Have you ever wondered which airport is considered the best in the world? A place where you want to linger, and not run away to the first flight? There is a Skytrax ranking - it's like an Oscar, only for airports, an award that is given to the best of the best every year. It was first awarded back in 1999, and since then it has been a real beacon for travelers who want to understand: "Where are we even going?".
How is the best airport chosen?
If you imagined judges in strict suits with notebooks, then everything is much simpler - the winners are chosen by passengers. More than 100 countries participated in the online survey from August 2023 to March 2024, the choice was made among 570 airports. And here is the top 10!
Doha Hamad
This beauty, like a magnet, attracts passengers from all over the world. A yellow bear with a lamp on his head – that's what Hamad is all about! A huge bronze "toy" stands in the center of the hall, as a symbol of the bright idea of the airport - not to be a boring hub, but to turn into an art space. The sculpture "Little Lies" by KAWS, the unique playgrounds by Tomm Otterness - every corner is a surprise here. Tired? There is a spa, sun loungers for sleeping, and if the transfer is long, you can run on an excursion. The cost of a tour of Doha starts from $31. It's all at the airport!
Changi, Singapore
Changi is a resort airport. Have you ever seen waterfalls at an airport? And here there is one – 40 meters high!
Beneath the waterfall lies Jewel, a shopping and entertainment complex with bridges, gardens and... with a walking net at the height of the 5th floor! Walk through the sunflower garden, feed the carp in the pond, and then relax in the sleeping areas - sun loungers are free.
Travelers say that the silence here is like in a library: carpets "muffle" the noise. Changi is literally one big meditation before the flight.
Incheon, Seoul
Speed and style! For luggage? 12 minutes! Pass the control? Only 19 minutes – the world can't do that yet, but in Korea it's commonplace!
Do you want to go for a walk? The airport has seven gardens, an ice rink, a golf course. Culture? A Korean culture center and museum at every turn. Shower? Gratis! You will even be shown a movie in one of the two cinemas. When there are such airports, transfers cease to be a torment.
Haneda, Tokyo
Welcome to Japan, friends! In the Haneda terminal, it feels like you are already in the city:
The inner street of Edo-koji is a small Japan with restaurants, souvenirs and... samurai spirit. The Nihonbashi Bridge is a smaller version of the famous Tokyo Bridge. If you are an adventurer, be sure to buy a board for wishes. This is a kind of Japanese ritual: if you write a dream, it will definitely come true!
Narita, Tokyo
Narita is less pompous, but still Japan in its full glory. In the near future, the airport will be "captured" by Pokémon! How do you like the terminals with their images and photo walls? Art objects, aromatherapy (with the smells of eucalyptus and cypress), museums... Don't forget to try Japanese tea at local cafes!
Charles de Gaulle, Paris
The airport in Paris is not just a place of arrival and departure, but a small world of art. Terminal 2 E is home to a veritable art gallery, featuring new exhibitions from the Louvre, Orsay and other Parisian museums. To completely immerse into the atmosphere of France, jump on the bus - it goes directly to Disneyland!
Dubai
Legend. Dubai Airport is a whole universe! Luxury, branded stores, playgrounds and... Air conditioners at every step (you can't do without them in 40-degree heat).
Didn't have time to swim in the city? There is a swimming pool in one of the terminals! And yes, there are also free showers.
Munich
Do you like order? Germany will surprise you: cleanliness, comfort, and... A huge fleet for aircraft surveillance. Become a child: play areas, excursions directly to the airfield, and for practical tourists, cheap convenient shuttles to the city center.
Zurich
Zurich is not only about watches: at the airport, playgrounds are adjacent to high-end shops, and on Saturdays and Sundays... Excursions. Do you want to get into the tunnel under the lane? Welcome! Switzerland is waiting for you even in souvenirs: Lindt chocolate and high-quality cosmetics are on every corner here.
Istanbul
The airport of the future: when everything is completed (in 2028), it will become the largest in the world! But even now it is incredibly beautiful here:
- Colorful Turkish bazaar under the roof of the airport,
- Photo zones are at every step,
- For animals, there are separate areas with feeders. Everyone is cozy!
Tips for travellers
- Don't waste time looking for an exit, download the airport app: map, flight status — everything is on your phone and convenient for navigating.
- If the transfer is long, check in advance whether it is possible to leave the transit zone. Somewhere you need a visa even to go out for coffee or to move between different terminals, be careful.
- For some airlines, check-in begins 5 hours before departure, don't miss it!
- Forgot your mask or charger? At top airports, everything can be bought (although usually for decent money).
