September 2015

Modern airports, especially those designed and built in the 21st century, are true works of art. I like to explore them, get to know their nooks and crannies, I even have my own private ranking of the world’s most friendly airports. Often traveling on business, I pay attention not only to convenient connections and the amenities offered by hotels.

Given a choice, I always try to change planes at the airport that is beautiful and functional. That is why, when I travel to Asia, I usually choose Changi Airport in Singapure, which boasts an orchid garden with thousands of butterflies. As for European airports, I especially prefer the one in Madrid, as well as in Munich and Copenhagen. However, recently the leading position has taken Dubai International Airport that each year handles over 70 million passengers.

Its crowning jewel is Concourse A, opened in 2013 at a cost of $3.2 billion, it which covers 528,000 sqm and spreads across 11 floors. It features 20 aircraft contact gates, each capable of accommodating the 380 (two of the gates can handle Boeing 777 aircraft), plus 13 remote stands. The world’s only dedicated 380 facility, the gleaming concourse boasts a number of firsts, including its underground ‘train’ or Automated People Mover (APM) – the first of its kind in the Middle East – which transports passengers from Terminal 3 to the concourse in just over two minutes. Also, unlike any other airport facility in the world, its First Class and Business Class lounges have their own dedicated floors with direct access to aircraft boarding gates.

I encourage you to read our cover article where we describe in detail this unique and convenient airport.

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