Beauty Meets Functionality: The 2025 Airports

Beauty Meets Functionality: The 2025 Airports

Airports as Art, Not Just Transit

Gone are the days when airports were just functional spaces meant for queues, security checks, and hurried goodbyes. In 2025, the world’s most beautiful airports are redefining travel by merging architecture, sustainability, and local culture into stunning masterpieces. From timber wave roofs inspired by forests to glass domes that mirror mountain peaks, these terminals are destinations in themselves. Curated by Condé Nast Traveller India and the prestigious Prix Versailles, this year’s list celebrates airports that inspire awe the moment you step inside. Whether you're flying across continents or just passing through, these six international terminals promise a journey as beautiful as the destination.

1. Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 (China)

• Design inspiration: Evokes Kunyu Mountain with an undulating roof and interior curves.

• Flow-focused layout: E-shaped terminal enhances passenger circulation.

• Light play: Diagrid glass dome and skylights invite natural illumination.

2. Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1 (France)

• Architectural fusion: A skylit “heart” connects old terminals, boasting 72-ft ceilings.

• Eco-conscious build: 70% recycled steel construction, timber accents to evoke Provence’s Old Port.

• Passenger experience: Wood‑clad shops, abundant natural light, and graceful wayfinding.

3. Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal (Réunion Island)

• Bioclimatic marvel: Central chimney aids ventilation; smart shutters regulate airflow.

• Local essence: Use of native timber and vegetation infuses island character.

4. Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 (Japan)

• Stylistic evolution: Natural materials create a peaceful "Japanese feel".

• Efficiency innovation: Smart security lanes handle up to 6,000 passengers/hour.

• Expo ready: 60% larger lounges, diverse retail and food courts, boosting capacity by 25%

5. Portland International Airport Main Terminal (USA)

• Forest-inspired design: Timber wave roof and interior trees mimic Oregon woodlands.

• Biophilic comfort: 5,000 plants, natural light, local cafes, and microcinema enrich ambiance.

6. San Francisco International Airport – Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (USA)

• Eco step-change: Carbon footprint cut by 79%, energy use down 59%, 90%+ waste diverted.

• Cultural connection: Skylights and local art stylings complement the airport's only accredited museum.

Why These Airports Stand Out

• Blending architecture and sustainability: From bioclimatic ventilation to recycled materials and green rooftops, these terminals prioritize the environment without sacrificing aesthetics.

• Sense of place: Design elements echo local contexts—mountains in Yantai, forests in Portland, Provençal warmth in Marseille.

• Streamlined travel: Smart-tech solutions (like PDX’s biophilia or KIX’s fast lanes) turn airport stays into serene, intuitive experiences.

These Are True Airports of the Future

Each terminal goes beyond being a transit point—they’re cultural gateways, testaments to thoughtful design and ecological responsibility. They set a new benchmark: moving through airports should feel inspiring, not burdensome. As Jérôme Gouadain (Prix de Versailles) put it, these spaces “can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty.”

Travel Insight

If your itinerary includes these airports, don’t just pass through: look up, walk slowly, and soak in the architecture. Whether you're marveling at soaring timber ceilings in Portland or watching forest light dance in Kansai, each visit is a mini architectural tour.