population” and because Delta Airlines has its hub there. (The airport offers 151 domestic and 28 international gates.)

TRAVEL:Atlanta airport power outage affects flights at Newark, LaGuardia, JFK

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CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY:A guide to the holidays in New York City

People clearly love going to and from Atlanta — except for the holidays. Interestingly, the 10 Ten list for Christmas travel has some significant differences than the list for the rest of the year.

Take Newark-Liberty International Airport, for instance.

During the rest of the year, Newark-Liberty isn’t even in the Top Ten, although it’s close at No. 14.

At Christmas, though, it elbows past the competition — you know how pushy New Jerseyans can be — and comes in at No. 4. According to Travel Savvy, the airport also offers cheaper flights than JFK and LaGuardia airports.

And it’s so picturesque!

Seriously, what’s more Christmassy than sitting in traffic on the Jersey Turnpike?

You can probably guess what hubs are chasing Atlanta’s numbers during the rest of the year. But the Christmas list contains a few surprises.

Check out the numbers...

For busiest overall, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is No. 3, behind Harstfield-Jackson Atlanta and O’Hare. Pulling up the rear, in order, are:

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

5. John F. Kennedy International Airport

6. Denver International Airport

7. San Francisco International Airport

8. McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)

9. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

10.George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston)

During the holidays, there are some significant additions and subtractions. (Atlanta is among the subtractions.) Counted down, David Letterman-style, they are:

10. Fort Lauderdale Airport, Hollywood International Airport

9. O’Hare International Airport

8. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

7. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

6. San Francisco International Airport

5. McCarran International Airport

4. Newark Liberty International Airport

3. Denver International Airport

2. Los Angeles International Airport

And then No. 1 busiest U.S. airport during the holiday season:

Orlando International Airport in, yes, Orlando, Florida.

Clearly, not everyone is dreaming of a white Christmas.

This article is part of "The Daily Bill," columnist Bill Ervolino's take on the latest news that he finds interesting, fun or just plain odd.