Maria Todd, an international health care consultant in Denver, once fell ill while traveling through Singapore’s Changi Airport.
She went straight to the on-site pharmacy, where the employees came to her aid with the medication she needed.
“They were able to meet my needs without an emergency department visit, by consultation with an English-speaking pharmacist, identification, and a registry book entry,” she says.
That’s one of the many reasons Todd named Singapore’s airport her favorite outside of the USA.
The others include the living walls that make the airport sustainable and pleasant to travelers who want to see a touch of nature indoors after being on planes for hours. She also likes the retail and food and beverage options, which have comfortable seats and plenty of outlets.
Singapore’s airport got the most votes — 26 — in total in an informal survey to determine the best airports outside of the USA. A total of 218 members of our Road Warriors cast their votes. The world is large, and these frequent travelers selected airports as well-known as London’s Heathrow and as obscure as Fa'a'ā International Airport in Tahiti.
Tom Hsia, a technical engineer, believes every good airport should be easy to navigate.
“Signage is a must,” he says. “If I have to transit quickly, I should not have to guess where the gates are or in which direction without having to go past a few gates to see if they go up or down.”
Singapore’s airport, which last year had 55.4 million passengers, got his vote for its “excellent” signage that is “better than most American airports.”
“I look forward to a stopover,” in Singapore, says the Henderson, Nev., resident. “That is a complete 180 from other airports.”
Other popular amenities with Road Warriors at Singapore’s airport are a movie theater, showers, children's play areas and a free bus tour of the city for long layovers.
“As for comparing Changi with U.S. airports, well, there just isn't any comparison,” says Karin Leperi, a travel writer in Albuquerque.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was a close second with 22 votes.
“HKG is a modern marvel with plenty of food options and amazing amenities,” says Brendan McNicholas, a Road Warrior in Portland, Ore.
Kevin Streit, a consultant in Las Vegas who travels 180 to 220 days a year, has access to the Star Alliance Lounge because of his frequent flier status. But he doesn’t bother to use it at the Hong Kong Airport.
“It doesn't feel like an airport,” he says. “It's one of the few airports I make a point of getting to early just to look around at the shops and try some of the Chinese and other Asian restaurants.”
His favorites: Taiwan Beef Noodle near Gate 65.
“It's where I first discovered Bubble Tea (Boba Tea),” he says. “Now my family is addicted.”
John Kinnear Jr., an engineer in New York, travels through or into Hong Kong four to five times a year. He says it’s one of the most efficient airports he’s ever been to. Lines are usually manageable, bags get delivered promptly, and an Airport Express train makes it easy to get into the city.
“From wheels down to my hotel room is typically 45 minutes to an hour,” he says.
Kevin Garrity, founder and CEO of Squeeze Pod, a line of natural travel toiletries, likes the look of the airport.
“Hong Kong’s airport is very unusual as it’s visually exciting whether arriving by car, metro or by aircraft,” the Madison, Conn, resident says.
He says it has an abundance of natural light, great shopping and dining.
“The larger U.S. airports could learn from the Hong Kong airport, as this airport introduces with pride the new emerging China,” he says. “Our major airports are improving but generally are a means to an end.”
Over in Europe, Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport was the clear winner with 21 votes. Road Warriors praised its modern look, artwork displays, indoor park and casino.
“It's huge and has anything and everything. It's like a small city, all under one roof,” says Rich Szulewski, a health care development manager in Germantown, Tenn. “I've come to find that if Schiphol doesn't have it, I don't need it.”
Andrea Warren, a financial consultant in Birmingham, Ala., says if she’s got to face a canceled or delayed flight, Amsterdam is the place to do it.
“They are by far the most efficient airport I've ever been in as far as dealing with delays or cancellations,” she says. “They have a great system at the help desks and I have never seen an airport pull checked baggage more quickly. I had to stay overnight in a hotel there due to a canceled flight and they had my bag circling the belt before I even got down there.”
London’s Heathrow Airport was the second favorite European airport, earning 13 votes from the Road Warrior panel.
Roger Brooks, an author and speaker in Peoria, Ariz., says Heathrow is his favorite airport because just about every airline flies there. He also likes that he never gets bored there.
“Most of the central terminal is a major upscale shopping mall. Clothing, leather goods, handbags, jewelry, electronics, books, restaurants, etc.,” he says. “While not exactly inexpensive, it’s a great way to kill time, do some shopping and dining, and the time passes quickly.”
Floyd Scott, a manager in Aurora, Colo., makes it to Heathrow four or five times a year.
“I like that it is spacious, modern,” he says. “You have a feeling of security. They don’t mess around with that in London."
He thinks the lounges are some of the best in Europe. The shopping is superior, too.
“Short of travel to the Middle East, I don’t think you will find an airport more focused on the passenger and his/her experience than London Heathrow,” he says.
Among Middle Eastern airports, Dubai International Airport was the most popular.
The airport is also one of the busiest. It recently opened a $1.2 billion concourse, expanding its capacity from 75 million to 90 million passengers.
Jim Dolan, a consultant in Toms River, N.J., says it’s one of the best airports for business travelers because its airline lounges are first-rate.
“The clubs down there are so much better,” he says. “Free shoe shines and a Costa Coffee Shop, no charge.”
There’s also a separate airport entrance for business class passengers that he appreciates.
Rich Spear, a technology consultant in Pennsylvania, says he likes the shopping options at the Dubai airport.
“If you need to pass a lot of time due to a long layover, there’s plenty to do,” he says.
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