10 Airports So Beautiful You Won’t Want to Leave

Long gone are the days of waiting in gloomy, grey airport terminals with dingy overhead lighting. In fact, some of the most beautiful airports in the world are travel destinations themselves, designed by star architects and featuring public art installations and indoor gardens.

With world-class restaurants and state-of-the-art lounges, most modern airports offer plenty of amenities to today’s travelers, and there are plenty of airports that you should visit next. But what’s the nicest airport in the world? Take a look at our list, and you can be the judge yourself.

Without further ado, here are the most beautiful airports in the world in no particular order:

1. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

If you get into Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) with time to spare, you’re in luck. As the city’s third and newest airport, it’s the most exciting airport in China’s capital city. It’s the world’s largest single-building airport terminal and arguably one of the world’s nicest airports, too.

The airport was designed by the esteemed London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, and features the firm’s beloved curved, modern lines. From under the web of vaulted skylights, the terminal feels light and airy, even at its busiest moments. And with around 150,000 daily visitors coursing through PKX, that’s an architectural feat indeed.

2. Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)

Designed by Foster + Partners, the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman is the world’s gateway to one of the world’s oldest cities. The airport is made-to-measure for the local climate and history, with open-air corridors and geometric patterns that celebrate the regional Arabic culture and architectural history.

The airport was built entirely from concrete, which helps regulate the temperature even in the hottest months. There’s plenty of shade, too, from the canopy of modular concrete domes made to resemble the thin veins running through a leaf. 

3. Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK)

The newest terminal at Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK) in Morocco feels like a spaceship. The central body is made up of an arabesque lace of white aluminum rhombuses and triangles, including an overhang providing additional shade and airflow in the heat of the summer.

The terminal was designed by Swiss studio E2A, led by Piet and Wim Eckert. As you walk through the airport, you’ll notice they’ve included details that blur the lines between high-tech innovation and local traditions.

4. Kansai International Airport (KIX)

The Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka, Japan is a modern marvel, made to withstand earthquakes and tidal waves. Designed by star Italian architect Renzo Piano, the airport is on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, and it’s widely-regarded as a feat of modern structural engineering.

The asymmetrical aerofoil roof guides airflow throughout the terminal, and activates the dynamic suspended art installations by Japanese sculptor Susumu Shingu. 

This is a hallmark of architect Renzo Piano’s work: It blends interior and exterior spaces, creating a seamless experience for visitors that you have to see to believe. 

^{Fancy overnighting in a throwback? credit: TWAHotel}

5. TWA Terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)

When it opened in 1962, The Trans World Alliance Terminal at NYC’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) was a celebrated milestone in design. Designed by Eero Saarinen, the terminal is mid-century modern architecture at its finest, and a recent renovation has helped restore it to its glory.

From the outside, the TWA Terminal’s distinctive concrete shells is a headturning detail, but it’s the inside that matters most. But look inside the terminal, and you’ll be transported to a different dimension. After the terminal closed for use in 2001, it was added to a national registry of historic sites in 2005, and restored to its original beauty between 2015 and 2019. Today, it’s open to the public as the TWA Hotel, the only on-airport hotel at JFK Airport. 

6. Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND)

Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo is one of the world’s busiest airports and one of the most beautiful airports in the world, too. If you’re passing through Tokyo, you’ll have your choice of world-class eating, shopping, and relaxing, and an opportunity to enjoy Japanese aesthetics.

You’ll want to explore Terminal 3, which was designed by a superstar team of Azusa Sekkei, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, and Yasui Architects & Engineers. The architecture is open and free-flowing, blending modern aesthetics with traditional details like wood-toned panels and sloping ceilings. On the fourth floor, you can even explore the Edo Koji, where you’ll find a replica Edo-era townscape with a sprawling shopping and eating area.

7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

If you’re got extra time in San Francisco International Airport on your next trip, you’re in luck. SFO was awarded the prestigious Prix Versailles Award for World Architecture and Design in 2025.

Part of SFO’s appeal is the Harvey Milk Terminal 1. Originally known as the South Terminal, it was renovated by HKS Architects and fully reopened to the public in 2025. 

The space is designed to be smooth, gentle, and flowing. The ceilings are high, with massive windows and an abundance of natural light, as well as an intuitive approach to managing footfall between the 27 gates. If you want to lean into the relaxation, be sure to drop by the in-transit yoga facilities near Gate C for a long stretch between flights.

8. Samui Airport (USM)

From the minute you land on the Thai island of Koh Samui, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise. The Samui Airport (USM) is one-of-a-kind, with wood and rattan details alongside rich greenery and ponds as well. 

As you move through the airport, you’ll feel the breeze and smell the ocean air. Whether you’re arriving for a well-earned vacation, or preparing to return after some time in paradise, USM feels like an open-air resort.

^{The Orchard in Doha International Airport. credit@DohaHamadAirport}

9. Doha International Airport (DOH)

There’s plenty to do at Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH): As the homebase for Qatar Airlines, DOH is renowned for its luxury amenities, including one of the best airport gyms. It’s also home to some of the most impressive airside architecture in the world.

The airport was designed by HOK, whose vision for the airport celebrated Qatar’s natural landscape with references to sea waves and sand dunes. In the departure hall, the curved wave ceiling is supported by a steel-framed glass wall that lets in breathtaking views of the surrounding desert. 

Inside, the airport is part of the Qatari national art programming. Visitors can find fantastic public art installations from both local and global artists on view year round. 

If you have an extended layover ahead of you, don’t miss our full guide to Doha's international airport (DOH).

10. Changi Airport (SIN) in Singapore 

Singapore is known for its tropical climate and lush landscapes. But if you’re just passing through in transit, you can still enjoy the island’s beauty because Changi Airport (SIN) is just as beautiful. The sprawling airport is home to a tropical vivarium, a butterfly garden, and even an open-air cactus garden. Travellers can also visit the Jewel Changi Airport complex to see the HSBC Rain Vortex, the largest indoor waterfall in the whole world. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the installation funnels around 10,000 gallons of rainwater each minute down a 7-story drop from the glass ceiling into the indoor rainforest below.

Changi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the best airports in the world according to travellers. 

Take the stress out of your next trip to the airport

If you want to enjoy the airport amenities and travel without the stress, arriving at the airport with plenty of time is key. At Blacklane, we’re experts at ensuring your airport transfer is comfortable, convenient, reliable, and private. With over 10 years of experience and servicing over 500 airports worldwide, we’ll get you where you need to be, regardless of where your travels take you.

Ready for your next adventure? Be sure to book your airport transfer with Blacklane to arrive in comfort.