The 5 Best Rated Airports In The World For 2024

The airport isn't usually a place you'd want to spend your time. However, if you find yourself at one of the best airports in the world, you might just be grateful for a long layover. Some airports outshine the rest when it comes to amenities, cleanliness, shopping, food, and other factors, making them destinations in and of themselves.

Each year, Skytrax publishes its World Airport Awards list based on customer feedback. The 2024 rankings were compiled using survey responses collected between August 2023 and March 2024 from fliers of over 100 different nationalities. Only a handful of airports have been crowned the World's Best Airport since the awards began in 1999, including Singapore Changi, Hong Kong International Airport, Seoul Incheon, and Doha Hamad. Unsurprisingly, all but one (Hong Kong being the outlier) of these transit hubs landed in the top five for 2024.

In recent years, Doha Hamad and Singapore Changi have gone head-to-head for the top spot, with Doha taking the honor in 2022 and 2021 and Singapore's main hub being named the World's Best Airport in 2023 and every year between 2013 and 2020. So, who's the winner for 2024? Let's just say you might want to make a pit stop in Arabia during your next vacation.

Coming in first place in Skytrax's 2024 World Airport Awards is Doha Hamad Airport in Doha, Qatar. The hub only opened 10 years ago but has already won over travelers (of which there are around 30 million per year, a number that the airport expects to swell to 50 million in the near future). Besides taking the prestigious title of the World's Best Airport, Doha was awarded the Best Airport in the Middle East, the World's Best Airport Shopping, the Best Airport among airports serving 40 to 50 million passengers, and the Cleanest Airport in the Middle East.

Doha Hamad is often considered to be the most luxurious airport in the world. One example of this can be seen in its indoor tropical garden, called the Orchard. Under a stunning futuristic roof sits an entire garden outfitted with lush trees, making it easy to forget you're in an airport at all. Alongside the greenery are luxury shops and dining facilities.

When visiting Hamad International, you'll also notice plenty of other eye candy, from its stunning interior architecture to its many mega-sized sculptures. During extra-long visits, guests can treat themselves to a day at the Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre, located in the Oryx Airport Hotel. There, you'll find a pool, spa, golf simulator, and other fun and relaxing amenities. Alternatively, travelers with hours-long layovers can book a tour excursion of Doha provided by Discover Qatar.

Singapore Changi has long been considered one of the best (if not the best) airports in the world, so it's no surprise the travel hub took second place in Skytrax's 2024 World Airport Awards list. Customers also rated it the Best Airport in Asia, the Best Airport Immigration Service, and the Best Airport among hubs serving 50 to 60 million passengers. Additionally, Changi is home to the winner of Skytrax's World's Best Airport Hotel, the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel.

Famous for having the world's largest indoor waterfall, Singapore Changi Airport doesn't skimp on style and design. From the awe-inspiring Rain Vortex in the Jewel to its many gardens, Changi's scenery is worth taking time to explore before a flight. The popular hub also offers numerous activities to keep travelers of all ages busy. The Changi Experience Studio offers virtual games, the 24-hour cinema is perfect for watching the latest movies, and Climb@T3 gives visitors the chance to pass the time with rock climbing. Like Doha's airport, Singapore Changi also boasts top-notch shopping, art installations, and a pool — the latter is accessible at the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel with a day pass.

Seoul's Incheon International Airport was crowned the World's Best Airport by Skytrax in 2012 and 2009, and while those titles were each over a decade ago, the South Korean hub still remains one of the best across the globe. Incheon International took third place in 2024, with customers also naming it the World's Most Family Friendly Airport. South Korea's main hub is the third busiest international airport in the world, as of August 2024 based on airline seats, surpassing the other airports in Skytrax's list.

Seoul Incheon might not have the wow factor of Doha Hamad or Singapore Changi, but it still offers comfortable spaces and unique amenities to pass the time on long travel days. The digital gym offers high-tech exercises to fliers who have been sitting for hours, while those looking for a pamper sesh should book a service at one of the airport's spas (including Spa On Air, which boasts a relaxing sauna). There are also several lounges, nap zones, and a stretching room for when basic gate seating just doesn't cut it.

Travelers heading to South Korea for its culture will also be delighted to find two "K-Culture Zones" — one per terminal — with permanent exhibitions. Korean art and music also give life to the travel hub. And, of course, a visit to Incheon wouldn't be complete without eating at one of its many Korean restaurants.

Four Japanese airports ranked in the top 18 best airports, as chosen by Skytrax survey respondents, and Tokyo Haneda was considered the best of them all. The hub came in fourth place, dropping from third place in 2023. Haneda is one of the country's busiest airports, welcoming nearly 20 million international travelers and 62 million domestic travelers per year.

Though Haneda Airport wasn't named the World's Best Airport, it garnered several other titles in Skytrax's 2024 awards. Impressively, it was named the World's Cleanest Airport for the ninth year in a row and the Cleanest Airport in Asia. The Tokyo travel spot was also honored for being the World's Best Domestic Airport, the Best PRM and Accessible Facilities airport, and the Best Airport serving 70+ million passengers.

Haneda offers world-class shopping and dining, but that's not what makes this airport stand out. Visitors can get an authentic Japanese experience by visiting the on-site hot spring baths and sauna located at Izumi Tenku no Yu. The Edo Koji facilities, designed to look like Edo-period Tokyo, are also worth a visit. Marvel at the classic Japanese architecture while browsing souvenirs and sweets.

Tokyo made a second appearance in Skytrax's top five World's Best Airports of 2024 list with Tokyo Narita Airport. Though technically located outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture, Narita serves the Tokyo area, welcoming over 35 million travelers per year. Besides receiving a positive rating overall, the Japanese airport was also awarded the titles of World's Best Airport Staff, Best Airport Staff in Asia, and Best Airport among those with 30 to 40 million annual passengers.

Similar to Haneda Airport, Narita offers Japanese-themed experiences to travelers who want to squeeze more out of their Asian vacation. The Art Promenade showcases a mini gallery of Japanese art and contemporary pieces by local artists and designers, while the airport's restaurants are the place to go for authentic Japanese cuisine. There's also a gacha shop where visitors can collect surprise anime and character toys from capsule gacha machines. For travelers who have extra time to kill, the Sora no Yu onsen is just a 10-minute shuttle bus ride away, and the spectacular Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple can be reached from the airport in just one train stop.