Being stranded away from home — even if it’s by choice — can leave travelers longing for comfort. Some airports are better at providing that than others.
The Airports Council International recently gave out Airport Service Quality Awards to airports around the world for the best customer experience. They specifically called out the most enjoyable airports — the one with the best restaurants, shops, entertainment and other comforts available while you’re otherwise twiddling your thumbs waiting for a flight.
The awards were based on more than 465,000 live surveys of travelers in 2022. Following are the North American winners, followed by those in the rest of the world.
Fort McMurray International Airport
Where this airport is located: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
International Air Transport Association code for this airport: YMM
Fort McMurray International Airport sits roughly 800 miles north of Helena, Montana. Amenities that have helped it win several awards include quiet rooms where passengers can destress and massage chairs. According to the airport’s website, about 900 people have jobs there, and it provides an annual economic impact of more than $354 million (CAD).
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Where this airport is located: Greer, South Carolina
International Air Transport Association code for this airport: GSP
The amenities at this self-declared “different kind of airport” include an outdoor garden with mountain views, “Escape Pods” for private workspaces, vending machines for everything from cosmetics to face masks, and the more traditional assortment of shops and restaurants.
William P. Hobby Airport
Where this airport is located: Houston, Texas
International Air Transport Association code for this airport: HOU
In 2022, this airport was awarded the first 5-star rating in North America from Skytrax, an international air transport rating organization, in part thanks to amenities that include a children’s play area, a prayer room, and a stage for live music.
Other winning international airports
The following international airports also ranked in the top 5% of airports in the category of “Most Enjoyable Airport,” receiving the same honors as the North American winners:
- Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (Diass, Senegal)
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (Beijing, China)
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
- Pattimura International Airport (Ambon, Indonesia)
- Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (Ujung Pandang, Indonesia)
- Yogyakarta International Airport (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
- Aeroporto di Roma-Fiumicino (Rome Fiumicino, Italy)
- Ankara Esenboga Airport (Ankara, Turkey)
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (Belgrade, Republic of Serbia)
- Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkey)
- Milan Bergamo Airport (Milan, Italy)
- Skopje International Airport (Skopje, North Macedonia)
- Guayaquil International Airport (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
- Quito International Airport (Quito, Ecuador)
- Queen Alia International Airport (Amman, Jordan)
