Best Airports In The World: US Airports Come Up Short In Service Survey

On Wednesday, the Airports Council International announced the 2010 recipients of the Airports Service Quality awards, a survey based on input from 300,000 passengers, which highlights the airports around the world that are actually serving air passengers well.

The list was broken down into best overall (of which all 5 were in Asia, including Seoul's Incheon airport which has won the top honor 6 years running); best by continent (2 American airports made the North American list) and by passenger load (Dallas was named #4 in the over 40 million passengers per year list).

While it's understandable that so many American airports missed the cut, considering how often they are overlooked for this sort of list (our friends at CheapOAir.com broke up their list by continent and the U.S. still missed the cut), it's still upsetting to note how far behind America is in the air travel sector.

Take a look at the airports that made the top 5, plus all the American airports included and be sure to take a look at the full list. Have an opinion of what should (or should not have) made the list? Send us your picks!

 

Have a favorite airport? Send us your picks.

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

1 of 8

Incheon International Airport #1 overall

1 of 9

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

NPR Cruise To Set Sail On Regent's Seven Seas Voyager (PHOTOS)

8 Obscure National Parks Worth The Visit (PHOTOS)

10 Things I Learned By Staying In New York's Sex Hotels (PHOTOS)

London Dining: Steak Near Covent Garden And Lesser Calamint Near Goodge Street

5 Great Destinations In The South Of France (That Aren't Provence Or The Riviera)

Sticker Shock: 5 Of The World's Most Expensive Hotel Suites (PHOTOS)

comments(211)

Total comments: 211 | Post a Comment

1 of 9

Airport

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Um, no. Yes!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

Choose your Top 5 Slides

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[Maderous]

09:16 PM on 02/22/2011

I had a flight out of Inchon airport earlier this month and was running very late (for reasons I wont go into ;) ). I got there 45 mins before my flight and still got to the plane on time. The airport staff rushed me through all the lines and took me all the way to the plane. And as far as arriving to Korea, you can set your watch by it. From touch-down to out the door with your bags takes 45 mins, no more, no less. Love that place.

[Tweet Travelers]

12:27 AM on 02/21/2011

Great photos of the airports!

@TweetTravelers
http://www.TweetTravelers.com

[Lahonda]

05:21 PM on 02/20/2011

Vancouver, Sydney, Narita?

[Maderous]

09:16 PM on 02/22/2011

I hate Narita, that might be the most boring airport in the word.

[Greenbugworks]

10:37 AM on 02/18/2011

ALL airports have bed bugs in the luggage areas. Protect yourself by spraying luggage with Greenbug for People to repel bed bugs so you don't bring any home. Safe and it works! http://www.greenbugalnatural.com

[Amy Simpkins]

03:34 PM on 02/17/2011

I like Changi much better than Incheon. And I think BKK deserves a spot on this list!

[260Parkway]

03:28 PM on 02/17/2011

Uh, where's Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta on this list? I think we have a pretty darn good airport!!

[maigoro]

02:23 PM on 02/20/2011

Damn Right. We have one of the easiest, busiest and biggest airport in the world.

[Toot Is A Hoot]

10:34 AM on 02/17/2011

Pu Dong is a monstrous airport with little traffic, at least when I was there. I had to go through immigration just to change planes, but the wait was not long, it was like a WalMart check out on steroids. Like many things Chinese, the Mandarin to English was not so good--in the smoking lounge, the electronic cigarette lighter on the wall, that looks similar to a drinking fountain, was labeled "To Use Sparingly". I had a Coke near the gate; the staff was eager and currency exchange was just a few steps down the corridor. I thought I'd lost both copies of my itinerary and found a shop where I could download and print a new copy and again currency exchange was not far away.

[valeskas]

09:13 AM on 02/17/2011

Where is Frankfurt am Main on that list ?

[VeryGrood]

08:58 AM on 02/17/2011

I am not surprised by Indy International (recently moved and reworked) getting the #1 slot in N. America. It is, without a doubt, the most convenient airport I have ever been in. I have flown out of the new terminal probably a dozen times... and it has never taken me longer than 30 minutes to get from my car in the lot all the way through security. I remember being kinda mad that I had well over an hour to waste because I showed up the ubiquitous '2 hours' early.

[Daws]

08:34 AM on 02/17/2011

I got lost in the Dallas airport years ago, missed my flight, and was on the verge of tears. So, yeah...not a very fond memory. I'm sure the airport is lovely though lol.

[TidalShadow]

08:18 AM on 02/17/2011

Austin, TX does have one of the best airports that I've been to. The airport is easy to navigate and it's a relatively quick trip to get to your gate.

[brushfinch]

06:05 AM on 02/17/2011

I also love the Zurich, Switzerland Airport. The signs are extremely clear, it is easy to navigate, it is very well connected to public transportation, the security staff is always very polite and helpful,and everyone in general answers any question a passenger might have...

[alex98]

02:56 AM on 02/17/2011

I really like Schiphol in Amsterdam I pass through there on a regular basis and I really like it.

[Toddynho]

04:15 AM on 02/17/2011

Agreed. I used Amsterdam as a hub for a few years, and never had an issue with the airport.

[aeuropeanvoice]

05:38 AM on 02/17/2011

You can tell a good airport from a bad one by observing the people that work there.Amsterdam is a very relaxed customer friendly airport,nice shops,lots of things to see and not much stress.
It would be my choice too.

[tjr101]

02:36 AM on 02/17/2011

With conservatives refusing to spend money on infrastructure America will continue to fall behind.

[Toddynho]

04:22 AM on 02/17/2011

It's not just budget issues, but in the US, I've noticed that those working in these environments have taken a "get out of my face, I hate my job" attitude. You could invest the DOD's budget in upgrading all airports in the US, but if you don't address the attitude issue, many of those airports will always be excruciatingly painful places to pass though. Just my two cents.

[c1605]

08:45 AM on 02/17/2011

That is true. It is a problem that is likely not to go away even with a pay increase, although that is a good way to start.

[cdncommentator]

02:28 AM on 02/17/2011

I just had a transfer in Dallas and I must say, it does have one of the best airports in which to get stuck, or in which to have a transfer. We were there for 4 hours, and took advantage of the spa, the skytrain ride, a few restaurants, some public art, and away we went.

Good on you , Dallas.

[Toddynho]

04:15 AM on 02/17/2011

Had my first experience with Dallas airport a year ago, and it did stand out.

[cdncommentator]

12:27 AM on 02/19/2011

I'm from Toronto, which just built a big new terminal that completely ignores human needs. Too bad the developers didn't go to Dallas to see how a terminal building ought to service the people in it.

[Syrlinus]

09:49 AM on 02/17/2011

Indeed. It's one of the reasons I make it a regular stop-over airport (as opposed to going through O'Hare, which I avoid with a passion).