The 9+1 most impressive airports in the world

1. Vancouver International Airport – a state-of-the-art airport in Canada

It is certainly a special place you would want to visit even without a boarding pass. It features the world's largest collection of local art sculptures (from the Northwest Coast) and exhibits that would normally belong in an aquarium.

 Spirit of Haida Gwaii: this canoe is a creation by Canadian sculptor Bill Reid and is the focal point of the airport.

It is a piece of high cultural significance for Canadians, also depicted on the reverse side of the twenty Canadian dollar banknote.

2. Munich Airport – a high-tech facility in Germany

Inside the airport, there are open spaces made of metal and glass that allow sunlight to diffuse from all sides.

There is a meditation room offered for travellers to relax, and there is also an event area where cycling and surfing events take place throughout the year.

This airport not only looks modern but also operates without delays. The well-designed connections between the terminals and the train give a sense of the near future.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport – a unique building in Mumbai, India.

Here you will find India's largest public art exhibition. It is a multi-storey Art Wall with

 illuminated skylights that includes over 5,000 artworks from every corner of India.

Inside, the ceiling is supported by pillars resembling giant mushrooms. In total, there are 30 such pillars connected to the ceiling, forming peacocks, India's national bird. These vibrant motifs symbolise traditional Indian ceremonies of arrivals and departures.

4. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York

The airport's concrete roof depicts a seagull with two enormous wings during a

flight.

The airport's interior is filled with endless ribbons that start from outside, ascend to the ceiling, and continue crossing the walls until they reach the floor. Due to its distinctive design, this airport has even appeared in a Hollywood film.

5. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia – an airport within the forest.

This airport is breathtaking with its size (it is one of the largest in Asia) and its magnificent design motifs.

The pillars supporting the airport's roof resemble trees from the Malaysian rainforest, and the lights on the dome look like sunbeams passing through the foliage of the trees.

6. Denver International Airport, Colorado

The impressive tent-like fabric structures at Denver Airport are a feature of American architecture.

They evoke the snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado to such an extent that conspiracies have arisen over time regarding Denver Airport.

It is said that inside the granite monument located within the airport, there is a time capsule that will be opened in 2094.

7. Barajas International Airport in Madrid

The airport is located just 12 km from the Spanish capital.

The steel and bamboo used in the airport's construction confirm its reputation as an “eco-friendly airport.”

The airport's wave-shaped roof is supported by tree-like columns, and the ceiling allows natural light to enter.

The colours of this airport are equally striking, in shades of red and yellow.

8. Beijing Capital International Airport, China

One of the world's largest buildings, unveiled at the 2008 Olympic Games.

It represents dragons – traditional Chinese mythological creatures – and the dominant colours of red and yellow in the airport are hallmarks of China. 

All areas of the airport are illuminated by natural light, and the changing light of the skylight is visible to visitors.

The red columns located along the outer edges and inside resemble traditional Chinese temples.

In total, the area covers 1.3 million square metres and can accommodate 50 million passengers annually.

9. Wellington International Airport – gateway to the marvel of New Zealand

This airport perfectly lives up to its nickname, “The Rock.” The architects were inspired by the legends and sea monsters Ngake and Whataitai to construct it.

 Externally, it resembles dangerous rocks, while internally, wooden ornaments support the impressive ceiling.

10. Queen Tamar Airport – modernity in a medieval setting in Georgia

A small, only 250 square metres in area, yet impressive airport. It looks as if it has just landed from another galaxy, due to its futuristic design.

The gleaming black and white building was inspired by ancient Georgian prisons.