Based on statistics from Wikipedia, Airports Council International World (ACI World), and annual rankings by Skytrax and AirHelp, here are some of the world's most extraordinary airports.

The world's highest airport

Daocheng Yading Airport, located in Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, began operations in 9/2013. At an elevation of 4,411 m above sea level, it's the world's highest civilian airport. Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet comes in second at 4,334 m.

The world's lowest airport

Bar Yehuda Airport, situated south of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, about a two-hour drive from Jerusalem, Israel, has been operating since 1963. At 378 m below sea level, it's considered the world's lowest airport. Due to its location, it sees limited civilian flights, primarily serving as an alternate or backup airport, and handling sightseeing tours for visitors to the Dead Sea and the nearby ancient fortress of Masada. Photo: Flightsim.

The world's busiest airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) is the world's busiest airport in 2025, according to ACI World, based on passenger traffic. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, it serves as a major gateway connecting cities across the country. ATL, the hub for Delta Air Lines, regularly handles over 100 million passengers annually, offering flights to more than 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. Photo: KnowAtlanta.

The world's tallest indoor waterfall

The 40 m HSBC Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, is located within the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore and is open to the public free of charge. Surrounding the waterfall is the Shiseido Forest Valley, featuring 2,500 trees and 100,000 shrubs, contributing to the airport's climate control. The sky train connecting terminals 2 and 3 passes by this waterfall. In the evenings, the waterfall transforms with a light and sound show. Changi has consistently been ranked among the most modern and best-serviced airports globally. Photo: Medina Loh.

The world's largest airport

King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Saudi Arabia is recognized as the world's largest airport, covering an area of nearly 780 km2, according to World Population Review and Statista. Equipped with two runways suitable for large aircraft like the Airbus A380, it serves as the primary airport for eastern Saudi Arabia, connecting to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The world's most connected airport

London Heathrow is the world's most internationally connected airport. This ranking is based on the number of destinations and international flight connections per day, with 218 global destinations. Heathrow serves as a hub for airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It also consistently ranks among the top airports for annual international passenger volume. Photo: Heathrow Expansion.

The world's oldest operating airport

Opened in 1909, College Park Airport in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA, is the world's oldest continuously operating airport. Initially used as a training facility for the US Army Signal Corps, it began handling civilian aircraft in 12/2011. In 1977, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Photo: Wiki.

The world's most dangerous airport

Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla, Nepal), situated at approximately 2,800 m in the Himalayas, features a short, 527 m runway with a 12% gradient, built on a mountainside. One end of the runway drops off into a sheer cliff face, while the other overlooks a 1,000 m drop. This leaves no room for go-arounds. Weather conditions in the Himalayas are unpredictable and change rapidly, often with fog, strong winds, and storms, limiting visibility. Only experienced pilots with specialized training are permitted to land here. Photo: Foodprint.

The airport with the most runways

Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located in Chicago, Illinois, USA, boasts 8 active runways. These runways are arranged in a parallel and diagonal system to optimize aircraft traffic flow. The airport also features multiple large terminals and lounges to accommodate its substantial passenger volume. Due to its central location, O'Hare serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights in the USA. Photo: riddiford.

Compiled by Tam Anh