The Top 10 Best Airport in The World
Airports are places where planes may land and take off. They are also known as aerodromes or airfields. A typical airport contains paved runways, maintenance facilities, and a terminal for both passengers and freight.
Since the beginning of aviation, the demands on airports have grown in complexity and size.
Prior to World War II, most passenger-transport aircraft could only land and take off at distances of up to 600 meters (2,000 feet).
For blind landings or adverse weather runs, additional open spaces were provided, but the overall area rarely exceeded 500 acres (200 hectares).
1. Istanbul Airport (IST)
Since Istanbul has long served as a crossroads for trade and travel, the Turkish city has only just begun to assume its role as a major transport hub in the era of air travel.
The new IST received praise for its cutting-edge design by Grimshaw Architects, which has won awards for its focus on efficiency and sustainability.
It was opened in 2018 to much fanfare and has bold ambitions to become the largest airport in the world.
With cutting-edge features like a fleet of robots to guide passengers through the 818 million-square-foot hub and a runway that can move a total of 90 planes per hour, the airport is ready to launch as a significant global player.
2. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Despite dropping one spot from the previous year, Changi will always remain a Readers' Choice Award fixture because it is the home of Singapore Airlines, your preferred airline.
Changi has developed into a destination in and of itself, in addition to being a great starting point for visiting a number of places in the area.
The airport unveiled the Moshe Safdie-designed Jewel in 2019, which has a 14,000-square-foot Canopy Park, indoor forests and waterfalls, and is all housed under a huge glass dome.
The first airport butterfly garden in the world, open-air decks, a free 24-hour movie theater, and even a rooftop pool and hot tub with views of the runways are among the other amenities.
3. Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
The major international airport in Seoul has been growing ever since it was opened 21 years ago on reclaimed land in the port city of Incheon.
As part of the airport's plan to increase its capacity to 100 million people annually, a second passenger terminal opened in 2018.
Incheon International, which primarily serves the nation's two main airlines, Korean and Asiana, also receives praise for its roomy VIP lounges and extras like an indoor ice rink, a spa, and a "Cultural Street" featuring regional food and dance performances.
Despite being 30 miles from the capital, a high-speed train link takes 43 minutes to travel from the terminal to the city center.
4. Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Zurich, Switzerland's largest international airport, serves as the primary hub for Swiss Airlines, which runs first- and business-class lounges.
These clubs are no joke, thanks to the presence of champagne and whiskey bars. Are you trying to find a place to buy duty-free chocolate? Here, you can browse dozens of stores.
The variety of restaurants and bars is also popular with readers. If the weather is good, there is also an outdoor observation deck with sweeping views of the activity on the runways.
5. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Tokyo's Haneda Airport used to be exclusively a domestic airport, but it's now getting long-distance flights and a sizable foreign clientele.
What causes it to be so well-liked? Quite simply, it's not Narita, the country's thriving international hub, which is 45 miles from the capital and is infamous for, among other things, the $200 cab ticket it need to get there.
In contrast, Haneda is only ten miles from the city center. However, Haneda isn't just popular because of its close proximity to the city center; it also receives high marks for its terminals' comfort and cleanliness, their abundance of dining and shopping options, and their quick access to downtown Tokyo.
6. Abu Dhabi (AUH)
The home airport of Etihad Airways is a posh—if dangerously tempting—place to spend a layover with shops like Coach, Fendi, Burberry, and Rolex.
However, there is also a luxury wellness spa if your tastes lean more toward massages and manicures than retail therapy.
If you aren't traveling in first or business class, the Al Dhabi Lounge in Terminal 1 has fairly affordable walk-in pricing (about $57 for three hours or $100 for six hours), yet you can access a delicious buffet, showers, a work station, movies, and other amenities for that price.
Etihad also provides free coach transportation to the airport from Dubai and Al Ain for passengers heading to other destinations within the United Arab Emirates.
7. Hamad International Airport (DOH)
With amenities including a fitness center, squash courts, and an indoor swimming pool, Doha's airport resembles more of a resort hotel than a busy transportation hub and serves as a major connecting hub for Qatar's eponymous domestic airline (also a Readers' Choice selection).
It has received high praise for its first-rate amenities, including a variety of lounges, quiet rooms, and kid-friendly entertainment areas for travelers in every aircraft class.
An upscale hotel with half- or full-day rates is located inside the terminal for those with longer layovers. If your shoulders are feeling a little tight from the long flight, you can loosen up at the hotel's golf simulator.
8. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
The terminal 3 alone at Dubai International Airport is 18.4 million square feet in size, making it the second-largest building in the world by floor space.
Dubai International Airport is so obscenely large. The airport also has one of the largest duty-free retail complexes in the world, which is only fitting for a city that enjoys luxury, and over the years, it has hosted such eye-catching facilities as a resident DJ program.
Numerous international airlines serve it, and it has long been a well-liked stopover location for North American travelers heading to East Asia or the South Pacific.
It serves as the home base for flag carrier Emirates, a Readers' Choice favorite. During whatever length of stay, amenities like zen gardens and nap pods keep guests entertained.
9. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
The Airport Express travels in 24 minutes from the terminal to the city center, providing quick access to the city from Hong Kong's international airport's island aerie.
With service to dozens of locations alone in mainland China, it's also one of the major connecting hubs in the area.
Layover travelers value the several premium class lounge options, extras like nap rooms, and the Regal Airport Hotel, which Skytrax routinely names as one of the top airport hotels in the world.
The Regal offers more than just convenience; it has seven pubs, restaurants, and bakeries in addition to an OM Spa with Thai influences that provides services like an aromatherapy massage using blue chamomile, ylang ylang, and rosemary.
10. Helsinki Airport (HEL)
The airport, which was initially constructed 70 years ago for the 1952 Summer Olympics, has grown significantly over the years but has managed to maintain its distinctive Nordic edge.
In fact, the terminals are brimming with nods to the city's design history, including shops from the textile giant Marimekko and the Finnish luxury brand Balmuir.
If you're traveling with children, make a pit stop at the Moomin Cafe, which is decked with figures from the well-known comic strip by Finnish artist Tove Jansson and provides hearty fare like pancakes and milkshakes with blueberries.
Even the chairs that are strewn about the terminals have a lovely connection to the neighborhood's culture thanks to the fact that they were created by notable Finns like Alvar Aalto, Eero Aarnio, Yrjö Kukkapuro, and Ilmari Tapiovaara!
Conclusion
Airports are more than just a means of transportation; they are gateways to the world, and they play a crucial role in shaping our travel experiences.
The top 10 best airports in the world offer travelers a wide range of amenities, from luxury facilities to innovative designs, cultural exhibits, and excellent dining options.
Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, these airports are sure to impress and make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Ultimately, a well-designed and efficiently operated airport can set the tone for an entire trip and leave a lasting impression on travelers.