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This year's World's Best Airports
It's hard to imagine that an airport is actually a place that you would want to spend some time when you're stuck in Newark's Northwest terminal, but believe it or not, there are actually a few really fantastic airports out there.Domestically, San Francisco recently won the award for best airport facilities and my personal favorite is the Detroit McNamara Terminal, but Skytrax took an in-depth look at airport amenities and service around the world. And their winner for best airport on the planet?
Hong Kong International.
With sprawling, well-lit terminals, excellent connections to the city (you can check your luggage in HK before even getting on the train to the airport) and a friendly and efficient staff, it's not hard to believe.
In fact, five of the top ten airports ranked were in Asia, with four more in Europe and the final airport in Cape Town, South Africa. Where are the American airports, you ask? San Francisco is at number eleven while Atlanta, Dallas and Dener. The top ten list (in no particluar order)?
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Seoul, South Korea
- Kansai, Japan
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Munich, Germany
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Helsinki, Finland
- Cape Town, South Africa








Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brenda SFO Jul 22nd 2008 12:24PM
I think we have a nice airport here in San Francisco - good food (especially for an airport) and interesting shopping. It does make it a bit more tolerable if your flight is delayed. I was a bit surprised to see Cape Town mentioned. I love that town, but I was just there and their airport was in the middle of a massive construction zone. They're doing lots of construction for the upcoming World Cup. I'm sure it will be nice when it's all done though.
M-D Jul 22nd 2008 12:53PM
I'm quite fond of SFO as well, although Terminal 1 is starting to show its age.
FYI - the post references a Northwest terminal at EWR. The only airline with enough of a presence at EWR to warrant its own terminal is Continental.
beatofhawaii Jul 22nd 2008 8:58PM
It is funky, old, in the process of a take-forever refurb, but nonetheless, HNL, Honolulu International, is one of the most fabulous airports for two reasons:
1. Open air environment. Almost the entire airport is unenclosed and open to tradewinds.
2. There are three wonderful themed garden where you can relax between flights.
Restaurants are becoming more prolific (which we covered recently), and shopping will improve.
Lastly, I'm very fond of the man-made reef runway, is one of only two in the world, which is an alternate space shuttle landing site.
Aloha, http://beatofhawaii.com