Whether you are traveling for a holiday or a business trip, some airports can make your travel experience more pleasant. Tourism Review has identified seven of the most beautiful commercial airports in the world that are sure to leave a good first or last impression and where the waiting is more enjoyable.
Changi Airport is the international airport of the city-state of Singapore and is considered one of the best commercial airports in the world. Singapore is known worldwide as a "garden city," the airport has many green areas and gardens where passengers can stretch their legs. The most impressive area is "Jewel Changi," featuring a 40-meter-high waterfall surrounded by 2,000 trees. In addition, there is a butterfly garden in Terminal 3, a sunflower garden in Terminal 2, and a cactus garden in Terminal 1.
Zurich Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland. In 2023, it received the World Travel Award in the category "Leading Airport in Europe" for the 20th consecutive time. As part of the Skytrax Award, millions of travelers consistently rank Zurich Airport among the best airports in the world. In 2023, the Kloten-based airport served more than 29 million passengers for the first time. These passengers were impressed not only by the service but also by the light-flooded halls.
The Airside Centre, which links Docks A and B, was designed by London architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and Swiss architects Itten und Brechbühl. The elongated building, inspired by the arms of an octopus, is minimalistically constructed of steel, glass, and high supports. It features a 20-meter-high glass façade with a view of the flight operations.
Marrakech-Menara International Airport is one of the largest commercial airports in Morocco, after Casablanca Airport, and is located around 4 kilometers from Marrakesh. From January to October 2023, the airport handled over 5.6 million passengers.
A unique feature of Menara Airport is the recurring patterns in the walls, decorations, and windows. The walls consist of concrete shapes such as the diamond pattern, while the arabesque windows in between allow the patterns to appear on the floor and walls when the light falls on them.
Heydar Aliyev Airport is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and is one of the country's five major international airports. In 2004, it was renamed after the former President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. The airport serves around 1 million passengers annually.
The terminal was constructed using natural materials such as wood, stone, and textiles, and warm lighting was installed. Notably, the wooden cocoons of various sizes create a cozy atmosphere, providing passengers with a sense of peace and privacy.
The largest airport in South Korea is situated 52 kilometers west of Seoul, on Yeongjongdo Island in the Yellow Sea, which is part of Incheon. In 2023, passenger traffic at Incheon Airport reached nearly 57 million. It is considered one of the greenest commercial airports globally, featuring seven gardens passengers can visit and enjoy during extended layovers.
The international airport of the Spanish capital, Madrid, named after the former Spanish Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez, is approximately 12 kilometers from the city center. It is Spain's largest and most important aviation hub and serves as a significant European hub for flights to Latin America. In 2023, the airport handled over 60 million passengers, making it one of the largest commercial airports in Europe.
British architect Richard Rogers designed the new Terminal 4. The corrugated bamboo ceiling, the mistral marble floor, and the colors used are considered a reflection of the Madrilenian landscape and a warm welcome.
The airport may not be the most fascinating aspect here; instead, the railway station connected to it is genuinely intriguing. The TGV high-speed train station is inspired by a flying falcon and was designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The station and the airport are named after the aviation pioneer and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and are situated in Colombier-Saugnieu, approximately 20 kilometers east of the city. The airport ranks fourth largest in France, with an annual passenger volume of around 8 million travelers.