Seven ultra-glam airports, where design is considered as important as efficiency, have been crowned the most beautiful in the world by a prestigious French design and architecture awards body.
The Prix Versailles, presented at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, picks the world’s most beautiful airports every year, with seven named on the 2026 list.
Around the world, a diverse variety of venues have made the latest Prix Versailles cut – however, no UK airport hubs have been selected.
The criteria? A blend of aesthetic, social, cultural and ecological features.
Jerome Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, said: ‘Whether they have newly appeared on the horizon or undergone a major renovation, contemporary airports and airport terminals are innovative, inescapable hallmarks of their regions and their eras.
‘They are innovative because they resolve the apparent conflict between the increasing frequency of travel and the need for speed – both central to an airport’s purpose – on the one hand and, on the other, the singularity of a form of tourism that aims to be accessible and that values people’s time in places that, in this day and age, can no longer be described as mere “transfer” spaces.’
Here are the seven airports that made the ‘most beautiful list’…
Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 3, Germany
Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 3 also scooped up the prestigious Prix Versailles award
Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 3 was designed to be both efficient and lively.
To give travellers a smooth, familiar experience, its piers, boarding gates and lounges emulate the streets and squares of a city.
The architecture includes three hanging ring-shaped sculptures, made up of coloured aluminium discs that rotate continuously, creating an ever-evolving, constantly refreshed travel landscape.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Terminal 3, Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the first airport to be awarded
Guangzhou, the ‘City of Flowers’, is known for its inventive architecture – and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport blends historic culture with modern flair.
The main inspiration is nature – with a stylised cycle of clouds, water and flowers producing an intuitive, light-filled layout with fluid, organic curves to guide travellers on their way.
Through terraces, atriums and gardens – including the highest open-air public observation deck at a Chinese airport – Terminal 3 is an understandable winner of the Prix Versailles award.
Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Terminal 2, Guwahati, India
Next up is Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in India
Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport has one main characteristic that has contributed to its win: it embraces the spirit of India wholeheartedly.
Sweeping vaulted ceilings in organic shapes reference sacred landscapes and indigenous architectural traditions.
Meanwhile, indigenous art, tribal narratives and local craftsmanship are seamlessly embedded within the interiors.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 1, Navi Mumbai, India
Another Indian hub to be awarded the prize is Navi Mumbai International Airport
Navi Mumbai International Airport, whose Terminal 1 opened in 2025, is ultra-modern, with a lotus design adding an artistic edge to the building.
A series of geometric portals creates a ceremonial atmosphere.
Plus, a curated digital art programme enhances the project’s future-ready character through dynamic, interactive installations placed at key pause points.
Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh was praised for its ecological success
Although it is a symbol of renewal, this major airport located 20 kilometres south of Phnom Penh gets its name from history – a title granted to heroes by the king 500 years ago.
The main design is kept underneath an overarching roof canopy that prioritises short walking distances from the drop-off zone to the boarding areas, as well as simple orientation.
The roof design is a nod to Cambodia’s spectacular palaces and temples, while the interior ceilings are inspired by traditional basket weaving.
Pittsburgh International Airport, US
Joining the list of winners is Pittsburgh International Airport
With its vast roofline evocative of the nearby Allegheny Mountains, Pittsburgh International Airport stands as the city’s newest emblem.
Its design celebrates the natural landscape, with 38 steel columns shaped like trees, reminiscent of the region’s forests.
Propped up by glass walls, the space is flooded with natural light, while four outdoor terraces will soon offer travellers access to fresh air.
San Diego International Airport, Terminal 1, US
San Diego International Airport was hailed for its transformation
Terminal 1 at America’s busiest single-runway airport has been completely transformed, along with its roadways, its car parks and its multimodal transport.
Its most impressive feature, a 244-metre curved glass facade, provides natural light and makes the space bright and expansive.
Outdoor terraces overlook the bay, while flexible lounges enhance the comfort of the hub.
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