Top 5
1. Singapore (Changi International)
Singapore’s is easily the world’s best airport. It’s impressive because things move promptly, without a fuss. The terminals are visually stunning, with their green themes and entertainment options. I think it is the only airport with a movie theatre and a swimming pool. It also has five gardens. Those with five or more hours to kill can get a pass to take a tour of the city. The duty-free is one of the best in the world. For business travellers, the lounge areas are immense and well serviced, with superb dining and relaxation areas. Showers, spas, hotels, entertainment—they can all be found within the terminal. Changi isn’t just an airport, it’s a full-fledged city!
2. Tokyo (Haneda Airport)
Easily the busiest airport in the Pacific, Haneda gives you the best of Tokyo: Vibrancy, technology, punctuality, warm and friendly staff, and funkiness. The facilities are impressive, the food outstanding, and it is clean enough to have a surgery in. But an airport is defined by the service of its staff, and though it may be a bit difficult to converse with the locals—only a few speak English—they are courteous, understanding and patient, not to mention honest to a fault.
Worst 5
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(This story appears in the 07 March, 2014 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Great article. I have been to some of the best and the worst airports and your comments are accurate. A family member was stranded in Paris and asked for help and the reply was \" Go figure it out on your own.\" Beautiful pictures also. Great article !
on Oct 13, 2015I traveled for many countries, around 5 times CDG, I without doubt CDG is the most unorganized of the airports.
on Sep 29, 2015Poor article. Evaluation based on flimsy, subjective statistically non-significant "data". Prime example: ZRH - Yes, I totally agree that the Swiss-German immigration officials are not the friendliest, and it is a great pity for Switzerland that they should be such a bad advertisement for the country and people upon arrival. But, as others pointed out, they are not alone in this. And to judge the airport severely on this feature alone is sad. ZRH is a great airport.
on Oct 18, 2014Sorry! Eight hours or 30 minutes - doesn\'t matter. Security is Security - especially on an Airport! Must be a personally bad Impression of Mr B. D\'Souza because numbers of World Travel and Service Quality Awards speaks for Zurich Intl Airport...
on Oct 16, 2014In terms of Zurich: I had the same impression after arriving at the JFK Airport. If you swap \'Zurich\' by \'JFK Airport\' - signed for truth, word by word. Think it\'s balanced and we are quit now.
on Oct 14, 2014Zurich is one of the worst...? Really? That Forbes is publishing such an article where one single person has to wait for a few minutes while having a bad mood... incredible. Come on... travel to US and then you see what it means to wait LONG... one of the poorest ratings I have ever seen!
on Oct 13, 2014I do NOT agree on the comment about Zurich Airport. Even though I'm a Swiss citizen I have many international friends. I usually clear Immigration within 60 seconds. Even our international staff normally doesn't take more than 2 Minutes. This contrasts to the treatment you'll get on ANY US airport. 1h wait for immigration is more standard than the exception - and you might face immigration officers that give you the full bend over - anything is possible there. I once was send into another 1h waiting loop because I filled out the form with a pencil (there was no pen to be found in the whole area..). Needless to note that there are no Transit areas in any US airport - so you'll have the pleasure every time. I clear Zurich Airport from the plane to public transport within 15min almost every time - and I fly about twice a month. To me, it is probably one of the most efficient airports I've ever been in the world - and I've been to many. So, why this article does not rate any of these issues as severe on other airports - sorry, it beats me.
on Oct 13, 2014"And god forbid if you land in T1 and have to connect through T3: The two terminals are a kilometre apart, but the walk between them is around 3 km long" Which is why they have ultra-comfortable CDGVAL. Maybe you missed the sign.
on Oct 8, 2014Um... why are you walking from T1 to T3 at CDG? I doubt it's even possible. This does nothing to make me want to trust your opinion.
on Oct 4, 2014Hi I have been based in Zurich for a number of years. I travel regularly around the World. Your comments on Zurich airport are absolute drivel. It is the most efficient - and one of the most friendly airports that i have used. You are obviously making these statements to incite comment???. if not, i am absolutely certain that you have never been through these airports. Pathetic reporting really.PS.
on Oct 3, 2014Are you referring to the NEW Mumbai Airport. Which is recently renewed and my friends experienced decently beautiful and clean and easy to handle without chaos.
on Mar 5, 2014