Loading ...Some airports, like the old Bangkok International Airport, are bad. But when you are trapped inside them with nothing but uncomfortable plastic chairs to suffocate in as you long for airconditioning, it can become hell. Some airports, on the other hand, make travelers cross their fingers hoping for a significant stop over.
Business magazine, Forbes Traveller has picked the following eight airports as their favorite place for a long stop:
• Changi International Airport, Singapore
Singapore’s airport has been a long time favorite of seasoned business travelers. Changi has everything most airports offer, but better. The duty free shopping is almost unparalleled. There is a fitness centre, showers, free Internet stations. The airport even has its own movie theatre. The décor is tastefully done and perfectly suited to calm the traveling mind: goldfish swim amid the lilies in quiet ponds under the palms, all in the centre of a bustling airport which has served more than 35 million travelers.
• Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong
It has to be almost everyone’s favorite. The only bad thing about the airport is its vast size, making it difficult to find that store with the free luscious chocolate samples on a mere one hour layover, but the space also affords hours of world class shopping and a transit lounge that is both spacious and luxiourous, equipped with showers
• Dallas/ Ft. Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas
One of the more promising airports in the world, Terminal D alone cost $1.4 billion. The airport strives for a European chic amid the huge spaces full of duty free shops and restaurants with classy cuisine. Wandering through the airport on a layover, the sheer number, color and size of the artwork in its halls is entertaining.
• Zurich Airport, Kloten, Switzerland
Zurich Airport is arguably one of the best airports in Europe. For one thing, it is only 15 minutes from the centre of the city which means that if you have the right passport and too much time on your hands between flights, you can break out of the airport all together. If you want to, you can even leave the kids behind in the nursery while you enjoy a drink at the Swiss International Airline’s “world’s longest bar” or go shopping in the duty free zone.
• Munich International Airport, Munich, Germany
Three great features of Munic International Airport: 1) Terminal 2 is very environmentally friendly; 2) Terminal 2 has the shortest connecting times in Europe so you won’t be stuck there long; 3) There is a huge children’s area with crafts, giant LEGO and supervised staff.
• Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
The architecture and layout of this large airport are impressive and the shops and restaurants are excellent, but the main appeal of Incheon Airport is definitely the indoor driving range, golf course, billiard hall and hospital. It’s no wonder the place wins as many awards as it does.
• Central Japan International Airport, Ise Bay, Japan
The shops and restaurants on the fourth floor of the Skytown shopping center are what make this airport distinctive. But the sushi is fantastic too.
• Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt, Germany
The two story building cost €30 million to build and is accessible only to first class passengers and frequent fliers of Lufthansa. The décor is tasteful, the architecture superb. Walking into the place is relaxing. While you wait for the flight you can smoke a cigar in the lounge or kick back a single-malt Irish whiskey. When you’re ready, hop aboard the chauffered Mercedes or Porch to head back to your gate.
www.lufthansa.com