The revolution has landed. Safely, and in style. Once upon a time airports were driven by mere functionality. Planes take off and arrive, people travel between cities and countries. Bland and transactional. Modern airports, however, are anything but. Nowadays, they’re a Technicolor microcosm of 21st century living – interconnected global hubs; vast, sprawling labyrinths of cutting-edge technology and architecture; places of grand ambition where a head-spinning array of top-class retail, wellbeing, and dining offerings are available for the discerning traveller – especially as they land in or leave their destination, because first (and hopefully not last) impressions count. So: pleasure, leisure, entertainment, comfort, and functionality. In the past decade or so, many countries have seriously grown and upgraded their most established airports, while some have started from scratch again and redrawn the rule book: some of the biggest and very best airports in the world have been (relatively) newly created in order to cope with the sheer scale of air traffic. In 2023, there were more than 4.5 billion scheduled passengers. Astonishing. Amid these figures, here is our expert guide to the world’s biggest airports – those with a refined experience, beyond take-off and landing.
King Fahd International, Saudi Arabia (300 Square Miles)
Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport – also known as Dammam International – is an absolute phenomenon. Opened in 1999, the sheer size is astonishing: spreading out over 300 square miles, larger than the entire area of its neighbouring country Bahrain, and officially recognised as the biggest airport in the world by land mass (by some distance). Despite this record-breaking footprint – it was previously used as a gargantuan US military base – King Fahd International only ranks as the third busiest airport in Saudi Arabia, with 10 million passengers a year at present. Passenger capacity, however, is 26 million per year, so this is an expanding airport with sky-high ambitions – and it’s an awe-inspiring place. Along with two huge ‘standard’ terminals – one for international and one for domestic flights –, DMM has a very special third terminal, with 177,000 square feet of luxury dedicated to the Saudi Royal family, VIPs, and government officials. Elsewhere, there is an onsite mosque – with capacity for 2,000 worshippers – along with a residential community that houses more than 3,000 people, and even a greenhouse that grows the plants used for onsite landscaping.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, USA
If you’ve been to the United States, there is a good chance you’ve experienced the wonderful whirlwind of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the world’s busiest airport. While no airport can compete with Damman International for sheer scale, ATL still has a relatively huge land mass, spanning more than 30 square miles. But it’s the passenger numbers that take the breath away – it serves 89 million passengers per year. Opened in 1998, it’s an efficient and highly functional airport, especially when you consider the volume of air and people traffic: 2,700 arrivals and departures every day, from 150 domestic and 78 international locations, this is the very definition of a hub. ATL’s unique dual-terminal design has enabled it to thrive, and its ‘Plane Train’ – which connects all concourses – allows passengers to travel rapidly between gates; particularly key for flyers with tight ‘layovers’. ATL is also a culturally rich airport, investing in a range of permanent art installations and ever-changing exhibits – especially from local artists who celebrate Atlanta’s heritage. The airport also prides itself on ‘southern hospitality’ and customer service is frequently rated among the best in aviation. There is also free Wi-Fi and charging stations across the airport, while family services are a standout feature, with dedicated nursing rooms and play areas.
Denver International, USA (53 Square Miles)
Atlanta is the busiest airport in the United States, but Denver boasts that ‘wow factor’ for being the biggest (and certainly isn’t far behind when it comes to an astonishing level of passenger movement in and out). The size of DEN, its official airport code, is exceptional – 136 square kilometres – and its original planners were savvy, locating it 25 miles out of downtown Denver when it was first opened in 1995, thereby giving it ample room to expand into a modern-day behemoth of an international hub. The design of Denver International is hugely eye-catching. Not only does it feature a distinctive white tent-shaped roof that resembles (and clearly represents) the iconic Rocky Mountains to its west, but it is also on the front foot when it comes to sustainability, with eco-friendly projects such as a large solar panel installation, and a designated ‘green’ building. Given its relative proximity to the aforementioned snow-capped peaks, DEN can be prone to inclement winter weather, but flight delays are kept to a minimum – runway staff are well versed. Should a short layover be essential, retail and dining options are incredibly impressive, and there is also a superb spa.
Istanbul Airport, Turkiye (30 Square Miles)
The quickest way to communicate the vast scale of Istanbul Airport, opened in 2018, is to compare it to London’s biggest facility – incredibly, it’s six times the size of Heathrow. Dealing with an average of 200 million passengers a year, it’s a critical gateway between Europe and Asia – sitting proudly at the crossroads of two continents, just like Istanbul itself. The main terminal is highly modern, featuring a wide range of services and shopping areas, and its design is mesmerising in parts, incorporating Turkish architectural elements and extensive artwork. This is very much a state-of-the-art facility: international restaurants, duty-free shops, and luxury brands, while Turkish Airlines operates several business lounges. VIP services are also extensive: private suites, expedited security, and personalised check-in.
Beijing Daxing International, China (19 Square Miles)
Another relatively new kid on the block, Beijing Daxing International Airport is easily the largest single-building airport in the world – and has lofty ambitions to land more records. Opened in 2019, it boldly aims to become the busiest airport in the world by 2040; and already it is making moves in that direction (in 2025 it expects to serve 72 million passengers, not to mention 4 million tons of cargo). With its futuristic design – inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and spearheaded by renowned architect Zaha Hadid – the terminal building is shaped like a starfish, spreading out into five concourses in order to minimise the distance that passengers need to walk from the high-end facilities at its centre to their boarding gate. PKX aims to be seamless for passengers within every aspect: it is well connected by multiple forms of transportation, including high-speed rail from Beijing, while operational efficiency is excellent: modern check-in systems, biometric identification, and advanced baggage handling.
The planet is more connected than before: digitally, through technology, and more literally, thanks to the growing number of incredible modern airports across the globe. Airports are now part of our lives – and they have adapted rapidly to how we live our lives. Technologically advanced, culturally aware, fast-paced, sophisticated, and ambitious.
