Unique Airports Around the Globe: 20 Best Airports
Often airports are much more than just the gateway to new places. Many times, these are a reflection of the culture, ingenuity, and sometimes odd characteristics of the place in which they are. The following give a synopsis of 20 of the most unique airports in the world, and what really differentiates them.
1. Singapore Changi, Singapore (SIN)
#What Makes It Special:
Singapore Changi Airport has constantly been awarded the best airport for more reasons than one, due to its great facilities and overall passenger experience. The entire place is a combination of operational efficiency and a pack of leisure activities, therefore constituting a destination in itself.
#Highlights:
Jewel Changi: This mixed development offers beauty personified, where the world’s highest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, and an evergreen forest valley become one. Added to this are retail and dining facilities, the Jewel Canopy Park replete with walking nets, mazes, and gardens, among others.
-Butterfly Garden:This is one of the unique features of Changi Airport. The garden is the residence of more than 1,000 torpics of butterfly species of about 40. It happens to be in Terminal 3, and it is a silent place where the traveler can get into seclusion.
– Entertainment Facilities:From free movie theatres, rooftop swimming pool, and even a giant slide in Terminal 3, entertainment comes in all forms at Changi Airport.
• Art Installations: The airport has gorgeous installations in the form of Kinetic Rain, a sculpture of 1,216 bronze droplets in motion.
#Tips:
– You could avail a free city tour if your layover exceeds 5 hours and 30 minutes.
– Pluck up and refresh at the sunflower garden in Terminal 2 during your break.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do:Check out the many themed gardens inside the terminals themselves.
– Don’t: Get the different varieties of food slipping from local to worldly specialties.
2. Incheon International, South Korea
What’s Special:This airport is an eyecatcher due to the efficiency and cultural experience with design innovation at Incheon International Airport. It functions more or less like a major hub in East Asia and opens the eyes of many travelers to Korean Culture.
# Highlights
• Cultural Experience Zone This zone provides demonstrations of traditional Korean music and dance performances in the form of exhibitions and craft workshops. A traveller doesn’t need to come out of the airport to see at least a bit of how rich the Korean culture is.
• Ice Skating Rink: Regardless of the season, the ice rink is available all year round for fun to be experienced by all travellers.
– Spa and Sauna Get relaxed with the massage or facial treatment or merely take some time out to enjoy the sauna facilities of the airport.
– Indoor Gardens: The airport pampers travellers with a fresh, cool, and serene ambiance that only an indoor garden like a Pine Tree Garden and Wildflower Garden can provide.
# Tips
– Freshen yourself up free. Just find any of the Transit Areas to get this when you feel like you need to regain your youth during your stopover.
It contains an observation deck, which offers a splendid view of the runway and planes from that height.
## Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do: Attend their artistic workshops, during which you will be able to make certain craft items.
– Don’t: forget to visit the huge duty-free shopping areas with all kinds of products.
3. Hamad International, DOH, Qatar
# Why It’s Unique:
Hamad International Airport is located in Doha, a combination of architecture, luxury, and comfort. This building is rated a cutting-edge design for its magnificent interior art installations.
# Highlights
International – Art Installations Among a few leading art pieces, a giant teddy bear sculpture by artist Urs Fischer and some other contemporary art shows make their way across terminals.
• Luxury Lounges:Hamad has some of the world’s most luxurious lounges—the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, fine dining, business facilities, and even a spa.
• High-End Shopping: The types of luxury retail stores that exist in this airport stock high-end brands and absolutely exclusive products.
# Tips
One can use the swimming pool, squash courts, and fully functioning gym to keep travellers fit and relaxed.
More information about places to visit in Qatar could be accessed by travelers on these web and mobile apps.
-Enough use of the silent lounges for travellers who have to deal with the problem of having a hard time accessing a space and time to rest in silence.
Maximisation of premium eateries available with a wide variety of international foods.
# Do’s and Don’ts
-Do: Explore the airport by walking around and seeing the beautifully arranged art exhibitions and unique infrastructure.
-Don’t: Forgo the opportunity to spend time in one of the premium lounges even if you have to pay for a day pass.
4. Hong Kong International (HKG), Hong Kong
#Why it’s unique
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the huge entry points into Asia. It is marked with an efficiency quite in its own class, modernity, and good in-house entertainment options available to passengers during long transit times.
#Highlights:
– SkyCity: This entertainment complex includes AsiaWorld-Expo, the SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course, and the soon-to-open 11 Skies, a massive retail and entertainment complex.
-Aviation Discovery Centre – Interactive exhibitions and some flight simulators on aviation.
– IMAX Theatre This is one of the largest IMAX theatres in Hong Kong, which brings the latest blockbusters and educational movies.
– Greenery and Gardens This airport has access to numerous green landscapes and gardens that impart the overall ambience of these surroundings by keeping it serene for the travellers.
# Tips:
– An Airport Express will take you to Central Hong Kong in less than 24 minutes.
– Conduct business and avail yourself of the conference facilities provided for you at the inbuilt Airport World Trade Centre.
# Dos and Don’t
– Do: Drive around the area for a while at SkyCity, so that you can play golf or a show at AsiaWorld-Expo.
– Don’t :Leave the airport without trying one of the many local Chinese restaurants available in the dining options around the airport.
5. Tokyo Haneda, Japan
# Why it’s unique
Tokyo Haneda Airport carries the epitome of great punctuality, e.g. sparkling cleanliness, and a wide range of services for every need. You could say this is a nice blend of tradition, along with Japanese culture and modernity.
# Highlights
– Edo MarketPlace: A shopping and dining area for Japanese goods and food in streets designed to look like old Edo—the former name of Tokyo.
– Observation Decks: The airport has several observation decks offering a panoramic view of the runways and the Tokyo City.
– Japanese Gardens: Indoor gardens whose quiet environment is re-created by the use of typically Japanese plants.
– Plush Lounges:Shower, dining, and relaxation facilities with ease form the essence of lounges for premium travellers.
# Tips
– Check out the Edo Market Place – several beautiful souvenirs and great food can be found.
– Use the free Wi-Fi that is present throughout the airport to your heart’s content.
# Dos and Don’ts:
– Do:Visit a lounge, some even offering a Japanese tea ceremony.
– Do not: Miss the duty-free shops of many Japanese products.
6. Dubai International (DXB), UAE
#Why it’s unique
It is one of the world’s busiest, plus it prides itself with luxurious amenities and fabulous duty-free shopping.
# Highlights
-It is reputed to house one of the world’s biggest duty-free shopping areas with innumerable luxury-branded multiples.
– Zen Gardens Indoor gardens with soothing atmospheres for tired passengers.
-Luxury Lounges: It further offers a range of luxury lounges, including -Emirates First Class Lounge, serving you with gourmet dining, spas, and various relaxation areas as well.
– Entertainment Zones: It includes a swimming pool, gym, even a health club.
#Tips:
– Take advantage of the free showers inside the transit lounges for quick freshening up during your transfers.
– Experience the many restaurants ranging from fast food to gourmet restaurants.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do: Spoil yourself with luxury shopping facilities and the product impulse buys.
– Don’t: Fail to rest in one of the luxury lounges if you have a long layover.
7. Munich (MUC), Germany
# Why It’s unique
Munich Airport is an extremely well-run one, but there are a few whimsical things about it, like its own brewery and numerous leisure activities on offer.
# Highlights:
– Flughafen-Brauerei:A full brewery serving fresh-brewed beer and traditional Bavarian fare.
– Besucher-Park: It features miniature golf, a play area, and historic aircraft.
– Weihnachtsmarkt: An airport seems a strange place for a German Christmas market, but every winter the place is festooned with such things, including festive stalls and an ice-skating rink.
– Wellenbad: An indoor wave pool allows travellers to relax and enjoy in their own unique way.
# Do and Don’t Do:
Some attractions, such as a swimming pond, give the visitors a helping hand in the relaxation process.
– Do: Make sure you shop for some special German products and some airport souvenirs from the duty-free shops.
– Don’t: Fail to indulge in the seasonal activities that you can find at this airport, such as the Christmas market.
8. Zurich, ZRH, Switzerland
# Why It’s unique
-Be awestruck by the efficiency, cleanliness, and choice of facilities that dumbfound its travellers. The Swiss precision will make your travel a breeze.
#Highlights:
– Observation Decks:You can have an aerial view of the runways and the country of Switzerland.
– Swiss Museum of Transport: Interactive exhibitions displaying the history of Swiss’ transport, including multimedia shows.
– Luxury Lounges:Superior lounges with culinary delights, relaxation, and business centre areas.
– Nature Trail: It has a nature trail, so amidst fresh air and greenery, one gets an insight into the surroundings of the place.
# Tips:
– Avail free Wi-Fi available in the whole terminal.
– Make a check-in at the Swiss Museum of Transport for some awareness and learning.
# Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do: Check out the observation decks, which give another feeling of aircraft takeoffs with beautiful Swiss scenery around.
– Don’t: miss some relaxation in one of the swish lounges, outstanding in facilities and services for all types of travellers.
9. Queenstown(ZQN), New Zealand
# Why it’s unique
This mountainous district airport is called Queenstown Airport, and it’s some sort of gorgeous spot with an incredible thirst for adventure. Located in the Remarkables mountain range, it hosts some of the most beautiful approaches found anywhere in the world.
# Highlights:
– Scenic Flights: Scenic flights from this airport give unparalleled vistas of New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes, covering the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park.
• Adventure Hub:Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown offers bungee jumping, skiing, and jet boating directly from the airport.
• Boutique Shopping: There is a reasonable number of boutique shops for its relatively small size of an airport, showcasing local crafts and other souvenirs.
• Relaxed Atmosphere: The relaxed and friendliness of the atmosphere reflects the laidback lifestyle taken up by people residing in Queenstown.
# Tips:
Enjoy a scenic flight tour to view this region from high above. Add it to the enormous variety of adventure activities that can be offered within an hour’s drive from Queenstown’s airport.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do:Local boutiques offer one-of-a-kind New Zealand keepsakes to be had.
– Don’t:Do not book your adventure activities way too far in advance because they get booked up super quick.
10. Kansai Airport (KIX),Japan
What makes it unique: Being an airport situated on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport is well recognized for its ingenuity in all responses against natural catastrophes.
# Why it’s unique
• Airport on an Island: Man-made island—ranked among the finest engineering and architecture designs.
• Observation Hall: Good view of the runways and Osaka Bay—a treat for spotters and photographers.
-Rinku Town This is the name of the shopping and amusement district around the airport itself; it is an outlet mall, a shopping mall, entertainment shops, and restaurants.
-Innovative Design Earthquake and typhoon-resistant for safety and continuation of operational services.
#Tips:
If you want to enjoy good views or just take some nice pictures, dedicate a little time to the observation hall.
Need shopping or dining outside but near the airport? Go to Rinku Town.
# Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do:Take time to be amazed by the state-of-the-art engineering design of the airport. The quake-proof structure of the building is another marvel.
– Don’t:Let yourself forget about the duty-free shops filled with various Japanese products.
11. Wellington International Airport (WLG), New Zealand
# Why It’s Unique:
One of the well-known things about Wellington International Airport is its dramatic runway approach. Distinctive features of architectural design also feature details on the “Rock” terminal.
# Highlights
– Runway Approach: This airport runway is very famous due to tricky approaches over the water, which offers magnificent views of Wellington Harbor.
– The Rock Terminal: This is a terminal original in concept and form and built to reflect the rugged Wellington coastline.
– Weta Workshop There is also an airport retail store, and screen exhibits of props and memorabilia of famous movies like “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” come from Weta Workshop.
– Local Art and Culture: The airport itself gives a feel of New Zealand’s creative spirit, with art and culture exhibits.
# Tips:
– This airport in itself is an architectural artwork—explore the Rock Terminal.
You feel guilty if you don’t step into Weta Workshop for your souvenirs and other pieces of film paraphernalia.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do:Say yes if someone offers you the opportunity to view landings from the runway.
-Don’t:Miss the art and cultural exhibits of the terminal.
12. Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten (SXM)
# Why It’s Unique:
What makes Princess Juliana International Airport rather unique is that the runway ends just some metres away from Maho Beach. Really, a rather interesting experience for both a plane spotter and a beach person.
# Highlights
– Landings on the Beach:How short a distance the runway is from Maho Beach allows watchers here to witness landings and take-offs from extremely close quarters.
– Observation Deck Much higher up, with good views over the runway and beach, excellent for grabbing some photographs and to spot some of those planes.
– Island Vibes: An airport that seriously embodies the same laid-back vibe, so tropical in nature, extending through the rest of St. Maarten—from Maho Beach right on over to those justly famous resorts.
• Duty-Free Shopping: A whole variety of duty-free shops sell everything from jewellery to electronic items.
# Tips-
Maho Beach is a unique plane spotting experience. Spend some time
Check with the flight schedule to determine when landings and takeoffs would be lining up best.
#Do’s and Don’ts
-Do: An observation deck offers a good, and much safer, viewing position if you would not want to spend your time on the beach.
– Don’t Stand on the beach directly in the flight path for safety reasons.
13. Courchevel Altiport (CVF), France
# Why it’s unique
Courchevel has one of the most challenging runways to land, owing to its setting right amidst the French Alps. The airport is mainly used to receive the clientele into the ski resorts here.
# Highlights
• This airport is located right in the city centre of the French Alps, offering great mountain views with direct access to some of the best slopes in the world.
• Runway length: The runway is among the shortest in the world; only specially certified pilots are allowed to land.
• Ski-in/Ski-out Access: One can just ski right up to the airport. Therefore, for those who love winter sports, the convenience is very high.
-Private Transport: The airport caters to rich clientele by providing luxurious facilities to people flying in for their skiing holiday.
# Tips
-This is a small capacity airport, so ensure that you make your flight bookings quite in advance.
• Ski-in/ski-out access in case you visit during the skiing season
# Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do:take the breathtaking flight into the Alps
– Do: check the weather, as it can hugely influence your travel plan
14. Tenzing-Hillary Airport LNG, Nepal
#Why it’s unique
– The airport has still maintained its position in this list of the world’s most dangerous airports under a new name—Lukla Airport—due to its tricky location amidst the Himalayas.
# Highlights:
-Himalayan Gateway: This airport is believed to be the most important gateway to the Himalayas that trekkers take to climb Mount Everest.
-Short, Steep Runway:It is an ultra-short and faced-upward runway, hence allowing no room for error while landing and taking off.
-High Altitude:With an altitude of 2,845 metres, the airport becomes quite a challenge for any pilot to land at.
Breathtaking View:The flight to and from Lukla offers quite a good view of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do’s:Booking your flights much in advance, especially during the peak trekking period.
– Do: Plan to have luxurious facilities. The Airport is purely functional and no-frills.
15. Barra Airport, Scotland (BRR)
#Why It’s Unique:
-It is the only airport in the whole world where scheduled flights take off and land on a beach. Barra Airport is located on the Island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
# Highlights
• Beach Runway: Traigh Mhor beach literally transcribes its runway onto the sand, which appears and then disappears with the tide.
• Tidal Landings: Flight times are based on low tide, so each landing is somehow unique.
• Remote Location: It’s an airport that serves as the entrance to the stunningly beautiful island of Barra, remote and exquisitely beautiful, holding all its magnificent landscapes and wildlife.
– Community Airport: Surprisingly unique but this airport is an essential link for the locals of this island and its tourists.
# Tips:
– Keep your journey parallel to the tides of the ocean; the planes land only during low tides.
– Take out some time to spend on the island of Barra and enjoy beaches and land with wildlife.
#Dos and Don’ts:
-Do:Take a Camera to capture evidence of the rare touchdown experience on the beach.
– Don’t: Forget to reconfirm the flight times that vary from time to time due to tidal conditions.
16. Kansai International Airport (KIX), Japan
# Why it’s unique
Well, Kansai International is just another marvel of engineering and the second one in the world of its type after Hong Kong—made on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and especially prepared to withstand natural disasters.
# Highlights
Man Made Island: Construction of an airport on a man-made island speaks volumes of faultless engineering and design.
Disaster Resilience: Engineered for Safety and Business Continuity in Earthquakes and Typhoons.
-With its fine view of both runways and across Osaka Bay, the hall is most welcoming to plane spotters and photographers.
– Efficient Design:The building gives smooth processing for operations and passengers around the terminal.
#Tips:
– Spend a little while in the observation hall. Views from the site are plentiful; photo opportunities quite good.
-Use the good public transport links to help you get to and around Osaka and the regions nearby.
#Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do: Be in awe of the brilliance in the engineering and designing of the airport
– Don’t: miss watching the duty-free shops, which are set up with a diverse array of Japanese products.
17. Ice Runway NZIR, Antarctica
# Why It’s Unique:
Constructed on top of the Ross Ice Basin and one of the major runways into this continent, the Ice Runway is mostly used for personnel and supply transportation for the continuation of all the stations on the continent throughout the year.
# Highlights:
– Ice Surface:The actual runway is in the form of a piece of ice that is kept maintained and monitored for its landings and takeoffs.
– Extreme Conditions:Pilots and crew are put through special training to negotiate the pressing weather conditions and breathtaking episodes of landing on ice.
– Scientific Gateway: The runway is one of the most significant transits for scientists and researchers who need to get to Antarctica for a large number of research programs running on the continent.
– Temporary Nature: The runway is more seasonal and can thus be used only in several months when the icing at the plateau is stable enough to carry aircraft.
# Tips
One should make all necessary arrangements for travelling with the research programs centering at Antarctica.
– Be fully prepared for the most extreme cold and properly dress yourselves with adequate gears to meet the worst circumstances.
# Dos and Don’ts:
– Do: Follow all the safety rules laid out and give proper attention to the instructions of the flight crew and the research personnel.
– Don’t:Try to roam around on your own as all kinds of expeditions are generally organised by some or other research organisations.
18. Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar
# why it’s unique
One of the weirdest runways from Gibraltar International Airport crosses over a major road and leaves people in awe.
# Highlights:
Runway Intersection: The runway crosses into Winston Churchill Avenue, which is the main road of Gibraltar. Traffic, quite literally, is stopped whenever a plane takes off or lands, much like a railroad crossing.
– Scenic Approach:The approach to the airport provides breathtaking views of the Rock of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.
– Compact Design: By necessity, the airport has a compact design but is effective with its modern facilities and other amenities.
– Tourist Attraction:The intersection of the runway and the road has become a tourist attraction in itself where people come to see this rare operation.
# Tips
– Give a little more time when travelling to and from the airport as traffic can be held up while the planes land and take off from the airport.
• Visit Gibraltar and its nature reserve and other places of interest.
# Do’s and Don’ts:
• Do: Try and get an airport runway-road view for a fantastic edge-of-the-seat experience.
• Don’t: Miss out on checking the times of flights so that you don’t get stuck because the road has been closed.
19. Madeira Airport (FNC), Portugal
Madeira Airport, commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is infamous for its dramatic runway sprawling out into the ocean on a series of columns.
# why it’s unique
– Fully Extended Runway A total of 180 columns support the runway extension, making the aircraft land on the island safely against the tough terrains.
# Highlights
– Scenic Approach It goes through hilly terrain and over the sea, thus it’s picturesque.
• Engineering Marvels: This runway extension forms pretty much a feat of engineering, which has at least a few times won.
Tribute to Ronaldo: This airport is actually named after Cristiano Ronaldo, who belonged to Madeira; you can see a bronze bust that never lets one forget the football hero.
# Tips
• Take the right when landing for the best viewpoint.
• Enjoy the beauty of the place along with the rich culture that can be felt around it.
Do’s and Don’ts:
– Do Visit the Cristiano Ronaldo museum that resides in the capital city of Funchal
– Don’t Forget to walk some of the beautiful levadas – irrigation channels – and trails that crisscross this island
20. Paro Airport (PBH), Bhutan
# Why it’s unique
Well, Paro Airport features as one of the world’s most challenging airports due to its location in the deep valley with towering mountains surrounding it.
# Highlights
– A Challenging Approach: Valleys are narrow and the approach includes quite sharp turns that line up with the very short runway.
– Exclusivity: Not many pilots around the globe are given the accreditation to land here, and with every flight, this tend to become like an exclusive and highly skillful operation.
– Breathtaking Scenery The flight gives one a clear view, on such days, of Mount Everest and other breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
# Tips
The airport is immersed in Bhutanese culture and architecture and provides very good reception to the tourist or visitor. Tips: Book your flight well in advance since the number of flights reaching Paro is less. Take out some time when you reach to experience Bhutan’s unique culture and its magnificent landscapes.
## Dos and Don’ts:
#Do:
-Respect the skill and efficiency of the pilots who manage to land at Paro.
#Don’t
-Attempt tight connections; weather can—and often does—play havoc with flight times.
These are 20 uniquely set up, outstanding, very special airports where travelers could expect and appreciate much more than just being the launch site of planes. Each one of these hub airports is set up very differently. This would present an overall reflection of the locale and the culture in which they place themselves. Some are most splendid, others offer you astonishing views with a good pinch of adventure. Each of them is a destination where a journey makes memories to be cherished.
### Traveller’s Tips
– Plan Ahead: It would serve you well to have done some research in advance on every airport and its individual characteristics; amenities and services available to decide how best to use your time at each.
– Stay Informed: Avail information regarding the flight schedule and any remarks on the special requirements or restrictions with the aerodromes that you are going to visit.
– Pack Accordingly: In case, if going to visit such places where temperatures, weather are extreme, pack accordingly.
– Enjoy the Experience: Do spare time to explore and see each has to offer uniquely. Quite often, they will give a flavor of the culture and character of the destination.
### Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are examples of airports built on artificial islands?
A: Yes, such as Kansai International Airport, built on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, Japan.
Q: Now what airport. what airport has a runway that crosses a major road?
A: Gibraltar International Airport has a runway the traffic of which is stopped several times a day to allow the airplanes to cross over Winston Churchill Avenue.
Q: What strange fact is true about Princess Juliana International Airport ?
Q: It is famous for the runway ending just a few meters away from Maho Beach, which gives an experience to the vacationers of the airplanes coming in and taking off from a very close range.
Q:Is there any airport with flights right on a beach?
A: Yes, in fact, the Barra Airport in Scotland is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights land on a beach.
Q: What are some of the things one can get in Singapore Changi Airport?
A: There, you will find a butterfly garden and rooftop swimming pool; It also has free movie theaters, together with Jewel Changi, where it even boasts the tallest indoor waterfall in the world.
Q: Can you watch movies in an airport?
A: Yes, at some of them, like the Singapore Changi Airport, there are movie theaters that show some of the latest flicks for free.
Q: Are there any indoor gardens in the airport to create a resting or relaxing atmosphere for travelers?
A: Yes, these do. Incheon International Airport, South Korea, and Changi, Singapore.