IN PHOTOS: Hamad International Airport, the new best airport in the world
Qatar's Hamad International Airport (HIA) has been dubbed as the world's best airport of 2021.
In the annual list from by UK-based research firm Skytrax, HIA leaped from its third place spot last year and bagged the accolades for Best Airport in the Middle East, the World’s Best Airport in the 25 to 35-Million Passenger category, and the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East. It also dethroned the frequently #1 Singapore Changi Airport, which is now at No. 3.
"As travel hubs worldwide have been impacted by the pandemic, Hamad International Airport was undeterred by the global travel disruptions and continued with its expansion plans while introducing additional airport health and safety standards," Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said in a statement.
Though we may not all be in a traveling mood for now, at least these official photos from HIA can transport us to the world's #1 airport:
HIA has an oasis-based exterior with the aiport overlooking the water and island-themed decor
Are those beach tents? Nope, they're HIA's covered parking spaces
Once inside, their sunbathed "luxury department lounge" greets guests
Jetlag getting you down? The airport also has a Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre with massage parlors, gym amenities, and a pool
Hamad Airport also has 11 art installations around the vicinities. Here are a few:
Meanwhile, Skytrax's Top 10 Airports of 2021 are as follows:
- Hamad International Airport
- Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Singapore Changi Airport
- Incheon International Airport
- Narita International Airport
- Munich Airport
- Zurich Airport
- London Heathrow Airport
- Kansai International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
Photos from Flickr / Hamad International Airport and Oryx Airport Hotel