SINGAPORE: Once upon a time, airport food enjoyed a bad reputation. Travellers sometimes found themselves in catch-as-catch-can situations, especially if they landed in the middle of the night in another country, longing for something to eat.
While the situation still may be this way at some airports, this is clearly not the case at Singapore’s Changi Airport. In the same way that The Little Red Dot itself has become known all over the globe as a foodie haven, its airport has followed suit.
Changi Airport has been ranked as the number one airport for foodies, according to a report from the research team at SEO for Restaurants. It took a look at different airports around the world, especially at food prices, restaurant ratings, the number of eateries per one million travelers, and other criteria.
Changi Airport emerged in the top spot, scoring 87.79 out of 100. What Singapore’s airport has in its favour is that it has the most unique food establishments per million passengers.
In a statement shared with Travel + Leisure, the CEO and founder of SEO For Restaurants, Andrea Abbondanza, said, “Singapore Changi Airport’s top ranking is a testament to its commitment to providing diverse dining options for travelers. With over 300 dining establishments available across its terminals, premium amenities, unique attractions, and efficient services, Changi Airport deserves to be ranked first in many airport lists.”
Zurich Airport in Switzerland is second on the list, followed by Tokyo International Airport and Narita International Airport in Japan, which took third and fourth place, respectively. Hamad International Airport in Qatar is fifth.
Germany’s Munich International Airport, South Korea’s Seoul Incheon International Airport, the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai International Airport, Turkey’s Istanbul International Airport, and France’s Charles de Gaulle Airport, in order, make up the rest of the top 10.
Mr Abbondanza also noted that airports have been evolving into lifestyle hubs, which means that even more emphasis on culinary offerings may be expected.
“This trend not only enhances the travel experience but also provides significant opportunities for local restaurants and food businesses to showcase their cuisine to a global audience,” he added.
This is just one of the distinctions Changi Airport has enjoyed over the years. Last week, a new survey by British air transport rating organisation Skytrax showed that Changi Airport is the world’s second most family-friendly airport, with pole position going to Istanbul Airport. The company’s rankings were based on customer ratings of the quality and quantity of family-friendly initiatives at each airport, including dedicated family security lanes, immigration clearance processes, play areas, and baby and childcare rooms. /TISG
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