Our annual Readers' Choice Awards, now in their 35th year, continue to highlight the travel experiences that our readers adore most, from hotels and airlines to cruises and islands. Also included are eulogies for the locations that draw you back, reflections on cherished cities, and more. The statistics confirm what we already knew: There has never been a greater interest in travel, as shown by the over a quarter of a million of you who responded to this year's survey.
Airport in Istanbul (IST)
Istanbul has long served as a crossroads for trade and travel, so it only seems sense that the Turkish city has now fully assumed its role as a major international transportation hub in the era of air travel. The new IST, which debuted in 2018 to much fanfare and boasts ambitious plans to become the largest airport in the world, is praised for its cutting-edge design by Grimshaw Architects, which has won accolades for its focus on sustainability and efficiency. The airport is ready to establish itself as a significant global player thanks to high-tech features including a fleet of robots to guide passengers through the 818 million-square-foot hub and runway capacity to move a total of 90 flights per hour.
Changi Airport in Singapore (SIN)
Although Changi may have dropped one spot from last year, it will always be a Readers' Choice Awards staple because it is the home of Singapore Airlines, your preferred airline. Changi has become a destination in itself in addition to being a perfect entry point to a number of places in the area: The Moshe Safdie-designed Jewel, which features indoor woods and waterfalls as well as the 14,000 square foot Canopy Park, was unveiled at the airport in 2019. It is all housed under a huge glass dome. Other amenities include outdoor decks, the first airport butterfly garden in the world, a free 24-hour movie theatre, and even a rooftop pool and hot tub with runway views.
The International Airport of Seoul Incheon (ICN)
The major international airport in Seoul has been growing ever since it was opened 21 years ago on reclaimed land in the port city of Incheon: As part of the airport's plan to increase its capacity to 100 million people annually, a second passenger terminal opened in 2018. Incheon International, which primarily serves the nation's two main airlines, Korean and Asiana, also receives praise for its roomy VIP lounges and extras like an indoor ice rink, a spa, and a "Cultural Street" featuring regional food and dance performances. Despite being 30 miles from the capital, a high-speed train link takes 43 minutes to travel from the terminal to the city centre.
Fourth, Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The primary hub for Swiss, which runs first-class and business-class lounges, is Zurich, which also happens to be Switzerland's largest international airport. These clubs are no joke, thanks to their champagne and whisky bars. Where can I find chocolate that is duty-free?
You can browse dozens of stores here. The variety of restaurants and bars, as well as the outdoor observation deck with sweeping views of the activity on the runways, are very popular with readers.
Haneda Airport in Tokyo (HND)
Haneda Airport in Tokyo was primarily a domestic airport for many years, but it is now gaining long-distance flights and a sizable foreign clientele. What explains its ubiquity? It's not Narita, the busy international hub of the nation 45 miles from the capital that is infamous for, among other things, the $200 cab fare required to get there. Compared to Haneda, which is only 10 miles from the city centre, Haneda is praised for the comfort and cleanliness of its terminals, the variety of shopping and dining options, and the quick and effective transportation links to downtown Tokyo.
Abu Dhabi(AUH)
The home airport of Etihad Airways is a posh-if dangerously tempting-place to spend a stopover with shops like Coach, Fendi, Burberry, and Rolex. However, there is also a premium wellness facility if your tastes lean more toward massages and manicures than shopping therapy. If you aren't travelling in first or business class, the Al Dhabi Lounge in Terminal 1 has fairly affordable walk-in pricing (about $57 for three hours or $100 for six hours), yet you can access a delicious buffet, showers, a work station, movies, and other amenities for that price. Etihad also provides free coach transportation to the airport from Dubai and Al Ain for passengers heading to other destinations within the United Arab Emirates.
Airport Hamad International (DOH)
With amenities including a fitness centre, squash courts, and an indoor swimming pool, Doha's airport resembles more of a resort hotel than a busy transportation hub and serves as a major connecting hub for Qatar's eponymous domestic airline (also a Readers' Choice selection). It has received high praise for its first-rate amenities, including a variety of lounges, quiet rooms, and kid-friendly entertainment areas for travellers in every aircraft class. An expensive hotel with half- or full-day rates is located inside the terminal for those with longer layovers. If your shoulders are feeling a little tight from the long flight, you can loosen up at the hotel's golf simulator.
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