Every year, the best airports in the world receive the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards. It is awarded according to the results of a global survey of customer satisfaction on key indicators of airport efficiency - from check-in, transfers and shopping, to security measures and a list of amenities.
The survey is conducted as an independent study, without any entry fees or fees at any airport. In 2017, it covered 550 airports around the world, and Skytrax experts examined over 13 million profiles of airline customers.
Here is what it looks like top ten best international airports of 2018.
10. Frankfurt Airport, Germany
It is the largest airport in Germany and the third largest in Europe. Frankfurt Airport is directly connected to the European high-speed network of German railways and the Deutsche Bahn station is located on its territory.
The interior of the airport is not particularly special, the emphasis is on the convenience of moving passengers. It is difficult to get lost in a building, despite its enormous size, thanks to the large blue signs.
At the airport there is a children's room, playgrounds, shops and cafes, as well as an observation deck from which you can admire the arriving and departing planes.
9. Zurich Airport, Switzerland
It is the largest international airport in Switzerland and the main center of the largest Swiss airline - SWISS.
In this cozy, clean building you can feel the same spirit of calm confidence and serenity that Switzerland is famous for. It has a “parade" of luxury typical of Hamad Airport (second line of the top 10 best airports in the world). But there is a lot of beautiful golden highlighting, a large number of shops (mainly expensive brands), and many small cafes with very tasty food and drinks. For the convenience of tourists, there are signs and an electronic display with flight data everywhere at the airport.
8. London Heathrow Airport, UK
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK. At one time it was considered the busiest airport in the world for international passengers, but recently it lost its title to Dubai Airport. On average, Heathrow is visited by 73 million travelers every year. The best airlines of Russia make flights here. In 2018, their number will be increased.
For security reasons, when passing from terminal to terminal, all passengers are checked with a metal detector. This creates additional lines, but London Airport is one of the safest on Earth.
In 2018, the newest Heathrow 2 terminal, opened in June 2014, was recognized as the best airport terminal in the world. And in the third terminal, the world's best airport cocktail bar Gray Goose Loft operates. Ingredients for cocktails are purchased from the most famous alcohol companies.
7. Nagoya Airport, Japan
Chubu International Airport - one of the best airports in 2018 - is located on an artificial island in the middle of Ise Bay, near the city of Nagoya. Every year, it receives about 10 million passengers. On its territory there is a four-story Skytown shopping center, which has become the hallmark of the airport. The center is divided into two “streets” - Ranga-Dori with cafeterias, boutiques, bank branches and shops, and Totin-Yokote with shops selling Japanese national goods.
Another feature of Chubu is the Sky deck observation deck, from which you can watch how ships sail to the port of Nagoya, and how planes take off and land.
6. Munich Airport, Germany
Franz Josef Strauss Airport is the second busiest airport in Germany and passes 38 million people every year. It is located northeast of the center of Munich and consists of 2 terminals. Between them is the Kempinski Hotel.
The airport has an AirbraU brewery, over 150 retail stores and approximately 50 places where you can drink and eat. His pride is the guest park, where there is an exhibition dedicated to the Munich air hub, a playground and you can admire historic planes.
Munich Airport was named by Skytrax experts the best airport in Europe for 2018
5. Hamad Airport, Qatar
Hamad International Airport is located in the capital of Qatar, Doha. It is the most architecturally significant, as well as the most luxurious terminal complex in the world. The airport building has many duty-free shops, restaurants, as well as three mosques and one huge yellow bear, which has become a symbol of this air harbor.
Unusual children's play areas, work areas with 27-inch iMac for adults who need to work at a computer, “quiet” relaxation areas, a swimming pool and huge business lounges - all this makes Hamad Airport look like a five-star hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
Unsurprisingly, Hamad International Airport is the best airport in the Middle East in 2018 according to Skytrax.
4. Hong Kong Airport
Hong Kong International Airport serves more than 100 airlines flying to about 180 destinations around the world, including 44 destinations on the Chinese mainland. Due to the huge scale of the airport, there are no crowds in it, the passenger flow moves quickly and without "congestion".
To build the airport, the island of Cheklapkok was combined with the island of Lamchau to create a large and even territory with an area of 12.48 km². Today, Cheklapkok Airport is one of the largest airports in the world.
This is the former, multiple holder of the title “Airport of the Year” - World Airport Awards.
3. Tokyo Haneda Airport, Japan
With both domestic and international terminals, Tokyo Haneda International Airport plays a very important role in promoting the development of Japan as a tourism-oriented country.
Tokyo Airport has been named the cleanest airport in the world and the best international airport in the world in 2018.
2. Seoul Airport, South Korea
In second place in the world ranking of airports is Incheon International Airport. It is the largest South Korean airport and one of the busiest air harbors in the world. The comfort of its visitors is thought out down to the smallest detail. For example, drinking water fountains, restrooms and changing rooms are installed in the corridors. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. For children, play areas are provided, and for adults, master classes are held (for example, on creating Korean masks).
On the top floor of the airport there is a shower and sun loungers where you can relax while waiting for your flight.
And in the departure zone there are numerous boutiques and shops where you can wander for hours.
1. Singapore Airport
Singapore Changi Airport has won the title of the best airport in the world for the sixth time. This is an unprecedented achievement, which shows how much time, money and effort Singapore has invested in creating its own air hub.
Other rivals also boast both beauty and cleanliness, but Changi won the main prize for a combination of impressive amenities and airport efficiency. Passengers can watch the best blockbusters of 2018 in one of the two 24-hour movie theaters at the airport, take a dip in the rooftop pool, stretch out in the gym or indulge in relaxation in one of the five botanical gardens.
Like the rest of Singapore, Changi is a combination of business and pleasure. Who said staying at the airport should not be fun?
In 2017, 62.2 million passengers passed through Changi, making more than 373,000 landings and take-offs. This means that at the airport there was a landing or take-off of the aircraft every 85 seconds, 24 hours a day.
In 2019, a new multifunctional complex Jewel Changi Airport will appear at the airport, in which it is planned to place 300 restaurants and retail premises, as well as the country's largest indoor garden.
