20 Best Airports in the World, Ranked

These airports prove that flying doesn’t always have to be stressful.

World's Best Airports

If you’ve ever been stuck in an airport for any length of time (Snowstorm? Check. Mechanical issue? Been there, done that. Random delay for no apparent reason? Yep.), you know just how boring and miserable it can be. But it doesn’t have to be that way; in fact, some airports are downright enjoyable to hang around.

Airports all over the world are offering bigger and better perks — quiet areas so you can get some sleep, observation decks with impressive views of planes taking off and landing, play areas for kids, all the shopping and dining you could ever want, and more.

To understand which airports are making travelers’ lives easier, the company AirHelp recently analyzed statistics for on-time performance, quality of service and passenger sentiment for 141 airports across the globe.

The following 20 airports earned the highest scores for 2018, so if you have plans to visit any of them in the near future, you can expect to have a pleasant — and dare we say it, even fun — experience.

20. Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport

On-time performance: 8.2
Quality of service: 8.0
Passenger sentiment: 7.6
TOTAL: 8.06 (out of 10)

Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, which is often referred to simply by its nickname “GRU,” is the Brazilian city's primary international airport. It’s conveniently located roughly 15 miles from the city center, which makes it a breeze for travelers to access. Passengers also report that it’s extremely easy to navigate, with lots of helpful signs and good organization in at least some terminals. In addition, travelers also say the airport is modern, clean and efficient, with few long lines.

19. Hannover Airport

On-time performance: 9.0
Quality of service: 8.0
Passenger sentiment: 4.5
TOTAL: 8.07

Every year, more than 5 million people fly through Hannover Airport in northern Germany. On the whole, flights leave on time from the airport, which also earned high marks for quality of service. Though it fell short on passenger sentiment in AirHelp’s analysis, some passengers still found plenty to like about this small airport.

“A great small cozy airport with no issues whatsoever. The waiting times are short. It's very easily reached with public transport with frequent connectivity,” one satisfied flier wrote.

18. Stavanger Airport, Sola

On-time performance: 8.3
Quality of service: 8.4
Passenger sentiment: 5.8
TOTAL: 8.08

Stavanger Airport is located on the southwestern coast of Norway, a region where travelers flock to enjoy mountains, fjords and historical cities. Stavanger first opened in 1937 and was Norway’s first civilian airport.

Though it’s small, Stavanger has many fans. “One of the best airports in the world! Nothing fancy, but very efficient. Everyone from customs to police are friendly, helpful and very courteous,” one traveler wrote.

One unique element you’ll find here? Honey bees. That’s right — there are thousands of bees living in beehives along the runway. The busy insects produce fresh honey used in the airport’s restaurants, while helping airport staff track pollution and air quality.

17. Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini Airport

On-time performance: 8.1
Quality of service: 8.0
Passenger sentiment: 8.9
TOTAL: 8.11

One of two major airports serving the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ministro Pistarini Airport is often referred to as Ezeiza International Airport. It’s where most of the long-haul international flights arrive and depart from, and it’s about 20 miles from the city’s center.

The airport has undergone some major renovations in recent years, which passengers seem to appreciate. “Ezeiza’s improvements are finally paying off. Growing up, I’ve gone to this airport countless times and used to dread it … Now coming in and out is pretty easy, as long as you allow some sufficient time. The airport addressed some much needed repairs and works quite well,” one pleased passenger wrote.

16. Bahrain International Airport

On-time performance: 8.6
Quality of service: 8.0
Passenger sentiment: 6.3
TOTAL: 8.12

Since the 1920s, Bahrain International Airport has been connecting the Persian Gulf with more than 50 destinations around the world on 35 airlines. Travelers like it because it’s relatively small, which means it’s super quick to get in and out of. They also say it’s efficient and organized, with very few long lines to wait in.

Describing the airport, one traveler wrote: “Small but efficient. You can find everything at this airport. It is possible to get from check in to your gate in less that 15 minutes.” Impressive!

15. Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport

On-time performance: 9.1
Quality of service: 7.4
Passenger sentiment: 7.1
TOTAL: 8.13

Sheremetyevo International Airport is one of three main airports in Moscow, and earned much higher marks than its counterpart Domodedovo Airport (which made it onto AirHelp’s list of the worst airports in the world). Flights leaving from Sheremetyevo are nearly always on time, and the airport offers a high quality of service. Travelers report that it’s clean, cozy and comfortable.

Plus, since it’s the hub for the popular Russian airline Aeroflot, it’s easy to get from Moscow to anywhere in the world by flying out of Sheremetyevo.

14. Brasília International Airport

On-time performance: 8.8
Quality of service: 8.2
Passenger sentiment: 4.9
TOTAL: 8.15

If you’re planning to visit Brazil’s capital anytime soon, chances are you’ll be spending a little time at Brasília International Airport, the city’s main international airport. Built in 1957, Brasília is a bustling hub that serves nearly 20 million travelers each year. It also recently underwent a massive renovation and expansion project that increased its terminal area by 45 percent. So far, the upgrades appear to have impressed travelers passing through the airport.

“When I saw this airport the first time in 2013 the impression was not so good” one passenger wrote. “Now, in 2018 it was improved a lot, the airport looks fresh, modern and new. It has free WiFi, waiting rooms and several shops.”

13. Stuttgart Airport

On-time performance: 9.1
Quality of service: 7.8
Passenger sentiment: 5.8
TOTAL: 8.18

The German city of Stuttgart is perhaps best known for being home to the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche — if you’re a big-time car lover, this city is probably on your travel bucket list. And good news: Its airport boasts on-time flights and a high quality of service. Each year, nearly 11 million travelers pass through Stuttgart Airport, with about 400 flights taking off or landing each day. Travelers say the airport is a manageable size with generally friendly staffers.

12. Afonso Pena International Airport

Located in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, Afonso Pena International Airport underwent a major renovation starting in 2012, and is now capable of serving 14.8 million people in a year. During an average day, roughly 210 flights depart from and arrive at the airport, transporting more than 20,100 passengers.

Though passenger sentiment is pretty low in AirHelp’s analysis, the airport makes up for it with punctuality and quality service. Plus, many travelers have been impressed with the airport’s upgrades: “New terminal looks pretty good. Convenient parking lot in the front of airport. We made a few domestic flights from this airport and everything was OK,” one traveler wrote online.

11. Kansai International Airport

On-time performance: 8.6
Quality of service: 8.4
Passenger sentiment: 6.3
TOTAL: 8.26

Kansai International Airport is unique — it’s set on its own man-made island off the coast of Osaka, so takeoffs and landings can feel pretty dramatic. The airport is open 24 hours a day, serving roughly 28 million passengers each year.

Many travelers just can’t get enough of this distinctive airport on an island, writing reviews like this one: “Really amazing without any doubts, Airport on sea, amazing, isn't it? Awesome location and exciting view. Small enough to not get lost, yet large enough to have all the amenities of major hubs.” It sounds like it may be worth flying to Japan just to visit this airport!

10. Mariscal Sucre International Airport

On-time performance: 8.4
Quality of service: 8.4
Passenger sentiment: 7.5
TOTAL: 8.29

Mariscal Sucre International Airport, commonly referred to as Quito International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in South America. Though it’s at least an hour outside of Quito, the airport is modern, bright and clean. It opened in 2013, replacing the old Mariscal Sucre Airport, and connects passengers to 11 domestic and 14 international destinations.

So far, people seem to really love the brand-new airport. Case in point? This representative review from a person traveing through Ecuador: “Great new airport. Kept clean, short lines, fast wifi and ample charging plugs. Everything we need in an airport.”

9. Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport

On-time performance: 8.5
Quality of service: 8.6
Passenger sentiment: 6.0
TOTAL: 8.30

Located just seven miles south of the city center, Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport is easy to get to if you’re visiting this coastal city in Brazil. Some 6.8 million people pass through the airport every year, and many find it to be well-maintained, clean and efficient.

Though it’s small, it “has everything you need and it's pretty straight-forward,” according to one traveler. What more could you ask for in an airport?

8. Amman Queen Alia International Airport

On-time performance: 8.6
Quality of service: 8.4
Passenger sentiment: 6.6
TOTAL: 8.33

Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan recently underwent a massive renovation project that produced a brand-new terminal, complete with restaurants, shops, children’s play areas and seating areas. The airport, which first opened in 1983, is anticipating an increase in annual passengers from 3.5 million to 12 million.

Travelers flying in and out of Jordan seem to love the design of the new terminal. According to one passenger, it’s a “very large and spacious airport with a clean, immaculate feel and high ceilings.”

7. Viracopos International Airport

On-time performance: 9.0
Quality of service: 8.4
Passenger sentiment: 5.7
TOTAL: 8.39

Viracopos International Airport is just 10 miles from Campinas, an important Brazilian city for science, technology and industry. The airport, which also serves as a major cargo terminal for Brazil, recently underwent an $800 million expansion and renovation project that created a massive new terminal and added additional parking space.

It’s known for being spacious, clean and easy to navigate, leading one traveler to write: “VCP is a lovely airport with all the amenities that you might expect. The airport is well organized, security is a breeze, and there is more than enough shopping.”

6. Chubu Centrair International Airport

On-time performance: 9.0
Quality of service: 8.6
Passenger sentiment: 4.9
TOTAL: 8.43

“Clean,” “modern” and “convenient” are all words passengers have used to describe Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on an artificial island 30 miles south of Nagoya, Japan. Though it’s relatively small, Chubu almost never feels crowded. Pro tip: Be sure to visit the Sky Deck, an observation deck that offers incredible views of planes taking off and landing.

People report feeling very relaxed and comfortable when they travel through this airport, writing reviews like this one: “Good example of how airports should work and was far less stressed (than) usual here.” What higher praise could an airport receive than that?

5. Singapore Changi Airport

On-time performance: 8.5
Quality of service: 9.2
Passenger sentiment: 5.1
TOTAL: 8.48

With a flight taking off or landing every 90 seconds, Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world — but that hasn’t caused its on-time performance or quality of service to slip in the slightest. More than 60 million people pass through this airport each year, traveling between 380 cities in more than 80 countries. And many of those passengers love to sing the airport’s praises, writing enthusiastic reviews about its many unique amenities.

“Hands down the FASTEST and CLEANEST airport you'll find in the world,” one traveler gushed. “Not only that, but they have so many different things you didn't know you needed apart from duty-free options but also a movie theater, butterfly museum and cool lounge chairs which is such a great experience.”

4. Cologne (Koln) Bonn Airport

On-time performance: 9.5
Quality of service: 7.8
Passenger sentiment: 8.2
TOTAL: 8.61

There’s not much to dislike about Cologne Bonn Airport in western Germany — its flights are on time and the people who work there are friendly and helpful. It may be small, but to some travelers, that’s a good thing. One traveler described his experience like this: “9 minutes after touching down I was in a taxi into town, doesn't get much faster than that.”

The airport serves more than 12 million people a year, connecting Cologne and Bonn with 142 destinations around the world.

3. Haneda Airport

On-time performance: 9.0
Quality of service: 8.8
Passenger sentiment: 6.1
TOTAL: 8.63

Haneda is one of two main airports serving Tokyo, offering tourists and locals a modern and streamlined traveling experience. From its restaurants and shops to its customer service, Haneda Airport excels in nearly every category.

“One of the nicest airports in the world, hands down. Excellent food, gorgeous viewing platform and temple, good shopping, clean, respectful staff, easy to navigate,” one traveler wrote. The high marks are particularly impressive considering the airport served more than 85 million people last year.

2. Athens International Airport

On-time performance: 9.3
Quality of service: 8.6
Passenger sentiment: 6.4
TOTAL: 8.69

Though it didn’t take the very top spot on AirHelp’s list, Athens International Airport in Greece came pretty darn close at the No. 2 spot. Why? The people who work here are friendly, the airport itself is well-organized and easy to navigate, and there are little perks everywhere — like plenty of wall sockets and drinking fountains to go around, plus free Wi-Fi.

Summing up his experience at Athens International Airport, one traveler wrote: “Small, efficient, clean. You don't get lost. You don't miss the flights… In comparison to other airports there is not so much hussle.”

1. Hamad International Airport

On-time performance: 9.1
Quality of service: 8.8
Passenger sentiment: 7.3
TOTAL: 8.77

And the best airport in the world (drumroll, please)? Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. This should not come as a surprise, since the No. 1 airline in the world is Qatar Airways — they are doing something right in this Middle Eastern country.

The airport is just 10 miles outside the city center and it’s brand new — the first two phases of construction were completed in 2014 and the final phase is underway now. When all is said and done, the airport will be able to handle 50 million passengers a year.

Travelers who have experienced the new facility say there’s so much to do and see that it doesn’t really feel like an airport at all. “This airport is breathtaking,” one happy passenger wrote. “Walking around was like a mini field trip. There was so much dimension and art, it made it a truly unique experience. They had sculptures that are play areas for kids, tons of duty free shops, food shops everywhere and wide open spaces to help move freely. They even have quiet rooms for people that want to take a nap while waiting for their layover.”

Curious about the worst airports in the world? There’s a ranking for that too.