September 11, 2026, 9:20 am | Read time: 3 minutes
When planning a vacation, most people first think about the destination. However, the start of the journey can determine whether the trip begins smoothly or with long lines and wait times. A recent ranking now reveals which airports worldwide excel in comfort, accessibility, and processing–and which locations need improvement.
According to the latest World Consumer Airport Index, a German airport leads among smaller airports. Düsseldorf ranks first in the global evaluation. According to the index, passengers there practically have no wait time at security checks. Zurich and Copenhagen also achieve strong results. With Munich in seventh place and Berlin-Brandenburg in tenth, two more German airports make it into the top ten.
Düsseldorf at the Top of Smaller Airports Worldwide
The Ten Best Smaller Airports
- Düsseldorf, Germany
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Helsinki, Finland
- Milan-Malpensa, Italy
- Oslo-Gardermoen, Norway
- Munich, Germany
- Vancouver, Canada
- Brussels, Belgium
- Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany
Barcelona Leads Among Large Airports
According to the index, Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the best large airport in the world. A key factor is the short wait time at security checks, with travelers needing only about three minutes on average to pass through.
Rome-Fiumicino in Italy takes second place. It is followed by Los Angeles International Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Jeddah King Abdulaziz.
The Ten Best-Rated Large Airports
- Barcelona-El Prat, Spain
- Rome-Fiumicino, Italy
- Los Angeles, USA
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Thailand
- Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
- Jeddah King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia
- London Heathrow, United Kingdom
- Madrid-Barajas, Spain
- Tokyo-Haneda, Japan
- Dubai International, United Arab Emirates
Frankfurt Among the Laggards
Not all airports perform well in the ranking. Among the large international airports, Antalya (Turkey), Guangzhou Baiyun (China), and Frankfurt are at the bottom. Among smaller airports, Seoul Gimpo (South Korea), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), and London Stansted stand out negatively.
These Airports in Europe Offer Passengers the Best Departure Service
At These Airports, Luggage Is Lost Particularly Often
These Criteria Determine the Ranking
Numerous factors are considered in the evaluation. These include connections to rail and public transport, the length of paths within terminals, the number of direct connections, the selection of airlines, and flight punctuality. Hotels on or near the airport grounds are also evaluated.
Poor rankings often result from an inconvenient location far from the city center, poor rail connections, or the absence of independent ride-hailing services. Long wait times at security checks and a high percentage of delayed flights also contribute.
Short Checks Earn High Points
For travelers, practical aspects of airport life are crucial. These include the duration of security checks, good accessibility by public transport, short distances within the terminal, and reliable departure times.
Airports where security checks take less than three minutes are rated particularly positively. According to the index, the absence of a night flight ban also positively impacts the overall result.
For air travelers, the ranking clearly shows that not only ticket prices and departure times are relevant. The choice of departure airport can also significantly affect travel comfort.