These Are the World’s Best Airports for 2023
From snacks galore to gardens and lounges, these airports take it up a notch to steal the title of the world’s best airports. And this year is no different! These airports continue to raise the bar, offering passengers a journey that is beyond exceptional. They stand out with innovative designs, cultural showcases, and a commitment to passenger well-being. So, who is taking the crown for the best airport for 2023? And is one of the airports declining in their spot this year? Let’s find out together!
What Are the Skytrax World Airport Awards?
The Skytrax World Airport Awards took place in March 2023 at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam, recognizing the World’s Best Airport for 2023 along with the top 10 airports globally. These awards are determined through a customer satisfaction survey, making them independent of airport control or influence. The results assure passengers of a positive transit experience across various classes.
The Skytrax World Airport Awards are based on the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey, which includes millions of passengers from around the world. The survey covers various aspects of the airport experience, such as check-in, security, immigration, shopping, and overall passenger satisfaction.
Skytrax World’s Top 12 Airports for 2023
These are the top and world’s best airports for 2023:
12. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
One of the best airports for 2023 is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. It is located in Vantaa, about 17 kilometers (11 miles) north of the city center of Helsinki, Finland. It is known for its efficiency and modern design. The airport has been recognized for its clean and well-organized facilities.
The airport often emphasizes a Nordic atmosphere, incorporating elements of Finnish design and culture into its architecture and services. And like many Scandinavian airports, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has implemented sustainability initiatives, including energy-efficient practices and environmental programs. Moreover, given Finland’s climate, the airport is well-prepared for winter conditions, offering services to ensure smooth operations even during snowy weather.
11. Vienna International Airport
Vienna Airport is known for its efficiency and accessibility. It is well-connected to the city and surrounding areas through various transportation options, including trains and buses. The airport features modern terminal designs, offering a range of amenities and services to enhance the passenger experience.
Vienna Airport provides a variety of shopping and dining options, including duty-free stores and a selection of restaurants serving Austrian and international cuisine. Additionally, it often incorporates cultural and artistic elements, showcasing Austrian culture and creativity within its terminals. Moreover, the airport caters to business travelers with lounges and VIP services, providing a comfortable and productive environment.
10. Madrid-Barajas Airport
Madrid-Barajas Airport, officially known as Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, is the main international gateway to Madrid, the capital of Spain. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic. Madrid-Barajas is known for its impressive art collection, featuring both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The airport houses works by renowned Spanish artists, contributing to a unique and culturally rich atmosphere.
The airport also has a beautiful garden called the “Garden of Senses” located in Terminal 2. It offers a serene space for passengers to relax and unwind amidst nature before or after their flights. Additionally, when it comes to airports, it has one of the largest and busiest runway systems in Europe, with four runways accommodating the high volume of flights.
9. Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport is located in Narita, Chiba, Japan. It opened in 1978 as the main international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area, complementing Haneda Airport, which primarily handled domestic flights. The Narita Airport features Sakura-no-Yama Park, a scenic area near the runways where visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms during the spring season. Moreover, this provides a unique natural touch to the airport experience.
What makes this airport enter the list is the fact that to enhance the passenger experience, Narita Airport offers a free transit program for travelers with layovers of at least five hours. This program allows passengers to explore nearby attractions, providing a glimpse of Japanese culture and hospitality.
8. Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich) is located in Kloten and is a major hub for Swiss International Air Lines, connecting Switzerland to various international destinations. Additionally, the airport features a unique observation deck known as the “Observation Deck B,” offering panoramic views of the airport, the Swiss Alps, and the surrounding landscape. It provides an engaging experience for aviation enthusiasts and visitors.
Additionally, the Zurich Airport is known for its emphasis on Swiss culture, and this is reflected in its offerings. Travelers can enjoy Swiss chocolate at various shops throughout the airport.
7. Munich Airport
The Munich Airport (Flughafen München), serves as a major hub for Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship airline, connecting passengers to various domestic and international destinations. What sets this airport apart from the others is that during the festive season, Munich Airport hosts a Christmas and Winter Market. This creates a festive atmosphere with stalls offering holiday treats, gifts, and entertainment. It’s a popular attraction for passengers and even locals!
Moreover, the Munich Airport also lets you indulge in Germany’s main delicacy. And yes, we mean beer! Reflecting Bavaria’s beer culture, Munich Airport features a traditional beer garden where passengers can enjoy local brews and Bavarian specialties. It provides a relaxed setting with outdoor seating.
6. Istanbul Aiport
Opened in 2018, Istanbul Airport serves as the primary international airport for Istanbul and aims to become the world’s largest aviation hub. As of now, Istanbul Airport is one of the largest airports globally, both in terms of physical size and passenger capacity. It is designed to handle a significant volume of travelers and flights, making it a major hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
And get this! Istanbul Airport houses the Turkish Aviation Museum inside. It showcases the history of aviation in Turkey. The museum displays a collection of aircraft, artifacts, and exhibits, providing visitors with insights into the country’s aviation heritage.
5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
The airport is named after Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French Forces during World War II and the founder of the French Fifth Republic. Charles de Gaulle Airport provides a range of lounges catering to different passenger needs, including premium lounges for business and first-class travelers. The airport also offers various services such as spas, beauty salons, and children’s play areas.
Just like at the Istanbul Airport, the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has its own museum called Espace Musées, showcasing rotating exhibitions that celebrate French art and culture. The museum provides a cultural touch for passengers during their journey.
4. Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is located on Yeongjong Island, near Incheon, South Korea. It opened in 2001 and has since gained recognition for its efficiency, service quality, and modern facilities. Incheon International Airport has consistently been ranked as one of the best airports globally, earning numerous awards for its exceptional service, amenities, and passenger experience.
What makes this airport stand out is that the Incheon Airport offers a cutting-edge transportation option in the form of a Maglev train. This high-speed train connects the airport to the nearby island of Yongyu, providing efficient transportation for passengers.
3. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport (羽田空港, Haneda Kūkō), is situated in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan. Haneda Airport is known for its proximity to central Tokyo, making it a preferred choice for travelers aiming for a quick and efficient transfer to the city. The airport is well-connected through various transportation options, including monorails and trains.
Haneda was the first airport globally to feature a capsule hotel. The hotel, named “First Cabin,” provides compact and comfortable accommodations for travelers seeking a restful stay during layovers.
2. Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport (HIA) is located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. It officially opened in 2014, replacing the former Doha International Airport. This airport is known for its striking and modern architectural design. The airport features iconic structures, including the iconic “Lamp Bear” sculpture by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, which has become a symbol of the airport.
Hamad International Airport is renowned for its extensive duty-free shopping options. The Qatar Duty-Free complex offers a wide range of products, including luxury brands, electronics, and traditional Qatari merchandise.
1. Singapore Changi Airport
Changi Airport has consistently held the title of the World’s Best Airport in various prestigious rankings and awards, including Skytrax. It is located in Changi, in the eastern part of Singapore. A highlight of Changi is Jewel Changi Airport, an iconic complex that opened in 2019. Jewel features the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, and a lush indoor garden called the Shiseido Forest Valley.
Changi Airport is also home to a Butterfly Garden located in Terminal 3. Passengers can stroll through a tropical garden filled with butterflies, adding a touch of nature to their travel experience. Additionally, transit passengers with a layover of at least 5.5 hours can enjoy a complimentary city tour of Singapore, allowing them to explore key attractions like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
Moreover, the airport offers free movie theaters in Terminals 2 and 3, allowing passengers to relax and catch a film during their wait. Additionally, there are various entertainment zones with gaming consoles and immersive experiences. So it just makes sense that Changi Airport is taking the number one spot this year as well!
Previous Title Holders
Singapore Changi Airport, a long-standing leader in Skytrax’s rankings for eight consecutive years, experienced a decline in its position in 2021 and 2022. However, it took the crown for the best airport for 2023 as well! The drop was attributed to reduced passenger numbers amid the global pandemic. During this period, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, claimed the top position in the Skytrax list. The only times where Changi Airport did not win was in the following years:
- 2022 – Doha Hamad International Airport
- 2021 – Doha Hamad International Airport
- 2012 – Incheon Airport
- 2011 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2009 – Incheon Airport
- 2008 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2007 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2005 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2004 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2003 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2002 – Hong Kong International Airport
- 2001 – Hong Kong International Airport
Mind you, these awards only started in the year 2000, and Changi Airport won at that time!
Whether you prefer greenery or scenery, these airports will definitely make your biggest wishes and desires come true. So, what are you planning for your next trip? Where will you be heading next? And which airport would you love to see one day?
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