The best in the world, Doha Hamad International Airport

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, was named the world's best airport at the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards. This lost the crown to third place after Singapore's Changi International took first place from 2013 to 2020.

Customer service and facilities at more than 500 airports, conducted from August 2020 to July 2021, were evaluated. In the annual customer survey for passenger choice awards, many passengers voted for their favorite airports based on their pre-pandemic travel experience after their Covid-19 airport experience over the past 12 months.

Airports in Europe and Asia left their mark on the 2021 awards. Japan was named the country with the best overall score, with three airports in the top ten, including both Tokyo's airports.

Rising from 102nd in 2020 to 17th in this year's survey, Istanbul Airport in Turkey was selected as the "World's Most Advanced Airport" in 2021.

Let's take a look at the ten best airports in the world, voted by airline passengers, especially Hamad International...

1 Doha, Hamad International Airport / Qatar

In addition to being number 1 in the world's best airport ranking, Hamad International was named the best airport in the Middle East, the best airport in the world in the 25 to 35 million passenger category, and the best airport personnel in the Middle East. "Hamad International Airport, which opened in 2014, has quickly become the favorite with customers," said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax. "Achieving this honor is a great team effort."

According to Travel+Leisure magazine, the airport is "preparing for an influx of crowds" as Doha and Qatar will host the Fifa World Cup next year. It is implementing new changes ahead of the World Cup, including increasing its annual capacity to 53 million passengers and building an 110,000-square-foot tropical garden complete with a nearly 900-foot-tall waterfall.

2 Tokyo Haneda Airport / Japan

Haneda Airport in Tokyo is a big winner at the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Ranked 2nd in the world, it was also named the best airport in Asia, the best domestic airport in the world, the best airport in the world in terms of cleanliness, and the best airport for passengers with limited mobility and accessible facilities. It is the first of three Japanese airports in the top ten.

3 Changi International Airport / Singapore

Changi International in Singapore has been one of the frequent winners of the world's best airport title. However, it hasn't been in the top spot for nearly a decade, and in 2021 it's ranked 3rd. The airport's convenience, comfort and premium food and beverage options are regularly praised.

4 Incheon International Airport / Seoul / South Korea

Seoul Incheon International Airport ranks fourth in the 2021 awards. It is certified as a five-star airport in terms of facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverage, staff service and security/immigration. "The opening of Terminal 2 at Incheon Airport has greatly reduced passenger density in Terminal 1," Skytrax said. "The T2 provides superior architecture, technology and passenger comfort."

5 Tokyo Narita Airport / Japan

Narita joined the top ten Tokyo international airport Haneda. Anchor Aviation Center says Narita, the main international gateway to Japan's Greater Tokyo region, is a major centre for airlines such as ANA, Japan Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

6 Munich International Airport / Germany

Munich Airport held its own in the awards - it took sixth place overall and was named the best airport in Europe and the best airport in Central Europe. After a year hit by Covid, the volume of traffic at Munich Airport is "starting to rise once again", Travel Daily News reported. Skytrax says the airport in the state capital of Bavaria is the second-busiest airport in Germany and, with more than 150 retail shops and 50 places to eat and drink, "like a city centre, offers travelers and visitors a lot to see and do."

7 Zurich Airport / Switzerland

Number 7 on the overall list, Zurich is the largest airport in Switzerland. Widely regarded as one of Europe's top airports, Expatica says that Zurich is "a cavalry regiment packed with services, amenities, and essentially everything you could want from an airport." In the 2021 awards, it was named the best airport for five to ten million passengers and the best airport in Europe for Covid-19 airport excellence and cleanliness.

8 Heathrow Airport / London / England

London's Heathrow was named the best airport for 20 to 25 million passengers and the best airport in Western Europe at the 2021 awards. One of the world's busiest international airports is the home base for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. A very respectable eighth in the 2021 standings, Heathrow is "well ahead of rival center Gatwick, which is ranked 69th", the Daily Mail reported.

9 Osaka, Kansai International Airport / Japan

The closest major airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, Kansai has become an important international centre for Japan. It provides one of the largest networks for both domestic and international lines, with a 24-hour operation. Kansai is the third Japanese airport to enter the top ten.

10 Hong Kong International Airport / China

Hong Kong International, one of the world's largest passenger and cargo airports, is Cathay Pacific Airways' main airport. Skytrax says Hong Kong is an "excellent centre" that offers "a high standard for customers in many products and services."