Top 10 List: Which Airport Made The List

What makes an airport the best in the world? Is it the posh business class lounges, the spas, staff service and shopping facilities? You might have a couple of best airports on your mind from your travels around the world. However, I’m sure the list you are about to see will make you question your choice in which is the best. It might even make you want to travel just to see it! So the next time you hear that your flight is delayed, you might actually like it. Of course if you are stuck at one of these airports around the world.

Top Notch Airport List

Hong Kong International Airport Lounge

Hong Kong International Airport Lounge | (c) Photo By Aust

10. Copenhagen International Airport (CHP) – Denmark

Copenhagen International Airport is only 12 minutes from the heart of Copenhagen. The distance from the train platform to the check-in counters is less than 100 meters. Passengers have access to 50 shops, 15 restaurants and bars, conference facilities, and a sauna at the airport.

Why CHP is awesome:
It is only 5 miles away from the city center, making it easily accessible. It is also one of the hubs in the Star Alliance. Inside there is a fairly large sized shopping area with stores like Puma and Lego Store. CPH is also the only airport in the world to have a Starbucks outlet!

9. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) – Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of the major aviation hubs in Asia and is a tourist destination itself. The Main Terminal Building area was designed using the concept of ‘Airport in the forest, forest in the Airport‘. KLIA can be reached by the KLIA Express and the KLIA Transit train services.

Why KLIA is awesome:
Kuala Lumpur is located in the southern part of Malaysia and one of the busiest airports in Asia. The main terminal keeps green in mind. An entire section of the rain forest was placed inside the main terminal at the airport.

8. Auckland International Airport (AKL) – New Zealand

Auckland International is New Zealand’s airport. AKL handles over 13 million passengers a year. More than 20 international airlines serve the AKL daily.

Why AKL is awesome:
There are 45 flights that take off per hour at Auckland International Airport. AKL provides thousands of jobs and contributes over $14 billion to the country’s economy. If you are with a layover and have children to keep occupied, head over to the Airtime Magic Museum in the international terminal.

7. Zurich International Airport (ZRH) – Switzerland

Zurich International Airport has approximately 60 airlines and jet charter services flying all over the globe. The train system at ZRH connects passengers to destinations all over Switzerland, making it one of the most convenient airports for travel within central Europe.

Why ZRH is awesome:
ZRH features a porter service where travelers pay a fee and a porter picks up your bag from anywhere in the airport and delivers it to your final destination. It also offers a large selection of shops and restaurants. What’s more, it offers tours that will teach you all about the inner workings of the airport, including where they refrigerate the fruits and flowers that are flown in from South Africa.

6. Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS) – Netherlands

Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport opened in 1916 as a military airfield and has now transformed into one of the busiest airports in the world. It ranks as Europe’s 5th largest and the world’s 15th largest by total passenger traffic. There were 45.3 million passengers that passed through the airport in 2010.

Why AMS is awesome:
AMS has large shopping areas both land and air side. Here you can find the Schiphol Plaza shopping center located before customs. This shopping center features the popular intimate apparel store Victoria’s Secret. What’s more, while travelers wait for their flight departures, they can enjoy a massage or play a game of poker at the casino.

5. Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) – China

Beijing Capital International Airport is located 20 miles northeast of Beijing’s city center. The newest Terminal 3 building is the second largest airport terminal in the world. Passenger traffic at the airport was 73,891,801 in 2010.

Why BCIA is awesome:
BCIA accommodates up to 78 million passengers per year. While terminal 3 is the 2nd largest terminal, it is also the tallest airport building in the world. It’s roof is painted in red, which is China’s good luck color. If you feel like ditching your bags, no problem. BCIA offers ‘Left Luggage’ counters where you can leave your luggage for few hours to few days.

4. Munich International Airport (MUC) – Germany

With around 34.7 million passengers in 2010, Munich International Airport is the second busiest passenger airport in Germany. The airport has its own visitors center and is the home to the Munich Airport Center (MAC), which is full of a shopping, business and recreation facilities.

Why MUC is awesome:
Many of the walls and ceilings are made of glass, making the airport feel large and open. It is considered one of the best airports in the world by many passengers who travel through Munich.

3. Incheon International Airport (ICN) – South Korea

Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea. It is also one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. Since 2005 it has received the full 5-star ranking by Skytrax, a recognition shared only by Hong Kong International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.

Why ICN is awesome:
The airport features a museum showcasing Korean culture and a center where travelers can enjoy Korean performances while waiting for their connecting flights. The airport also has a golf course, a spa, private sleeping rooms, an ice skating rink, a casino and indoor gardens.

2. Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) – Singapore

Singapore Changi International Airport serves more than 100 international airlines flying to some 200 cities in 60 countries. SIN handles about 5,400 arrivals and departures every week. That is over 42 million passengers a year – more than 7 times the size of Singapore’s population itself.

Why SIN is awesome:
Singapore Changi International Airport is a home to a nature trail, fitness center, swimming pool and Singapore’s tallest slide.

1. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) – China

In 2010, 50.9 million passengers traveled through Hong Kong International Airport, connecting approximately to 160 destinations. There were 900 daily flights by over 95 airlines. HKIA has express transportation shuttles that takes passengers to downtown Hong Kong in 23 minutes. If you’re stuck between flights, the airport has a beauty salon, extensive tax-free shopping options and the Regal Airport Hotel.

Why HKIA is awesome:
Hong Kong International Airport features a nine-hole golf course to pass the time during long layovers.

Did your airport of choice made to the list of top 10 best airports around the world? If not, why do you think your airport is the best?

4 Responses to “Top 10 List: Which Airport Made The List”

  1. Paul Richard says:

    Well i like Munich International Airport and it is the second busiest passenger airport in Germany. The airport has its own visitors center and is the home to the Munich Airport Center (MAC), which is full of a shopping, business and recreation facilities.
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    • Shamis says:

      Munich International Airport is definitely a airport that is busy. I have been there several times and it is filled with passengers traveling and of course taking advantage of the shopping :)

  2. Adeline says:

    Nice to see that my favorite airport made it to the top of the list. Aside from the golf course, it’s that one airport where I really really love the food.
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