Top 10: World’s Best Airports!

Leading consumer aviation rating agency Skytrax, conducted its survey about the best airports in 2017 again.

The World Airport Awards, “Oscars of the aviation industry”, are the most prestigious accolades for world airports which are voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. The World Airport Awards are a global benchmark of airport excellence, and widely known as the Passengers Choice Awards.

The Skytrax annual rankings are based on the impressions of nearly 14 million flyers from 105 countries. More than 550 airports were included in the survey, which covers 39 service and performance parameters, including facility comfort, the location of bathrooms, and the language skills of the airport staff.

Here’s a closer look at the other airports that made it to the top 10 of the prestigious Skytrax list:

10. Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Frankfurt Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in Europe and one of the most important transit hubs in the world. Frankfurt Airport is home base to Lufthansa’s fleet of more than 270 jets.

Skytrax reviewers praised the airport for the ease of transit between terminals and the abundant shopping and dining options. Some, however, have complained of lengthy lines at immigration. 61 million passengers each year.

9. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow is the world’s third-busiest airport and the largest of the five primary airports serving London.

Heathrow is in the midst of a major renovation with the addition of a new Terminal 2 building. It’s eight-year-old Terminal 5 building was named the best airport terminal in the world by Skytrax. The airport is also home base of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. 75 million passengers each year.

8. Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Just 8 miles from the heart of Zurich, the airport serves as the home for Swiss International Air Lines and as a hub linking Switzerland’s largest city with the rest of the country.

For passengers with an extended layover, Zurich Airport offers bicycle and inline-skate rentals and excursions to the Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne. 28 million passengers each year.

7. Central Japan International Airport (NGO)

Built on an artificial island in the middle of Ise Bay near the city of Nagoya, Central Japan International — also known as Centrair — is a focus city for Japan Airlines and ANA.

It has a 1,000-foot sky deck, where passengers can watch ships sail into the Port of Nagoya. There’s also a traditional Japanese bathhouse, where you can have a relaxing soak while watching the sunset over the bay. 10 million passengers each year.

6. Hamad International Airport (DOH)

Hamad International opened for business in 2014 and is now home to Qatar Airways.

The airport and its two terminals sit on 5,400 acres of land and cost $16 billion to construct. Skytrax describes the facility as the the most architecturally significant terminal complex in the world, as well as being the most luxurious. 30 million passengers each year.

5. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Built on an artificial island off the coast of Hong Kong, HKG has become one of the most popular facilities in the world since it opened in 1998.

One of the busiest airports in Asia, Hong Kong International serves as the home to Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Dragonair.

Be sure to play around at the SkyCity Nine Eagles golf course near Terminal 2. 68 million passengers each year.

4. Munich Airport (MUC)

Located northeast of downtown Munich, MUC is one of the busiest airports in Europe and the second-busiest in Germany, after Frankfurt.

Munich serves as a major hub for Air Berlin, Lufthansa, and Condor, and it features airy, glass-heavy architecture. A nearby visitors park features mini golf and a display of historic aircraft. 43 million passengers each year.

3. Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Incheon maintains its place as one of the world’s elite airports with a third-place finish. Located on an island just outside of the South Korean capital, Incheon is home base to Korean Air and is the 24th-busiest airport in the world. It opened in 2001.

Incheon’s highly regarded facilities feature an array of shopping and dining options, in addition to a bevvy of cultural performances. The airport even has a Korean culture museum. 49 million passengers each year.

2. Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)

Haneda is one of two major international airports that serve the Tokyo area. Located a few miles from the heart of the Japanese capital, Haneda has proved to be a popular port of entry for business travellers and tourists.

The world’s fifth-busiest airport, Haneda is known for its service efficiency, cleanliness, and shopping. 75 million passengers each year.

1. Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN)

For the fifth year in a row, Changi takes the crown as the world’s best airport. Changi serves as home to Singapore Airlines, Silkair, and Tigerair, and it’s the 16th-busiest airport in the world.

The Singaporean airport has received praise from flyers for its beautiful architecture, efficient operation, luxurious amenities, and dining and shopping options.

Flyers passing through are treated to movie theatres, a multimedia entertainment deck, spas, and a wild corkscrew slide. 55 million passengers each year.

Sources: Business Insider, Skytrax