The Best Airport Designs

Not all airports are created equal. While the behemoth structures may seem overwhelming at first glance, frequent flyers know that some airports can be simply delightful to spend time at. There are many qualifiers that determine how good an airport is – some are cheaper to travel from, some are more efficient with security, and some feature breathtaking architecture. From 1956, when airport terminal design began in the jet age with Dulles International Airport, airport architecture has changed drastically [1]. Explore some of the best airport designs below.

The Changi Airport

Figure 1: The Rain Vortex of the Changi Jewel in Singapore [1].

The Changi Airport is located in Singapore and serves as a major regional transportation hub. As a result, it has gone to extraordinary lengths to mesmerize flyers and ensure their comfort as they rest during layovers. A new addition to the airport, called the Changi Jewel, was built in 2019 and includes the largest indoor waterfall in the world, surrounded by five floors of gardens. The hundreds of trees and shrubs that dot the massive structure create a relaxing, awe-inspiring vibe [1]. Little wonder this airport was awarded the world’s best in 2025 by Skytrax [2]. This airport effectively isolated a commonly disliked part of flying—layovers—and designed to instead make it an enjoyable part of the experience.

Dubai International Airport

Figure 2: The Burj Khalifa rises majestically in the backdrop of the Dubai International Airport [3].

The Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world, only behind Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson [4]. This airport maximizes the shopping experience for flyers, as dozens of high-end retailers fill the concourses [5]. In fact, there are more than 10,000 square meters of retail space spanning the massive airport [6]. While most international airports have space allocated for duty-free shopping, this airport feels more like a mall combined with an airport. The airport has an entire page dedicated to the shopping experience.

Figure 3: One of the concourses in the Dubai International Airport [6].

Incheon International Airport

Figure 4: A waiting area at Incheon International Airport [8].

Situated on a picturesque island on the west side of South Korea, Incheon International Airport is a stunning and spacious modern airport. It has also been called one of the world’s most comfortable airports, complete with showers and reclining couches [8]. It’s also remarkably clean and decorated with Korean art [9]. This airport design makes good use of space, with impressive ceilings that make rooms feel even larger. As airports are often extremely busy, creating an atmosphere that feels freeing and unrestrained is a plus for frequent or first flyers. 

The best airport designs combine architectural wonders with impressive cultural, natural, and artistic environments. Not only do these airports operate smoothly and efficiently behind the main concourses, they also feature awe-inspiring shopping and viewing experiences that characterize the modern world. There are so many incredible airports in the world, from the Doha Hamad Airport to New York’s famous JFK, but these three implement specific design strategies to enhance the traveling experience.

References

[1] "Airport Architecture: Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality." Airways Magazine, airwaysmag.com/new-post/airport-architecture-aesthetics-functionality. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[2] "Jewel Changi Airport: An Overview of Singapore’s Aviation Gem." Airport Technology, 2019, www.airport-technology.com/features/jewel-changi-airport-overview/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[3] "The World’s Best Airports of 2025." World Airport Awards, Skytrax, 2025, www.worldairportawards.com/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[4] "Guide to Dubai International Airport (DXB)." Rent Radar, rentradar.ae/blog/dubai-international-airport-dxb/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[5] "World’s Busiest Airports Revealed in Final Global Rankings." Airports Council International, 8 July 2025, aci.aero/2025/07/08/worlds-busiest-airports-revealed-in-final-global-rankings/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[6] "Review: Dubai International Airport Terminal 3." The Aircraft King, 20 Oct. 2017, theaircraftking.com/2017/10/20/review-dubai-international-airport-terminal-3/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[7] "The World’s Second Busiest Airport Is Also One of the Best." The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 Jan. 2024, www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/the-world-s-second-busiest-airport-is-also-one-of-the-best-20240104-p5ev7q.html. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[8] "Incheon International Airport: Why It’s the Most Comfortable in the World." Islands, www.islands.com/1883744/incheon-international-airport-most-comfortable-in-world-lavish-south-korean-gem-amenities-unwind-relax/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

[9] Schlappig, Ben. "Seoul Incheon Airport: A Model of Efficiency and Art." One Mile at a Time, onemileatatime.com/insights/seoul-incheon-airport/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

To cite this article:
Conover, Dylan. “The Best Airport Designs.” The BYU Design Review, 9 February 2026, https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/the-best-airport-designs.