Istanbul Airport Crowned World’s Best in 2025 Awards

Travel + Leisure has unveiled its 2025 World’s Best Awards, highlighting the top destinations, hotels, and airlines around the globe. This year, Turkey’s Istanbul Airport has secured the title of the world’s best international airport, achieving an impressive score of 98.57. This marks a significant increase from its 2024 score of 95.79.

Inaugurated in 2018, Istanbul Airport’s rise to the top is attributed to its rapid expansion in international connectivity and the premium experience it offers passengers. Previously, Singapore Changi Airport held the top position but has now dropped to second place with a commendable score of 95.20. Changi is renowned for its stunning design, which includes the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and over 600,000 plants, creating a lush and inviting atmosphere for travelers.

India’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Shines

Also featured in the Travel + Leisure rankings is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, which secured the 9th spot with a score of 84.23. This achievement is particularly notable as it is India’s first airport to attain Level 5 in Airport Customer Experience accreditation, the highest level of recognition in this category.

The rankings were determined through feedback from seasoned travelers worldwide, who prioritized airports with exceptional dining options, entertainment facilities, and overall comfort. The evolution of airports into destinations rather than mere transit points is evident in this year’s list, which prominently features facilities from the Middle East and Asia.

Middle Eastern Airports Take the Lead

The top five rankings showcase a strong presence of Middle Eastern airports. Hamad International Airport in Doha ranked third with a score of 92.34, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi followed closely in fourth with a score of 89.48. Dubai International Airport claimed the fifth spot with a score of 88.38.

Other notable mentions include Hong Kong International Airport with a score of 86.22 and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 86.18. Haneda Airport in Tokyo, a Hall of Fame honoree, scored 84.47, while Incheon International Airport in South Korea, another Hall of Fame inductee, scored 83.67.

The 2025 rankings clearly demonstrate the growing trend of Middle Eastern airports excelling in technology, passenger amenities, and overall traveler satisfaction, leaving many Western airports trailing behind in this competitive landscape.