Airports are an intrinsic part of travel and most traveller intends to spend the minimum amount of time over there. As air transport is massively impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, most of the airports are not as active as they used to be, but they still look like masterpieces. Thanks to its architectural appearances, exceptional design and outstanding facilities like waterfalls, jungles, ice rinks and the list goes on. Let’s take a tour of some of the world’s beautiful airports till air transport resumes to its fullest.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is one of the busiest airports in India serving an enormous number of passengers on a daily basis. The airport roof is supported on a number of columns giving the structure a look of a mushroom. The panels are shaped like a teardrop with both interior and exterior of the building covered, making a resemblance of our National Bird – Peacock. An illusion of a Rajasthan Palace with stained glass is also created when the natural lights shine through the openings of the panels.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is one of the most luxurious airports in the world. The airport has numerous duty-free stores inside the terminals which provides a world-class shopping experience. It also offers an outdoor swimming pool, gym, natural gardens, cinemas, restaurants, and many other entertainment spots. The structure also accommodates tiny rooms in its Snooze Cube Hotel where we can have free Wi-Fi, a shower and also a few hours of sleep. It offers everything we need.
Changi International Airport, Singapore
Changi International Airport of Singapore is an awesome place to travel through. It has a beautiful butterfly garden with around a thousand butterflies, a sunflower garden, and a rooftop cactus garden with more than 100 species of cacti and succulents. It also has a rooftop swimming pool with a movie theatre too. The Kinetic Rain centerpiece – the world’s largest kinetic sculpture gathers the limelight in this airport.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain
Designed by architectural duo Antonio Lamella and Richard Rogers, Madrid’s Adolfo Suarez Madrid – Barajas Airport is no doubt for architecture lovers. The terminal consists of colorful light-filled yellow beams, supporting an environment-friendly bamboo ceiling. The airport is approved as one of the best in the world transport link to Madrid City centre. There is also a handful of opportunities to stock up on Iberian Ham, Manchego Cheese, and Rioja in elegant surroundings.
Samui International Airport, Koh Samui, Thailand
The two terminals are made of locally sourced rattan and wood with boast thatched roofs and palm-tree pillars. Samui International Airport has traditional décor with a modern touch. Thai Massages are also readily available for the passengers. There is also an open-air shopping and dining area called Samui Park Avenue which leads the visitors to an ecstatic journey of the airport.
Daxing International Airport, Beijing, China
Daxing International Airport aka ‘Giant Starfish’ of Beijing China is one of the most beautiful airports in the World with highly unusual designs made by architects of the firm – Zaha Hadid Architects. Covering an area of 7.5 million square feet, it is one of the largest terminals with an extraordinary list of facilities and ‘cutting–edge technology. The corridors of the airport have interactive LED art screens, interactive seating, and five traditional courtyards that are sculpted after classic Chinese gardens with wooden benches, pavilions, and winding pathways.
Going to the airport is not exactly considered a joyful experience. But sometimes the facilities can make air travel slog feel a bit nicer.