Airports have played a key part in people’s travel plans for over 100 years – whether it’s taking a last-minute package break to somewhere in Europe or jetting off on a multi-stop backpacking voyage – travelers around the world fly more than ever before, and while most of the time airports are places that don’t leave any impression whatsoever, maybe these would…
Top Airports – Hartsfield-Jackson Airport – The World’s Busiest Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, situated in the US city of Atlanta, is known for being the world’s busiest airport, not just in terms of arriving and departing flights but also in passenger numbers.
On average, more than 240,000 people pass through its gates every day (the equivalent of around 90 million every year), while its five runways handle approximately 2,700 flights each day!
The airport operates to 151 domestic cities and with 80 per cent of the country’s population within a two-hour flight, and flights to more than 80 international airports in 52 countries.
Top Airports King Fahd Airport – The World’s Largest Airport
The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, at around 789 sq km in size, the hub has two parallel runways that are each 4,000 meters long. The passenger terminal has six stories of which three are allocated for passenger processing. The third level is for arrivals, the sixth level is for departures, and the fourth level is for boarding.
Juancho E Yrausquin – The World’s Smallest Airport
On the opposite end of the scale, the Juancho E Yrausquin Airport on the Caribbean island of Saba is commonly regarded as the world’s smallest airfield. With the runway just 400 metres in length, aircrafts are only permitted to use the airport upon obtaining a waiver from the Netherlands Antilles’ Civil Aviation Authority.
College Park Airport – The World’s Oldest Airport
For a truly historic airport, there is perhaps nowhere better than College Park Airport in Maryland. Established in 1909, this facility is recognized as the world’s oldest continually operated airport and saw Wilbur Wright (who along with his brother Orville invented and built the world’s first working airplane) train two military officers to fly the US government’s first aircraft.
Known as the ‘Cradle of Aviation’, the airport is the location for a number of historic flying achievements, including the spot where the first military mile-high flight by a powered aircraft took place in 1912, while the first controlled helicopter flight took place in 1924.
Yakutsk Airport – The World’s Coldest Airport
Visiting Yakutsk Airport in Russia will allow you to experience what could be one of the chilliest travel hubs on the planet as the city is regarded as the coldest in the world. With the average temperature in January standing at around -39C, upon making your way through the departure lounge after arriving from the likes of Moscow and St Petersburg you will soon start to experience the extremely cold conditions.
Kuwait Airport – The World’s Hottest Airport
Kuwait International Airport is largely considered to be the world’s hottest airport, and with average July temperatures reaching a high of 45.6C – it is not hard to see why..!
Visiting any of the above airports, whether you’re arriving, departing or just on a connecting flight is sure to be a memorable part of your travel experience.
Fun Things to Do When Stuck At Heathrow Airport
How To Get Through Airport Customs Problem-Free
5 Crazy Airports From Around The World
Airport Security – Quick Tips to Help You Zoom Through
What do I do Stuck in the airport?
Beverley | Pack Your Passport says
Even though I’d never even been to an airport I left England to travel Australia (big flight!) I actually love airports now. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been stuck in one for a long period of time due to delays or something but I’m fascinated with them!
Jeremy Albelda says
This is a great post! Crazy that Atlanta is the busiest airport in the world! I would have guessed Heathrow…
Flora says
Changi Airport in Singapore is probably the best airport I’ve ever been to. There’s a butterfly garden, orchid garden, a movie theater, a hotel, lots of shopping, restaurants, food courts…
I don’t mind getting to the airport hours early because it’s a very entertaining place to be. It’s also set really high expectations for me because I fly in and out of it so much!
Sofia - As We Travel says
Wow, a butterfly garden sounds pretty fancy! I don’t mind waiting at airports where there are things to do, but there is nothing worse than waiting at a small airport that only has a tax free liqueur shop..
Vasco says
I had along layover at Incheon in Korea and found it to be excellent – very top notch. I also agree with the poster about Singapore.
harvey the guy says
nice info 🙂
Free Volunteering says
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: It’s hard to believe that 240,000 people pass through the airport everyday – that is a simply ridiculous figure. It’s like city or large town moving.
LookTravelNetwork says
Hong Kong Airport (Airport of the year in 2011) — definitely you will not get bored if you go earlier; you can watch a movie, experience Aviation Center or learn about Chinese culture via exhibition showed..cool
Jeremy Branham says
I love airports! Since I am originally from South Carolina, I have flow into Hartsfield more times than I can count. While it is very busy, I actually like the airport a lot. I like walking from terminal to terminal for the exercise rather than taking the light rail (if I have time of course). Good way to stretch the legs and get exercise before the next flight (that should tell you how big it is!). The rest of these airports sound quite interesting although I haven’t been to any of them!
Aditya Candrasaputra says
I remember that back then during the 2010 World Cup, I watched a match with my friends while waiting for a flight home from Singapore’s Changi… a truly excellent airport… and Free Internet too!!
Thetravellingfool says
I have been thru Kuwait several times and was not that impressed, people rude and not that user friendly but your right it is hot. In the Middle East my favorite would be Dubai in Asia I have to go with Singapore.
Adam Pervez says
Given the travel climate these days, it would be interesting to know which airport has the least amount of delays!
Sofia - As We Travel says
To me it really depends on the airport, and what kind of flight I’m taking. I really don’t like the small airports, but when flying with more luxurious airlines I always tend to enjoy the time spent waiting at the airport a little more 😛
Sofia - As We Travel says
I know, I actually thought that it was Heathrow too before I found out it was actually Atlanta. Pretty crazy numbers eh?
Sofia - As We Travel says
I’ve never been there myself but I can imagine it’s a pretty crazy place judging by the numbers..!
Sofia - As We Travel says
Cool to hear, it’s always easier spending a night at the airport when it’s a good one.
Sofia - As We Travel says
Haha well said, it is just like a large town moving – when you put it that way it really shows just how crazy those numbers are..!
Sofia - As We Travel says
Wow that sounds awesome, no wonder it was named the world’s best airport. I’ll definitely look into making a stop over there some time.
Sofia - As We Travel says
Hey Adam, that would be interesting to know – I might have to look into that!
Ruth (Tanama Tales) says
Interesting post. Makes me think about all the cool airports in Asia.