Airports are meant to be stressful. You’re either rushing to make a gate, stuck in a snaking security line, or paying ₹600 for a thoroughly mid coffee. And yet, some airports pull off the impossible—they make you want to show up early. Or even worse, linger after landing.
That’s what Travel + Leisure’s 2025 list of the world’s best international airports is all about: terminals that don’t just move people, but move expectations. Think indoor waterfalls, botanical gardens, intuitive navigation, and genuinely good food. Unsurprisingly, Asia dominates this year’s top 10, with Middle Eastern hubs flexing their billion-dollar design muscles. And yes, there’s a reason for desi pride too.
Here’s the full list of the airports that made flying suck just a little less this year:
10. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
A seamless blend of Korean culture and modernity, Incheon impresses with sleek architecture, robot guides, and one of the fastest immigration experiences on earth. Plus, the transit lounges feel more five-star hotel than holding zone.
9. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India
Mumbai’s T2 terminal is a visual spectacle — from its massive Jaya He art installation to boutique-style retail and comforting Indian eats. It’s the only Indian airport on the list, and a rare case where art and chaos coexist gracefully.
8. Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Efficient to a fault, Haneda nails the basics with sparkling clean interiors, punctuality, and quiet charm. It’s also shockingly close to central Tokyo — a godsend for layovers that don’t feel like exile.
7. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Helsinki, Finland
Compact, calming, and lined with soft lighting, Helsinki’s airport feels like a Nordic spa with boarding gates. Sustainability is baked into the experience, from recycled materials to energy-efficient operations.
6. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong
Designed by Norman Foster and still a marvel, HKG remains one of the slickest airports in Asia. With world-class lounges and a rooftop golf simulator, it’s as much a playground as a transport hub.
5. Dubai International Airport, UAE
Glitzy, busy, and built for volume, DXB is where luxury shopping meets round-the-clock bustle. The Emirates concourse alone feels like a small city — especially when you’re three espressos deep at 4 a.m.
4. Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Previously known as Abu Dhabi International, the renamed Zayed Airport turned heads with its striking architecture and brand-new midfield terminal. It’s got futuristic looks and warm Emirati hospitality to match.
3. Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Qatar’s flagship airport feels more like a museum — with sculpture gardens, plush lounges, and that giant yellow teddy bear. It’s opulence without the chaos, and an aspirational benchmark for airport design.
2. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
With its indoor waterfall, butterfly garden, and actual cinema, Changi is still the gold standard for turning airports into attractions. It came in second this year, but it’s still everyone’s favourite stopover fantasy.
1. Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Topping the list again, Istanbul’s mega-hub has perfected scale and soul—with its triple-runway operations, dining spots and in-airport museum—it’s fast becoming the new crossroads of global aviation.
