Asia is home to some of the busiest and most advanced airports in the world. With state-of-the-art facilities, modern amenities, and top-notch customer service, these airports are widely connected to the rest of the world. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, Asia is the perfect destination for international travelers.
For travelers from the US and Canada, there are now many direct flights to major cities in Asia. This makes it easier than ever to explore this fascinating and diverse region. Some of the top airlines, like Air Canada, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines, fly between North America and Asia.
To have a hassle-free journey, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research while planning your trip. This involves arranging for your visa, considering the impact of time zone differences or jet lag, and being prepared for language barriers when traveling in Asia. Additionally, you may face difficulty finding flights that connect to smaller cities or less frequented destinations in Asia, which can present a challenge.
To ease your worries about international air travel, here’s detailed information on the 15 best airports in Asia that redefine the concept of travel convenience and comfort.
Top 15 Airports in Asia
Here’s a list of the top 15 airports in Asia that you should know about:
- Singapore Changi Airport
- Incheon International Airport
- Tokyo International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
- Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Narita International Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport is located on the eastern tip of Singapore. It is also one of the busiest airports in Asia. It has four nature-inspired terminals. It is best known for its world-class facilities, including a 130 feet indoor waterfall, Changi Jewel, and a rooftop swimming pool. The airport has been operational since 1981 and has won numerous awards for its services and amenities.
- IATA Code: SIN
- City & Country: Singapore
- Singapore Airport Operator: Changi Airport Group
- Major Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Delta Airlines, United Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada
Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is located on an artificial island 30 miles west of Seoul. It is the largest airport in South Korea. It has two passenger terminals, each with multiple levels, and is known for its modern architecture and high-tech facilities. The airport became operational in 2001, and it features a special section called the ‘Golden Zone,’ which offers high-end shopping, gourmet dining, and luxury lounges for premium passengers.
- IATA Code: ICN
- City & Country: Seoul, South Korea
- Airport Operator: Incheon International Airport Corporation
- Major Airlines: Korean Air, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada
Tokyo International Airport
Tokyo International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, is located in Ota, Tokyo, and is the busiest airport in Japan. It has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, and Terminal 3 serves international flights. Terminal 2 serves both domestic and international flights. The airport became operational in 1931. It has won numerous awards, including being named the World’s Best Domestic Airport and the World’s Cleanest Airport by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: HND
- City & Country: Tokyo, Japan
- Airport Operator: Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation
- Major Airlines: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport, located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, is the main airport serving Hong Kong. It offers a wide range of facilities, such as a golf course, movie theatre, and interactive aviation museum. The airport has been operational since 1998 and was named the World’s Best Airport for eight consecutive years by Skytrax. It has two passenger terminals with a total of 90 boarding gates.
- IATA Code: HKG
- City & Country: Hong Kong, China
- Airport Operator: Airport Authority Hong Kong Major
- Major Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport is located in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, and is the city’s main international airport. It has three passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 being one of the largest terminals in the world. The airport became operational in 1958. It has won several awards, including being named the World’s Second Best Airport for its size and the Best Airport in China by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: PEK
- City & Country: Beijing, China
- Airport Operator: Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited
- Major Airlines: Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, UnitedAirlines, Delta Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in Pudong, Shanghai, China. It is one of the major international airports in China, connecting with 300+ destinations around the world. It has two passenger terminals, each with multiple levels, and is known for its modern design and high-tech facilities. The airport became operational in 1999 and has been named the World’s Best Regional Airport and the Best Airport in China by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: PVG
- City & Country: Shanghai, China
- Airport Operator: Shanghai Airport Authority
- Major Airlines: China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is located in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. It is the main international airport serving Kuala Lumpur. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 serving international flights and Terminal 2 serving low-cost carriers. The airport became operational in 1998 and has won several awards for its services and amenities, including being named the World’s Best Airport Immigration Service and the Best Airport in the World for Islamic Tourism by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: KUL
- City & Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airport
- Operator: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
- Major Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is located in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 serving international flights and Terminal 2 serving domestic flights and some international flights. The airport became operational in 1979 and has undergone several renovations and expansions to become a modern airport. It has won several awards for its services and amenities, including winning the award for the Best Airport Staff in Asia by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: TPE
- City & Country: Taipei, Taiwan
- Airport Operator: Taoyuan International Airport Corporation
- Major Airlines: China Airlines, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, United Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport is located in New Delhi, India, and is the busiest airport in the country. It has three passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 being one of the largest terminals in the world. The airport became operational in 1962. It has won several awards for its services and amenities, including the Best Airport in Central Asia and India and the Best Airport Staff in India by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: DEL
- City & Country: New Delhi, India
- Airport Operator: Delhi International Airport Limited
- Major Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, Emirates, British Airways
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand, and is the leading international airport serving Bangkok. It has one main passenger terminal building with seven floors and several concourses. The airport became operational in 2006. It has won awards for the Best Airport in the World for Dining and the Best Regional Airport in Asia by Skytrax. Additionally, the airport is well connected to the city by public transportation.
- IATA Code: BKK
- City & Country: Bangkok, Thailand
- Airport Operator: Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited
- Major Airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport is the main international airport serving Tokyo, located in Narita, Chiba, Japan. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 serving international flights and Terminal 2 serving domestic and international flights. The airport became operational in 1978. It uses Face Express, a novel facial recognition-based boarding process.
- IATA Code: NRT
- City & Country: Tokyo, Japan
- Airport Operator: Narita International Airport Corporation
- Major Airlines: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Dubai International Airport
One of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai International Airport is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It features three passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 being one of the largest terminals in the world. The airport became operational in 1960. It is a digital nomad-friendly airport and offers co-working spaces with high-speed Wi-Fi. It has won the Best Airport for Duty-Free Shopping Award by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: DXB
- City & Country: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Airport Operator: Dubai Airports
- Major Airlines: Emirates, Flydubai, Air Canada, Delta Airlines, United Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Operational since 1942, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is located in Mumbai, India, and is the second busiest airport in the country. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 2 being the main terminal for international flights. Its T2 terminal has won several awards for its design and architecture, including the “Best Airport Terminal Design” award at the 2019 World Airport Awards.
- IATA Code: BOM
- City & Country: Mumbai, India
- Airport Operator: Adani Airport Holdings Ltd
- Major Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Etihad Airways, British Airways
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, and is the main airport serving the city. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 2 being the main terminal for international flights. In operation since 2004, it connects Guangzhou to 230+ destinations across the world through 80+ airlines.
- IATA Code: CAN
- City & Country: Guangzhou, China
- Airport Operator: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Company Limited
- Major Airlines: China Southern Airlines, Air China, Delta Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is located in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, and is the leading international airport serving Jakarta. It is named after the first President of Indonesia. It has three passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 being the newest and largest terminal, serving international flights. The airport has been in operation since 1985 and was named the Best Airport in Indonesia by Skytrax.
- IATA Code: CGK
- City & Country: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Airport Operator: PT Angkasa Pura II
- Major Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines
- Direct Flights: Yes, from various cities in the US and Canada.
Conclusion
With so many direct flights from the US and Canada to Asia, there has never been a better time to plan a trip to these Asian countries. With the world opening up after COVID-19, restrictions have also eased. What are you waiting for? Book your tickets now!
