The World's Best Airports to Get Stuck in This Year

If you love travelling, chances are that you’ve spent some time at airports and you probably know that not all terminals are created equal. What makes an airport exceptional, though? It’s really in the eye of the beholder: some people prefer airports with lots of good entertainment or shopping, for instance, while others like their airports to be calm and well organized. Whatever your preference, you’ll find that the world’s best airports are so good that you might almost want to make them a destination.

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Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

In 2018, Singapore Changi was named the world’s best airport for the sixth year in a row by Skytrax. Travellers love its cleanliness and excellent customer service but also the features that nabbed the airport the award for best leisure amenities. These include a rooftop swimming pool, movie theatres, gardens and ponds, and the world’s tallest slide in an airport. Singapore Changi is a far cry from the worst airport experiences you can have, especially in the case of an unexpected flight delay.

Seoul–Incheon International Airport (ICN)

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Seoul–Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Skytrax’s World Airport Awards 2018 rated Seoul’s Incheon International Airport as the airport with the best staff. The airport also came in second overall, thanks to amenities like a golf course, a casino, an ice skating rink, a spa and indoor gardens that can help make your vacation feel longer.

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Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)

Another frequent winner at Skytrax’s World Airport Awards is Tokyo Haneda, which this year came in third overall and was named the world’s best domestic airport. It also received the award for the world’s cleanest airport. Haneda Airport features a pet hotel, a relaxation salon, a dry cleaning service, as well as a corridor showing off model planes from various airlines. Don't miss the observation deck, too. It gives customers an outdoor opportunity to enjoy a view of planes landing and taking off.

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Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

With its IMAX theatre, Hong Kong airport is perfect for movie buffs on a layover. Skytrax also named Hong Kong the airport with the best dining experience. Before you get your food to go, though, take note of the foods flight attendants hate on flights.

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Munich Airport (MUC)

Getting hammered during your flight makes you one of those people nobody wants to fly with but at Munich Airport you’ll definitely want to knock back a few. The airport features a beer garden with an on-site brewery where every day is Oktoberfest. No wonder the airport is among Skytrax’s top 10 world airports for 2018.

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Helsinki Airport (HEL)

Finland's biggest beauty salon is located, you guessed it, right in Helsinki Airport. Sleeping in Airports named Helsinki Airport the fourth best in the world in 2017. Passengers love the comfortable seating, sleeping pods, natural lighting, efficiency and tranquility of Finland’s main airport. There's also a hotel inside the airport building.

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Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Vancouver is not only one of the most beautiful Canadian cities but is also home to the best airport in North America, as voted for by both Skytrax and Sleeping in Airports. It’s not only the efficient and relaxing atmosphere that people love about YVR but also unique amenities like a big aquarium.

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London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world but is also among the best. Skytrax named it the airport with the best shopping. You can even use the services of a personal shopper or have your loot delivered to your home.

That said, we know it's tempting, but there are some things you should never buy at duty free.

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Tallinn Airport (TLL)

Sleeping in Airports considers Estonia’s main airport as the third best to, well, sleep in. The small, cosy airport features themed gates and a lending library to keep you entertained and if you arrive after the cafeteria has closed, you can make a sandwich by donation.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

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Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

According to Skytrax, Taiwan Taoyuan International has the world’s best airport immigration service. The airport is also considered one of the best in Asia, with themed lounges and museums as well as cultural activities like calligraphy lessons and tea tasting.

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Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

Everyone wants to get through airport security as fast as possible and Skytrax says that Tokyo Narita has the best airport security screening. It’s also one of the top 20 airports in the world and with sleep pods, day rooms, showers and comfortable benches it’s also one of the most sleep friendly.

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Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Cape Town International has been voted best airport in Africa by both Skytrax and Sleeping in Airports. Book lovers will find that one of the airport’s best features is Flybrary, a book exchange operated on an honesty system and one of the first of its kind.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

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Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Air travel is very stressful for animals but if you want to include your furry friend in your Florida packing list, TripSavvy says that Jacksonville International Airport is one of the best airports to choose. Pet Paradise is an on-site facility for animals, with play areas and a swimming pool for dogs and private condos for cats.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

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San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Francisco is among the top 10 airports in North America and home to the first museum in an international airport. If you need to overcome your fear of flying, the airport’s innovative WAG Brigade will help you. The Wag Brigade is a group of trained dogs – and one friendly little pig – that you can pet to help lower your anxiety.

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Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Osaka’s Kansai International is not only considered one of the best airports in Asia but according to Skytrax, it’s the world’s best airport for baggage delivery. If you want to be extra sure that you’ll get your luggage quickly and in one piece – or at all – you might want to select Kansai Airport as your travel port.

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Larnaca International Airport (LCA)

Larnaca International Airport on Cyprus may not be a regular on lists of best airports in the world but in 2017 it won the European Disability Forum and Airport Council International’s Accessible Airports Award. Among its disability-friendly facilities are sockets for electric wheelchairs.

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Oslo Airport (OSL)

Oslo Airport may not be among the world’s best but according to many, it’s the world’s greenest. CNN Travel says that its terminal which opened in 2017 is the first airport building in the world to receive a BREEAM “Excellent” rating, thanks to features like a snow-based cooling system. Then again, Oslo is one of the greenest cities in the world. So, at least if you're stuck here, you can breathe a little easier knowing it's a more eco-friendly.

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Dubai International Airport (DBX)

The second best airport in the Middle East according to both Skytrax and Sleeping in Airports, Dubai International is also your best option for a little TLC. The Emirates Timeless Spa was named the world’s best airline lounge spa for 2017 at the World Spa Awards.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

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Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Skytrax named Toronto Pearson one of the top 10 best airports with 40 to 50 million passengers annually. According to Fittest Travel, the airport also has one of the world’s best airport gyms, where you can even rent clothes for your workout.

On a budget and looking to vacation from Canada? Here’s how you can find cheap flights.

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Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)

Madrid–Barajas may not be regularly voted among the best airports in the world – even though it did come in 43rd overall in the Skytrax World Airport Awards. But Business Insider calls it one of the world’s most beautiful. In 2006, its Terminal 4 won the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize and a Structural Award from the Institution of Structural Engineers. We've included it for this reason, so if you're stuck here, you have plenty to admire while you wait for take-off.