Singapore’s Changi airport loses the crown. This is the world’s best airport in 2025

Singapore’s Changi Airport which has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and around 600,000 plants, ranked second in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. The crown this year goes to Istanbul Airport, which soared to first place with a score of 98.57—up from 95.79 in 2024—thanks to its growing global connectivity, sleek infrastructure, and enhanced passenger experience.

The renowned publication compiled its list of the 10 best airports based on a survey of well-traveled readers, who shared which airports stayed top of mind long after their journeys. These standout hubs offered more than just smooth transit—they impressed with memorable dining, entertainment, and scenery, making them destinations worth arriving early for or lingering in after landing, according to Travel + Leisure.

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Airports in the Middle East and Asia dominated the list, with the former securing four of the top five spots—including the No. 1 pick. These regions have airports offering modern facilities with intuitive paths of navigation and amenities.

It’s also worth noting that the Istanbul Airport for the second year in a row ranked first on the list. It began operations in October 2018 and has steadily built a strong reputation. One traveller praised its “bright and spacious design.”

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Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport ranked 9th on the list just above South Korea’s Incheon International Airport. The airport is is operated by the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL).

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Mumbai Airport recently became the first airport in India and third Airport in the world to achieve Level 5 Accreditation for Airport Customer experience – the highest distinction awarded by Airports Council International.