Around the world, there are airports so beautiful they make you wish your flight was delayed. Here are the 10 most luxurious and fascinating ones.
Being forced to spend a long time at the airport waiting for your flight is almost always a boring and annoying experience. And in recent years, it has become a constant, given the extremely difficult situation in civil aviation, with hours-long delays and sudden cancellations being the order of the day.
At some airports, however, a delay or a canceled flight could prove to be a unique opportunity to discover new things and enjoy luxury and relaxation. Fortunately, not all airports are large, sterile, impersonal pavilions with rows of chairs and a long series of shops.
There are some that are worth a visit in and of themselves. Here are the 10 most luxurious around the world. There are no Italian airports, but the Old Continent is well represented.
The 10 Most Luxurious Airports: Ranks 10 to 5
In tenth place is Tokyo Narita Airport, one of the first airports in the world to install airport hotels to counteract the effects of jet lag. Here, travelers can even find tatami mats for meditation, tea and sake tastings, and shops selling traditional crafts, electronics, and luxury writing accessories.
One step above, we find Europe’s leading airport, Frankfurt. The main hub of Lufthansa, this airport offers visitors luxury car showrooms, private offices, personal assistants, and incredible suites complete with bathtubs.
Eighth place goes to Hong Kong International Airport, an engineering masterpiece complete with an IMAX theater, golf courses, suites with massage services, and, for premium travelers, a shuttle service to and from the airport in luxurious Rolls-Royces.
Leaving Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, one of the best places in the world to learn about authentic Thai culture. Inside the airport, there are shops selling Thai silk and precious stones, as well as numerous international designer boutiques. The highlight, however, is the pavilion dedicated to local traditions, where you can watch demonstrations by artisans at work or simply relax in one of the many massage or meditation areas.
Right in the top five is Singapore’s famous Changi Airport, considered by many to be the most beautiful airport in the world. It may seem incredible, but inside this airport there’s a 40-meter-high waterfall, a miniature rainforest, a butterfly garden, and several cinemas showing free movies 24/7. All this with ultra-luxury amenities and top-notch shopping.
At the foot of the podium: fifth and fourth place
We enter the top 5 of the world’s most luxurious airports with Sydney International Airport. We’re talking about the world’s oldest continuously operating international commercial airport, a masterpiece that blends history and modern luxury, thanks to the presence of stores like Cartier, Rolex, and Armani.
Inside, you can admire a vertical garden with thousands of different plant species and stop for a meal in the luxury restaurant masterfully managed by chef Neil Perry, a true celebrity of global cuisine.
In fourth place is one of the most famous airports in Europe and the world: Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The second-largest European airport in terms of annual passenger traffic, Paris is a prime example of how tradition, elegance, and efficiency can be combined. It houses boutiques from the biggest names in French and international fashion, and even a museum housing original works of art selected from Parisian museums.
The quality of service is also incredible, especially the La Belle Époque restaurant, which offers traditional French dishes accompanied by vintage champagne.
Doha International Airport is the third most luxurious in the world
Hamad International Airport Doha, a leading global passenger traffic hub, has been awarded a bronze medal for luxury. This airport introduced the concept of "sleeping pods" to airport services: soundproofed rooms with a double bed and private bathroom that can be rented by the hour and are designed for travelers facing long layovers or flight delays.
But they’re not the only attraction. There are luxury shops to see (including Hermès and Tiffany & Co.), a lounge area, Al Mourjan, larger than many international airports, and the symbol of the facility, a 7-meter-tall bronze bear created by Swiss sculptor Urs Fischer.
Silver Medal: London Heathrow Airport
When it comes to luxury and the quality of every single service, London Heathrow Airport has nothing to envy of those mentioned in the previous paragraphs.
The selection of luxury shops is incredible, with Terminal 5 housing big-name stores like Gucci, Chanel, and Burberry.
Almost all passenger lounges are equipped with spas and high-end restaurants. There are two exclusive areas: the Concorde Room, reserved for British Airways first-class passengers with private cabins and table service, and the Windsor Suite, created specifically to host celebrities, heads of state, and royalty, ensuring maximum security and privacy.
The most luxurious airport in the world is Dubai International Airport
There’s little doubt which airport deserves the title of the most luxurious on the planet. We’re obviously talking about Dubai International Airport, a facility that "moves" approximately 90 million people every year.
A book wouldn’t suffice to describe the quality and range of services at this facility. The jewel in the crown is the 5-star hotel located in the heart of the central terminal, designed specifically to eliminate hassle from transfers to and from the airport.
Next to the hotel are Zen gardens, outdoor pools, fully equipped gyms for every need and requirement, and for those who simply want to relax or enjoy a good meal, numerous luxury restaurants and cinemas open 24 hours a day. Plus, of course, one of the largest duty-free areas in the world, where you can buy absolutely everything from jewelry to luxury supercars.
And making a stop at the airport even more evocative is its very design. Designed to resemble a small oasis in the desert, Dubai Airport features wide open spaces dotted with palm trees. Quite the opposite of the sterile terminals at most international airports.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: I 10 aeroporti più lussuosi del mondo
