Airports are considered the gateway to and from a country and are a clear indication of its progress. That's why it is important to know which airport ranks the best and the worst. Whether you are on a business travel, or simply just taking the time off and wanting to spend your vacation abroad, it is important to track our flights to avoid the hassle. FlightAware, the world's best online flight tracker, will help you make your next flight a breeze.
It may sound impossible, but nowadays, the information on your flight schedule, your plane location, and the time it takes for the flight to finish are within reach, thanks to FlightAware. Now that we know the bits and pieces of our flight information, allow us to enumerate the world's best international airports for the year 2018.
Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore)Singapore Changi Airport has occupied the top-notch for an extraordinary sixth year in a row, determined by the Skytrax World Airport Awards. The reasons? Changi Airport only has two 24-hour movie theatres screening up to date films for free, has eight gardens with various flora, three spas, a swimming pool at the rooftop, and a butterfly garden. Initially, Changi boasts its three huge terminals. And just as recent as October 2017, a fourth state-of-the-art terminal was unveiled. It seems like this Singapore airport does not want to share or let the number one spot taken from them. Because in 2019, an enormous project called Jewel Changi Airport - a mixed-use development at Changi Airport in Singapore - is scheduled to open in 2019.
Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea)Trailing behind Singapore Changi Airport is South Korea's main airport hub - Incheon International Airport. We welcome you to one of the world's best airports which include round the clock free hospitality service, a 72-hole golf course, and numerous indoor gardens. Add some more retail boutiques and a bit of gambling in a casino which is two minutes away from the airport. It is no wonder that Incheon International Airport tops the global airport roster every year. Coming from the third place, Seoul-Incheon has been growing ever since it opened close to 20 years ago in the port city of Incheon. Tourists and business travellers alike will appreciate the indoor skating rink, an airport spa, a "Cultural Street" with local cuisine and dance performances, and a high-speed train that takes you from terminal to city in less than 45 minutes.
Tokyo International Airport (Tokyo, Japan)Tokyo International Airport - nicknamed Tokyo Haneda - is indubitable Japan's busiest airport and one of the busiest in the world as well. There are over 60 million passengers passing through this hub each year. With only less than 15-minute rail connection to the Tokyo subway system, Haneda was also nominated as the world's cleanest airport for its second year. Travellers will not get bored on layovers as they can dine at the Planetarium Starry Café or cross the airport's symbolic Haneda's Nihonbashi Bridge. Another bonus for fliers: as of 2017, All Nippon Airways flights to Tokyo's "second" airport makes getting into the world's best city a breeze.
Hong Kong International Airport (Hongkong)Hong Kong is known as one of the world's best cities for its cuisine, therefore it comes as no surprise that the airport tops the chart when it comes to airport dining. A wide array of premium lounges that offer amenities like nap rooms and an IMAX theatre is what awaits travellers. They can also take a flight - figuratively - at the Aviation Discovery Centre, a small museum in terminal 2's SkyMall where travellers and tourists will get to know the specifics of aeroplane models and flight times as well. Lastly, its transit connections to the city - which only takes 25 minutes - make it attractive to passengers.
Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)Hamad International Airport is a super modern and outrageously lavish hub which should be considered as an airport to watch. Because in 2017, Hamad moved up one spot. In 2016, it shoved its way up five spots. And in 2015, it moved up from 22nd place. Being one of the newest and freshest international airports it opened back in 2014. With its state-of-the-art and lavish amenities scattered within the airport, adding some art installations dotted around it, Hamad International Airport is here to make you feel excited about a layover. The airport as some eight premium lounges, quiet rooms, children's entertainment zones, 80 luxury stores, and artworks by world-renowned artists from Damien Hirst to Urs Fischer.
Munich Airport (Germany)Dubbed as the best airport in Europe, Munich also stands out for its top-notch airport VIP terminal. Travellers must not forget Hilton Munich Airport, one of the world's best airport hotels. In 2017, the airport opened an Alpine-themed restaurant complete with a gondola parked in the middle of it. Also, its annual Christmas market has two ice rinks and close to 500 real trees.
Chubu Centrair International Airport (Tokoname, AichiLondon Heathrow Airport (London, United Kindom), Japan)Chubu Centrair International Airport is the main international hub for central Japan. This airport received a five-star regional rating from Skytrax recently this year. Chubu Centrair ranks Nagoya ranks first out of all airports that serve from 10 to 20 million passengers each year. It is second to Haneda for being the world's cleanest airport and ranks eighth for baggage delivery.
If you are looking for the world's best shopping place in the airport category, then you will find it here in Heathrow. London Heathrow Airport was also voted as having the best airport terminal in the world - that's Terminal 2 (T2) in case you are wondering. And Heathrow Airport does not stop there, even more, stores may be on the way. The second busiest airport for international air traffic in the world is looking at an expansion. Other airports, watch out!
Frankfurt Airport (Germany)Zurich Airport (Zürich-Flughafen, Switzerland)
Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in the best country in the world to live in, to study, to retire, to invest, and the list goes on. Zurich is the main hub for Swiss International Air Lines, the reason why it has five VIP lounges alone. Skytrax awarded Zurich as rank seven for the world's best airport security. And is the top airports for seeing between 20 and 30 million passengers a year. More than 80 shops inside the airport offer abundant duty-free chocolate.
Holding steady in the tenth place for its second year in a row is Germany's busiest airport and Europe's third busiest airport - the reason is, Frankfurt Airport is the largest when it comes to international destinations served. Fliers can utilize the airport's free Wi-Fi, yoga rooms, "leisure zones," - as they call it - a hairdresser and showers from $8 make it easy to settle in.