Airports have modified loads over time, each for higher and worse. On the one hand, they’ve some unbelievable facilities that might have been unimaginable many years in the past. However, many airports simply haven’t grown effectively, and don’t appear to think about the passenger expertise. And whereas we’re at it, seeing mass fist fights breaking out at airports on the common isn’t an awesome look both.
On this submit I believed it might be enjoyable to speak a bit concerning the world’s finest airports. I’ll share what I take into account the most effective airports to be, after which I’d love to listen to what OMAAT readers assume.
What makes an airport nice?
The elemental concern with deciding which airport is “finest” is that airports serve completely different wants for various vacationers at completely different instances.
Passengers can have vastly completely different experiences, relying on whether or not they’re originating or connecting at an airport, how lengthy they plan to spend on the airport, what terminal they’re departing from, if they’ve to vary terminals, if they’ve lounge entry, in the event that they must clear safety or immigration, and so forth.
Let me give a number of examples:
- In case you’re flying Lufthansa first-class and are originating at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), it is likely to be the most effective airport on the planet for you, because of the First Class Terminal; for everybody else, that’s undoubtedly not the case
- There’s one thing to be stated for airports that get you from the curb to the gate as shortly as attainable; for instance, Tampa Airport (TPA) is wonderful for this, because of the best way concourses are arrange, and I can all the time get from the curbside to the gate inside 5 minutes
- There are particular person terminals in america that I discover to be world class when it comes to design, like Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal at Los Angeles Airport (LAX), however they nonetheless don’t supply an awesome passenger expertise when it comes to safety wait instances and ease of getting between gates
- As an avgeek, I completely love the design of a few of the terminals at Paris Airport (CDG), however that’s about the one factor I like concerning the airport (properly aside from the wonderful Air France La Premiere Lounge)
My level with all that is merely to say that I don’t assume there are any proper or fallacious solutions as to what airports are the most effective. Everyone seems to be searching for various things, so this all comes down to non-public wants and desire. With that in thoughts…
My favourite airports on the planet
I figured I’d share my three favourite airports on the planet. I don’t assume these airports will come as a lot of a shock. All three airports are in Asia (together with the Center East). Two of those airports have traditionally been my favorites, whereas one airport has not too long ago grown on me.
With that in thoughts, beneath are my three favourite airports, in no specific order…
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) has been broadly thought to be the world’s finest airport for so long as I can keep in mind, and that’s for good motive. The airport has countless facilities, from the world’s most spectacular shopping center, to nice meals and beverage retailers, to a butterfly backyard, to a movie show.
The airport can also be spotlessly clear, and the general public restrooms within the airport are cleaner than nearly any loos you’ll discover on the planet’s high first-class lounges. For these with longer connections, the airport has a number of transit lodge choices, and a few strong lounges.
To be balanced, there are a few issues I don’t love concerning the airport, although. Initially, whereas I perceive the rationale for it, I’m not an enormous fan of safety being at every particular person gate, slightly than centralized. It’s all the time good to get safety out of the best way in the beginning of your keep, slightly than proper earlier than boarding.
Second of all, whereas Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 are nice, Terminal 2 undoubtedly isn’t as spectacular, and is definitely fairly outdated. Moreover, getting between Terminal 4 and the opposite terminals isn’t notably seamless.
Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG)
Hong Kong is considered one of my favourite cities on the planet, and Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) can also be considered one of my favourite airports. I like the structure and the open-air feeling, I like the wonderful aircraft recognizing, I discover the airport to be simple to navigate, and I respect all the highest notch lounges.
I haven’t been to the airport because the new Sky Bridge opened, so I’m excited to test that out, because it takes the airport to the following stage for us avgeeks, for my part.
Doha Hamad Airport (DOH)
It is a new one for me. Previously, I believed Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) was a wonderfully nice hub, however nothing particular. Nevertheless, with the most recent growth to the airport, I really assume this is likely to be my new favourite airport on the planet.
The airport is trendy, has wonderful lounges, has a gorgeous backyard space, has countless procuring and meals and beverage retailers, and is very easy to attach at.
What units Doha Hamad Airport other than different main airports, although, is how your entire airport is one terminal. I feel assume that is extremely underrated, particularly for the typical traveller. From the central safety checkpoint, you must have the ability to get nearly wherever inside 10-Quarter-hour, which isn’t the case at most main airports.
For instance, attempt making a Concourse A to Concourse C connection at Dubai Airport (DXB). Regardless of the airport having a prepare system, it’s nonetheless mainly a marathon. That’s the case at so many airports.
Different airports price mentioning
Whereas the above are my favourite airports, I’m not claiming they’re objectively the most effective airports on the planet. They’re simply my private picks, primarily based on my journey preferences and wishes. I after all need to acknowledge that there are many different nice airports. Simply to call a number of:
- In Asia, Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) are additionally very properly regarded, although don’t fairly do it for me in the identical method because the above
- I feel Bahrain Airport (BAH) and Muscat Airport (MCT) are two nice newly constructed airport hubs, although they’re on a a lot smaller scale than the above airports
- The brand new Istanbul Airport (IST) has a formidable terminal that I take pleasure in transiting, however maybe the terminal is nearly a bit too large?
- Detroit Airport (DTW) and San Francisco Airport (SFO) are in all probability the 2 finest in america, although Detroit Airport doesn’t excite me a lot, whereas San Francisco Airport has good particular person terminals, however connecting could be a ache
- Whereas I wouldn’t name it world class, the brand new Terminal 2 at Panama Metropolis Airport (PTY) units a brand new commonplace for the area
- In Europe, I are likely to assume the hubs in Northern Europe are in all probability most spectacular, and I can’t actually with a superb conscience say a lot good about different airports on the continent
Backside line
Airports have developed loads over time, although as you’d anticipate, we’ve seen extra enhancements in some areas than others. Personally my favourite airports are in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Doha, although there are after all loads of different nice airports on the market as properly.
There’s by no means a proper or fallacious reply as to which airport is finest, because it’s arduous for an airport to be equally good for all vacationers, as we’re all searching for various things. I feel the above three airports strike a superb steadiness, although.
What’s your favourite airport on the planet?
