Tuesday, August 6, 2024
reading time: 4 minutes
Discover how the world’s best airports turn annoying layovers into luxurious experiences with premium amenities, ensuring comfort and productivity for travelers.
Many travelers dread airport layovers, especially long layovers. Passengers often sit and count the minutes until their next flight. However, an increasing number of airports are transforming their terminals to make long layovers more enjoyable. Today’s best airports offer amenities such as luxury lounges, fine dining, sleeping pods, and even movie theaters. These amenities not only enhance leisure travel, but can also greatly enhance your business trip, making your layover productive and enjoyable. Let’s explore some of the world’s best airports and the unique amenities they offer to enhance your layover experience, especially for business travelers.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is a high-tech wonderland. Passengers can try on virtual clothes using magic mirrors, enjoy the airport’s IMAX theatre, outdoor mini golf course and iSports simulator. The airport is directly connected to public transport, with a metro station outside the gates that can whisk passengers to Disneyland in 30 minutes. The Sky Garden provides a refreshing outdoor space for passengers to relax before or after their flight. For business travelers, the airport features fully equipped business lounges with meeting rooms and high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring you can stay productive during your layover.
Munich International Airport (MUC)
Munich International Airport (MUC) is a year-round destination, but it shines during the Christmas season with a festive market featuring an ice rink, a merry-go-round, and stalls selling crafts and hot drinks. The airport’s visitor park includes an aviation-focused cinema and mini golf course. Passengers can relax in the Bavarian Pub, which features its own beer garden and brewery, or catch up on sleep in the nap cabins. The airport’s entertainment areas provide a pleasant respite during long layovers. Business travelers can take advantage of the airport’s conference facilities and business lounges, which provide a quiet and comfortable place to work.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Over 100 years old, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) has undergone extensive renovations, making it one of the best airports in Europe. It houses a small art gallery from the Rijksmuseum, showcasing works by Dutch artists such as Van Gogh. An on-site library provides a quiet place to read, while a Schiphol bus tour offers an inside look at airport operations. An indoor garden allows passengers to relax to the sound of singing birds and even charge their phones using electric scooters. The airport’s excellent dining and retail options are complemented by business-friendly amenities, including workspaces, meeting rooms and high-speed internet.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport epitomizes luxury, with an extensive shopping area filled with high-end stores such as Chanel, Armani and Rolex. The airport also features a 24-hour fitness centre with a large swimming pool, showers and open gardens, including the Zen Garden. Passengers can also relax in soundproofed “sleeping cubes” equipped with touchscreen TVs for a quiet and comfortable stay. Business travellers will enjoy exclusive lounges offering high-speed internet, private meeting rooms and concierge services to assist with any business needs.
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is a multiple Skytrax Best Airport winner and is known for its wide range of amenities. The Changi Jewel Airport complex includes a stunning rain whirlpool, several parks, and hundreds of shops and restaurants. The airport features free-to-air cinemas, video game rooms, and family attractions such as the 12-metre-high Slide in Terminal 3 and the Family Zone in Terminal 2. Business travelers can take advantage of the airport’s business centres, which offer meeting rooms, workstations, and excellent connectivity, ensuring productivity during layovers.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport, offers comprehensive amenities including arrivals, lost and found, dining and shopping, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, shuttle services, and medical facilities. The airport’s domestic terminal is served by MARTA’s Red and Gold rail lines, ensuring easy access to the city. Business travelers can take advantage of the airport’s dedicated business lounges, which provide a quiet space to work with all the necessary amenities.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, is a major gateway for international travel. It offers a variety of dining, shopping, duty-free stores, and other amenities to keep travelers entertained during their layovers. The airport’s convenient location and extensive flight network make it a top choice for many travelers. Business travelers will find numerous lounges equipped with workstations, high-speed Internet, and meeting rooms.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), one of the world’s most connected airports, offers nonstop flights to destinations around the world. It features innovative amenities such as a Multimedia Facility (MMF) with electric vehicle charging stations, mother rooms, and a pet grooming area. The airport offers a variety of dining and shopping options, ensuring a pleasant layover experience. Business travelers can take advantage of the airport’s comprehensive business services, including workspaces and meeting rooms.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), the second largest airport in the United States by floor area, serves more destinations than any other airport in North America. It features a wide range of dining and shopping options, free Wi-Fi, mobile phone charging stations, showers, spa and massage services, nursing rooms, and children’s play areas. DFW is also the world’s largest carbon-neutral airport. For business travelers, the airport’s many lounges and business centers provide the perfect environment to stay productive.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST), the largest airport in Turkey, serves many international destinations across six continents. It offers a range of dining, shopping and business facilities. The airport’s modern amenities and extensive flight network make it a major hub for international travel. Business travelers can enjoy the airport’s modern business lounges, equipped with meeting rooms, high-speed internet and all necessary office services.
With these airports offering such diverse and amazing facilities, travelers can look forward to more enjoyable and productive layovers. Routing flights through these airports can turn a long layover from a boring wait into an enjoyable part of the journey, especially for business travelers looking to maximize their productivity and comfort.
