Top 10 Best Airports In The World 2016 According To Skytrax

By Rajkamal

Updated: Saturday, March 19, 2016, 15:30 [IST]

Air travel is becoming very common in the modern day, and that has led airports to compete against each other to prove which airport is better than the other. Competition has become so intense that airports have started adding features such as swimming pools and cinemas that run 24 hours and free.

So a company called 'Skytrax', a consultancy based out of the United Kingdom which runs an airline and airport review and ranking site, has come up with the 10 best airports in the world for the year. Let's take a look.

10. Hamad International Airport

Taking the 10th spot is the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. The airport was initially scheduled to open in 2009, but was finally inaugurated in 2014. The airport is situated at an altitude of just 4 meters above sea level.

9. Kansai International Airport (Japan)

In the ninth position is the Kansai International Airport, which is built on an artificial island in the middle of the Osaka Bay. The airport was opened in the year 1994 and in 2014, the airport became an Asian hub. From the mainland, there are ferry services, railway, and road connectivity to the airport. The Kansai International Airport is situated at an altitude of 5 meters above sea level.

8. London Heathrow Airport

The eighth best airport in the world is taken by the famous Heathrow Airport in London. The Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK and is also the sixth busiest in the world. The airport was started back in the year 1929 as a small airfield, and in 1966, it was named Heathrow. The Heathrow Airport has chaplains for Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and also has a multi-faith prayer room. The Heathrow Airport is at an altitude of 25 meters above sea level.

7. Zurich Airport

Taking the seventh place in the list of top 10 best airports in the world is the Zurich Airport, which is also the largest airport in Switzerland. Based at an altitude of 432 meters above sea level, it's top destinations are London, Berlin, Vienna, and Paris. The Zurich Airport will soon have a medical center, a conference center, shops, restaurants, offices, and hotels, which are under construction.

6. Chubu Centrair Nagoya

Coming in at number six is the Chubu Centrair Nagoya Airport situated in central Japan. The Chubu Centrair Nagoya Airport is also the second airport in Japan that is situated on an artificial island, and was opened in 2005. Centrair features the 4th Floor Sky Town Shopping Center, accessible to general public, with 61 shops and restaurants. The airport is situated at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level.

5. Hong Kong International Airport

Being the main airport, the Hong Kong International Airport takes the fifth place in our list of the best airports. The airport has been operational since 1998, and is at an altitude of 9 meters above sea level. The airport boasts the largest IMAX theatre screen in Hong Kong and can seat 350 people. The airport also has a driverless people mover that ferries passengers between the check-in area and the gates, that travels at a speed of 62km/h.

4. Tokyo International Airport

The Tokyo International Airport, also called the Haneda Airport is the third busiest airport in Asia and the fourth busiest airport in the world. Situated at an altitude of 6 meters above sea level, the Tokyo International Airport features a six-story restaurant, shopping area, and conference rooms and also a large rooftop observation deck with an open-air rooftop cafe.

3. Munich Airport

The third best airport in the world is the Munich Airport, which is also the second busiest airport in terms of passengers. Situated at an altitude of 453 meters above sea level, the airport features a holiday long-term parking facility amongst others.

2. Incheon International Airport

Taking the second place is the Incheon International Airport, which is also the largest airport in South Korea. Situated at an altitude of 7 meters above sea level, the Incheon International Airport features a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, ice skating rink, a casino, indoor gardens, and a Museum of Korean Culture. Also, its duty-free shopping mall has been rated the world's best for three years in a row by Business Traveller.

1. Singapore Changi Airport

The best airport in the world goes to the Singapore Changi Airport. The airport has won the award of being the best airport numerous times and is also one of the world's busiest airports. Being at an elevation of just over 6 meters above sea level, the airport features a butterfly garden, free 24-hour cinema, rooftop swimming pool and spa and much more.