Rated and Ranked: 7 Best Airports Worldwide
Airports worldwide constantly compete to provide the best travel experience and punctuality remains one of the most crucial factors. Long delays and chaotic departures can turn an otherwise seamless journey into a stressful ordeal.
The following ranking features the best airports in the world right now, with a primary focus on their on-time departure performance since the start of 2025. We also took several other key aspects into account, including facilities, services, and airline diversity. With this said, what is the best airport in the world?
Best Airports in the World in 2025
Some airports that just missed the top spots still perform exceptionally well, and in a few months, this ranking may look completely different. But as of now, these are the best airports in the world based on punctuality and overall travel experience.
7. Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 84.81%
- SkyTrax Ranking: 8 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Bavarian beer garden, sleeping pods, luxury lounges
- Number of Airlines: 75+ airlines, including Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, and Azerbaijan Airlines
Munich Airport is one of Europe’s most efficient and passenger-friendly airports and serves as Lufthansa’s second-largest hub.
What makes Munich Airport unique is the blend of modern travel with Bavarian culture. The Airbräu beer garden, located in Terminal 1, is the only airport brewery in the world, allowing passengers to enjoy authentic German beer before takeoff. The airport also hosts seasonal events, including a Christmas market inside the terminal.
Munich Airport has some of the best rest facilities for transit passengers. The airport features NapCabs, which are private sleeping pods available inside the terminals. There are also luxury lounges, spa services, and shower rooms available for those who need to freshen up before continuing their journey.
6. Copenhagen Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 86.09%
- SkyTrax Ranking: 20 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Hygge-themed lounges, Danish dining, quick metro access
- Number of Airlines: 60+ airlines, including SAS, Norwegian, and KLM
Copenhagen Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Scandinavia, serving as a major hub for flights across Europe and North America.
A unique aspect of Copenhagen Airport is its "Hygge" theme, which focuses on cosy and relaxing spaces throughout the terminal. The airport’s lounges, seating areas, and even dining venues are designed with warm lighting, soft seating, and minimalist aesthetics to create a stress-free atmosphere.
Copenhagen Airport is also one of the most sustainable airports in the world, implementing green energy solutions and carbon-neutral operations. For those heading into the city, it is only a 15-minute metro ride from the city centre, making it one of the most accessible airports in Europe.
5. Vienna International Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 87.37%
- SkyTrax Ranking: 13 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Relaxation lounges, express train service, extensive duty-free shopping
- Number of Airlines: 65+ airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Emirates, and British Airways
As the main hub for Austrian Airlines, the Vienna International Airport connects travellers to major European cities and long-haul destinations.
One of Vienna Airport’s standout features is its relaxation zones and lounges, including the SKY Lounge and Vienna Lounge, which provide excellent hospitality with Austrian-inspired food and drink selections. Passengers can also explore the wide selection of Austrian chocolates, wines, and luxury perfumes in the duty-free area.
Vienna Airport is also one of the best-connected airports in Europe. The City Airport Train (CAT) takes passengers from the airport to Vienna’s city centre in just 16 minutes, making it one of the most convenient airport-to-city transfers in the world.
Although it is far from being the best airport in the world, Vienna International boasted 87.37% of its 14,668 flights departing on time in February 2025, making it the 6th most reliable airport in the world.
4. Riyadh King Khalid International Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 88.32%
- SkyTrax Ranking: 35 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Private lounges, prayer rooms, luxury shopping, high-speed train access
- Number of Airlines: 50+ airlines, including Saudia, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines
The King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is a rapidly growing airport known for its premium passenger experience. The airport has undergone significant renovations, making it a real contestant for the title of the best airport in the world.
The terminal interiors feature a blend of Arabian architectural elements with contemporary luxury. Apart from the usual shopping services, the airport also provides exclusive lounges for premium travellers. Notably, the airport also has prayer rooms available in every terminal. And with the introduction of the new high-speed train system, passengers can now travel from the airport to downtown Riyadh in under 30 minutes.
King Khalid International is guaranteed to move up the rankings with each passing year but for now, their greatest achievement is the on-time departure performance. The airport was #1 on Cirium’s Annual Review for 2024, with 86.65% of the 240,990 tracked flights leaving on time.
3. Palma de Mallorca Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 88.91%
- SkyTrax Ranking: Not in the Top 100 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Beach-style lounges, rooftop terrace, extensive duty-free shopping
- Number of Airlines: 38 airlines, including Ryanair, Lufthansa, and British Airways
Palma de Mallorca Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe during the summer months. With millions of tourists flying into Mallorca’s stunning beaches and resorts, PMI is a key hub for holiday travellers and low-cost carriers.
The airport boasts one of Europe’s most modern terminals, featuring a rooftop terrace where passengers can enjoy Mediterranean views before their flight. Travelers can explore a variety of duty-free shops, beachwear boutiques, and Spanish wine and tapas bars inside the terminal.
PMI ranked third in the world based on on-time departure performance in February 2025, with an impressive 88.91% of 7,709 flights departing on time. However, the airport experiences a surge in flights during the peak summer travel season, making flight delays more common.
Expert Tip: If your flight from Mallorca gets delayed or cancelled, you may be eligible for compensation under Regulation EC 261/2004. If you experienced a flight disruption from this airport, check your compensation eligibility here.
2. Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 88.95%
- SkyTrax Ranking: Not in the Top 100 (2024)
- Key Facilities: VIP lounges, extensive duty-free shopping, direct city metro access
- Number of Airlines: 30+ airlines, including Aeroméxico, American Airlines, and Iberia
Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport is the busiest airport in Latin America and a key hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport is known for its extensive connectivity and rapid transit options.
The airport features two terminals, with Terminal 1 being one of the largest in the world by size. Passengers have access to a wide range of duty-free stores, high-end boutiques, and Mexican handicraft shops. VIP lounges, including Aeroméxico’s Salon Premier and American Express Centurion Lounge, provide relaxation spaces, premium dining, and spa services.
While it is hardly the best airport in the world, Benito Juarez International is one of the most reliable airports when it comes to punctuality. It ranked fourth in Cirium’s OTP Annual Review with 84.04% of 302,506 flights departing on time in 2024.
1. Doha Hamad International Airport
- On-Time Departure Percentage: 88.98%
- SkyTrax Ranking: 1 (2024)
- Key Facilities: Luxury lounges, indoor gardens, high-end shopping
- Number of Airlines: 55+ airlines, including Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines
The Hamad International Airport in Doha is not just a transportation hub, but a luxury experience in itself. Everything is designed to provide the ultimate passenger comfort, making it the best airport in the world in every ranking.
What truly sets Hamad International apart is its award-winning lounges, including the Al Mourjan Business Lounge, which features private resting areas, fine dining, and even a spa. For those looking to relax during a layover, the airport boasts a state-of-the-art wellness centre, with all the amenities one could think of.
The airport’s art collection is another standout feature, with large-scale installations from world-renowned artists displayed throughout the terminal.
Hamad International was ranked 12th in the world in Cirium’s OTP Annual Review with 81.38% of their 249,439 tracked flights departing on time. It was also picked as the world’s best airport overall on Skytrax.
Why SkyRefund?
Even the best airport in the world can’t guarantee a perfect travel experience at all times. Flight disruptions still happen, whether due to airline faults or extraordinary circumstances. When this happens, you may be entitled to financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
SkyRefund helps travellers claim up to €600 (£520) in compensation for flight disruptions affecting departures from the European Union. Our team of legal experts handles the entire claims process, negotiating directly with airlines on your behalf. If you’ve ever experienced a delayed or cancelled flight, submit your claim for compensation with SkyRefund today.
Methodology
We ranked the above 7 airports as the best in the world based on several key factors:
- On-time Departure: our main metric since it’s what air passengers are mostly concerned about and need to have a heads-up if the airport they’re flying from has a good track record with on-time flights; data is gathered from Cirium’s latest report
- SkyTrax Ranking: is a prestigious ranking of airlines and airports, based on passenger reviews and experiences
- Key Facilities: duty-free stores, food corners, several terminals, VIP lounge, etc.
- Number of Airlines: how many airlines pass through the airport because the best airports need to be widely accessible
We believe that the best airports in the world need to score high on the majority of these criteria as air passengers deserve to travel comfortably, safely and securely.