The 20 Coolest Airport Features and Amenities

Adventure in the Airport

Airplanes can be exhilarating. The whir of jet engines and the rush of speed as you take to the sky can excite even the most seasoned traveler. But the airport itself can be a humdrum experience, a necessary path to the plane and nothing more. But that is definitely not the case at these incredible airports, where adventure and amazing amenities await.

See the World’s Largest Indoor Waterfall in Singapore - SIN

A thriving jungle complete with a stunning, 130-foot indoor waterfall awaits travelers at Singapore’s Changi Airport. The waterfall, dubbed Jewel, is actually a rain vortex that connects three terminals over a jaw dropping 1.4 million-square-foot radius that also includes towering gardens — along with 280 retail outlets, a hotel and a cinema.

Meet Mr. Roboto in Guangzhou - CAN

Walk into The Jetsons at Guangzhou Baiyun International, where a fleet of some 200 robots provide guide services for travelers. Each robot can supply flight information, real-time positioning services and navigation to humans in need of a helping hand. The robots speak both English and Chinese and are said to be excellent dancers.

Visit an Otherworldy Train Depot in Stockholm - ARN

Engineers dug deep into the Earth to create Stockholm’s Arlanda South Station. This subterranean train depot is home to the Arlanda Express, an electric train that serves as a shuttle for international passengers. Passengers descend an otherworldy staircase at Arlanda Airport illuminated in hues of red and purple. The journey from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm's city center covers 25 miles and takes about half-an-hour.

Marvel at the Glass Dome (and Giant Bear) in Doha - HIA

The entirety of Hamad International Airport is framed in glass, offering desert panoramas and a bird's eye view of the man-made lagoon adjacent to the departure gates. Here, an ultra-modern departure hall with a geometric glass roof allows natural light to spill down into the space and illuminate a 23-foot teddy bear crafted by Swiss contemporary artist Urs Fischer. Visitors inspired by the view can take advantage of free city tours sponsored by Qatar Airways and the local tourism authority.

Sample Bavarian Brews in Munich - MUC

Munich International Airport is a favorite among economy travelers for its plethora of all-access lounges. But the Bavarian airport’s best feature is likely Airbrau, the world’s first brewery located inside an airport. Airbrau brings Bavarian specialties to travelers beneath the canopy of Europe’s largest roofed beer garden. In winter months, visitors can sample specialties in house or take their beer to go while enjoying views of the airport's ice rinks.

Take a Virtual Stroll Along the Seine in Paris - CDG

French fashion, world class artwork and conveyor belts carrying plates of sushi surround travelers at Paris's elegant Charles de Gaulle Airport. CDG's eye-catching artwork is sourced from the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, but the cultural immersion doesn’t stop there. The airport is home to Instant Paris, a hotel and lounge area with a 3D walk that allows connecting passengers to virtually tour sites like the Eiffel Tower and stroll along the Seine.

Go Behind the Scenes in Zurich - ZRH

Have you ever been captivated by the view of legions of jets and airport vehicles speeding by? If so, Zurich Airport has a treat for you. The futuristic Swiss facility offers bus tours of the entire airport that peel back the curtain to reveal the airport's inner operations. The route guides visitors beneath a runway and along the airport’s apron to the general aviation area, where some of the world’s finest private jets can be seen.

Take a Helicopter Tour of Cape Town - CPT

Soar over Table Mountain and watch waves crash over the Cape of Good Hope with a helicopter tour in Cape Town. Though the confines of Cape Town International Airport are small, CIVAIR operates helicopter tours from a hangar on the grounds. Travelers can check their luggage in a storage locker and hop into a helicopter for an unforgettable experience.

Visit the Aquarium in Vancouver - YVR

Wolf eels, rock fish, sea stars and anemones await curious minds at Vancouver Airport. Here, two satellite exhibits of the Vancouver Aquarium showcase a rich collection of marine life native to British Columbia. Together, the tanks house more than 5,000 sea creatures and comprise the largest airport aquarium on Earth. Both exhibits can be found in the international terminal.

Refresh With a Hot Shower in Hong Kong - HKG

Leave Hong Kong International Airport feeling fully refreshed. This bookend port for long haul journeys across the Pacific features complimentary, 24-hour shower facilities in Terminal 1. Once you’re clean, feel free to take advantage of HKG’s Wellness Spa & Salon, the IMAX theater, aviation museum or an off-site golf facility with free shuttle service.

Linger in the Library in Amsterdam - AMS

A gallery of 17th-century Dutch paintings, a fully interactive science museum and a library of translated works from dozens of Dutch authors make Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport one of the best places to burn time. The airport’s hub of interactive activity — Holland Boulevard —features a satellite location of the renewed Rijksmuseum to bring a hearty slice of Dutch culture to the millions of travelers passing through this busy airport each year.

Time Travel to TWA's Golden Age in New York - JFK

Vintage vibes permeate the only on-site airport hotel at New York's bustling John F. Kennedy International Airport. Opened in summer 2019, the TWA Hotel sits in a disused terminal from the heyday of Trans World Airlines. Here, guests can lounge poolside beneath the boom of jet engines or sip cocktails beside the wingtips of a 1958 Constellation airliner.

See Samurai History at Tokyo Haneda - HND

Shimmering, gold-plated armor, razor sharp katanas and exquisite works of art await travelers who visit Tokyo Haneda Airport's Discovery Museum. This small, free museum is the first and only museum located within an airport in all of Japan. It showcases exceptional pieces of art from the Eisei-Bunko Museum — a private collection of historic artifacts from the Hosokawa samurai clan that dates back to the 13th century.

Hit the Links and Relax at Seoul Incheon - ICN

Ask any traveler who has passed through Incheon International Airport and you'll likely hear an exhuberant tale. This voyager's paradise is overflowing with activities. Famously, those include Sky72 Golf & Resort, an 18-hole putting course and 330-yard driving range. There are also complimentary sleeping areas with massage chairs, and an on-site movie theatre. All of these amenities are set against a backdrop of the world's finest luxury travel stores.

Fly a Flight Simulator in Frankfurt — FRA

Have you ever wanted to know what a pilot's view of your voyage looks like? Frankfurt Airport has the cure for your curiosity thanks to a Boeing 737 flight simulator. The simulator allows passengers to get hands-on with the same training equipment used by Lufthansa pilots, for a small fee. Once inside, you can practice taking off and landing from the very runways you'll be using on your journey.

Hang With Hello Kitty in Taipei - TPE

Taipei Taoyuan Airport is loaded with educational, adult amenities like a calligraphy gallery and zodiac interpretation area, but you don't want any of that. You want Hello Kitty. And Hello Kitty is definitely in the house. EVA Air operates an entire Hello Kitty gate with a Hello Kitty lounge that leads to Hello Kitty-themed planes out of Taipei. It's a don't-miss Sunrio-fan travel opportunity.

Get Steamy in Copenhagen - CPH

Danes love a hot soak, so much so that a booming business has emerged from floating steam baths in Copenhagen's Baltic Sea harbors. But travelers need not leave the confines of Copenhagen Kastrup Airport to recharge. For around $60, visitors here can check in to Ni'mat Spa, an on-site spa with a steam bath, saltwater pool and fish pedicures.

Scope Out the Sky Deck at Nagoya Centrair - NGO

Feel the rumble of aircraft zooming overhead and enjoy plane spotting with unobstructed views at Japan's Chubu Centrair International Airport. This business hub in the heart of Japan's main island offers one of the few airport sky decks in the world. As a bonus, Centrair is also home to the only bath house located in an airport in all of Japan.

Absorb Indian Culture in Mumbai - BOM

Bronze, jade, sapphire and lavender hues flicker from centuries of Indian artwork at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport's in Mumbai. Many airports feature public art galleries, but few are as extensive as the Jaya He GVK New Museum located in Terminal 2 at BOM. The display contains more than 5,500 pieces of artwork — from tapestries to paintings and sculptures — that span nearly 2 miles of corridors. Exploring the entire collection can burn both calories and the clock.

Live the VIP Experience in Dubai - DXB

A private office, solo lounge area and private shower await travelers who choose to use the Al Majlis service at Dubai International Airport. The service comes with access to the Al Majlis VIP Lounge, where you can relax (for about $400) while a personal escort handles the gritty details of check-ins, immigration and baggage clearance for you.