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The top 10 airports in the world - United States still missing from the lineup

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd 2009 at 3:00PM

Skytrax just released the 2009 winners of their annual "best airport in the world" survey. In total, 8.9 million passengers participated in the 10 month survey.

Incheon Airport in South Korea took the top spot, knocking Hong Kong to second. Hong Kong had dominated the lineup for the past seven years.

As usual, no North American airports made the top 10 list, and anyone who has compared US airports with airports in the rest of the world will understand why.

Later this week, I'll take a closer look at the state of US airports, and try to determine why North American airport operators are so bad at operating decent facilities.

After the jump, you'll see the ten airports worthy of being included in the lineup, along with their 2008 ranking.

1	Incheon International Airport	3
2	Hong Kong International Airport	1
3	Singapore Changi	2
4	Zurich	8
5	Munich	4
6	Kansai	6
7	Kuala Lumpur	7
8	Amsterdam	11
9	Centrair Nagoya	12
10	Auckland	20

Click the photos to read about airport checkpoint horrors.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kate and Dan Jun 22nd 2009 4:39PM

There's no doubt — having worked in Korea for a number of years, and having flown in and out of that airport dozens of times, it's a great facility.

rs4runner Jun 23rd 2009 3:25PM

I have been to Singapore Changi Airport. It is absolutely a wonderful place. Lots of things to do to wait for your flight. I am surprised there are two airports better than Singapore. If Singapore was beyond excellent, I wonder how good the top two airports are! ^__^

Al Jun 23rd 2009 3:43PM

I'm not remotely surprised that Munich's, Zurich's and, particularly, Amsterdam's Schipol Airports made the cuts.

I've flown in and out of all three many times, but Schipol comes out the clear winner for me. Their help and courtesy was always consistent and appreciated.

Brady Jun 23rd 2009 4:01PM

Of the top 10 airports, I've passed through 4 of them. Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur & Amsterdam. Yes Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are nice but I would have to put Amsterdam at the top.

FreedomRider Jun 23rd 2009 4:02PM

guess there aren't any TSA goons making great grandmothers walk without their canes elsewhere.

dick Jun 23rd 2009 4:01PM

This is exactly what I would have expected from a United Kingdom based "company" like Skytrax. Listen folks, I'm a 60 year veteran of world travel, and I've been in nearly every major and minor airport in the world. Yes indeed, those airports named by Skytrax are all damned good airports, But so is Atlanta International, currently the busiest airport in the world. It's at least as good as Seoul. Dallas/Fort Worth is another fine airport and, although, I haven't been in the Dulles airport in over 15 years it, too, was an excellent airport. Though small. the Ft. Lauderdale airport is good. Miami, however sucks! I could make my own list of "best airports" and believe me, it would be different than Skytrax's.