The top 20 best airports in the world according to passengers
- Aviation ranking firm SkyTrax has unveiled the best airports in the world for 2022.
- Asia and Europe dominated the list, with Qatar's Hamad International Airport maintaining its top title.
The top 100 airports in the world have once again been unveiled.
Aviation rating firm SkyTrax has announced its annual World Airports Awards for 2022 on Thursday, and Asia and Europe dominated the list. The organization uses global customer satisfaction surveys taken from 2021 to 2022 to determine the top airports.
According to SkyTrax, the surveys, which include over 550 airports worldwide, are the "quality benchmark for the world airport industry" and are "independent of any airport control, influence or input."
The survey covers things like terminal layout, comfort, seating, WiFi availability, restaurant options, retail vendors, and level of staff service, per the firm.
Doha's Hamad International Airport held onto its crown this year after being named the top airport in the world in 2021. Last year was the first time in eight years that Singapore's Changi International Airport was dethroned as the number one airport.
Among the top 20 airports in the world, there were 10 in Asia and 10 in Europe. Australia's Melbourne International Airport came in at number 26, while only two North American airports made the top 30, including Seattle-Tacoma and Vancouver.
Overall, 12 US airports managed to crack the top 100 list, while Canada only earned three spots.
Here's a closer look at the top 20 airports in the world, according to SkyTrax.
20. Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport fell from number 10 in 2021 to number 20 this year. The airport is the gateway to Hong Kong, once serving as one of the largest cargo and passenger airports in the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the hub to lose significant traffic, and effectively fall "off the map," Bloomberg reported.
Despite the low numbers, it still earned the title of best airport with less than two million passengers, according to SkyTrax. The airport serves as a base for Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, and cargo carrier Air Hong Kong.
19. Vienna International Airport
Vienna International Airport jumped four spots from number 23 in 2021 to number 19 in 2022. The airport is a gateway to Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, and acts as a hub for Austrian Airlines. Vienna is also a focus city for Eurowings Europe, ultra-low-cost airline Ryanair, Korean Air Cargo, and Hungarian-based Wizz Air.
18. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
China's Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport ranked number 18 in 2022, falling four spots from last year. Besides earning a top 20 spot, the airport also earned several other awards, including being the best airport in China, the cleanest airport in China, and the best airport with over 40 million passengers.
Guangzhou acts as a hub for China Southern Airlines, 9 Air, FedEx Express, Shenzhen Airlines, and Hainan Airlines, and as a focus city for China Eastern Airlines.
17. Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen Airport, which serves as a gateway to the Oresund region of Denmark, jumped one spot from number 18 in 2021. The airport also earned an award for the best immigration processing. Copenhagen serves as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and a focus city for Danish carrier DAT.
16. Madrid-Barajas Airport
Spain's Madrid-Barajas Airport rose four spots in 2022 after barely making the top 20 list last year. The airport is the gateway to Madrid, as well as a popular connection point for Europeans traveling to and from Latin America. Madrid-Barajas is a hub airport for Iberia, Air Europa, easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling.
15. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schipol Airport fell three spots in 2022. The airport is one of the busiest and largest in the world, acting as a gateway to Europe and the Netherlands. Amsterdam also won the award for best airport website and digital services. Dutch flag carrier KLM, KLM Cityhopper, KLM Cargo, and cargo carrier Martinair use the airport as a hub.
14. Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport rose five spots this year, ranking number 14 in 2022. The airport is a major gateway to the United Arab Emirates, is one of the largest airports in the Middle East, and is a major cargo hub in the region. Dubai has become a key hub for Emirates, which operates the largest fleet of Airbus A380 jumbo jets. The airport is also home to FedEx Express and Flydubai.
13. London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport fell out of the top 10 this year, having ranked number eight in 2021. The airport is one of the busiest in the world and serves as the main international gateway to London. Heathrow is a base for British Airways and a focus city for Virgin Atlantic.
12. Chubu Centrair International Airport
Japan's Chubu Centrair International Airport still felt short of making the top 10 list this year after ranking 11 in 2021. The airport is the gateway to the Chubu region of the country and was named the best regional airport in the world. Chubu is a hub for All Nippon Airways and Jetstar Japan, and a focus city for Japan Airlines and Polar Air Cargo.
11. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Finland's Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was named the number 11 best airport in the world for 2022, jumping two spots from last year. The airport also earned the title of the best airport in northern Europe. Helsinki is home to Finland flag carrier Finnair and Nordic regional airline Norra.
10. Kansai International Airport
Rounding out the top 10 best airports is Kansai International Airport at number 10, which serves as the main gateway to the Greater Osaka region of Japan. In addition to making the top 10 list, Kansai earned two other awards, including the best low-cost terminal and the best airport for baggage delivery. All Nippon Airways, FedEx Express, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Nippon Cargo Airlines, and Peach are hubbed at Kansai.
9. Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport maintained its top 10 spots this year but fell two spots from number seven in 2021. The airport is one of Switzerland's busiest airports, acting as a hub for Edelweiss Air and Swiss International Airlines. Zurich won a handful of additional awards, including being the best airport for security processing and being the cleanest airport in Europe.
8. Istanbul Airport
Located on the European side of Turkey, Istanbul Airport jumped nine spots from number 17 in 2021 to number 8 in 2022. The hub airport is new, officially opening in April 2019 and becoming the city's main international gateway. Istanbul Airport is still being expanded, and, by 2025, is set to become the world's largest airport by passenger traffic with the capability to handle 200 million travelers per year, according to the airport.
Istanbul is home to Turkish Airlines and won several other awards, including the best family-friendly airport, best airport shopping, best airport in southern Europe, and best airport with 30-40 million passengers.
7. Munich Airport
Munich Airport stayed in the top 10 this year, only falling one spot from 2021. The airport earned several other awards, including being named the best airport in central Europe, being the best airport with 10 to 15 million passengers, and having the best airport hotel. Munich is one of the busiest in Germany by passenger traffic and acts as a hub for Lufthansa and Lufthansa CityLine.
6. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport jumped nine spots from number 15 in 2021 to number six in 2022. The airport, which is one of the busiest in the world, was also named the best airport in Europe and the best airport in Western Europe. Charles de Gaulle is home to Air France, Air France Cargo, and FedEx Express.
5. Incheon International Airport
Rounding out the top five airports in the world is South Korea's Incheon International Airport. The airport is a major international gateway and is home to several carriers, including Air Busan, Air Incheon, Air Seoul, Asiana Airlines, Eastar Jet, FedEx Express, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, Polar Air Cargo, and T'way Air. Incheon is also a focus city for Thai Airways, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.
4. Narita International Airport
Japan's Narita International Airport stayed in the top five this year, coming in at number four. The airport is the second-largest in the city and a main international gateway into the Greater Tokyo region. Narita was named the best airport for five to 10 million passengers and serves as a hub for Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Jetstar Japan, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Peach, Spring Airlines Japan, and ZIPAIR Tokyo.
3. Singapore Changi Airport
After losing its crown in 2021, Singapore Changi Airport has been named the third-best airport in the world for 2022. The airport earned the top title from 2013 to 2020 but was beat out by Doha's Hamad International Airport last year.
Despite once-again falling short, the airport still won several awards this year, including best airport staff in the world and Asia, best airport dining, and best airport for two to five million passengers. Changi has several amenities, like a swimming pool and movie theater, and is home to Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Asia Airways, Scoot, and SilkAir.
2. Tokyo International Airport
Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, is once again the second-best airport in the world. The airport is the busier of the two airports serving Tokyo, having been restricted to just domestic and regional flying for many years. However, international flights were launched in 2010, and the airport is a convenient option for inbound passengers visiting Tokyo.
The airport won a handful of other awards this year, including being the world's cleanest airport, the world's best domestic airport, having the best accessible facilities, and being the best airport in Asia. Haneda is home to Air Do, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Skymark Airlines, and Skynet Asia Airways.
1. Hamad International Airport
Doha's Hamad International Airport is once again the best airport in the world, having dethroned Singapore Changi Airport for the top title in 2021. Hamad is the primary gateway to Qatar after replacing the country's old airport in 2014.
The airport is home to several amenities and vendors, as well as a convenient passenger train that easily shuttles travelers through the terminals. Flag carrier Qatar Airways is the main airline hubbed at Hamad.