For many international travellers, their trip begins the moment they arrive at an airport abroad. These terminals are so beautiful, they
almost make you wish for a flight delay.
Not all airports are made equal. While some only add to the aggravation that is air travel these days, others act to ease the anxiety and
even distract from it altogether. The international airports recently named tops in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine fall squarely in
this second category.
For the fifth year in a row, Singapore’s Changi Airport came in at No. 1 on the list. But we’re not even sure “airport” is the appropriate label.
Free movie theatre? Sunflower garden? Rooftop pool? With airports like these, why even have destinations?
And it doesn’t even end there. With Israeli architect Moshe Safdie’s biodome project set to open in the near future, it’s safe to say it will
remain near the top of this list for years to come.
Another airport earning kudos from travellers included Seoul’s Incheon International in South Korea, where a layover feels more like a
privilege than a chore. “Fly here just for the airport. It’s so modern and huge, you could get lost and honestly, you wouldn’t mind,” wrote one
of the voters. Also rounding out the list are Zurich Airport, Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport and, at No. 8, Ben Gurion International in Tel Aviv,
Israel.
The magazine compiled its list of top international airports by asking readers to grade airports located outside of the United States on
criteria such as access, check-in/security, restaurants/bars, shopping and design.
