World's best airport for 2016 named in annual Skytrax awards

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World's best airport for 2016 named in annual Skytrax awards

By Kylie McLaughlin
Updated
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Air travellers have voted for their favourite airport in Skytrax's World's Best Airport awards 2016, with Singapore's Changi Airport topping the list for the fourth year in a row.

This is the seventh time Changi has topped the list, awarded at a ceremony held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Cologne, Germany.

CEO of Skytrax Edward Plaisted said that the airport's popularity is due to its "continuing ability to be able to innovate in product and service options for its customers, and to make the experience as relaxing and comfortable as possible."

Changi also collected an award for best Leisure Amenities at an airport, such as music bar lounges, the swimming pool, and the napping and rest areas in the in-terminal Transit Hotel.

The airport was commended for its unique features such as the free sightseeing tour of Singapore offered to those with layovers, proving the airport's dedication for providing stand-out customer service.

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group said "it is the extraordinary effort and commitment of the entire airport community that drives Changi's success.

Changi Airport's Terminal 3.

Changi Airport's Terminal 3.Credit: Getty Images

"We thank our passengers and partners alike for their continued support and confidence in us."

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Asian airports dominated the list, taking out six of the top 10 slots, though three European airports - Munich (No.3), Zurich (No.7) and London's much maligned Heathrow (No.8) - also made the grade.

Votes for the The World Airport Awards are cast by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey.

It is based on 13.25 million customer nominations across 106 nationalities and includes 550 airports worldwide.

The survey evaluates customer satisfaction across 39 key areas such as service and product from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration, through to departure at the gate.

The top ten airports for 2016 according to Skytrax:

1. Singapore Changi Airport

2. Incheon International Airport

3. Munich Airport

4. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)

5. Hong Kong International Airport

6. Chūbu Centrair Nagoya

7. Zurich Airport

8. London Heathrow Airport

9. Kansai International Airport

10. Hamad International Airport

Ten things you didn't know about Changi Airport

1. Free Singapore Slings

Not enough time to swing into Raffles? No worries, as Singapore's most famous beverage can be consumed from The Raffles Long Bar on the top level of the new Wine and Spirits duplex in the Terminal 3 transit hall. Your first sling is on the house.

2. There's a swimming pool

The only airport that can claim a swimming pool, that's also outdoors and on a rooftop with a view into the tarmac area, it's no wonder this is an extremely popular amenity. If you don't have time to swim, you can make use the full shower facilities next to the pool before you hop on a flight.

3. Get made up like a movie star

Changi provides the entire suite of beauty facilities, so you can get your hair cut, facials, body massage, or enjoy complimentary flash makeup and mani-pedi before you fly.

Head up to the Shilla Duty Free duplex at Terminal 3 where you can get facial massages at the SKII Salon or a complimentary makeover at Dior, where a make-up artist with runway experience will not only doll you up, but share tips and tricks as well.

4. You can catch the latest movies

Yes, Changi has a movie theatre that's specially built to accommodate luggage-carrying customers - you can wheel in your luggage trolleys through the super-wide aisles and park them right in front of your seat. Theatres are open 24/7, with movies running around the clock. This could also be a nice dark quiet place for a nap - just remember to set your alarm so you don't miss your flight!

5. There's magic carpets

Sick of jumping ten feet into the air every time a flight announcement is made? Changi has minimised the number of announcements to keep the peace, but that's not all. Their eye-catching carpets have been specially designed and strategically placed to reduce noise levels.

6. Free foot massages

Rest areas throughout the airport are handily located alongside children's playgrounds where you can let the kids loose while you indulge in a foot massage. That's right - you can put your feet up, or you can stick them in one of the airport's many free foot massage machines.

7. You can eat lots of food, glorious food

It would be remiss of Singapore not to provide top quality dining options at Changi, therefore customers are spoilt for choice. Restaurants have been curated by the airport's team to suit different palates and wallets, and are easily found among retail outlets.

8. The spectacular gardens around the airport are composed of real plants

Watch skeptics check out the leaves on magnificant plants that adorn walls at Changi - don't worry, they are real! Changi is full of flowers that bloom year-round. The airport employs ten professional horticulturalists that are supported by a whopping 150 gardeners that keep the plants in tip-top shape.Often displays complement the latest festival.

9. Watch for weird restrooms

Renovators stumbled across unique views from the lavs at Changi and decided to share their finds by building full-height glass walls. It might feel like those approaching taxis are coming a little too close - but don't worry, the glass only works one-way.

Power rooms throughout Changi were inspired by backstage make-up rooms where make-up desks are separated into consoles and mirrors are embellished with light bulbs all around.

10. Be gone, harsh fluorescent light

The last light you want to be subjected to after a long haul is flourescent, and in bright Terminal 3 the natural light has been specially regulated to let just the right amount from computerised louvres on the rooftop. This also doubles as an energy saving device.

See also: The future of Changi Airport revealed

See also: What it takes to be the world's best airport

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