What are the world's best airports?

Mar 25, 2010 3:47:18 AM

Vivek Wagle
Lonely Planet Author

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Yesterday, Skytrax held its annual World Airport Awards ceremony. To determine which airports took out top prizes, millions of air travellers were surveyed in hundreds of destinations.

This year’s survey saw a few positions changing, with some perennial favourites being knocked off the perch and other airports moving up dramatically in the rankings.

The top airports by continent were as follows:

And what about Asia? Well, the top Asian airport was also ranked number one worldwide: Singapore’s Changi Airport, a sprawling megalopolis that’s only part airport (and part shopping mall/entertainment hub).

The overall second- and third-ranked airports were longtime superstars Seoul and Hong Kong. The USA nudged into the top 20 with San Francisco.

And the biggest improver? That title goes to Abu Dhabi, which skyrocketed from 73 last year to 26.

What do you think? Did the survey get the airports right, or are there lesser-known gems that aren’t getting the press they deserve? What’s your favourite airport?

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Comments

26 March 2010 11:07AM maharani_dawn Report this comment
If there's 1 airport I would be happy to be stranded, it's Changi airport. I'm deliberately taking a later connecting flight back from Hanoi to Jakarta this weekend to allow myself and the kids to spend a couple of hours at Changi to do some shopping, visit the butterfly gallery, do some arts; imprinting and coloring, take picture at the fish ponds, get a free foot massage at the machines, take the monorail and enjoy the view outside and of course enjoy some local food. Most of the activities are free!
26 March 2010 12:54PM nmelissar Report this comment
I travel really frequent, but one of the airports I HATE is Lima! Maybe is good for the connections, but it's really annoying and everyone is impolite. One of the ones I enjoy the most is Guatemala, everyone is awesome, you can find good rum and food for a reasonable price and it's getting bigger and better!
26 March 2010 2:34PM newelty Report this comment
While I don’t totally agree with the winners of this year’s World Airport Awards, I was thrilled to see that Singapore’s Changi Airport was on the list.
When I was recently there, three things stood out for me:
1. It’s pretty much carpeted throughout, making it quiet and pleasant. One of my pet peeves about airports is how incredibly loud they can be which is usually due to all the hard surfaces everywhere.
Rest of the list and photos here: http://www.newelty.com/2010/03/25/quiet-massages-and-butterflies/
26 March 2010 9:46PM littleraven Report this comment
I have never been to Singapore’s Changi Airport, but I have been lucky enough to travel through Seoul/Incheon International Airport many times, and it is amazing! For such a large airport, it feels as quick, simple and easy as a well-run, small town airport. It is gorgeous and every aspect of it works without fail.
30 March 2010 1:56PM keyofdanger Report this comment
Auckladn airport is so cool! I love it!
8 April 2010 8:49AM gun_az Report this comment
KLIA - Kuala Lumpur, simply marvelous, love the gallery concept and has almost everything that you need, free wifi, rain forest park to refresh your self good and cheap food & lots of place to shop. That’s what I need for a refreshing transit.
16 April 2010 11:10AM travelfan86 Report this comment
Vancouver: THE best I've seen! So glad it's at the top of N.America!
21 April 2010 9:55PM linatieno Report this comment
This is ridiculous. There's no way Cape Town has the best airport in Africa. Even after the renovations, it comes nowhere close to the pre-renovation Johannesburg airport (ORTIA).
23 April 2010 9:56AM jhonnywise Report this comment
been to lima/changi/munich/auckland airports by far the best is changi, the best part is the ambassador hotel where one can really rest between connections, also it is packed with entertainment and like littleraven says meny attractions are for free (free computers/internet for all to use)
24 April 2010 4:37PM muzzyizzet83 Report this comment
Incheon Airport, near Seoul, is number one. After living in Seoul for one and a half years and being able to travel around the world during that time, I can say with little hesitation that this Oklahoma born American feels at home with the very first step on Korean soil. Incheon airport has numerous positive aspects which make it feel so comfortable. From quick, organized immigration lines, to floors so clean most would hesitate to nap on them (which I have done), Seoul's Incheon Aiport will long be number one on my list.
24 April 2010 4:39PM muzzyizzet83 Report this comment
wouldnt hesitate! sorry.
28 April 2010 2:58PM diolovetravelling Report this comment
I have flew to singapore by air. And that's true, the airport is so clean, comfort and also has a lot of facilities that support the airport. I guess, no wonder if Changi International Airport become the best airport in the world.........
25 July 2010 5:27PM mrrightnow Report this comment
The BEST small airport for me is Bahrain International Airport. The fact that it is small yet uncrowded is a blessing. Here's another factor to consider: They have just about everything that a big airport has to offer!!
26 July 2010 11:36PM baulala Report this comment
Hong Kong and Singapore are actually good...
28 July 2010 2:24AM busyinasia Report this comment
I cannot imagine who voted for Seoul/Incheon International Airport? Fine for Arrivals, but departures is awful. Terrible shops, Restaurants, no entertainment - free wifi is about as good as it gets.
28 July 2010 7:38PM castillomaya Report this comment
Changi yes (although haven't been through it for a long time). I was highly impressed with Doha (Qatar) when I changed planes there recently.
29 July 2010 11:16AM summerpineapple Report this comment
Hong Kong aiport is great. If you are a resident card holder it is possible to walk off your plane get through immigration and board the airport express to the centre of town in 10 minutes.
1 September 2010 1:10AM nowisnow Report this comment
I have traveled all over the world, been to many airports, have to say the best in the world is in Detroit.
Why? simple layout, not crowded, easy to get to gates, fast security checks and all the expected things like restaurants and stores well done. Hard to believe is it not?
17 December 2010 4:41AM thomaswamsteker Report this comment
The best airports I've ever flown to, are: Hong Kong, Seoul-Incheon Düsseldorf and Amsterdam.
The very worst airports are: - Madrid-Barajas, with hardly any restaurant in the main terminal; - Paris CDG, where the crew lost our luggage during a transfer, resulting in more than 3 hours waiting time at Madrid-Barajas; - Athens, where the waiting rooms look like Checkpoint Charlie.