Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Runways on Rooftops: The Airports that Defy Gravity
Perched atop buildings, wedged between skyscrapers, and even built on artificial islands – some of the world’s airports challenge the notion that runways belong solely on flat, open land. Take Gibraltar Airport in the British territory clinging to Spain’s southern coast. Its single runway stretches less than a mile and ends abruptly at the edge of the Rock of Gibraltar's famous cliffs. Only meters separate landing planes from the precipice!
While not quite as precarious, Copenhagen Airport places one of its runways on an artificial peninsula jutting into the Oresund Strait. Hong Kong International Airport deputized its entire eight-runway complex on reclaimed land off Lantau Island. Mega-cities like Bangkok and Seoul also rely on airport islands to keep flight paths unobstructed by buildings.
Other urban airports stack their runways vertically. In London, Canary Wharf’s rooftop serves as one of the city’s reliever airports. New Yorkers living under JFK Airport’s flight paths can practically arm-wrestle landing gear from their apartment windows. And in Perth, riverside homes rub shoulders with the downtown airport’s runway.
What else is in this post?
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Runways on Rooftops: The Airports that Defy Gravity
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Kangaroos, Koalas, and Customs: Australia's Unforgettable Airport Experiences
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Hijinks at the Helipad: When Airports Double as Amusement Parks
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Architectural Marvels or Flights of Fancy? The World's Most Unconventional Airport Designs
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Landed in Wonderland: Stumbling Upon the Quirkiest Airport Amenities
- Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Runway Rodeos and Terminal Tunes: The Airports that Put on a Show
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Kangaroos, Koalas, and Customs: Australia's Unforgettable Airport Experiences
Take Sydney Airport, for example. Arriving international passengers are greeted by three-meter tall kangaroo sculptures clad in police hats and reflective vests. These slightly intimidating roos man the customs and quarantine lines, providing a uniquely Australian welcome. Beyond passport control, travelers find koala climbing structures and aboriginal art installations. It's clear from the get-go that Sydney embraces the spirit of Oz.
Over in Melbourne Airport, passengers can get up close and personal with live Aussie animals at a petting zoo. Kids and adults alike delight in feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas before jetting off. And in multiple terminals, travelers are serenaded by pianists tickling the ivories of public pianos.
While all airports have security screening, Australia's biosecurity checks make going through customs a unique experience. Sniffing beagles search for contraband food, wooden souvenirs, or dirty hiking boots that could introduce invasive species. And there's always a chance of an agent questioning suspicious Vegemite sandwiches or meat pies.
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Hijinks at the Helipad: When Airports Double as Amusement Parks
Airports are often seen as functional hubs for getting from point A to point B, but some go above and beyond to become true destinations in their own right. Take Changi Airport in Singapore, where visitors are greeted by a stunning indoor waterfall, lush gardens, and even a sprawling butterfly paradise. It's no wonder Changi has been named the world's best airport for eight years running - it's practically an amusement park!
Guests can easily spend an entire day exploring the airport's many attractions. For thrill-seekers, the Canopy Park offers a variety of aerial activities like a suspended glass-bottom bridge, a porous netting that lets you bounce among the treetops, and the world's tallest indoor slide. Those looking for a more serene experience can wander through the Enchanted Garden, which features whimsical sculptures and soothing sounds of nature.
But Changi's showstopper may just be the Jewel complex, a striking steel and glass dome housing an enormous indoor waterfall that cascades 40 meters down. Visitors can walk behind the rushing waters or simply gaze up in awe at the mesmerizing display. Surrounding the waterfall are lush gardens, walking trails, and over 280 retail and dining options - more than enough to keep even the most seasoned traveler entertained.
Across the globe in Incheon, South Korea, the airport has taken a different approach to keeping passengers engaged. Here, you'll find an indoor ice skating rink, a driving range, and even a casino. Yes, that's right - an entire casino within the confines of the airport. Whether you're perfecting your triple axel, working on your golf swing, or trying your luck at the tables, Incheon Airport offers a delightful array of diversions to pass the time.
Of course, the fun doesn't stop there. At Munich Airport in Germany, kids (and kids at heart) can burn off energy at the airport's very own indoor surfing center. Riders can catch waves on a specially-designed standing wave pool, all while being surrounded by the bustling terminal. And in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the airport features a stunning, 130-meter-long skybridge that offers breathtaking views over the runway and surrounding landscape.
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Architectural Marvels or Flights of Fancy? The World's Most Unconventional Airport Designs
Airports are often associated with functional efficiency, uniform design, and a sense of transience - places to simply pass through on one's journey. But a select few defy these expectations, showcasing architectural ingenuity and a playful spirit that transforms the airport experience.
Take, for example, the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador. Perched high in the Andes at an elevation of over 9,000 feet, this airport boasts an undulating, wave-like terminal that mirrors the surrounding mountain peaks. Massive skylights bathe the interior in natural light, creating a serene and airy ambiance that stands in stark contrast to the blustery conditions outside.
Across the Pacific, the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, takes the concept of an "island airport" to stunning new heights. Literally. The entire airport complex, including its two parallel runways, is built atop an artificial island in the Osaka Bay. Accessing the airport requires traversing the Kansai Airport Bridge, a nearly 4-mile-long engineering marvel that dips and curves to accommodate the tidal flows below.
But perhaps the most visually striking airport can be found in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Menara Airport's terminal building is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture, with its intricate latticed facades, ornate tile work, and towering minaret-esque control tower. Stepping inside is like entering a palace, with soaring ceilings, arched walkways, and a central courtyard that floods the space with natural light. It's a far cry from the generic, steel-and-glass boxes that define so many modern airports.
Even the smallest of airports can surprise and delight. In the Maldives, the Velana International Airport in Malé features a seaplane terminal that appears to float effortlessly on the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Passengers board their flights via wooden walkways and jetties, evoking the feeling of embarking on a true island adventure.
And let's not forget the airports that quite literally go above and beyond, like the Courchevel International Airport in the French Alps. With a runway that's less than half a mile long and a startling 18.5% gradient, this airstrip appears to defy the laws of aviation as it clings precariously to the side of a mountain. Pilots approaching Courchevel must execute a delicate ballet of precise maneuvers to safely land and take off.
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Landed in Wonderland: Stumbling Upon the Quirkiest Airport Amenities
After passing through security, travelers are often on the hunt for ways to kill time before their flight departs. While most airports offer the usual suspects like newsstands, restaurants, and duty-free shops, some have taken the concept of airport amenities to delightfully quirky new heights.
Take Germany's Frankfurt Airport, for instance. Nestled between Terminals 1 and 2, weary passengers can take a relaxing dip in the airport's indoor pool. Talk about a layover well spent! Or at South Korea's Incheon Airport, gaming enthusiasts can get their fix at an Xbox gaming lounge complete with comfy chairs and popcorn.
Travelers passing through Dallas Fort Worth Airport are in for a real Texas treat - an indoor cattle drive! Twice daily, visitors can mosey on down to watch a herd of Texas longhorns thunder through the terminal guided by real cowhands. Between the clickity clack of hooves and jangling spurs, it's a downright mesmerizing scene.
And nothing beats Iceland's Keflavik airport when it comes to uniqueness. Tired travelers can get their blood flowing with a free five-minute massage from a high-tech massage chair. Or, visitors can get up close and personal with Iceland's mythical creatures at an exhibit featuring trolls, elves, and ghosts.
Exploring the Quirky Side of the World’s Most Eccentric Airports - Runway Rodeos and Terminal Tunes: The Airports that Put on a Show
Some airports go beyond just getting travelers from A to B, becoming full-fledged entertainment hubs. At Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo sets up shop once a year for a high-flying hoedown. Visitors can ride bulls, watch barrel racing, and experience good old Texas fun without leaving the airport.
Over in Nashville, BNA airport sometimes transforms into a honky tonk concert hall. Performers like Brad Paisley and Keith Urban have played live shows right in the terminal, much to the delight of lucky travelers passing through. Nothing beats live country music while waiting at the gate.
And for classical aficionados, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers features an artist-in-residence program with regular piano concerts. Travelers might catch a quick Chopin étude performed on a polished Steinway while hustling to their flight.
In Portugal, Lisbon Airport hosts an annual Christmas market and music festival come December. Carolers croon holiday classics beneath glittering lights as travelers indulge in roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Forget snoring through a layover - this airport puts on a yuletide show.
Some airports have even installed permanent musical attractions, like Amsterdam Schiphol's miniature Dutch street organ that delights passengers of all ages as it chimes cheerful tunes. And over in Singapore, Changi Airport's kinetic "Kinetic Rain" sculpture swings 1,216 bronze droplets in hypnotic patterns to create a waterless waterfall effect with integrated lights and music.