The best airports around the world have been revealed

A comfortable and easy to navigate airport with the right selection of services can make all the difference when it comes to travelling, especially for passengers experiencing lengthy layovers. With that in mind, the Airports Council International World has revealed the most highly rated airports around the world from 2017 as voted by passengers, revealing the top picks for a stress-free journey.

Outlining the best customer experiences at selected airports around the world, the Airport Service Quality Awards 2017 saw over sixteen airports being recognised as first-time winners, showing an increasingly competitive industry aimed at satisfying busy travellers. First-time winners that were recognised included Rome Fiumicino, Newcastle, Athens, Zagreb, Bandung, Indore, Ahmedabad, Mohammed V, George, Toronto Person, San Jose, Cleveland, Los Cabos, Belo Horizonte and Medina.

When it came to size, Dehli’s Indira Gandhi International Airport tied with Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for the top spot for airports serving over 40 million passengers per year, while China’s Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport was recognised as the best airport serving 15 – 25 million passengers per year.

“Every year, airports place more emphasis on providing a better customer experience. Customers expect a smoother and more enjoyable journey through airports, including the functional aspects of this interaction, such as security screening. We’ve seen this particularly in smaller airports that are emerging as gateway airports where expanding routes and more travellers, both for business and tourism, are coming through their doors,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens told Lonely Planet Travel News.

In North America, Indianapolis International Airport tied with Jacksonville International Airport as the top choice, while Abu Dhabi International Airport proved the most popular choice with passengers in the Middle East. Russia’s Sochi International Airport was voted number one in Europe, while Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco took the title for Africa.