Most travelers love the feeling of being at an airport, while others dread setting their feet inside a crowded terminal. Regardless, airports are the modern gateways to unfamiliar adventures, exotic locations, or even familiar places.

Recently, Skytrax released its list of the 100 best airports in the world, which was determined using an online survey from passengers in over 100 countries. Alongside other criteria including transportation efficacy and satisfaction, airports were also assessed for effective adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the “best airport in the world” can still be debated amongst avid backpackers, many travelers can agree that certain airports outshine others, whether it’s due to their impeccable customer service, amazing food selections, or elegant architectural designs. That’s why these airports have been consistently recognized as the best in the world.

5 Narita International Airport

Despite being over an hour away from Tokyo, Narita International is Japan’s busiest airport, serving the Narita, Kozaki, and Tomisato regions of the country. Like all airports on this list, Narita has been consistently praised for being clean and efficient, despite the bustling passengers.

Narita has a variety of exhibitions and events to teach travelers about the rich Japanese culture, including stained glass art displays, a (temporary) origami museum, and a Kabuki theatre gallery. Narita also offers visitors s a “smell experience” to introduce them to Japan. Passenger terminals are adorned with visuals of Japan’s iconic attractions, which are accompanied by a fragrant mist of cypress, lime, and fir (among other lovely scents), to give visitors a sensory preview of the country.

Tired travelers can also enjoy pay for cozy shower and nap rooms or shell out some Yen to sleep in a capsule bed at Narita’s Nine Hours Hotel. Visitors with pets can also pamper their fur babies at the Pet Inn Royal Hotel, which has an in-house vet clinic and clipping salon!

From their array of gacha machines (vending-like machines that sell little trinkets and toys) to their hot/cold water fountain stations, travelers should devote a couple of hours to exploring this world-class airport!

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4 Incheon International Airport

Located in the heart of Seoul, Incheon is the largest, busiest airport in South Korea. Despite being a bustling airport, Incheon offers a melange of services for visitors to enjoy.

With 7 gardens, an indoor ice rink, movie theatre, golf course, driving range, and virtual gym rooms, travelers would think Incheon was an upscale mall! Otherwise, jet-lagged travelers looking for a pick-me-up can enjoy a free shower at the terminals (you will have to pay for toiletries though), or snooze in one of the airport’s nap zones.

The airport has a Traditional Culture Experience Centre in Terminal 1 for visitors interested in learning more about traditional Korean crafts, while offering many events in the form of musical performances, art exhibitions, and dances to showcase the rich traditions of Korean culture.

This airport also houses a variety of 24-hour eateries, serving up Korean cuisine and other international flavors, from Indian to Italian. Visitors can also enjoy Incheon’s many shops that sell local products, ranging from facial care items to sweet confectionaries.

3 Singapore Changi Airport

Being the largest transportation hub in Asia, Singapore Changi Airport has consistently been recognized as one of the world’s best airports, year after year. Aside from its cleanliness and efficacy at serving over 68 million passengers, this airport is like looking into a utopian future!

Changi Airport is home to the Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—which is situated at the center of the Jewel, the bustling commercial complex hub. The airport also houses several gardens, a suspended bouncing mat, Singapore’s largest hedge maze, and a large suspended bridge to enjoy leisure, scenic stroll around the airport.

Shopaholic travelers can enjoy the airport's 400 stores while grabbing a bite to eat at their restaurants which offer both local and international dishes. If you still have time between flights, you can even catch a movie at the airport’s Imax theatre.

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2 Tokyo Haneda Airport

Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Haneda Airport is recognized as a world-class airport, praised for its cleanliness and punctuality (despite serving 80 million travelers every year)!

This airport’s terminals are adorned with beautiful artwork (and even violin background music), complete with an airy observation deck to flight watch. To learn more about Japan’s Edo period, visitors can also check out the Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge in Terminal 3, before writing their well-wishes unto the airport’s Wooden Tagboard (there’s a vending machine to buy a tag for ¥510 (or 4.64 USD).

Travelers have praised Haneda’s restaurants, which offer a variety of Japanese (and international cuisines). You don’t need to leave the airport to enjoy authentic ramen, tonkatsu, or sushi; the airport even has a restaurant that serves burgers made out of rice buns!

1 Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Located in Doha, Qatar, HIA was built in 2014, serving approximately 30 million travelers every year. Despite being new, HIA is praised for its luxurious status, from its airy design (to represent Doha’s sand dunes and ocean waves) to its elegant art installations.

Travelers can enjoy a range of international cuisines, as HIA offers a range of eateries for any budget. The airport even has a caviar bar for travelers seeking a more elegant dining experience! Travelers can also shop at the HIA, including luxury brands like Gucci, Kenzo, and Tiffany.

Tourists are especially attracted to HIA’s beautiful art scattered across the airport, especially the large prominent Lamp Bear statue in the middle of the terminal! HIA also offers other cool things, including sound-proof sleeping pods, and a wellness center with spa service, a 25-meter long swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and squash courts!

Aside from the cool amenities, HIA has been recognized as the first airport to implement rigorous protocols in response to COVID-19, including thermal screening and disinfection procedures throughout the facilities.

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