World’s Coolest Airports

10. New Zealand’s Wellington AirportWe’re starting off our list of the world’s coolest airports with perhaps one of the strangest on the list. Up until a few years ago, the Wellington airport was a drab pile of grey metal with nothing to do and nothing to see.

9. Madrid’s Barajas AirportAiming to serve over 70 million passengers annually, Barajas also boasts the largest airport terminal on the planet at 760,000 square meters. The design by Antonia Lamela and Richard Rogers is beautiful, featuring sculptured metal and accents of yellow color.

8. Singapore’s Changi AirportThe land of impeccable architecture and carefully thought out design. Consistently ranked best airport in the world, Changi boasts a butterfly garden, a five metre high “green wall,” rooftop pool, napping facility and numerous botanical gardens.

7. Seoul’s Incheon AirportSeoul has received numerous global awards in the past for its attention to design and innovation in engineering.

6. Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz AirportWhile customs, baggage handling and similar facilities are located in an air conditioned building, the majority of the King Abdulaziz airport is located under a stunning, tent-shaped roof designed by Horst Berger.

5. Hong Kong’s Hong Kong International AirportLocated on the edge of the ocean amongst a group of small tropical islands, Hong Kong Airport is not only gorgeous but features awe-inspiring aerial views when passengers are landing. The airport is one of the busiest on the planet and has some of the aviation industry’s best amenities.

4. Marrakech’s Menara AirportBlending Modernism and traditional Islamic architecture, Marrakech’s new Menara airport is a sight to be seen. Designed by Morocco-based E2A firm, the airport looks like a gigantic white honeycomb from the exterior.

3. Helsinki’s Finavia AirportFinland’s Helsinki airport is the busiest in the country, serving 15 million passengers annually. While it has only gained international attention in recent years, the airport has become known around the world for its incredible art exhibitions, clever use of social media and amazing lounge by Finnair.

2. Chicago’s O’Hare AirportIf you’ve travelled across the United States at all, chances are you’ve had a layover in the excellent Chicago O’Hare Airport. It’s one of the world’s busiest and is a design lover’s paradise, with an incredible multi-colored light installation above its moving runways between terminals.

1. Beijing’s Beijing International AirportWhen you disembark from your plane and enter Beijing's International Airport, you'll be walking into one of the largest buildings on the planet. Terminal 3 is the airport's shining star, stretching over two miles long with the goal of representing China's most recognized symbol - a dragon.