Again, nothing much happening in the USA and World, and little noteworthy about the weather. So I today will just report on one facet of travel.....airports. Plus, at the end, the best airlines. If you are concerned about the decline of the U.S., these are two topics that have long mystified me. Why are we so behind other countries....and how has Honolulu, in particular, fallen so far? We seem to be spending a lot doing things at our airport. Just gets worse and worse.
I've traveled a lot, and mostly on planes. Just on Star Alliance, I'm approaching 3 million miles. Saw Conde Nast's awards of the best airports in 2026:
#1 Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 95.09 Renowned for the Jewel Changi complex, which features a 40-meter indoor waterfall (the Rain Vortex) and immersive indoor gardens.
#2 Istanbul Airport (IST) Score: 94.75 Highly praised for its striking modern architecture and innovative passenger assistance robots.
#3 Hamad International Airport (DOH) 93.52 Features premium amenities including a swimming pool, squash courts, and luxury in-terminal hotel stays.
#4 Dubai International Airport (DXB) 92.41 Noted for its massive Terminal 3 and expansive, world-class 24/7 duty-free shopping zones.
#5 Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) 90.88 Celebrated for its fast express train connectivity and premium wellness offerings like the OM Spa.
#6 Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) 88.52 Delivers immaculate cleanliness, rapid baggage service, and close proximity to central Tokyo.
#7 Incheon International Airport (ICN) 88.28 Features a dedicated ice-skating rink, traditional cultural streets, and automated robotic systems.
#8 Zurich Airport (ZRH) 87.08 Known for outstanding luxury lounges equipped with specialized Champagne and whiskey bars.
#9 Vancouver International Airport (YVR) 86.94 Highly ranked for structural accessibility, Pacific Northwest design features, and diverse local dining.
#10 Munich Airport (MUC) 85.24 Popular for its upscale VIP terminals and festive seasonal installations, such as its winter market. [1, 2, 3]. And Lufthansa's first class lounge is maybe the best in the world.
I then asked Google AI, and the response was the annual ranking from Skytrax, the authority on this subject.
| 1 | 🇸🇬 Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | Best Airport Dining & Immigration Service; home to the famous Jewel indoor waterfall. |
| 2 | 🇰🇷 Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) | Korean Air / Asiana Airlines | World's Most Family Friendly Airport. |
| 3 | 🇯🇵 Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) | Japan Airlines / ANA | World's Cleanest Airport. |
| 4 | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) | Cathay Pacific | Best Airport Security & Best Washrooms. |
| 5 | 🇯🇵 Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) | Japan Airlines / ANA | World's Best Airport Staff. |
| 6 | 🇫🇷 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) | Air France | Ranked as the Best Airport in Europe for four consecutive years. |
| 7 | 🇮🇹 Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) | ITA Airways | Renowned for local culinary options and high Southern European passenger marks. |
| 8 | 🇹🇷 Istanbul Airport (IST) | Turkish Airlines | A massive, modern mega-hub connecting the most international destinations worldwide. |
| 9 | 🇩🇪 Munich Airport (MUC) | Lufthansa | Highly rated for its manageable scale and Central European transit ease. |
| 10 | 🇨🇦 Vancouver International Airport (YVR) | Air Canada / WestJet | The sole entry from the Americas, praised for its First Nations artwork. |
There are some differences between these two ratings.
- Singapore's Changi Airport is #1 for both, so there is no doubt which is the best.
- However, Doha's (Qatar) Hamad International Airport, which placed second in 2025, withdrew from the survey this year. Had to do with the Iran War.
- Where are the U.S. airports?
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Ranked 29th worldwide.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG): Ranked 33rd worldwide.
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA): Ranked 38th worldwide.
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): Ranked 39th worldwide.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Ranked 44th worldwide. [1]
- I looked through the top 100, and did not see Honolulu. Why?
- In the 7October2026 issue of the Honolulu Star Advertiser:
Honolulu ranks next to last in large U.S airport survey
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ranked next to last among large U.S. airports in the latest JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study despite Hawaii’s nearly $7 billion airport modernization effort. Only Philadelphia International Airport ranked lower. Honolulu’s score fell to 604 from 617 a year earlier, while its ranking dropped from 22nd among 27 large airports in 2025 to 23rd among 24 airports in this year’s study. Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said the airport’s ratings have generally trended upward and that changes in the comparison group, along with major storms, influenced the latest results.
- You do not need any reminder to know Hawaii’s airports have problems. Travelers have been dealing with them for years. It shows up in cramped gate areas, food that rarely lives up to expectations, baggage delays, tired ticket lobbies, and terminals that feel patched together rather than rebuilt.
- Honolulu can point to real operational success. Flights generally leave on time and the HNL keeps moving, yet the terminal experience still feels like a place where the cosmetic promises from the Department of Transportation outrun the physical reality of change at the airport.
- Actually, as bad as the above might be, Philadelphia International Airport is worse than Honolulu's among "Large" airports.
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport was the worst Mega airports with Newark Liberty and Denver airports #s 2 and 3 from the bottom.
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was worst among Medium airports, with Epply of Omaha and Bradley of Windsor Locks at #s 2 and 3 the next worsts.
- JD Power provided this graphic below.
- The USA had the most airports in 2024 with 15,873. #2 Brazil 4,909 and Australia #3 2,180. China is #15 with 531.
- Another site for reference.
- Ranks the three best airports in the USA: Portland #1, Salt Lake City #2 and Las Vega #3.
- Best Airports by region: Africa #1 is Cape Town Airport, Asia is Osaka Itami Airport, etc.
1
Singapore Airlines
22025
2
Qatar Airways
12025
3
Cathay Pacific Airways
32025
4
ANA All Nippon Airways
52025
5
Turkish Airlines
62025
6
Emirates
42025
7
Air France
82025
8
Hainan Airlines
102025
9
Japan Airlines
92025
10
Korean Air
72025
- No U.S. airlines until #25....Delta Airlines. Then #45 United Airlines. #51 Alaska Airlines.
- I'm not making this up. No other U.S. airline makes the top 100.
- Why is the USA doing so poorly? I asked Google AI:
U.S. airlines rank lower in global Skytrax World Airline Awards because the survey heavily weights luxury amenities, premium long-haul cabins, and personalized service consistency—areas where heavily subsidized or boutique international carriers excel. [1, 2, 3, 4]
By contrast, the U.S. aviation model prioritizes mass domestic connectivity, high-frequency scheduling, and network volume, which often dilutes the standard passenger experience. [1]
International and World Days
- International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: A United Nations-led day focused on disaster prevention, preparedness, and building safer communities (themed "Resilience Starts at Home"). [1]
- World Thrombosis Day: A global healthcare awareness event aimed at educating the public about blood clots, prevention, and treatment.
- International Day for Failure: A day that encourages people to embrace mistakes and view setbacks as stepping stones to success.
- International Plain Language Day: An observance promoting clear, concise, and easy-to-understand communication in business, law, and government.
- English Language Day / UN English Language Day: Celebrates the role of the English language in cultural bridging and global communication.
- National No Bra Day: An annual social media-driven event encouraging women to go braless to raise awareness for breast cancer and research.
- U.S. Navy Birthday: Commemorates the establishment of the U.S. Continental Navy on October 13, 1775.
- National Train Your Brain Day: A day dedicated to boosting cognitive health through puzzles, riddles, and brain-teasers.
- National Yorkshire Pudding Day: Celebrates the savory English popover-style dish traditionally served with roast meat and gravy.
- Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Focuses specifically on raising awareness and support for individuals living with Stage IV breast cancer.
- Indigenous Peoples' Day / Columbus Day: Often falls on the second Monday of October, celebrating the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples or commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival.
- Canadian Thanksgiving: Frequently coincides with October 13 depending on the year's calendar. [1, 2]
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