[theList] Is There an Airport Better Than Incheon Airport?

Skytrax Announces Global Airport Rankings
1st Place 'Singapore Changi Airport'... 4th Place 'Incheon'

Recently, as pent-up demand for overseas travel has exploded due to the impact of COVID-19, airports have been bustling with travelers carrying lots of luggage. Amid this, the UK-based aviation research organization Skytrax recently announced the world's best airports for 2023. Skytrax annually evaluates airlines worldwide based on factors such as ▲in-flight meals ▲in-flight entertainment ▲seat comfort ▲staff service ▲price satisfaction, and selects the best airlines. Based on the announced rankings, we took a look at various airports around the world.

5th Place - France Charles de Gaulle Airport

France's Charles de Gaulle Airport is known as one of the three major hub airports in Europe, along with the Netherlands' Schiphol Airport and the UK's Heathrow Airport. The airport is named after Charles de Gaulle, the 18th President of France.

Charles de Gaulle Airport is famous for being the largest airport in Europe. The passenger terminal area is 32.57 km², making it the largest airport in Europe, which is roughly comparable to Guri City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (33.3 km²). Therefore, transportation such as shuttle buses must be used to move between terminals.

4th Place - South Korea Incheon Airport

Incheon Airport is popular for its convenient layout and numerous rest areas for travelers. In particular, Incheon Airport demonstrates excellent capabilities in terms of airport services.

In this regard, Incheon Airport achieved a remarkable feat by winning three awards at the 2023 World Airport Awards hosted by Skytrax this year. Incheon Airport received the ▲World’s Best Airport Staff Award, ▲Asia’s Best Airport Staff Award, and ▲Best Airport Immigration Service Award.

Previously, Incheon Airport ranked first for 12 consecutive years from 2005 to 2016 in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) evaluation announced by the Airports Council International (ACI).

3rd Place - Japan Haneda Airport

Located in Tokyo, Japan, Haneda Airport is Japan’s representative airport equipped with both domestic and international terminals. Last year, it was selected as the cleanest airport in the world and the best domestic airport globally.

Haneda Airport’s greatest advantage is its location. It is much easier to access central Tokyo from Haneda than from Narita Airport, which is also located in Tokyo. Using public transportation such as trains, monorails, and buses, travelers can reach major Tokyo downtown areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro within 20 to 30 minutes. Popular tourist attractions such as Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Skytree are also about 20 minutes away.

The airport also offers special sights. On the 5th floor of the airport, there is an outdoor observation deck where visitors can watch airplanes on the runway. On clear days, Mount Fuji can also be seen.

2nd Place - Qatar Hamad Airport

Hamad Airport, located in Doha, Qatar, opened in 2014 and accommodates over 50 million passengers annually. Hamad Airport is especially praised as the "cleanest airport in the Middle East."

A notable feature of Qatar Airways is its 'Free City Tour Program.' Qatar Airways operates this program in collaboration with the Qatar Tourism Authority. According to CNN, travelers with a layover of more than 8 hours can apply for the city tour program. Through this, travelers can visit major tourist attractions in Doha.

1st Place - Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport. [Image source=Getty Images]

Singapore Changi Airport holds a prestigious reputation, having ranked first in Skytrax’s world best airport rankings 12 times in total. Opened in 1981, Changi Airport has received over 660 awards for excellence from various organizations.

Peter Miller, Marketing Director of Skytrax, explained in an interview with CNN, "It received the highest scores because it is an airport that can be conveniently used by a diverse range of passengers, including family travelers, business travelers on work trips, and travelers from around the world."

As one of the world’s major hub airports, Changi Airport was bustling with over 70 million travelers annually before COVID-19.

In particular, the indoor artificial waterfall and butterfly garden with 1,000 butterflies inside the airport provide travelers with various experiences and have received high praise. Additionally, Changi Airport is equipped with numerous amenities such as a 3D cinema, rooftop swimming pool, and a variety of dining options, attracting not only travelers but also many locals.