WORLD’S BEST AIRPORT 2017

I’m late in the game!

Skytrax published earlier in March their annual list of the World’s Top 100 #Airport. This is going to get nerdy real quick, but this is a specific list (along with Skytrax’s list of the World’s Best Airline)  that I’ve been following for a few years now – and I can’t believe this went over my head!

Airports are the starting point for every traveler. They are, in general, like self-contained miniature worlds – peppered with shopping centers, high end boutiques, lounges, entertainment centers, spas, among others!

It comes as no surprise that the top three airports hail from Asia. For the fifth consecutive year, Singapore’s national pride – Changi Airport – holds the number spot, followed by Tokyo Haneda and Incheon International Airport.

I’m fortunate to have seen 8 airports on the top ten list. Here’s a mini breakdown:

1) SINGAPORE CHANGI (SIN)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 1

I honestly don’t see any other airport topping Singapore’s Changi Airport anytime soon – especially with the scheduled opening of terminal 4 later this year. The airport is a destination in itself: take a look!!

2) TOKYO HANEDA INTERNATIONAL (HND)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 4

https://www.instagram.com/p/BA9GtOIvDrd/?taken-at=254368268&hl=en
Tokyo Haneda Airport is one of the two primary airports that serves the greater Tokyo area – with the other being Tokyo Narita International Airport (ranked 14). Unfortunately, I have yet to see this airport. Most of my flights to and from Tokyo have come out of Chicago – and they all land directly at Tokyo Narita.

Adding this to my bucket list for 2018!

3) INCHEON AIRPORT (ICN)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 2

Previously ranked number 1! This is definitely one of my favorite airports in the world – super high-tech in EVERYTHING! AND BIG!

4) MUNICH AIRPORT (MUN)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 3


Europe’s top ranked airport – and I’ve never been! Adding this to my list for 2018 🙂 And for those who have been, how was your experience?



5) HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 5


Another personal favorite of mine. It is one of those airports where you can have over 12 hours of transit and not get bored because you are in a state-of-the-art structure: tons of (high-end) shopping, great selections of restaurants, stunning lounges, etc.

6) HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DOH)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 10

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Fortunate enough to have this airport checked-off the list earlier this year! Granted, my layover was only 2-hours, but I had a positive overall impression of the airport. It was grand, spacious, and SHINY (it has that new car smell to it….).

Although, I must say, Wi-Fi connection was terrible! I need to check-on facebook (very important, duh!) upon landing and it wasn’t easy!

7) CENTRAIR NAGOYA (NKM)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 6

Another airport where I can cross-off the checklist after flying Delta Airlines to Honolulu. To be perfectly honest, the airport didn’t leave much of an impression.

8) ZURICH AIRPORT (ZRH)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 7


The airport is very well kept and very easy to navigate. I had an enjoyable time just sitting at the gate, watching airplanes take-off and land through the giant glass window.

9) HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 8

It’s been a few years since I’ve been at Heathrow Airport. But from what I remember, the experience didn’t really leave that much of an impression.

Has anybody flown there recently? And what are your experiences?

10) FRANKFURT AIRPORT (FRA)
2016 SkyTrax Rating: 12

Just like London’s Heathrow, it’s been a few years since I’ve landed in Frankfurt!

QUICK NOTES:
– Vancouver holds top spot for airports in North America
– Cincinnati is top American airport at number 26, followed by Denver at 28.
– Bangkok Airport is way too low!
– LAX listed at 86 (if it wasn’t for the Tom Brady Terminal, I’m confident LAX would not be even in the top 100)
– Where’s Bali’s Ngurah Rai?
– Philippines, pleeeeeease step up your game please!!

For complete list, visit SkyTrax.