This was published 5 years ago
The world's best airports for 2019: Skytrax World Airport Awards announced
By Kylie McLaughlin
Singapore's Changi Airport has been announced as the world's best for the seventh year running in a ceremony that was once again dominated by Asian hubs.
The second and third spots were awarded to Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Incheon.
The announcement was made overnight at the annual awards ceremony, held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2019 in London, which is currently showcasing new technologies and products from airport providers.
Silent airport Doha crept up one space to number four. Described as one of the most architecturally significant and luxurious, Doha's Hamad Airport is announcement-free with the silence only broken by a call to prayer five times a day.
Three Japanese airports featured in the top 10, with Narita a new entry at ninth position. Narita's edge may have been its unique running track designed to celebrate the city hosting the Olympics in 2020, but it also makes the dash to the departure gate in Terminal 3 a little easier.
No matter what airports introduce to entertain passengers, no one has an edge quite like Changi - which is only days away before opening the hotly anticipated Jewel terminal.
Costing $1.78 billion, the giant donut-shaped, 10-storey structure will feature the world's largest indoor waterfall, a "forest valley" with 3000 trees, walking trails, a playground and more than 280 shops and restaurants.
Set to open on April 17, it will connect to terminals one, two and three, which cover both Qantas and Singapore Airlines flights to and from London.
See also: The best stopover airports between Australia and Europe
Crown Plaza Changi Airport also won the best airport hotel.
"To be voted the World's Best Airport for the seventh consecutive year is a truly fabulous achievement for Changi Airport, and this award continues to underline the airport's popularity with international air travellers," Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said.
While no Australian airports made the top 10, Brisbane Airport broke into the top 20 at number 18, as well as winning the award for best airport in Australia/Pacific. Undergoing a major $45 million facelift in 2015, Brisbane remains one of the best connected airports in Australia with a direct rail link to the city and the Gold Coast.
Sydney and Melbourne ranked 21 and 23 respectively. Melbourne's T4 terminal fell one place to fourth best budget terminal, losing to Kansai, another Japanese airport, which Skytrax named the best.
Japan's airports also won the cleanest, and the best airport staff. Hong Kong's airport is the best place to dine and get through immigration. London Heathrow was the best place to shop, while best airport security screening went to Zurich.
Airports not featuring heavily in the awards list were those from North America. Vancouver and Denver were the highest ranked in the Skytrax awards positions 17 and 32 respectively.
2019 Skytrax World Airport Awards winners
1. Singapore Changi Airport - Singapore
2. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) - Tokyo, Japan
3. Incheon International Airport - Seoul, South Korea
4. Hamad International Airport - Doha, Qatar
5. Hong Kong International Airport - Hong Kong
6. Central Japan International Airport - Bay of Ise, Japan
7. Munich Airport - Munich, Germany
8. London Heathrow Airport - London, UK
9. Narita International Airport - Tokyo, Japan
10. Zurich Airport - Zurich, Switzerland
The World's Cleanest Airports 2019
1. Tokyo Haneda
2. Centrair Nagoya
3. Singapore Changi
4. Seoul Incheon
5. Tokyo Narita
6. Doha Hamad
7. Hong Kong
8. Taiwan Taoyuan
9. Kansai
10. Zurich
Best Airport Dining 2019
1. Hong Kong
2. Tokyo Narita
3. Singapore Changi
4. Seoul Incheon
5. Houston George Bush
6. Doha Hamad
7. London Heathrow
8. Rome Fiumicino
9. Munich
10. Amsterdam Schiphol
See also: What it's like to spend 24 hours straight at Changi airport
See also: Airline review: Qantas A380 returns to Singapore for London route
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