Though it’s hard to believe, there are in fact people who don’t rush to the airport, speed through security, and make it just in time to their gate whenever they catch a flight. Some lavish travelers intentionally arrive early to rest at a lounge and perhaps do some high-end shopping. Crazy, right!? Well, if you sound like the latter and have a taste for grandiosity, you’ll want to listen up.
A new study from All Clear Travel Insurance, just announced the most luxurious airports in the world, and yes, one of NYC’s very own somehow made the list. By requiring a minimum of 10 available lounges, the study narrowed their sample size from 1,800 airports to just 69. These selected airports were then scored based on a variety of factors, including the amount of designer shops, nearby 4 and 5-star hotels, and if there was an existing champagne bar or caviar house.
As a result, JFK Airport was ranked the 11th most luxurious airport in the world, and one of the only two U.S. airports to make it on the top 20 list.
New York’s JFK Airport boasts around 20 different lounges, some even offering single-entry passes. For shoppers, JFK has various designer stores including Cartier, Bvlgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Hermes. It received a total luxury score of 48/100.
However, the ultimate crown goes to Dubai International Airport which took the number one spot for offering the best luxury experience. It received a luxury score of 83/100. Each year, 90 million passengers travel through Dubai International Airport, and let’s just say it’s not the worst place to have a layover. With tons of high-end hotels nearby, lounges featuring family suites with butler service, shower rooms, relaxation spots and more, it’s definitely fit for the title.
Coming just behind Dubai International Airport is London Heathrow Airport with a luxury score of 82/100. Hamad International Airport takes third place, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in fourth and Sydney International Airport in fifth. See the full top 20 below.
20 of the world’s most luxurious airports:
- Dubai International Airport
- London Heathrow Airport
- Hamad International Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulee Airport
- Sydney International Airport
- Singaport Changi Airport
- Suvarnabhui International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Frankfurt Airport
- Narita International Airport
- New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Incheon International Airport
- Munich Airport
- Zurich Airport
- Tokyo Haneda International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Osaka Kansai International Airport
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
See more from the study here.