Owais Crawford
When it comes to airports, the best in the world is a highly contested topic. With factors like efficiency, architecture, shopping, and dining options coming into play, travellers have a lot to consider when voting in awards like Skytrax's World's Best Airports. In 2024, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, took the top spot, known for its high-end shopping and dining, as well as its architectural significance. Other airports that have been recognised for their impressive offerings include Singapore's Changi Airport, Seoul's Incheon International Airport, and Tokyo's Haneda International Airport. While these airports stand out for their passenger experiences, other airports are notable for their sheer volume of passengers, like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has been the world's busiest airport almost every year since 1998.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Qatar |
| Airport | Hamad International Airport |
| City | Doha |
| Ranking | 1st in Skytrax World's Best Airports list for 2024 |
| Previous year's ranking | 1st in 2021 and 2022 |
| Features | High-end designer stores, varied dining options, a pay-to-use fitness center and spa, sleep pods |
| Competition | Changi Airport, Singapore |
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What You'll Learn
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has been named the best airport in the world for 2024 by aviation ranking organization Skytrax. This comes after Doha was named Airport of the Year in 2021 and 2022, with Singapore's Changi Airport taking the top spot in 2023.
Hamad International Airport boasts an array of high-end designer stores, including Burberry, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo, with duty-free price tags. The airport also offers a range of dining options, such as cakes from L'eto Caffe and sandwiches in the Harrods Tea Room. For those with long layovers, the airport provides pay-by-the-hour sleep pods, a pay-to-use fitness centre, and a spa.
The airport, which began operations in 2014, has seen significant growth in passenger traffic. In 2019, the airport witnessed a 12.4% increase in annual passenger traffic, with over 38.8 million passengers arriving that year. Hamad International Airport is designed to cater to a high volume of traffic, with an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers and the ability to eventually handle 93 million passengers per year, making it the second-largest airport in the region after Dubai.
The airport features two parallel runways, located 2 kilometres apart, which can accommodate simultaneous take-offs and landings. The first runway, with a length of 4,850 metres, is considered the longest in Western Asia and one of the longest in the world. The second runway is also impressive, stretching 4,250 metres.
Hamad International Airport is well-connected to the city of Doha, with the Doha Metro's Red Line providing direct access to the airport and Downtown Doha. The airport is also known for its efficient app, which allows passengers to breeze through check-in, access boarding passes, and receive helpful notifications during their journey.
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Changi Airport, Singapore
Changi Airport in Singapore is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. It is the primary international airport serving the country of Singapore. More than 100 airlines operate from the airport, with flights to destinations in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The airport is located within its namesake, the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Singapore's Downtown Core. It is the home base of BOC Aviation, Jetstar Asia, and Singapore Airlines, as well as the cargo division Singapore Airlines Cargo and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot.
Changi Airport has won over 680 awards since its opening, including 28 "Best Airport" awards in 2019 alone. The airport has consistently maintained its high standards in airport service quality through continual physical upgrades to its existing terminals and by building new facilities. Changi Airport uses innovative technology, such as cookies and analytical tools, to deliver a more personalised experience and improve its services.
The airport is served by two runways, each about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) long. There are currently four terminal buildings, with a fifth under construction and due to open in 2030. Three of the terminal buildings are connected to an entertainment and retail complex known as the Jewel Changi Airport, which includes indoor forests and waterfalls. Changi Airport serves over 100 airlines flying to 400+ cities in 100+ countries and territories worldwide. About 7,400 flights arrive or depart at Changi each week, or one every 80 seconds.
Changi Airport is also known for its vast and varied food scene, offering a range of options such as spicy Indian cuisine from Bikanervala and comfort food at Burger & Lobster. The airport also features a waterfall, which has become one of its main attractions. Changi Airport has emerged as a destination in its own right, providing travellers with an incredible experience and contributing to Singapore's reputation as a favourable layover location.
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Incheon International Airport, Seoul
Seoul's main international airport, Incheon International Airport, is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is located on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands, approximately 30 miles west of Seoul, South Korea's capital and largest city. The airport opened in 2001 to replace the older Gimpo International Airport, which had become insufficient to handle the increased air traffic to South Korea following the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Incheon International Airport is a major hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. In 2016, it was the fifth-busiest airport in the world by cargo traffic and 19th by passenger traffic, serving a total of 57,849,814 passengers that year. The airport has continued to expand, with a second passenger terminal opening in 2018, increasing its capacity to handle 62 million passengers and 5,800,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
The airport boasts impressive amenities, including spacious VIP lounges, an indoor skating rink, a spa, a casino, a golf course, private sleeping rooms, indoor gardens, a video game centre, and the Museum of Korean Culture. It also features a "Cultural Street" showcasing local cuisine and dance performances. Incheon International Airport provides easy access to Seoul's city centre through a high-speed rail link, taking only 43 minutes to travel between the terminal and the city.
In recognition of its facilities and services, Incheon International Airport was included in the Skytrax World's Best Airports list in 2024, alongside airports in Doha, Singapore, Tokyo, and Paris. The airport has earned a reputation for its efficiency and ability to handle a significant volume of passengers and cargo, contributing to its standing as one of the world's best airports.
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Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan
Tokyo Haneda International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other being Narita International Airport. Located in Ōta, Tokyo, it is about 15 kilometres from the heart of Tokyo. The airport covers 1,522 hectares of land and is the primary domestic base of Japan's two largest airlines: Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
Haneda Airport has a long history, dating back to the late 1940s when it received its first international passenger flights. For much of its history, Haneda Airport was primarily used for domestic flights within Japan. However, in 2010, a new dedicated international terminal (Terminal 3) was opened, allowing long-haul flights to operate during the night. This expansion increased the airport's capacity to handle 90 million passengers per year. Haneda is now the most convenient airport for travellers heading to Tokyo, with excellent transport connections to the city centre.
The airport boasts a wide range of food and shopping options. Terminal 3 is home to Edo Ko-ji, a street modelled on the Tokyo of samurai days, with Japanese restaurants serving sushi and yakitori, as well as a certified vegan restaurant. Terminals 1 and 2 also offer a variety of dining choices, including fancy Japanese restaurants and cafes. Duty-free shopping is available at all three terminals, with dozens of shops located at Gates 109-114 in Terminal 3. Tokyo Pop Town, located before security checks, offers merchandise featuring popular Japanese characters, while Terminal 2 houses the Haneda Virtual Boutique for fashion items.
Haneda Airport has been recognised for its excellence, ranking as the second-best airport in the world in 2020, according to Skytrax. It has also been named the World's Best Domestic Airport and consistently ranks among the busiest airports globally. The airport is well-connected to Tokyo's public transport system, with Keikyu Line express trains operating from each terminal to Shinagawa Station on the JR Yamanote Line, providing easy access to the rest of the city.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also known by its IATA code, ATL, is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for 2020 when travel was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
Hartsfield–Jackson is the primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with over 1,000 flights daily to 225 destinations. It is also a base for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The airport offers international services to North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.
The Domestic Terminal is divided into North and South sectors, connecting to concourses A, B, C, D, and T. The International Terminal links to concourses E and F. Passengers can easily navigate between terminals using the Terminal Shuttle Connector, SkyTrain, or the Plane Train, a highly efficient internal subway system.
Hartsfield–Jackson provides various services, including free Wi-Fi, device charging stations, pet relief areas, nursing rooms, and prayer rooms. The airport also offers a diverse range of dining options, from Southern comfort food to quick bites. Additionally, parking is available 24/7, with designated areas for passengers with reduced mobility.
While Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport did not make the Skytrax World's Best Airports list for 2024, it is renowned for its ability to efficiently handle large passenger volumes, contributing to its status as the world's busiest airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, was named the best airport in the world in 2024 by Skytrax. It has been described as the most architecturally significant terminal complex in the world and the most luxurious.
Singapore's Changi Airport, Seoul's Incheon International Airport, and Tokyo's Haneda International Airport are also well-known airports that have made it to Skytrax's World's Best Airports list.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, has been the world's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dubai International Airport (DXB) was the world's busiest international airport as of April 2025.
