World's Best World’s Best International Airports in 2016 By Melanie Lieberman Melanie Lieberman Instagram Twitter Melanie Lieberman is the senior travel editor at The Points Guy and was an editor at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 6, 2016 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Darren Soh Unlike the dreary, functional (and all too often unfunctional) depots many travelers dread passing through, the best airports in the world are as efficient as they are engaging. In many cases, they are evocative of their broader locations, giving arriving passengers a sense of the destination before they even exit customs—and giving fliers on a layover a peek at the landscape beyond the terminal gates. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated international airports (those located outside of the United States) on access, check-in/security, restaurants/bars, shopping, and design. The airports category is just three years old, and for each of those years Singapore Changi Airport has held the No. 1 spot—and Asian hubs, in general, have dominated the list. These airports have a history of incorporating smart tech to make the lives of travelers easier, as well as staggering architecture that helps the airport seem like a destination in its own right. Dubai International Airport, perhaps thanks to its luxurious amenities (think: showers in the bathrooms) and the airy, spacious design. “Plan extra stopover time, if possible, to explore this incredible airport,” said T+L reader Robert Ruminski. Another World’s Best voter appreciated Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, which turned 15 years old in March. “Fly here just for the airport. It’s so modern and huge, you could get lost—and honestly, you wouldn’t mind.” Hong Kong International Airport, which has held the No. 3 or No. 2 spot every year, offers hungry travelers Chinese specialties (marinated goose, duck tongues) from an outpost of the Michelin-starred Hung’s Delicacies. This airport also woos fliers with every amusement imaginable, including an IMAX theater and a golf course. It's enough to make you wish for a flight delay. 01 of 10 No. 10: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) Narvikk/Getty Images Score: 76.37 02 of 10 No. 9: Adelaide Airport (ADL; Australia Courtesy of Adelaide Airport Score: 76.39 03 of 10 No. 8: Haneda (Tokyo International) Airport (HND; Japan B.S.P.I./Getty Images Score: 76.74 04 of 10 No. 7: Munich Airport (MUC; Germany Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Score: 77.74 05 of 10 No. 6: Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV; Tel Aviv, Israel Barry Winiker/Getty Images Score: 78 06 of 10 No. 5: Zurich Airport (ZRH; Switzerland Courtesy of Zurich Airport Score: 79.10 07 of 10 No. 4: Incheon International Airport (ICN; South Korea Bloomberg via Getty Images Score: 82.96 08 of 10 No. 3: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG; China Xaume Olleros/Bloomberg via Getty Images Score: 83.99 09 of 10 No. 2: Dubai International Airport (DXB; United Arab Emirates EschCollection/Getty Images Score: 84.52 10 of 10 No. 1: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Darren Soh Score: 90.93 More than 55 million people passed through in 2015—very smoothly, thanks to its expertise in organization and flow. Changi has designated “Experience Agents” devoted to assisting confused travelers. Another perk: a bi-level butterfly garden that boasts 1,000 tropical butterflies and a waterfall. Elsewhere, spaces are filled with sunflowers, cacti, orchids, and ferns. On top of it all: a Balinese-style rooftop pool. With next year’s opening of Terminal 4, the airport will allow Singapore to accommodate as many as 82 million passengers per year. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit