{"id":314,"date":"2025-09-23T14:12:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T14:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/?p=314"},"modified":"2026-02-10T12:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T12:57:37","slug":"the-airports-we-love-actually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/resources-insights\/the-airports-we-love-actually\/","title":{"rendered":"The Airports we love, actually."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve may have recently seen the headlines about the UK\u2019s worst airports. But as an experienced travel management team<\/a> who spend a lot of time on the move, we thought we\u2019d flip the conversation on its head and highlight the airports we love, actually.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Travel is second nature to us, it\u2019s part of our role to make sure our production clients know exactly what to expect when they travel to film shoots around the globe, 24\/7, 365 days a year<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, we asked our team members to rate airports on design, ease of travel, facilities, and customer experience. Seven destinations came out on top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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This one came up again and again. More than just an airport, it feels like a destination, and a lovely one at that. Automated clearance and app-based bag tracking make travelling through this airport seamless from start to finish, while the architecture brings nature indoors. Think rainforests, gardens, and even the world\u2019s tallest indoor waterfall cascading seven storeys. We could go on and on with this one but what stood out is its Jurassic Bark Dog Run (love the pun!) and 100-metre butterfly trail, making layovers here a genuine pleasure. It\u2019s a world within a perfect world.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2. Hamad International Airport, Doha<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Known for its striking design and smooth efficiency, Hamad International Airport feels more like a luxury hotel than a traditional hub. From the moment you arrive, its airy architecture and carefully curated atmosphere set a different tone to the typical travel experience. Here, world-class art installations line the terminals, blending culture with modernity, while high-end shopping and dining options rival those of a major city. Travellers with long layovers can unwind in wellness facilities that include spas, quiet rooms, and even a swimming pool, possibly the first we know of in an airport setting. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Dubai International Airport<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dubai International Airport (DXB) is more than a travel hub, it\u2019s a destination. Regularly ranked among the world\u2019s busiest airports, it combines efficiency with a touch of glamour, ensuring travellers are never short of comfort or things to do. Spanning three vast terminals, with Terminal 3 among the largest on the planet, the airport is easy to navigate thanks to sleek design, shuttles, and clear signage. Inside, it feels more like a mall than an airport. Duty-free shopping is legendary, offering everything from designer fashion and fine jewellery to the latest tech and Middle Eastern treasures. Dining is equally global, with choices ranging from quick bites to elegant restaurants serving international cuisine. For those with time to spare, think plush lounges, in-terminal hotels, sleep pods, spa services, and even quiet zones to recharge. Families will love the kids\u2019 play areas, while business travellers can rely on high-speed Wi-Fi and seamless connections.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Rovaniemi Airport, Finland<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Rovaniemi Airport may be small, but it delivers big on charm. Nestled on the edge of the Arctic Circle, it\u2019s the gateway to Lapland\u2019s winter wonderland and the official home of Santa Claus. Unlike vast international hubs, this airport is compact and functional, designed to get you from runway to reindeer sleigh in no time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inside, the atmosphere feels cosy rather than crowded. Wooden accents, warm lighting, and festive touches set the tone for an authentic Lapland welcome, and   during the festive season, you might even spot Santa himself greeting travellers, a detail that makes arrivals especially magical for families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its size, Rovaniemi Airport keeps up with modern standards. Facilities are simple but efficient, with caf\u00e9s, a few shops, car hire desks, and smooth connections into town. Sustainability is also part of its character: as part of Finland\u2019s commitment to net zero aviation, the airport is moving toward greener operations while retaining its intimate feel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Donegal Airport, Ireland<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Voted time and again as having one of the most scenic landings in the world, Donegal Airport is less about scale and more about soul. Nestled between rugged coastline and sweeping mountains, the approach alone feels like an adventure. Inside, the airport is small and friendly, offering a refreshingly stress-free experience compared to larger hubs. For travellers heading to Ireland\u2019s northwest for filming purposes or a holiday, it\u2019s more than just a gateway, t\u2019s an immediate immersion into the wild beauty of Donegal itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. East Midlands Airport, England<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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An unusual contender in the rankings of memorable airports, East Midlands makes its mark with efficiency and accessibility. Serving the heart of England, it\u2019s compact enough to feel manageable yet busy enough to connect travellers to Europe and beyond. Its role as a major cargo hub gives it a different kind of energy, but for passengers, the quick check-ins, straightforward layout, and ease of parking make it an unexpectedly pleasant airport to travel through. It also has a quiet ambience compared with the hectic ambience of others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Melbourne Airport, Australia<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Balancing the energy of Australia\u2019s cultural capital with the calm of a well-designed travel hub, Melbourne Airport has spacious terminals, diverse dining options, and impressive duty-free shopping reflect the city\u2019s cosmopolitan spirit. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sets it apart is the seamless connection to Melbourne itself, whether you\u2019re arriving to explore laneways and coffee culture or departing on a long-haul journey, the airport serves as a fitting introduction and farewell. Travellers often note its blend of efficiency and character, making it one of Australia\u2019s strongest international gateways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For our travel management team and global customers in film, TV, sport and music<\/a>, airports aren\u2019t just stopovers, they\u2019re part of the journey. But it\u2019s more than airports. It\u2019s the seamless management of flights, stays and experiences, ensuring everything works from start to finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why Access Bookings isn\u2019t just about booking, it\u2019s about planning, travel, unique stays, great value and more. Seamless, memorable journeys are what keep our customers coming back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Access Bookings on your radar for the complete travel experience?\u00a0Get in touch now for your next business event – <\/strong>\ud83d\udcde +44(0)1543 272 575 \ud83d\udce7 contactus@accessbookings.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve may have recently seen the headlines about the UK\u2019s worst airports. But as an experienced travel management team who spend a lot of time on the move, we thought we\u2019d flip the conversation on its head and highlight the airports we love, actually.   Travel is second nature to us, it\u2019s part of our role … The Airports we love, actually.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":347,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[14,38,100,96,97,99,79,98,77,95,18,78],"class_list":["post-314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources-insights","tag-access-bookings","tag-airport","tag-australia","tag-doha","tag-dubai","tag-england","tag-film","tag-finland","tag-ireland","tag-singapore","tag-travel","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=314"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":398,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions\/398"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accessbookings.com\/knowledgehub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}