The world's and Europe's largest airport and the world's strangest airport from ATL to CPH: 20 wild airports you need to know is written by The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs.
What is the world's largest airport, and what is the strangest?
Airports are much more than just waiting areas and gate numbers. They act as portals to the world, reflecting everything from national pride to technological innovation and entertainment.
Some impress with size and design, others surprise with beach runways, green solutions or funny names.
In this article, we take you to a number of unique airports that stand out – for better or worse – and that show how diverse the aviation world is. On the list you will find everything from Europe's largest airport to the world's friendliest. And a domestic familiar in the form of Kastrup Airport – or simply CPH – has also crept into several places on the list.
The world's and Europe's largest airport – fighting in the air and on the ground
King Fahd International Airport i Saudi Arabia is the world record holder in area. With its staggering 770 square kilometers, it covers three times the area of the entire Municipality of Copenhagen.
However, it is not the passenger traffic that impresses here, but the sheer scale. Large parts of the area lie undeveloped, but the potential is enormous if the region were to one day grow into an international traffic hub.
In stark contrast to the quiet desert expanse of Saudi Arabia, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport rumbles in the south. USA off at a fast pace like a machine. The airport has been at the top of the world's busiest airports for years, measured by the number of passengers.
Over 100 million people move through its efficient – but not particularly charming – terminals annually. It’s all about logistics and flow, and Atlanta delivers.
A third behemoth is Dubai International Airport in The Emirates, which has positioned itself as the gateway between East and West. Although it does not top the list in terms of area, it is the world's number one when it comes to international passengers. The airport is known for its luxury, fast transfers, top-quality lounges and massive shopping opportunities.
Are we looking at Europe largest airport, it is Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Heathrow in London and Frankfurt Airport in Germany, which is fighting to be a traffic hub. In comparison, CPH seems small, but it is praised for its efficiency and clarity.
The least popular airports – when the journey starts with frustration
From Europe's largest airport and the largest airports around the world to the least popular. Here you'll find the worst-reviewed airports, where the wait can feel a little longer. And where comfort could be better.
At the top of the list of the worst-reviewed airports in Europe are two English ones – Stansted and Luton, both of which serve London. EnglandPassengers point to cramped conditions, poor signage and long queues as some of the biggest problems. Comfort is minimal, and many experience general chaos from arrival to boarding.
Kuwait International Airport suffers from similar criticism. The facilities are run-down, the procedures slow and the atmosphere stuffy. It's not an airport you want to spend too many hours at.
A third airport that is not exactly praised for its comfort and punctuality is Tribhuvan Airport in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, where both baggage handling and security appear outdated. At the same time, infrastructure and capacity problems make the whole experience frustrating.
In Europe, mention is made of Berlin Brandenburg and Brussels' international airport also in the same breath. The former for its scandal-ridden opening phase and the latter for repeated problems with overcrowding.
Most punctual airports – when every minute counts
Is there anything that can ruin the good holiday atmosphere more than a very delayed or even cancelled flights?
For many travelers, punctuality is crucial, whether you need to catch another flight or just want to make sure you get to your destination on time. And who doesn't want that? That's why some airports have turned punctuality into an art form.
One of those airports is Tokyo Haneda, which tops the list of the world's most punctual airports. Efficient infrastructure, fast procedures, and unparalleled Japanese precision make it a role model for other airports.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul in Minnesota, USA, impresses with its punctuality despite sometimes challenging winter weather. Despite temperatures that can drop far below freezing and frequent snowfalls, the airport delivers high punctuality thanks to well-oiled logistics and strong winter preparedness.
Back in Japan We find another performance gem: Osaka Itami Airport. This airport, which primarily handles domestic traffic, is known for its calm atmosphere and punctuality. Everything runs like a well-oiled machine even during rush hour.
In Europe, both Copenhagen Airport CPH and Munich airport as a reliable choice, especially for business travelers. With high punctuality, well-developed routines and modern facilities, they manage to combine efficiency with a pleasant travel experience. So although CPH cannot boast of being the largest airport in Europe or the world, it can do much more.
The greenest airports – when sustainability takes wings
While aviation is traditionally associated with large CO₂ footprints, several of the world's airports are undergoing a green transition. It's not just about getting people from A to B, but about doing so with the least possible impact on the climate. Innovation, responsibility and long-term solutions characterize the most sustainable airports.
Oslo Gardermoen Airport is among those making a special effort when it comes to green aviation. Creativity is at its peak: For example, winter snow is reused to cool buildings in the summer, while at the same time investing in biofuel and focusing on renewable energy.
On the American West Coast, San Diego International Airport has California has made sustainability an integral part of its identity. With green buildings, resource-efficient operations and LEED certification, the airport is leading the way for its American counterparts. An ambitious environmental program ensures that development is constantly pushed forward.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport has set a clear course towards fossil-free operation. Solar cells on the roof, electric buses on the ground and sustainable heating in the terminals are just some of the initiatives that will bring Sweden largest airport closer to a greener future.
Also Helsinki Vantaa in Finland and the airport in Zurich are at the forefront. Both work purposefully with environmentally friendly solutions from green energy supply to informative and conscious passenger communication that helps travelers make greener choices.
Best airports for shopping and food – a tasteful stopover
Forget boring sandwich shops and souvenir shops. Some airports are now destinations in themselves when it comes to Shopping og gastronomy. Singapore's Changi Airport is perhaps the clearest example of this development.
Here you will find everything from luxury brands and designer shops to food courts with Michelin stars and local specialties. All wrapped up in an atmosphere that is more reminiscent of an exclusive shopping mall than a classic airport.
Hamad International Airport in Doha i Qatar is heading in the same direction. The terminals are filled with architectural details, modern art and high-end shops that could compete with any international boulevard. The food selection ranges from international chains to authentic Middle Eastern dishes, and it's all spiced up with five-star service and world-class lounge facilities.
A third luxury experience can be found at Dubai International Airport. Here, shopping in the duty-free section is not just convenient – it’s an experience in itself. Everything from gold and perfume to designer bags and jewelry is sold at a pace that matches the city’s ambitions.
In Europe, London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol is among the best places to go for top-class dining and shopping. Both offer everything from champagne bars to Dutch delicacies and international fashion houses, and for many travelers, this is where they start or end their vacation in style.
Most technologically advanced airports – the future is here
Airports are not just transportation hubs, but increasingly also laboratories for new technology. Incheon International Airport in South Korea is a good example. Here you will find robots that guide passengers, automated baggage handling and biometric boarding. Everything is designed to reduce waiting times and improve the flow of travel.
In Asia, too, Hong Kong International Airport has made a name for itself with advanced technology. Here, AI solutions, intelligent screens and facial recognition are being tested in security checks. The result is a travel experience where technology is not an embellishment, but an efficiency enhancement in every part of the process.
Helsinki Airport has made biometric access and automated systems a natural part of everyday life. Passengers can check in with their faces and move through the terminal with minimal physical contact. The technology makes it both faster and safer, and shows the way for the future of travel.
Further south in Europe, Zurich and Vienna international airports are among those that have taken major steps towards automation and digitalization. They have both invested in intelligent systems that reduce human error and make the experience more seamless. And this can be felt by travelers.
Most impressive airports – when architecture takes off
An airport can have much more to offer than functionality or size. It can be beautiful, inspiring and an experience in itself.
Just take Beijing's Daxing International Airport, designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid. The airport's star-shaped structure is both practical and breathtaking, and the interior is more reminiscent of a modern art gallery than a transportation hub.
Menara Airport in Marrakech is another gem. Here, modern construction meets traditional Moroccan architecture. The result is an airport that welcomes with arabesques, mosaics and natural light, and that feels like an integral part of the city's identity. It is one of the most beautiful airports in Africa – maybe even in the world.
In Baku in Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev International Airport is a futuristic building with organic shapes, large glass domes and elegant wooden interiors. The design is a tribute to both modernity and national pride.
In Europe, it is often emphasized Madrid Barajas' Terminal 4 with its undulating wooden ceiling and natural light, and Oslo Gardermoen, where Scandinavian minimalism meets sustainable construction. Both airports prove that function and aesthetics can easily go hand in hand.
The world's strangest airports – where everything is not as you think
Some airports don't inspire admiration – but wonder. Barra Airport in Scotland is the only commercial airport in the world where planes land directly on the beach. The runway is tidal, and flights must be scheduled according to the water level. It's both impractical and fascinating at the same time.
In Gibraltar, the city's main road crosses the airport runway. When a plane is about to land or take off, traffic stops just like at a railway crossing. It's not without its risks, but the system works and has become a tourist attraction in its own right.
A third special example is Paro Airport in BhutanThe airport is surrounded by mountains and has a short runway, making it one of the world's most challenging airports to land at. Only a few pilots are certified to do so, and passengers will have an experience they will never forget.
In Europe, the airport in Svalbard and in Courchevel, France, are known for their extreme locations. Svalbard has permafrost as a substrate, while Courchevel lies in Alps with a steep and short runway that requires the pilot's full concentration.
Other examples of airports in Europe that can be said to be special – not because of their title as the largest airport, but because of their reputation for their difficult runways – are the airport at Madeira and Vágar Airport on Faroe Islands.
Madeira's airport is known for its short runway, and in Vágar it is not unusual for planes to be unable to land due to the difficult conditions and have to turn around.
Funniest airport experiences – here waiting time becomes entertainment
When it comes to the most fun airports to stay in, Singapore Changi comes up again – and for good reason. Not only is it one of the largest airports, but it also offers top-notch food and shopping, as well as a 40-meter indoor waterfall, a butterfly garden, a cinema and the world's tallest airport roller coaster. It's not just an airport – it's a destination in itself.
In the US, Denver International Airport is drawing attention with an unexpected mix of art, myth and oddities. The sculpture of the blue stallion with glowing red eyes – called Blucifer – is just the beginning. Conspiracy theories about underground tunnels and Freemasons have made the airport a cult classic.
Munich Airport in the south Germany offers something as rare as an outdoor park with a beer garden and ice rink in the winter. In addition, there are events, concerts and play areas for children. This is not an airport you just pass through – it is a place you can actually enjoy.
In Europe, Helsinki and Zurich airports have also tried to give passengers more than just a chair and a screen. From saunas and art exhibitions to seasonal experiences, they give travelers a reason to arrive early – and stay a little longer.
Palm leaves and relaxation – the friendliest airport
Not all airports are about hustle and bustle, terminal chaos and endless queues. They are certainly not the world's largest airport, but here it is completely relaxing, and you are welcomed with palm leaves, open buildings, a relaxed atmosphere and local charm.
Koh Samui Airport in Thailand is the epitome of tropical idyll, and there is no hustle and bustle here. The airport is built almost entirely of natural materials with open pavilions, thatched roofs and flowering gardens. Here you get the feeling of a holiday before you have even left the baggage claim. The staff are smiling, the birds are singing, and check-in is done in shorts and sandals.
On Maldives Velana International Airport is located right on the water's edge, where speedboats and seaplanes wait to ferry travelers on to other islands. The airport is small and simple, but the atmosphere of the sea breeze and the sound of the waves makes your shoulders drop.
A final nice gem is Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai in HawaiiHere, the terminals are open to the surroundings, and the palm trees wave gently at you while you wait for your luggage.
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Fly among the stars – airports with famous names
Some airports choose to be named after a legend as a tribute to national icons, cultural heroes and world stars who have left their mark on history. In Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport is named after the local football star.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport in England is another example. With the motto “Above us only sky” and Beatles-quotes scattered around the terminals, it's not just an airport, but a tribute to one of the world's greatest musicians and his legacy.
In New Orleans, USA, Louis Armstrong International Airport is named after the uncrowned king of jazz. The music lives on in the terminals, and travelers get a taste of the city's musical soul right at the gate.
In Europe we have Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris – named after a composer and a statesman, respectively. These are not just names – they are identity markers that make the travel experience more local and vivid.
Largest and smallest airport on every continent
Here are the largest and smallest airports in both Europe and the rest of the world, measured by number of passengers.
Largest and smallest airport i Asia
- Biggest: Beijing Capital International Airport in China
Approximately 100 million passengers annually before the pandemic. - Minimum: Paro Airport in Bhutan
Fewer than 300.000 passengers annually. Known for its dangerous landing conditions in the mountains and strict requirements for pilots.
Largest and smallest airport i North America
- Biggest: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States
Over 100 million passengers annually. - Minimum: Dawson Community Airport in Yukon in Canada
Less than 1000 passengers annually – only a few scheduled flights with small machines.
Europe's largest and smallest airport
- Biggest: London Heathrow Airport in Great Britain
Around 80 million passengers annually. - Minimum: Campbeltown Airport in Scotland
Under 10.000 passengers annually. One daily route to Glasgow with small aircraft.
Largest and smallest airport i Africa
- Biggest: OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in South Africa
Approximately 21 million passengers annually. - Minimum: St. Helena Airport in the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena
Fewer than 5.000 passengers per year. One of the world's most remote airports.
Largest and smallest airport i South America
- Biggest: São Paulo/Guarulhos in Brazil
Approximately 43 million passengers annually. - Minimum: Puerto Williams Airport in Tierra del Fuego in Chile
Under 10.000 passengers annually. Southernmost commercial airport in the world.
Largest and smallest airport i Oceania
- Biggest: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Australia
Around 44 million passengers annually. - Minimum: Matakana Island Airstrip in New Zealand
A few hundred passengers annually. A small grass runway used for charter and emergency transport.
Have a great trip to Europe's largest, the world's best and the world's most fun airport!
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