Drones have been causing panics these days. They spy on people in their homes, fall out of the sky without warning, and could be used for terrorist acts. Terrorists aren’t yet strapping bombs to drones, but they certainly could someday. And almost every government is not prepared.

Within the last few years, hobbyists and mischief-makers have freely flown their drones into airports, blocking runways and stopping airplanes from landing or taking off. Airplanes trying to land are usually left circling. Some even get diverted to other airports before they run out of fuel.

Nevertheless, the drones will continue hovering over the airports for hours or even days, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and governments confused.

10 Heathrow Airport

In May 2017, flights were diverted from Heathrow Airport in London after two drones flew into its airspace. However, there seems to be some disagreement over what the drones looked like and whether they were truly drones or something else.

The drones (or do we call them UFOs?) were reported by several pilots, although most were unsure of what they actually saw. Most said they thought they saw a drone or “something.” An Airbus A320 pilot said he saw “two white, orb shaped objects, with no lights or visible markings.”

The objects remained immobile in the air and were not affected by the wind, even though it was windy. One of the drones was 1,680 meters (5,500 ft) in the air, while the other was at about 1,370 meters (4,500 ft.) An airplane could have collided with one of the two UFOs, which was between 500 and 800 meters (1,600–2,600 ft) away, since it was too small to activate the collision avoidance systems on the aircraft.

Another pilot said the drones were 1.5 meters (5 ft) long, while yet another said they were 2 meters (6.6 ft). Some pilots doubted if the objects were UFOs or even drones. They suspected they were actually balloons, although they noted that the objects were too big to be typical children’s helium balloons.^[1]

9 Lisbon Airport

On September 19, 2018, Lisbon Airport was shut down (as in all flight operations were suspended) for 11 minutes after a drone was spotted hovering above its runway at around 11:00 PM. Ten airplanes circled above the airport throughout the shutdown.

Two other airplanes were diverted to Faro Airport because they were low on fuel. Both airplanes carried roughly 300 passengers. The passengers diverted to Faro were lodged in hotels for the night and driven from there to Lisbon the next day. Police unsuccessfully searched for the drone and its controllers.

The September 2018 incident is one of a series of drone incursions that have plagued Lisbon Airport since 2014. Its airspace was shut down for 26 minutes less than a month beforehand. Two other drone incursions had also been noted weeks earlier.^[2]

In 2014, a drone came within 3 meters (10 ft) of a landing Portuguese Air Force aircraft. It only just managed to avoid a collision with the landing gear of the airplane. In another incident, a drone directed a laser beam at the cockpit of a landing airplane, injuring one of the pilots in the left eye. There were 150 passengers on board.

8 Gatwick Airport

Between December 19 and 21, 2018, over 100,000 passengers were left stranded at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex after at least two drones prevented airplanes from landing or taking off. The drones were first spotted around the airport at 9:03 PM on December 19. And they continued appearing and disappearing until December 21.

Civilian drones generally have limited flight times since they have smaller batteries. However, this incursion seems to have been a deliberate attempt to ground the airport, since the drones kept returning. The drones appeared bulkier than regular ones, making authorities believe they were modified with bigger batteries. Authorities also believe there could have been more than two drones.

Some 120,000 passengers remained stranded at the airport during the shutdown. Several incoming flights were diverted to other airports, including ones in Amsterdam and Paris. Most airlines did not provide hotels for their stranded passengers and discouraged them from leaving the airport, since they could not determine when flights would resume.

The rogue drones left the airport on December 21, when the military arrived with specialized jamming equipment. The airport was shut down for 36 hours. During that time, 837 flights were billed to take off. 160 were canceled, and the rest finally departed with most of the stranded passengers. Police later arrested two people in connection with the incident.^[3]

Interestingly, this was not the first time Gatwick was shut down by drones. In July 2017, the airport was shut down twice on the same day. The first shutdown lasted for nine minutes after a drone was spotted around the airport. Flights resumed and were stopped again for five minutes. At least five flights were diverted to other airports, and several other airplanes continued circling while awaiting clearance to land.

7 Ben Gurion Airport

In January 2018, Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main airport, was shut down for ten minutes after a drone was spotted hovering above it. The drone was sighted at 7:20 PM one night. Curiously, US vice president Mike Pence had landed at the airport several hours earlier on a state visit.

Drone incursion has remained a recurring problem for authorities at Ben Gurion Airport. A month earlier, the airport was shut down for 15 minutes after a drone was spotted hovering in the area. Similar incidents happened in November 2016 and sometime in 2015. The drone involved in the 2015 incident maneuvered close to an airplane, causing the pilots to turn away.

The increased use of drones has exposed lapses in Israel’s national security. For a time, security agencies did not even know which of them were responsible for dealing with the drones. The army thought it should be the police, since it involved civilians. The police thought it was the army, which had the task of securing Israel’s airspace. The government later set up an anti-drone task force headed by the air force.^[4]

6 Indira Gandhi International Airport

In August 2017, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, was shut down for a total of almost two hours. Runways were closed from 11:20 AM to 12:20 PM when the pilots of an international flight informed authorities that they’d spotted a drone as they prepared to land.

Flight operations were also suspended for 40 minutes that evening, once again after pilots spotted a drone hovering around the airport as they prepared to land. The pilots said the drone flew toward their airplane. The airport was reopened at 7:55 PM, when police determined that the airspace was clear. At least four passenger flights were diverted to other airports during the shutdowns.^[5]

5 Dubai International Airport

In June 2018, Dubai International Airport was shut down for over an hour after a rogue civilian drone was spotted hovering overhead. At least 21 flights were diverted to other airports while the shutdown lasted. Exactly two years earlier, the airspace was closed for 69 minutes when a rogue drone was spotted in the vicinity. Twenty-two flights were diverted during the shutdown, and that wasn’t the only time a drone disrupted operations at the airport that year.

Considering that Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest for international travel, shutdowns are logistical nightmares and cost a lot of money. The airport loses 350,000 dirhams ($95,368) for every minute it is shut down because of a drone. The drone-related shutdowns experienced throughout 2016 cost the airport a total of 61 million dirhams ($16.62 million).^[6]

Drones are such a problem that the General Civil Aviation Authority declared the airport one of the four areas of the country where drones are not allowed. The ban was the result of a shutdown in 2017 and was passed just two months before the June 2018 shutdown.

4 Stockholm Arlanda Airport And Stockholm Bromma Airport

In August 2017, Sweden’s Stockholm Arlanda Airport was shut down for an hour after a drone was spotted hovering in its airspace. Airplanes continued to circle while they awaited clearance to land. However, two aircraft were cleared to land when they ran low on fuel.

Drone incursions are such a problem at Stockholm Arlanda Airport that a Swedish pilots’ union advised members to always fly to the airport with extra fuel, just in case a drone was spotted before they landed. Swedish law demands that an airport be shut down when a drone enters its control zone. The shutdown will last for at least 30 minutes or until the drone lands.

In August 2017 alone, the airport was shut down four times because of drones. Two, including the one we already mentioned, happened in the same week. The same month, Stockholm Bromma Airport was shut down thrice for the same reason.^[7]

3 Cork Airport

On April 20, 2017, Ireland’s Cork Airport was shut down for between ten and 15 minutes after a drone was spotted flying in its airspace at 9:45 AM. Two airplanes circled above the airport until the drone disappeared from view.

Air traffic controllers later cleared the airplanes to land but, suspecting the drone could still be around, advised pilots to approach “with caution.”^[8] Police searched the vicinity of the airport after the incident but could not find the rogue drone or its operator.

2 Wellington International Airport

In November 2018, the airspace over Wellington International Airport in New Zealand was closed after a drone was spotted hovering less than 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) from its runway. The drone was just 200 meters (656 ft) from the ground at the time and was spotted by an airplane as it landed at 6:32 PM that evening.

Pilots on airplanes preparing to take off reported seeing the drone and even watched it hover around the airport for 23 minutes before leaving. However, the airport wasn’t reopened until 7:10 PM. Several airplanes circled above throughout the shutdown, and ten more aircraft on the ground were delayed from taking off.^[9]

1 Auckland Airport

In March 2018, several flights were delayed from landing and taking off at New Zealand’s Auckland Airport after a drone was spotted hovering in the area. It was reopened 30 minutes after the shutdown, when it was determined that the drone had left. A helicopter deployed to find the drone was unsuccessful. Twenty airplanes circled above the airport during the shutdown. A flight from Tokyo was diverted to an Air Force base 500 kilometers (800 mi) away, where it refueled before returning to Auckland.^[10]

Another shutdown occurred in April 2018, when another drone was spotted. It was reopened six minutes later when authorities discovered that the drone was actually a balloon. The airport was partially shut down yet again in August 2018 when a drone was spotted flying 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) away. However, it was quickly reopened when it was determined that the drone was no longer a threat.

Traveling is one of those unique and unusual experiences for a lot of people that mixes pleasure and pain in equal amounts. Everyone likes being on vacation, but few people like the process of getting to a vacation spot. And airports, by and large, are massive stressors. There are huge crowds, deadlines, security, the threat of getting lost or having flights delayed, not to mention the fact flights cost an arm and a leg. So it’s no wonder that even at the best of times, an airport can be unpleasant. But some airports take that unpleasantness to the next level.

This is an encore of one of our previous lists, as presented by our YouTube host Simon Whistler. Read the full list!

Traveling is one of those unique and unusual experiences for a lot of people that mixes pleasure and pain in equal amounts. Everyone likes being on vacation, but few people like the process of getting to a vacation spot. And airports, by and large, are massive stressors. There are huge crowds, deadlines, security, the threat of getting lost or having flights delayed, not to mention the fact flights cost an arm and a leg. So it’s no wonder that even at the best of times, an airport can be unpleasant. But some airports take that unpleasantness to the next level. 

10. Courchevel Altiport, France

A lot of things go into making an airport a “good” airport. You want a nice looking building with convenient facilities. Clean bathrooms, easy to find restaurants or shops, and a smooth process in and out with friendly, efficient staff. One thing you don’t tend to include on your list is a lack of white knuckle fear. Because you take it for granted that any airport, no matter how awful, won’t terrify you. Well, that’s just a sign you’ve never visited Courchevel Altiport.

To reach the remarkably short 525 meter long uphill landing strip at Courchevel, pilots have to fly in through mountains and land on a steep gradient in the snow. Typically, only skilled pilots are even allowed to give it a try because of how hard it is to navigate. 

The airport is located in the French Alps, so the weather is always a point of contention here. If there isn’t snow in the air, you can expect at least some wind or ice on the runway itself. The tower has to do a lot of heavy lifting here to help pilots land at the best of times. 

9. Kuwait International Airport

The Kuwait International Airport has been having a rough time for years. The website Airhelp does a yearly ranking of airports and the Kuwait International Airport has been at the very bottom of the list for ages now. Depending on which year you look at the lists, it’s either the worst or the second worst airport in the world again and again. That’s out of over 100 airports.

Even the positive Google reviews mention that the staff can be unfriendly here. But the real issue in Kuwait seems to be less the service and amenities and more the fact that the airport and airlines can’t seem to get their act together and get things done on any kind of schedule. 

There are limited facilities, including basic things like outlets for charging electronics. Reviews on Skytrax are no different, with the facilities and disorganization ripped apart by travelers who can’t seem to make any sense out of the airport or its policies. 

8. Bordeaux Airport

Read some of the over 4,000 user reviews on Google from travelers and you’ll want to ensure you never stop at the Bordeaux-Merignac Airport unless your life depends on it. 4,300 reviews average out to a 2.6 rating overall. And sure, people tend to only leave reviews when they have a bad experience and not a good one, but if that many thousands of people have the same bad experience, you have to give it some credence.

In the case of the Bordeaux airport in France, there are a handful of recurring criticisms that make it sound like the last place you want to end up on a journey. To start with, water is apparently extremely hard to come by. Drinking fountains are routinely on the fritz, as are the vending machines. Where does one have to go to find water? Some travelers have been told to go to the bathroom, but the problem there is that the airport apparently only has one bathroom. And it tends to smell.

Most travelers also mention a total lack of organization, such as only one desk being open for several departing flights. There aren’t enough seats, the lines are long, and the staff is often described as rude. 

7. Matekane Air Strip, Lesotho

The Matekane Air Strip in Lesotho isn’t exactly a high traffic area. This strip is almost exclusively used for medical or emergency personnel who need to reach the remote region to render some kind of aid. The reason it’s so underused is pretty obvious when you hear the size of the strip: it’s only 1,300 feet long. Commercial runways are typically 8,000 feet. Minimum. 

Only the smallest planes can land at Matekane, and they need some precise calculations of speed on top of landing exactly in the right spot to ensure they can get the plane to stop before the runway runs out. Of course, taking off presents another challenge. The airstrip doesn’t just end; it runs right off a cliff. That’s not a bug, that’s a feature. There simply isn’t enough room for a plane to take off here, so they just run right off a mountain kind of like a baby bird learning to fly and pick up the thrust needed to get airborne during freefall. 

As for the airport itself, that’s the other problem with Matekane. There is no facility on the mountaintop where the strip is located. You have to make your way down and to the nearest town to find what you need. 

6. LaGuardia Airport, New York

People hate LaGuardia Airport in New York. Joe Biden once likened it to a third world country. And it seems like there is no end to the reasons for it. For evidence, just look at the oddly inspirational Miracle on the Hudson. This is presented as a feel-good story of a near-disaster that occurred when US Airways Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River, but no one died. And of course that’s a good thing. But why did it crash? Birds. And what keeps happening at LaGuardia Airport even today? Birds.

Since the Miracle on the Hudson, thousands of bird strikes have continued to happen at LaGuardia and New York’s other airports. But LaGuardia is the only one where it got so bad a plane literally fell in the river as a result. 

LaGuardia was so universally reviled they spent $4 billion back in 2015 to try to revitalize it and make it a more streamlined and pleasant experience for travelers. The renovation is still going on in 2021, which means that passengers have had the added hassle of dealing with construction for six years. Thirteen thousand Google reviews have amounted to a grand total of a 3.6 out of 5 rating with current travelers pointing out the construction, wait times, and disorganization as major setbacks. 

5. Paris-Beauvais Airport, France

Let’s say you’ve never been to Paris-Beauvais airport and you know nothing about it apart from the name. Where would you say it’s located? Maybe in Paris? You’d be wrong, and that’s one of several reasons so many people hate this airport. 

Paris-Beauvais airport is actually about 50 miles outside of Paris. That’s not “just outside of town,” that’s a sizable chunk of land between the airport and its supposed place of origin. Now factor in that the airport closes at night and there’s no train that connects it to the actual city of Paris. If your flight is late or you are late, there’s a good chance you’re spending the night in the French countryside. 

It was ranked one of the 10 worst airports in the world back in 2017 thanks in no small part to the remote location and the fact the airport has a weird design that makes it look like a warehouse more than anything else. Once the airport is closed, which takes place around 10:45 at night, you can either sleep on a bench until 6 in the morning, or walk the parking lot. 

4. Newark Liberty Airport, New Jersey

New York is, by and large, a terrible place to catch a plane. We saw how bad LaGuardia was already and Terminal B at Newark’s airport is no better. They have the same bird problem that LaGuardia has, but they also have an issue with getting flights on time. In fact, Newark is the worst airport in the country if you plan on getting a flight on time. A full quarter of all flights into Newark are delayed, meaning schedules may as well be tossed out the window if you ever have to do business here. 

AirHelp has Newark ranked 116 on its list of airports, only 16 spots from the bottom of all airports in the world and the very bottom of those in the United States. 

3. London Stansted Airport

No one wants to be stuck in an airport, that’s a given. They’re a place between where you were and where you want to be. Ideally, you are in and out as fast as possible. But when you do have to stay, you expect a few common courtesies. If your flight is delayed for some reason, you could end up spending an entire night in a terminal. So you’d expect that, at the very least, you’d be able to sleep to pass the time. Not so in London Stansted. 

Back in 2018, the airport decided it didn’t want loafers in the terminal and put a 10 minute timer on sleepers. Guards would literally wake people up if they saw them unconscious for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. 

The airport’s position was that other travelers complained about seeing people sleeping in the terminal, some of them even using hammocks or blow-up beds. This overlooks the fact that people had to sleep in the terminal because they weren’t on their flight, since no one goes to an airport specifically to sleep there. 

On top of that, Stansted repeatedly gets criticized for rude staff, which seems obvious now, plus dirty facilities and a lack of seating. 

2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz Airport, Saudi Arabia

Another airport that has more than once been voted worst in the world, Jeddah King Abdulaziz in Saudi Arabia has a litany of issues to atone for. Chief concerns here include a lack of cleanliness and rude staff which, honestly, seem to exist at every airport. Here rudeness seems to be an art form, however, with some passengers attesting to the fact that staff will literally not speak to you if they don’t feel like it.

Part of the problem was that the airport was originally designed to handle six million passengers per year. It was serving upwards of 17 million by 2016. This was due to the fact it’s the go to spot if you’re partaking of the Hajj pilgrimage.

1. Juba International Airport, Sudan

An airport that is on again off again in the middle of a war zone has no business being a good place. Still, regardless of the reasons for it, Juba International Airport in Sudan is arguably the worst airport in the world. 

Photography isn’t allowed in the airport, so few images of the dismal conditions make it out. That said, as of 2017 the airport was literally a tent with rotten plywood floors. The tent leaks and there are mud puddles around the service desks on occasion.

Word is people have fallen through the holes in the floors and that, in 40 degree celsius heat, it’s hard to breathe and not sweat like you’re being cooked in the tents. Top this with a lack of seating and sanitation. Apparently there are some seriously rank odors in the facility, and massive crowds, and you have a terrible airport experience. Apparently, some renovations have taken place, but even as recently as 2019 it was ranked as one of the worst airports in the entire world.

Keep in mind, many of the people who have gone to this airport did so when the country was literally in the middle of a brutal war. Is the government allocating time or effort to making the airport a nice place? Probably not.

Usually when traveling, flyers try to rush through airports as quickly as possible in an effort to reach their final destinations, the spots where they really want to spend some time. This is especially true for vacationers who just want to get away from it all.

But what if you’ve been missing one of the best stops along the way? What if the airport itself has amenities that should make it one of your more interesting destinations? If you’re looking for a fascinating place to spend some free time, each of the top 10 airports listed below just might fit the bill.

10 Singapore Changi Airport

According to the annual World Airport Award by Skytrax, Singapore’s Changi Airport has been the best airport in the world for a record six consecutive years as of 2018. The airport prides itself on its inclusion of nature. Each terminal has its own set of botanical gardens, including the sunflower and butterfly gardens. The airport also has a number of Asian-style ponds to revitalize stressed travelers with a sense of peace.

If you aren’t interested in all that nature has to offer, you can go to the free movie theater, rooftop swimming pool, or 24-hour spas. Of course, Changi has the standard recharge stations and free Wi-Fi as well.

In terms of food, Changi is still the airport leader with its 1960s-themed food court where “street vendors” offer local dishes for cheap prices. The fourth and newest terminal was designed by taking the most efficient elements of the previous three terminals to produce a blazing fast facility in terms of time from security check-in to arrival at the boarding gate.

At least one person reported a time of only 15 minutes to get to the gate. That’s nothing short of amazing for one of the world’s busiest airports.^[1]

Despite all that, the “crown jewel” of Changi Airport is an addition scheduled to open in 2019. The glittering Jewel Changi Airport will raise the bar for futuristic airport design with its centerpiece Rain Vortex, a 40-meter-tall (130 ft) waterfall that cascades from the roof of the glass dome.

This new central hub, which links three terminals, is a lifestyle destination with all types of leisure activities, including a five-story garden, entertainment and shopping outlets, and play areas for children.

9 Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is conveniently placed just five hours’ flight time away from more than half the world’s population, making it one of the busiest international airports. Naturally, this has led to huge upgrades which ensure passengers are well accommodated during their layovers.

The airport embraces Hong Kong’s strong cultural tendencies in food by offering more than 80 restaurants with cuisine from all over the globe. The restaurants range in price and experience, with some offering live music and others quick take-out food for those in a hurry.

Hong Kong International Airport also provides exclusive shopping ranging from a licensed Disney store to boutique clothing joints such as Giordano and G2000. For families, there is an interactive educational park for children as well as an IMAX in the terminal.^[2]

Got a few hours to spare? Sit in on the latest movies or head on down to the Lan Kwai Fong Bar where guests receive their first cocktail free.

8 Incheon International Airport

South Korea’s massive international airport in Incheon has just about everything a traveler could dream of. Most airports are designed to prevent travelers from sleeping with their uncomfortable chairs and fixed armrests. But Incheon has acknowledged that travelers need to sleep by offering free reclining lounges in darkened corners that are perfect for that much-needed nap.

After you’ve caught up on your beauty sleep, you can refresh and revive in the airport’s free showers. There, you are given a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a hairdryer, and a towel. All you need to bring is your thongs (unless you’re a daredevil and don’t mind taking your chances with a public shower floor).

There are also endless offerings for entertainment within the airport. Check out the craft areas where you can attempt to make traditional Korean-style bags and fans, or head over to the in-terminal ice skating rink. You can also visit a cultural museum or explore a number of traditional gardens. There will never be a dull moment during your layover at Incheon.^[3]

7 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is all about keeping you entertained on your layover. Throughout the facility, you can watch TV with channels specially selected to keep travelers entertained. If that doesn’t interest you, locate the Satellite Building where you can use the Internet kiosks to access free Wi-Fi.

Not interested in lounging around on your layover? Then head to Gateway@KLIA2, a shopping mall attached directly to the airport. Although you need to clear customs to get to and from the mall, you can find anything from jewelry and clothing to toys and electronics. While exploring the shops, take time to go to the food court and try some traditional Malaysian food at inexpensive prices.

Feeling a little tired? Catch up on some sleep in the airport’s Capsule Transit Airport Hotel which offers capsule-style beds for up to 12 hours at a time. This includes luggage lockers, showers, and free Wi-Fi, so it’s definitely worth it for those slightly longer airport stays.^[4]

6 London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow has been labeled No. 1 for both airport shopping and dining experiences. Additionally, the Sofitel London Heathrow inside the facility was awarded the title of fifth-best airport hotel. Although there aren’t endless options for food like other great international airports, the selection of restaurants is well chosen, including European cafes, British pubs, and sophisticated full-service dine-in restaurants.

Heathrow offers a range of shops in every terminal.^[5] No matter where you fly in or out, you will have access to everything you need—from books to basic clothing and international fashion boutiques. For those looking for a more cultural experience, check out the airport’s art gallery in Terminal 5. It holds a permanent exhibit of sculpture and other art.

5 Munich Airport

Munich has been ranked fourth overall in terms of the world’s best airports. It has also been labeled Europe’s best airport for the last 10 years and been given a rare five-star rating by Skytrax.

So what sets Munich Airport apart from the rest?

Its on-site brewery. We all like to have a drink while we’re waiting for our next flight, and where better to do it than at a brewery. If you’re looking for entertainment, head over to the world’s biggest man-made standing wave where you might be lucky enough to catch the pro contest hosted by airport staff.

If that doesn’t spark your interest, an in-terminal park has a mini golf course, aviation models including an interactive historic aircraft experience, and a giant slide. Or you may want to take a nap in one of the airport’s private sleeping cabins.^[6]

4 McCarran International Airport

McCarran International Airport (aka LAS) is Las Vegas’s primary airport and lives up to the expectations of its Paradise location in Nevada. As the world’s eighth-busiest airport, it is the host of an aviation museum that celebrates the history of air travel in Las Vegas.

LAS also offers its own brewery as well as a number of pubs and local restaurants with 24-hour slot machines to really give you that taste of the Vegas lifestyle.^[7] If a nap is what you’re after, then head into any of the lounges, which are free to all travelers. If you have a lot of energy, then you can use the airport’s gym where your full access includes shower and sauna facilities for only $25.

3 Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport is great for those tech-savvy travelers looking for fast Internet and speedy check-ins. Its “Wow-fi” has won awards for being the fastest Wi-Fi in the world with speeds up to 39.50 mbps. Secondly, its smart gates allow passengers to skip the usually lengthy queues and simply walk through, immensely speeding up the check-in process.

For those wanting a little bit of entertainment, the airport’s partnership with ICFlix means travelers can stream unlimited movies and TV shows for free. In terms of rest and relaxation, the airport has its very own in-terminal Zen garden which offers a bit of culture as well as some peace and quiet. You can also get a massage.

As for food, there are some great offerings. You can eat at Wolfgang Puck’s The Kitchen, one of the only two Pret a Mangers in the nation, some local restaurants, or a Heineken lounge.^[8]

2 Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you’re going to plan a trip that takes you to one of the world’s best airports, you should probably know how to pronounce the name. It sounds like “sue-wahn-ah-poom.” Note the silent “i” on the end.^[9]

Now let’s move on to why it is a world-class facility. Although it doesn’t have any amenities like museums or pools, it is exceptional at providing traditional airport shopping and food. It is also one of the largest passenger airports in the world, offering more flights and smoother flight transitions to help passengers remain calm.

It has an airport hotel for overnight stays. If you’re on a budget, cheaper lounges and chairs around the airport are designed to accommodate sleeping passengers. The airport cuisine ranges from fast food to cultural Thai and Asian restaurants.

If you have a long wait and you aren’t keen on getting some sleep or food, board the in-airport train on the lower level and head into the city. No matter what time it is, Bangkok is always alive.

1 Samui International Airport

Samui International Airport has one of the world’s coolest designs for an airport. Privately owned by Bangkok Airways, the facility is conveniently located on one of the nation’s major island hot spots, offering ease of access for international tourists.

The buildings are made from primarily bamboo and thatch. Tropical flowers in the terminals give the airport an exotic holiday feel. The facility’s lack of air conditioning and use of natural air flow to cool the terminals has won it international awards for environmental conservation and just adds to the mystique of this incredible resort-style airport.

Although it is one of the best airports in the world, check-in and baggage collection still takes time because the operation is small and privately run. However, it is definitely worth the extra wait times to experience flying in or out of this spectacular place.

For food and shopping, there are a few boutique stores and cafes as well as a culture-based food court called Samui Park Avenue. If you’re looking for something a little different, the airport also hosts the Samui Robot Group shop which sells Alien-like monsters made from recycled auto parts.^[10]

Hey! I am an aspiring travel blogger and dedicated law student. Follow my adventures on Instagram to get exclusive offers on my upcoming blog! Find me on @lifeinwonderlandd.