Top 6 Most Beautiful Airports in the World (2025): Design, Architecture, and Engineering Wonders
From China to the U.S., these award-winning terminals set new standards in beauty, sustainability, and traveler experience.
The Prix Versailles awards have announced their list of the most beautiful airports in the world for 2025, honoring architectural innovation, cultural expression, and environmental consciousness. Leading the pack is Yantai Penglai International Airport’s Terminal 2, recognized for its graceful coastal design and modern passenger-friendly layout.
Here’s a look at the six global winners that define what airports of the future should look like.
1. Yantai Penglai International Airport, Terminal 2 – Yantai, China
🏆 World’s Most Beautiful Airport 2025
- Size: 167,000 square meters
- Design inspiration: Maritime history and coastal landscapes
- Highlights:
- E-shaped terminal for optimized flow
- A grand glass dome atrium for natural light
- Interior elements shaped like wooden ship hulls
- Earth-tone color palette for a calming environment
This terminal perfectly blends form and function, creating an open, serene, and culturally rich space that honors Yantai’s Maritime Silk Road legacy.
2. Marseille Provence Airport, Terminal 1 – Marignane, France
- Materials: 70% recycled steel, local timber
- Key features:
- A 22-meter-high skylit hall
- Boat house-inspired wooden canopy
- Seamless integration of Fernand Pouillon’s 1960s vision with Richard Rogers’ modern enhancements
This terminal captures Provençal warmth while embracing sustainable design, reflecting Marseille’s historic Old Port charm.
3. Roland Garros Airport, Arrivals Terminal – Réunion Island, France
- Claim to fame: World’s first large-scale tropical bioclimatic terminal
- Sustainability efforts:
- 91% local materials and labor
- Central “canyon” architecture enables natural ventilation
- Designed to minimize energy consumption in a hot, humid climate
More than just beautiful, this terminal serves as a climate-conscious blueprint for airports in tropical regions.
4. Kansai International Airport, Terminal 1 – Osaka, Japan
- Architect: Renzo Piano
- Unique traits:
- Built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay
- Longest airport terminal in the world
- Recent upgrades include natural materials and smart queuing systems
Its aerodynamic wave-like roof and minimalistic interior embody modern Japanese aesthetics, combining efficiency with elegance.
5. Portland International Airport, Main Terminal – Portland, U.S.
- Opened: August 2024
- Signature features:
- A massive wooden roof the size of 9 football fields
- Over 5,000 indoor trees and plants
- Natural light and local wood throughout
- Friendly llamas and alpacas for stress relief
With an emphasis on local nature, comfort, and sustainability, this terminal feels more like a forest retreat than a travel hub.
6. San Francisco International Airport, Harvey Milk Terminal 1 – San Francisco, U.S.
- Eco highlights:
- Uses 40% less energy
- Powered by solar panels and smart materials
- Cultural features:
- World’s first airport museum
- Inclusive design celebrating Bay Area diversity
The terminal sets a global example for green airport design, blending technology, emotion, and community values.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Prix Versailles winners showcase how airport design can be more than functional—it can be artful, sustainable, and emotionally resonant. These terminals are shaping the future of travel by turning waypoints into inspirational destinations themselves.
Notably missing this year? Singapore’s iconic Changi Airport, which has long dominated design accolades but did not appear on the 2025 list.
