This Airport Has Just Been Named the World’s Best—And It’s Not Singapore Changi

Airports vary significantly in quality. Some resemble sterile, lifeless environments, characterized by harsh lighting and endless hallways. They serve merely as functional gateways for your next journey, whether it’s a short getaway with friends or an exciting solo adventure to a distant locale.

Conversely, certain airports can enhance your travel experience right from the beginning. The best airports are those we eagerly anticipate visiting, despite the usual queues and red tape. These airports offer delightful dining options and lounges—perhaps a champagne bar or a craft brewery with a taproom—along with welcoming areas that provide more than just a spot to recharge your devices. The world’s top airports excel in this regard, featuring indoor gardens, rooftop terraces with views of the runway, or even expansive playgrounds to entertain children while waiting for departure.

These additional amenities and services have earned 20 airports a place on the Skytrax World’s Best Airports list this year, with Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, clinching the top position for 2024.

Skytrax, an aviation ranking organization, initiated its first airport customer satisfaction survey in 1999. Since then, travelers from over 100 countries have cast their votes for their preferred airports, evaluating factors such as public transport options, waiting times, cleanliness, food and shopping choices, and accessibility features. In 2024, Doha reclaimed its title from Singapore’s Changi, which held the top spot last year after Doha was named Airport of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.

Here’s the complete ranking from Skytrax.

1. Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar

In preparation for the influx of visitors during the FIFA World Cup held in November and December 2022, Hamad International Airport underwent significant expansion to boost its capacity to over 58 million passengers annually. This development also included the addition of a second airport hotel and an indoor tropical garden named the Orchard.

While traveling through Hamad—which links Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston with destinations like South Africa, Tanzania, and India—you’ll find upscale designer boutiques such as Burberry, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo featuring duty-free prices within the terminal. (It’s no wonder it also secured the top spot for the best airport for shopping.) Dining choices range from exquisite cakes at L’eto Caffe in Concourse C to delicious sandwiches at Harrods Tea Room located in the southern duty-free area. Additionally, the airport offers a pay-to-use fitness center and spa, along with sleep pods available for rent by the hour for those lengthy layovers.

2. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

Renowned for its extensive and diverse culinary offerings, Singapore extends this rich food culture into its airport. While navigating through the massive terminals, be sure to try the spicy Indian dishes at Bikanervala, indulge in comfort food from Burger & Lobster (a London favorite), or savor traditional Singaporean tastes at Kopitiam. The Jewel Changi complex boasts remarkable amenities, including a glass-floored canopy bridge, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, as well as gigantic trampolines and slides.

For travelers with an overnight layover, the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is an excellent option, having been awarded the title of the best airport hotel globally and in Asia for 2024. If your layover isn’t overnight but still lengthy, you can purchase a day pass for the outdoor pool at the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel, conveniently located within Terminal 1, allowing you to avoid customs.

Alongside securing the No. 2 position overall, Changi International also earned the Skytrax awards for Best Airport in Asia and Best for Immigration Services in 2024.

3. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea

Boasting a spa, numerous gardens for relaxation, a cinema, and an ice-skating rink, Incheon Airport is ranked as the third best airport globally and was named the world’s most family-friendly airport for 2024. The terminals feature a variety of baby care and nursing rooms, toddler rest areas, and plenty of play zones. Additionally, Incheon provides stroller rentals and a wide array of interactive art and cultural exhibits for families and travelers to enjoy.

This expansive airport serves as the primary aviation hub for Seoul, the modern capital of South Korea, and is nearing the end of a long-term expansion initiative aimed at boosting its capacity from 77 million to 106 million passengers annually. The project is expected to conclude in 2024 with the addition of a fourth runway and an expanded Terminal 2.

4. Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan

As the primary gateway to Japan’s capital, this airport is beloved by travelers for many reasons. In this year's Skytrax awards, Haneda Airport was recognized as the cleanest airport, the best domestic airport, and awarded for its exceptional accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. It’s appreciated for its tranquil “calm down, cool down” seating areas designed for anxious or light-sensitive travelers, as well as the numerous spas and massage chairs located throughout its three terminals.

5. Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan

As the largest airport in Japan, Narita International Airport is rated as the fifth-best airport in the world by travelers. Its impressive features include a Japanese art gallery in Terminal 2 and a traditional Kabuki theater exhibit in Terminal 1. For those with layovers or early flights, the Nine Hours capsule hotel in Terminal 2 offers napping options for under $12 per hour. Furthermore, Narita has been awarded the title of the world’s best airport for customer service, thanks to its outstanding staff.

6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France

Even if you’re just passing through the main airport of the French capital, known as Roissy, you can immerse yourself in a touch of Parisian culture, cuisine, and exceptional art. Both Terminals 1 and 2 feature rotating exhibitions from prestigious museums, including the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. You can unwind for free in the stylish Instant Paris lounge, or indulge in a massage or beauty treatment at the spa in Terminal 2E. Charles de Gaulle Airport has also been recognized as the best airport in Europe.

7. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates

In 2023, Dubai International Airport ranked as the second busiest airport in the world with 87 million passengers. However, it's more than just a large, active transit hub; it serves as a haven for shopping, dining, and luxurious lounges.

Dubai's airport features three terminals. Terminal 3, which includes Concourse A, B, and C, is exclusively for the UAE's flag carrier, Emirates. Terminal 2 caters to charter and specialized flights, while Terminal 1 houses the extensive Concourse D, accommodating all other international airlines.

Inside Terminal 1, travelers can access nine lounges, including those for Sky Team, British Airways, and Lufthansa. Dining and shopping options abound, featuring places like Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, Shake Shack, and Hard Rock Café. For those flying Emirates, Terminal 3 offers several exclusive Emirates lounges. Additionally, Dubai Duty Free impressively sells around 2.9 million bottles of perfume, 4.5 million pounds of chocolate, and nearly 6,000 pounds of gold each year, showcasing the vast retail opportunities available at this airport.

8. Munich Airport, Germany

Ranked eighth globally in 2024, Munich Airport was also awarded the title of best airport in Central Europe. We appreciate the complimentary relaxation lounges where travelers can unwind on beds surrounded by greenery, as well as the VIP Wing lounge (starting at €382), which provides a private shuttle to your flight, fine dining options, and a biergarten that serves traditional Bavarian dishes like weisswurst and dumplings.

Following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Munich Airport revived its Christmas market in 2022, featuring a charming display of decorated fir trees, live music, and an ice-skating rink. Having a longer layover in Munich isn’t a downside, especially with the Hilton Munich Airport being named the best airport hotel in Europe for 2024.

9. Zurich Airport, Switzerland

The amenities and services available at this Swiss hub are both contemporary and dependable. There’s no shortage of dining options, including Chalet Suisse for a fondue experience and Holy Cow! for gourmet burgers. If you have some extra time, nearby is The Circle, a shopping and dining complex featuring a variety of upscale restaurants like Sablier Rooftop Restaurant & Bar and Negishi Sushi Bar, alongside designer boutiques like Anecdote and Ceremony for beauty treatments. Inside the terminal, you'll also find five play areas, beauty salons, a dental clinic, and a gym.

10. Istanbul Airport, Türkiye

Alongside its ranking as the 10th best airport globally, Istanbul Airport has also been recognized as the world's best airport for dining in 2024—and it's easy to see why. The lounge of Turkish Airlines (available to Star Alliance members as well) offers a delightful culinary experience, featuring an extensive array of Turkish dishes and tea. Additionally, it boasts relaxation zones, restrooms, shower facilities, and a children's area, creating a welcoming retreat for both business travelers and families.

Noteworthy dining options include the House Café, which serves modern Turkish cuisine at ten locations across Istanbul. For those craving Parisian delicacies, visit Pierre Hermé, or indulge in Turkish delights at Kaimakk, an elegant venue featuring a stunning fountain with blown glass accents.

Istanbul Airport, a relatively new facility (with its first phase launching in October 2018), will eventually accommodate up to 200 million passengers annually—more than three times the capacity of its predecessor, Atatürk International Airport, which closed in 2019. Situated 22 miles north of the city center, this airport is set to cover an area of 29.5 square miles (larger than Manhattan) and will include six runways. The terminal design draws inspiration from Istanbul’s iconic domed mosques and baths, while the air traffic control tower is modeled after a tulip, a traditional symbol of the city.

For those seeking a place to rest overnight or for a more substantial break, there is a 451-room Yotel accessible both pre- and post-security.

And here's a look at the remaining top 20 airports around the globe . . .

11. Hong Kong International Airport
12. Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy
13. Vienna International Airport, Austria
14. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland
15. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Spain
16. Chubu Centrair International Airport, Japan
17. Vancouver International Airport, Canada
18. Kansai International Airport, Japan
19. Melbourne Airport, Australia
20. Copenhagen Airport, Denmark

Further reporting by Michelle Baran. This piece was first published in 2022 and was refreshed on April 19, 2024, to incorporate the latest information.