After winning the title of the best airport in Europe for the 20th time in a row, it seems as though the global media can’t get enough of Zurich Airport. Now, the Readers’ Choice Awards by Condé Nast (CN) Traveler has rated the largest airport in Switzerland as one of the best in the world.

International airports continue to evolve worldwide

In the list, CN Traveler said that airports around the world have undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Gone are the low-ceiling security areas, barren departure halls and anaemic Duty-Free and restaurant offerings and in are the huge concourses, opulently finished lounges, spas, and even swimming pools.

This is reflected in the ranking, with Singapore’s Changi Airport taking the top spot for 2023. The airport was praised for its stunning 14.000-square-foot Canopy Park, which includes indoor forests and waterfalls. “Elsewhere, you’ll find open-air decks, the world’s first airport butterfly garden, a free 24-hour movie theatre, and even a rooftop pool and hot tub overlooking the runways,” the ranking noted.

Zurich Airport rated best in Europe

However, even as the world converts its international terminals into high-security resorts, Zurich Airport has managed to remain in the good graces of CN Traveler readers. This year, the airport was rated as the fifth-best airport in the world and the best in Europe.

Zurich was given particular praise for its lounge options - which have been recently added to with the launch of the ZRH Club. The business and first-class lounges of SWISS were especially notable, with CN Traveler writing that “those clubs are no joke, thanks to champagne and whiskey bars.”

The Flughafen was also noted for its variety of bars and restaurants and the number of different shops to choose from. In their final slice of praise, the magazine added that “if the weather cooperates, there’s an outdoor observation deck with sweeping views of the action on the runways."

Best airports in the world for 2023

In all, here are the best airports in the world in 2023, according to CN Traveler:

1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Istanbul Airport, Turkey
3. Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea
4. Doha Hamad International Airport, Qatar
5. Zurich Airport, Switzerland
6. Hong Kong International Airport
7. Tokyo Haneda Airport, Japan
8. Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates
9. Helsinki Airport, Finland
10. New Dehli Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

To see what the magazine had to say about the other airports, and for the other Readers’ Choice Awards, visit the official website.

Thumb image credit: Anton Gvozdikov / Shutterstock.com