Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a newbie to the world of jet-setting, one thing is certain: airports are your gateway to the world. From the moment you enter until the moment you take off, airport experiences can make or break a trip.
From overcrowded terminals to spotless facilities, your experience at an airport can be drastically different depending on where you go – and the best airports in the world go above and beyond to provide travelers with a pleasant experience.
What makes an airport great? That’s what we’re here to answer. In this article, we’ll be rating 10 of the best airports in the world based on their facilities, amenities, customer service, and more. So pack your bags and come along with us as we embark on a journey around the globe in search of the very best places for you to land at!
Introduction to Airport Rankings
Are you a frequent traveler always looking for the best airport? Then you’re in luck, as there have been plenty of rankings done to help guide you to the best!
Skytrax introduced the World Airport Rating system in 2001. This rating system ranks airports based on customer satisfaction surveys. In 2018, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was named the best airport in the world by this survey, making it the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. While Skytrax is a popular rating system, there are other awards and rankings which are available for travelers to become familiar with. For example, The Airport Technology Excellence Awards & Rankings were introduced in 2022 to recognize and reward airports that have achieved excellence in various areas such as technology, innovation, and sustainability.
So no matter whether you’re home or abroad, there’s a ranking system out there that can help you find the best airport to meet your needs!
The 10 Best Airports in the World
Have you ever wondered which airports are the best in the world? From modern engineering marvels to bustling hubs of convenience, the 10 best airports in the world certainly have something for every traveler.
So, what makes a great airport? There are plenty of factors that go into creating an exceptional flying experience—everything from layout and design to ease of accessibility and amenities. For example, some standout airports have streamlined security processes, comfortable lounges, and many dining and shopping options. Other airports boast eye-popping architecture with green spaces that make waiting a much more pleasant experience.
The 10 best airports in the world combine all these features in one place. Here they are Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore), Incheon International Airport (South Korea), Munich Airport (Germany), Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (The Netherlands), Tokyo Haneda Airport (Japan), Zurich Airport (Switzerland), London Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom), Hamad International Airport (Qatar) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (China).
What Makes an Airport Great?
You might be wondering, what makes an airport stand out? The answer is a combination of many factors, and it varies from one traveler to the next. For example, if you’re traveling with young kids or a lot of bags, you want easy access—while those looking for an esthetically pleasing experience might be looking for beautiful architecture or art.
The 10 best airports provide passengers with order and clarity with everything from signage to streamlined passenger flow. Everything is designed to keep the chaos of travel under control and make it as calm and stress-free as possible. Plus, you don’t have to feel like you’re stuck in a windowless box—many of these airports feature outdoor spaces you can explore when you need a breath of real air! Finally, each airport offers something unique to visitors—from breathtaking art installations and characteristic buildings to excellent public transport arrangements.
Airport Amenities and Services
You might assume that the best airports in the world have a lot in common, but there are some amenities and services that really set them apart. When it comes to choosing the world’s best airports, reviews often rave about convenience, cleanliness, technology, and creature comforts.
Convenience
From efficient check-in procedures to ample parking lots and well-marked signage throughout the terminals, convenience is key for travelers. Easy access to gates and lounges is also important for making a traveler’s journey through the airport stress-free.
Cleanliness
It should go without saying that cleanliness is a must—the last thing you want when you’re passing through an airport is to be disgusted by its appearance. Clean bathrooms, seats with no visible signs of wear and tear, as well as floors that are tidy without mess or dirt—these qualities may seem minor but they can make a big difference to travelers when they are choosing airports.
Technology
Technology brings convenience to travelers in many ways—check-in kiosks reduce waiting times in queues by streamlining processes like check-in and baggage drop; free Wi-Fi keeps travelers entertained; and digital signage helps direct passengers quickly and accurately to their gates.
Creature Comforts
Of course, it’s not just about functionality—passengers appreciate creature comforts such as shops for souvenirs or snacks, massage chairs, plenty of charging points for phones or laptops and comfortable seating areas with plenty of legroom. These amenities can make the airport experience much more enjoyable!
Looking Through the Passengers Perspective
When it comes to airports, the passenger experience is now king. With the concept of ‘seamless travel’ becoming increasingly popular, airport operators have had to start looking at feedback from travelers – and using that feedback to make improvements to their facilities.
Indeed, airports are utilizing tools like surveys and mobile apps to collect and analyze data that can be used to understand their customers more deeply. This can determine what changes should be made and how they should be implemented.
This shift in focus is especially important for airports of all sizes—from small regional hubs all the way up to massive international airports like Tokyo’s Narita airport. No matter where you go in the world, creating an optimal passenger experience is now key for being considered one of the best airports in the world.
What the Future Holds for Airports
So, what does the future hold for airports? With the rapid rise of technology and the travel industry, airports are becoming more tech-savvy every day.
Automation
Automation is a top priority for most airports as they strive to reduce human error and increase efficiency. Automated check-in kiosks are available in many airports around the world, allowing passengers to print their boarding passes and baggage tags in a matter of seconds. In addition, robotic assistance has been introduced in some airports to help with wayfinding and other assistance.
Smarter Security Systems
Airport security systems have come a long way over the years, and they are only getting smarter. Today’s airport security systems use advanced biometric technology such as iris scanning and facial recognition to verify identities, while also using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze passenger behavior in order to detect suspicious activity.
Green Airports
Going green is no longer an option but rather a necessity for today’s airports. Many are actively working on reducing their carbon footprints by using solar energy, introducing electric vehicles into their fleets, or even constructing buildings with green roofs that help reduce energy costs.
The future of airports looks bright—with new technologies being introduced all the time, it’s clear that these amazing transportation hubs will continue to evolve and become even better than they already are!
What are the 10 biggest airports in the world?
Have you ever wondered which are the top 10 biggest airports around the world? Well, here’s something that might surprise you—the majority of the world’s busiest airports aren’t in the US.
In fact, they come from all over the globe. Here are the current top 10 largest airports in terms of passenger throughput:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
- Los Angeles International Airport
- O’Hare International Airport (Chicago)
- London Heathrow Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
These airports have impressive statistics when it comes to traffic numbers and aircraft movements—for example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is known to see over 107 million passengers pass through its gates every year!
Where is the oldest airport?
When it comes to airports, there’s one that you may not have heard of—but it’s the oldest of its kind. The Moscow-Vnukovo Airport in Russia has been around since 1916 and is still in operation today.
So what makes this airport so special?
Historical significance
It’s historically significant for many reasons, but one reason is that in 1918, it was the airport used by former Russian emperor Nicholas II to escape the country and abolish his throne. It’s also been a hub for many other international flights over the years.
Technology
What makes Vnukovo so amazing is that it was one of the first airports in the world to use technology like air traffic control systems and radar—even better, passengers can still feel like they’re getting a piece of history when they board their plane here.
Modern Day Airport Amenities
Today, Vnukovo offers all the modern amenities travelers come to expect from an airport—things like restaurants and shopping areas. Plus, with many international flights coming through here every day, you can be sure you’re getting a good connection anywhere in the world.
What are the 10 largest airports in the world?
With so many airports out there, it can be hard to narrow down the best of the best. Well, we have some good news: we’ve compiled a list of the ten largest airports in the world!
Here are the ten biggest airports in the world:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Atlanta, United States
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) – Beijing, China
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Los Angeles, United States
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)-Tokyo, Japan
- O’Hare International Airport (ORD)-Chicago, United States
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – Shanghai, China
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – London, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – Hong Kong SAR China
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Paris, France
These airports offer a wide range of amenities and services for travelers flying in and out of these locations. From multiple restaurants and lounges to business centers and wellness spas, travelers will surely find something that suits their needs at one of these airports!
Conclusion
When it comes to airports, there are lots of factors to consider – convenience, comfort, and cost – and the best airports in the world have them all. It’s clear that international airports have come a long way in recent years, and this list of the world’s best airports shows just how far.
So the next time you’re looking for a great airport to catch a flight from, make sure to check this list first. The 10 airports on this list are the cream of the crop and are sure to offer an experience that surpasses all
