These 13 Airports Are Basically Living In The Year 3000

These airports didn't have to go so hard, but I'm grateful they did.

For me, going to the airport is like 90% the fun of the trip. Between the prime people-watching and the overpriced food that somehow manages to hit every time, I thrive when I'm in airport mode.

HBO/giphy.com

Actual footage of me boarding my flight after living my best life at the airport. 

However, it's no secret that some airports simply understood the assignment more than others. If I were so lucky to have a layover in any of these airports, I truly don't think I would complain about anything ever again.

1. Changi Airport, Singapore

Instagram: @changiairport

I missed the memo that said an airport had to double as an all-inclusive resort, but I'm not mad about it. Changi Airport has a butterfly garden, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a mirror maze, a rooftop pool, a free 24-hour movie theater, and a four-story-tall indoor slide.

2. Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver

Instagram: @yvrairport

Stop by the not one, but two aquarium exhibits featuring more than 20,000 animal and plant species that are native to British Columbia. Yep, there's a full-blown aquarium in the airport. I think my local airport might have a single fish tank?

3. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

Instagram: @malaysiaairports

Instead of strolling past newsstands and Starbucks, head to your gate along the wooden boardwalk in the middle of a rainforest, complete with its own waterfall. If you're more of an indoor person, get pampered at the airport spa before your flight. 

4. Helsinki Airport, Finland

Instagram: @helsinkiairport

Taking a nap in the wide open while waiting at the gate might be one of my biggest fears. Luckily, the Helsinki Airport has leveled up their nap game with sleeping pods. And once you're feeling well rested, stop by the book swap before your flight, where you can trade old reads and pick up a free new book for the plane.

5. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

Instagram: @hongkongairport

Long layovers don't sound so bad when the airport has a virtual golf course, art galleries, an IMAX theater, and an Aviation Discovery Center, complete with a flight simulator where you can live out your childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

6. San Francisco Airport, San Francisco

Instagram: @sfowagbrigade

Get your Zen on in San Fran with a stop by the 24-hour yoga room. If you're an anxious flyer, you can visit the SFO Wag Brigade, a group of 22 dogs, and LiLou, the world's first airport therapy pig, which might be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

7. Incheon International Airport, South Korea

Instagram: @incheon_airport

This South Korean airport boasts an ice-skating rink and a massive duty-free mall, because who doesn't love figuring out how to cram all of your new purchases in your already overweight luggage? If you're in the mood for a little learning, stop by the Korean Cultural Museum, which features a craft section where visitors can make traditional Korean fans, as well as view daily performances by Korean masked dancers and a 12-string orchestra.

8. Munich Airport, Germany

Instagram: @munich_airport

The Munich Airport boasts a massive annual Christmas market, complete with an indoor ice-skating rink. If that's not enough to get you to book a layover in Munich ASAP, the airport is also home to the world's largest man-made wave pool, where they host regular professional surf contests and offer lessons to travelers, complete with complimentary wetsuits and surfboards. I'm gonna guess you probably weren't toting along your surfboard with you to Germany. 

9. Hamad Airport, Qatar

Instagram: @hiaqatar

This airport recently took top honors as the world's best airport, and TBH, I get it. It's surrounded by scenic water views, has a lap pool and Jacuzzi, and is a silent airport so you can read, sleep, or work without any distractions.

10. Wellington Airport, New Zealand

Instagram: @wellingtonairport

An absolute must if you're a movie fan! This airport features massive sculptures from some of the most iconic movies filmed in Wellington — think Gollum and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings and Smaug from The Hobbit.

11. Dubai International Airport, Dubai

Instagram: @dxb

This entire airport is honestly living in the year 3000. Their Smart Gate system uses technology to scan your eyes for fast check-in, thus cutting down on those horrific airport lines. They also have robots to ensure passengers are social distancing, and the entire airport is tricked out with the world's fastest Wi-Fi, so you can binge-watch your heart out before your flight.

12. McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas

Instagram: @lasairport

Just in case you didn't fit enough gambling in while you were in Vegas, you can hit up one of the 24-hour slot machines. And if you really took "Viva Las Vegas" to the next level, you can sweat out your sins at the airport gym. After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

13. Tokyo Haneda Airport, Japan

Instagram: @haneda.airport_official

Snag some traditional Japanese food at Edo Koji, a replica Japanese village in the Haneda Airport. Bonus: The airport also just won an award for being the cleanest airport in the world. 

Have you ever visited one of these? Have any other top airport recs? Let us know in the comments below!