The top 10 airports in the world in 2021: Asia and Europe dominated (surprise, surprise) with Hong Kong International Airport down four spots – but which snagged No 1?

Aug 24 , 2021

The waterfall installation is one of Singapore Changi Airport’s most iconic features – but that wasn’t enough to make it No 1 airport in the world, apparently. Photo: Changi Airport/Facebook

Which airport dethroned Singapore Changi Airport after eight years, according to aviation rating company Skytrax’s global customer satisfaction survey?

Covid-19 response was a major factor in the rating, and Asia saw seven airports in the top 10, while North American airports didn’t earn a single spot

Skytrax has revealed its World’s Top 100 Airports for 2021, and the reigning champion has been dethroned.

Since 1999, Skytrax – an aviation rating company – has funded a global airport customer satisfaction survey branded as the Passenger’s Choice Awards. Now in its 22nd year, the company continued the annual tradition despite the impact of the pandemic.

Jewel Changi Airport during in Singapore on August 19. Photo: Xinhua

Expert travellers reviewed over 500 airports based on several factors, including check-in, shopping, immigration, security, cleanliness, terminal comfort and ambience, choice of bars and restaurants, and airport ease of access. A Covid-19-specific section was also included in the survey.

European and Asian airports dominated the top 20 list again this year, with Doha’s Hamad International Airport taking the top spot and ending Singapore Changi Airport’s eight-year winning streak. There was an even split of airports in each continent making the top 20, though Asia saw seven airports in the top 10 list – three of which were in Japan alone. Europe managed to earn three spots in the top 10, which is an improvement from only two last year.

Melbourne Airport was one of Skytrax’s top 20 airports as of last year. Photo: Melbourne Airport/Facebook

Australia’s Melbourne Airport fell five spots from 2020, ranking 22 this year and knocking it and the continent out of the top 20 list for 2021. North America also lagged, with no airports earning a top 20 spot. Vancouver International Airport was the highest-ranking airport in the Americas at number 24, down from 13 in 2020. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport managed to put the US in the top 30 this year with a rank of 25, followed by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport at 42 and Denver International Airport at 44 – both of which dropped from 2020s top 30.

It’s no doubt the pandemic has impacted these airports as compared to the 2019-2020 season, but their Covid-19 response was a factor in this year’s survey.

Here’s a closer look at the top 10 airports.