Not all airports are created equal. Some are soulless, clinical spaces with little more than bright blueish lighting and endless corridors. They are but a functional building from which to launch your next adventure. Others, however, can make your vacation experience special from the outset. The world’s best airports go above and beyond. They feature indoor gardens, rooftop terraces with runway views, or even playgrounds to keep the kids happy and occupied.
These added luxuries and services have landed 100 airports on the Skytrax World’s Best Airports list this year, with Singapore Changi Airport taking the top spot for 2025. Anyone who’s flown Qatar, Singapore, or Emirates can understand why the top eight airlines are Asian, according to Skytrax. It’s no surprise that airports in Asia also reign supreme, but this year, four European airports also made the top 10.
Since aviation-ranking organization Skytrax launched its first airport customer satisfaction survey in 1999, travelers worldwide have been voting for their favorite airports. The rankings account for everything from public transport options and waiting times to cleanliness, choice of food and shops, and accessibility. In 2025, Singapore took its title back from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which received the first-place award in 2024, 2022, and 2021.
These are the top 10 airports in the world, from Skytrax.
1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
Singapore is famous for its vast and varied food scene, and this even extends into its airport. When you find yourself in Singapore’s gargantuan terminals, don’t miss spicy Indian cuisine from Bikanervala, chili crab at Jumbo Seafood, or kaya (coconut jam) toast at Kopitiam. As for those amenities, the Jewel Changi complex is home to a glass-floored canopy bridge, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and giant trampolines and slides.
If you have an overnight layover, check into the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, last year’s pick for Best Airport Hotel. Those with long layovers that aren’t overnight can pay for a day pass to the outdoor pool at the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel; it’s in Terminal 1, so you don’t have to go through customs to use it.
In addition to taking the No. 1 spot overall, Changi International won the Skytrax awards for Best Airport in Asia, Best Airport Dining Experience, and world’s Best Airport Bathrooms.
Hamad International Airport lost its first-place spot to Singapore Changi Airport, but it still has a lush indoor tropical garden.
Photo by HasanZaidi/Shutterstock
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
To accommodate the surge of people who traveled to Doha for the FIFA World Cup in November and December 2022, the Hamad International Airport expanded to increase its capacity to more than 58 million passengers per year and added a second airport hotel and an indoor tropical garden called the Orchard. If you’re traveling through Hamad—the hub of the world’s best airline Qatar Airways—expect to see high-end designer stores Burberry, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo, among others, with duty-free price tags. (It’s no surprise it also won the award for best airport for shopping.) The varied dining options include divine cakes from L’eto Caffe in Concourse C and sandwiches in Harrods Tea Room in the south duty-free zone. Best of all, the airport even has a pay-to-use fitness center and spa, as well as pay-by-the-hour sleep pods for long layovers.
The Edo marketplace in Haneda’s Terminal 3 is a collection of shops and restaurants featuring traditional Japanese design.
alphos/Shutterstock
3. Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
The main entry point into Japan’s capital is a favorite among passengers for many reasons. This year in the Skytrax awards, Haneda Airport won Cleanest Airport, Best Domestic Airport, and the award for best accessibility for reduced mobility passengers. We love it for its “calm down, cool down” secluded seating areas for anxious or stressed passengers who are sensitive to light, sound, or crowds, and for the numerous spas and massage chairs available throughout its three terminals.
One of the numerous play areas in Incheon International Airport, voted as the most family-friendly airport in 2024.
Mario Hagen/Shutterstock
4. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Incheon has not only a spa, myriad gardens for relaxation, a movie theater, and an ice-skating rink, but Skytrax says it has the world’s best staff, too. Young parents can make good use of numerous baby care and nursing rooms throughout the terminals, in addition to toddler rest zones and ample play areas. Incheon also offers stroller rental services and myriad interactive art and culture exhibits for families and travelers to explore.
This vast airport is the main aviation gateway for Seoul, South Korea’s sprawling modern capital, and at the end of 2024 wrapped a years-long expansion project that increased the airport’s capacity from 77 million to 106 million passengers per year.
Narita International Airport was recognized for its outstanding customer service this year.
kuremo/Shutterstock
5. Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
The largest airport in Japan, Narita International Airport was voted the world’s fifth-best aviation hub, according to passengers. It’s little wonder this airport impresses, as Narita has all manner of interesting features. Terminal 2 has a Japanese art gallery, and there’s an exhibit on traditional Kabuki theater in Terminal 1. At the Nine Hours capsule hotel in Terminal 2, ideal for layovers or early morning flights, you can nap for about $10.50 the first hour and approximately $3.50 for each additional hour (you can also book a full night for about $40).
On arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, you can freshen up in the free public showers.
Photo courtesy of Airport Authority Hong Kong
6. Hong Kong International Airport
Back in the top 10 this year is Hong Kong’s airport, whose immigration service was also voted best in class. HKG is a favorite for its easy access, with a 24-minute express train running between Central Station, in the city center, and the airport every 10 minutes. You can even check in and drop your bag at the station, enjoy a few more hours in Hong Kong, and then take the train to the airport. Nice amenities at HKG include showers in the arrivals hall (a hair dryer, shampoo, and soap are provided), a rooftop terrace, and a futuristic-looking playground.
Time to kill at CDG? Buy a day pass to Extime Lounge, in Terminals 1, 2B, 2D, and 4.
Karel Balas for Group ADP
7. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France
Even if you’re only transiting through the French capital’s main airport, sometimes referred to as Roissy (CDG), you can still soak up a bit of that Parisian culture, cuisine, and world-class art. In Terminals 1 and 2, you’ll find rotating exhibitions by top museums, including the Château de Chantilly and Rodin Museum, or head to the spa for a massage or beauty treatment in Terminal 2E. Europe’s highest-ranking airport was also dubbed the best airport in Europe.
Pieces on loan from some of Rome’s top museums can be found throughout the airport.
Photo by Paolo Gianfrancesco/Aeroporti di Roma (ADR)
8. Rome Fiumicino Airport
With Rome’s Jubilee Year well underway, the city’s main airport expects to see at least 53.5 million passengers this year, up from 50 million in 2024 (if not more following the death of the Pope). FCO aims to expand further; in March, a proposal was submitted that would see passenger capacity expanded to 100 million and the addition of a fourth runway. The airport is already quite well connected to the city center, with the 32-minute Leonardo Express running to and from Roma Termini, the main train station, every 15 minutes. The airport has plenty of places to go for a last cappuccino or reasonably priced glass of wine. And, if your bags aren’t already weighed down with hard, vacuum-sealed cheeses like pecorino, you can pick up more at Terminal T3’s Eataly or stop by duty-free shops for edible souvenirs like pistachio cream and squid ink pasta.
Head to the Airbräu Biergarten while passing the time at Munich Airport
Courtesy of Munich Airport
9. Munich Airport, Germany
In addition to being ranked ninth in the world, Munich Airport‘s Hilton, between Terminals 1 and 2, was voted Best Airport Hotel for 2025. We love the free relaxation lounges where you can recline on beds surrounded by plants, and the VipWing lounge (starting at $435), which offers a private shuttle to your flight, high-end dining, and a biergarten serving traditional Bavarian food, such as weisswurst and dumplings.
The airport Christmas Market, which starts in mid-November and continues through December, keeps the festive season going even when you’re departing. Leave time to walk through a mini forest of decorated firs, enjoy live music, and take a turn around the ice-skating rink.
The relatively compact and super-efficient Zurich Airport offers reliable services and amenities for travelers.
Courtesy of Zurich Airport
10. Zurich Airport, Switzerland
The facilities and services throughout this Swiss hub are modern and reliable. There are ample eateries, including a Chalet Suisse, where you can get your fondue fix, and Holy Cow! for gourmet burgers. If you have time to spare, adjacent to the airport is the Circle, a shopping and eating area with numerous upscale eateries, such as Sablier Rooftop Restaurant & Bar and Negishi Sushi Bar, as well as Cermony for beauty treatments and Läderach for those requisite chocolates (a souvenir or a plane treat—you decide). Also inside the terminal are several play areas, beauty salons, a dental center, an eye clinic, and a gym.
And the rest of the top 20 airports in the world . . .
11. Dubai International Airport, Dubai
12. Helsinki Airport, Finland
13. Vancouver International Airport, Canada
14. Istanbul Airport, Türkiye
15. Vienna International Airport, Austria
16. Melbourne Airport, Australia
17. Chubu Centrair International Airport, Japan
18. Copenhagen Airport, Denmark
19. Amsterdam Airport Schipol, The Netherlands
20. Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain
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This article was originally published in 2022 and most recently updated on April 25, 2025, with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.
