As the travel bug bites, and we gear up for our next escapade, the dreaded layover may seem like a roadblock. However, some airports have everything you need to make the most out of your connecting flight, from world-class amenities to jaw-dropping attractions.
With summer approaching, many of us are looking forward to packing our bags and embarking on our next adventure, but when your trip requires a stopover on the journey, which airports top the ranks as the best for a layover? From a seed list of 40 of the world’s busiest airports, travel industry experts have revealed the best airports for a layover by considering factors such as the availability of shops, food and beverage options, hotels within a two-mile proximity to the airport as well as passenger ratings of airport facilities such as lounges, Wi-Fi and food and retail services.
Singapore’s Changi Airport was named as the best airport for a layover for travellers this summer. Featuring a ‘magical garden’ and the world’s largest indoor waterfall, it’s no surprise that Singapore’s Changi Airport has been crowned the best airport for stopovers.
However, the ranking was due to more than just the airport’s picturesque nature, as it also provides an abundance of shops (240) for retail lovers and around 200 food and beverage options for those looking for refreshments. Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Hong Kong International Airport follow shortly behind in second and third place, both boasting significantly high lounge and Wi-Fi satisfaction scores for those looking to stay comfy and connected.
1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
2. Incheon International Airport, South Korea
3. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong
4. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates
5. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, United States
6. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, United States
7. Munich Airport, Germany
8. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India
9. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands
10. Denver International Airport, United States
The United States seems like a stopover haven as three airports in the US feature in the top 10 rankings. Surprisingly the UK’s largest airports Gatwick and Heathrow, not only do not place in the top 10 but rank 15th and 39th in the index.
Finally, an airport stopover wouldn’t be complete without refreshments and some retail therapy. To reveal the best airports for foodies and retail lovers, we ranked the airports based on their number of shops, food and beverage facilities, as well as their food and retail satisfaction score.
With a food and retail service satisfaction score of 90% Singapore’s Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport claimed first and second place as the best airport stopovers for foodies and retail lovers, shortly followed by Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Munich Airport.
1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
2. Incheon International Airport, South Korea
3. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, United States
4. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, United States
5. Munich Airport, Germany
