In recent years, airport amenities have reached entirely new heights (no pun intended). Movie theaters, mini-golf courses, indoor waterfalls, and even rooftop pools—yes, really—are now making appearances at some of the world’s top airports.
Coupled with premium lounges and duty-free designer shopping, these airports could practically be destinations themselves. Based on these qualities, plus considerations for “champagne and caviar” and high-end hotels, a new study has revealed the world’s top airports for those who seek the finer things in life.
These are the world’s most luxurious airports, ranked from best to worst:
1. Dubai International Airport
In AllClear’s analysis of over 1,800 airports worldwide, Dubai International Airport was named the most opulent. Considering the city’s reputation for flashy displays of wealth, this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise.
Well-heeled travelers often find their way to this airport, as Emirates, known for its high-end flights, is DXB’s primary airline. The airport boasts a champagne bar, a caviar house, over 30 premium lounges, an outdoor pool, a movie theater, and a gym.
2. London Heathrow Airport
Frequent travelers might be surprised to see London Heathrow Airport in the runner-up spot, considering the airport’s outdated terminals, awkward layout, delays, and distance from London. Despite these challenges, Heathrow’s a relatively comfortable airport for luxury lovers on a layover, according to AllClear’s study.
You’ll find one of the highest concentrations of airport lounges in the world at Heathrow, stylish dining options, and designer shopping as far as the eye can see.
3. Hamad International Airport
An increasing amount of travelers are finding themselves in Doha due to Qatar Airways’ extensive routes. The airline’s stopover program makes it possible to book a premium 5-star hotel for just $23 a night, though those who choose to stay in the airport during their layover won’t be disappointed.
The airport is so large that it’s a third of the size of Doha itself, filled with luxury shopping, a tropical indoor garden with over 300 trees and 25,000 shrubs, and installations from buzzy artists like KAWS. Keeping true to its aquatic theme, water features throughout the airport complement a wave-shaped roof.
4. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
As a city, Paris is known for having some of the world’s best luxury shopping, which its largest airport, Charles de Gaulle, maintains.
Those in the market for a new Moncler jacket or perhaps a pair of Dior shoes can save major money on taxes by purchasing these goods at CDG, which has a store for nearly every top designer label. Before hitting Chanel, have a glass of wine at Caviar House & Prunier Seafood bar in front of the boutique, then hit Le Comptoir Gourmand, a gourmet food market, for French delicacies to take to-go.
5. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Watch enthusiasts will be excited to hear that Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is home to both Cartier and Rolex stores. Oceania’s only airport to break the top five is also the longest continually running commercial airport in the world.
Though this airport excels in luxury shopping opportunities, it lacks the high-end hotels that others ranked higher than it has.
6. Singapore Changi Airport
If this study had included considerations for unique appeal and jaw-dropping attractions, Singapore Changi Airport might just be at the top of the list. Hailed as the second-best airport in the world by SKYTRAX, things to do include the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a tropical habitat with over 1,000 butterflies, and multiple lush gardens that rise to the ceilings. For some fresh air, head to the outdoor swimming pool at Aerotel, complete with a hot tub or catch a movie at the theater.
Those looking for more adventure between flights should experience the airport’s suspended trampoline, rock-climbing walls, and hedge and mirror mazes. Unlock your inner child with a turn down the world’s tallest slide in an airport.
7. Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is the seventh most luxurious airport in the world, tied with London for the highest airport lounge score. The Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge and EVA Air Lounge are traveler favorites at BKK.
8. Hong Kong International Airport
Airport lounges tend to be synonymous with mediocre (or lackluster) buffets, but those at Hong Kong International Airport kick it up a notch. Food is made to order at the Plaza Premium Lounge, while the Cathay Pacific’s The Deck lounge offers dim sum and noodles at its chic bar.
Shower facilities are often reserved for passengers willing to fork over cash for lounge access, but at HKG, all travelers have access to complimentary facilities for freshening up, inclusive of necessities like shampoo, bath gel, and hair dryers.
9. Frankfurt Airport
A hub for Lufthansa, Frankfurt Airport isn’t the flashiest on this list but still offers a comfortable experience for the 65 million passengers that travel through it each year. Those looking for upscale experiences will appreciate that dining isn’t limited to greasy fast food chains—Natoo is a sustainable health food concept with a few outposts in the airport.
Enroll in Miles & More, the airport’s loyalty program, to make your money stretch further during your transfer. The program grants rewards for shopping and dining on the premises.
10. Narita International Airport
Japan’s reputation for modern, sophisticated experiences extends to both of Tokyo’s international airports. Narita International Airport places 10th in AllClear’s study with a score of 49 out of 100 points, while Tokyo Haneda International Airport finishes 15th, receiving 42 out of 100 points.
Narita International Airport includes an art gallery and hosts regular cultural events to introduce travelers to Japan. Keep your eyes open—due to NRT’s partnership with Nintendo, you might see life-sized Pokémon as you’re leaving the airport.
11. John F. Kennedy International Airport
According to AllClear’s data, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is the most luxurious airport in the United States. It’s the only US airport to break the top 15 worldwide.
Though the airport scores relatively high marks for its ample lounge offering, its lack of 4- or 5-star hotels pulls its position on the list down. That said,JFK’s 1960s-inspired TWA Hotel is among one of the more unique airport hotels in the world.
12. Incheon International Airport
Named as one of Asia’s most enjoyable airports by Airports Council International, helper robots roam Incheon International Airport, where large duty-free stores boast unbelievable deals on upscale Korean beauty brands that are typically pricey in the United States.
For a stylish lounge experience, head to Matina. The sleek lounge offers a tteokbokki station, salad bar, dessert buffet, and full-width buffet of Korean cuisine, plus draft beer and wine. Travelers with Priority Pass can access the lounge for free.
13. Munich International Airport
If you need proof of Munich International Airport’s status as one of the world’s most luxurious, let it be that a Michelin-starred restaurant, Mountain Hub Gourmet, is located directly at the transportation hub at the Hilton Munich Airport Hotel. Also appealing to high-net-worth travelers is the airport’s tiered VIP service, which includes private suites, handling through security and immigration, and lounge-to-place transfer service in luxury vehicles.
During the holiday season, the airport transforms into a Christmas market that includes more than 40 stands, a large indoor ice skating rink, and over 450 real trees.
14. Zurich Airport
Destinations like St. Moritz and Zermatt often bring a cosmopolitan crowd to Switzerland. Zurich Airport reflects the country’s refined feel, allowing guests to explore more than 150 restaurants and bars in The Circle, a public area inspired by Zurich’s Old Town.
15. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Another favorite for international travelers, Tokyo Haneda International Airport seems to have it all and then some. Aviation enthusiasts will love touring the Japan Airlines SKY MUSEUM, while those seeking a more unique shopping experience than the designer boutiques found at many of the world’s most luxurious airports can hit shops at the replica Edo Koji street.
If you can’t afford a business or first-class ticket, you can pretend to live the dream at HND’s “First Class” hotel, whose compact rooms are modeled after those on planes.
Can’t afford to fly to one of these luxury airports?
If you’re not ready to invest in a flashy, opulent vacation, you’re not out of luck. For every luxurious destination in the world, there’s a more affordable alternative that looks nearly identical.
13 Cheap Lookalikes for Popular Luxury Travel Destinations You Have to See to Believe
These airports are just portals to even more indulgent escapes
Taking a luxury vacation is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some. If you’ve only got one chance, don’t waste your hard-earned cash on a destination that isn’t really worth the hype.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
