Terminal Bliss

Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3, Beijing When is an airport more than an airport? When it’s the biggest one in the world constructed in a record-breaking four years at a cost of US$3 billion. Stats wise, Beijing desperately needed the T3. It doubled the number of boarding gates and added nearly 300 check-in stations. It boasts a state of the art baggage handling system that can turn over 20,000 pieces of luggage in an hour. When fully flexed in 2012, T3 will be able to shift 90 million passengers a year, putting it squarely at the top of the world charts in terms of volume. T3 is also loaded with symbolism. Seen from above, the twin halves form up the character “人” (people) while pundits have noted the overall resemblance to the dragon (reptilian, we agree with). For us, though, T3 finally puts Beijing on the same footing as other major world capitals. It doesn’t have the shopping of Chek Lap Kok, the natural embrace of KL or even many exciting food options and, despite the profusion of young women wearing beauty pageant gowns, service is nowhere near best in the world, but it’s a cleanly efficient place which aims to put China’s best foot forward just in time for the Olympics.

Destination Changi

Changi, Singapore Singapore’s Changi Airport is a destination unto itself, loved by travelers all over the world for its bountiful surfeit of freebies. There are six themed gardens to enjoy, leather snooze chairs with built-in alarms, a “Rainforest Lounge” where you can get a massage 24 hours a day and a rooftop swimming pool. If you’re a techie, SIN’s got plenty of geeky stuff. The Explorers and Nexus Lounges feature plasma screen TVs, while the free 24-hour movie theater and battery of Xbox consoles puts Changi in the running for “Least Productive but Most Fun Layover of All Time.” It’s so well kitted out that people with money will stay at the airport just because that’s what you do at Changi. Shop-a-holics in transit will be dropping some plastic at any of the 300-plus retail outlets on the premises. Lastly, if it’s exercise you’re after, US$9.70 will get you in for a swim at the Transit Hotel’s Balinese-style swimming pool (free for hotel guests). If you’re super hip, you’ll schedule your stop-over to coincide with Changi’s events and promotions dates. Last year, Changi hosted performances by Jet, Hoobastank, the Powerpuff Girls, the Sesame Street Stars and Spongebob. For real.

Top of the Charts

Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong Chek Lap’s reputation for stellar service and amazing shopping long preceded its newest glories being crowned as the World’s Best Airport by Skytrax and topping Conde Nast Reader’s Choice List in 2007. Since time is money and money is time, efficiency is the name of the game at Chek Lap. Hasty passengers go online pre-flight to book personal valets, who will fight the crowds, collect your luggage then deliver it to you wherever you are in the city. Forgot to pack that precious Ming vase? Don’t fret. The airport maintains a small army of specially-trained “packers” with armfuls of bubble wrap, protective filler and boxes for all time-pressured passengers. More seasoned flyers rave about the HKG’s frequent visitor card, which makes the immigration process a breeze. With the trials and tribulations of packaging, ticketing and customs solved, you’ll happily wander the Skymart in Terminal 1 or Skyplaza in Terminal 2. If it’s R&R you’re after, kick back with your laptop in style in the Wi-Fi enabled bliss of HKG’s 2,000 sq. foot Plaza Shower and Relaxation Lounge. If you find yourself stuck at the airport, Chek Lap also boasts Asia’s top-rated airport hotel, the Regal International

Air City

Incheon, Korea Though recognized internationally for friendly staff and futuristic design, we love Incheon International Airport’s totally unique tours. Anyone with several hours to spare can hop on a guided boat tour to the set of the Korean TV drama Full House. For a mere US$20, sit on the sofa in the home of Rain and Song Hye-Go. Or go beyond your pin-up pop-star fetish with one of their other eight tour packages. We recommend the Sukmodo tour—a nature experience where you feed seagulls; a ceramic tour where you can take a pottery class and the night special—a foreigners-only casino. For gamers in transit, ICN also has a pool hall and arcade, while golfers head to the Sky72 Golf Club open 24 hours. Tired from your back nine, whack-the-gopher and K-pop indulgence? Check into one of Incheon numerous budget class hotels. For US$40 for a single, get a hot shower, Jacuzzi, bathrobe, towel and a good night’s sleep. Layovers have never seemed so good!

Premium Lounge

Kuala Lumpur International, Malaysia Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International is a miniature version of Changi, and is one of the most peaceful airports in Asia (mainly because they operate way under capacity). It’s so peaceful, they liven things up with piped in classical music. What sets KLI apart is the rapid service (216 counters ensure that passengers sit longer than they stand around) and the ultra-progressive “airport in the forest and forest in the airport” concept, which transforms the natural environs of KLI into nature-enhancing activities and functions. There are also free internet kiosks, play areas for youngsters, luxury shopping and a gallery devoted to plane observation. But what truly reveals KLI as one of the best in Asia is its Plaza Premium Lounge. For as little as US$25 you get two hours of food and beverage, bottomless brewskies, massage chairs, films, international newspapers and magazines, a mini-putting green and amenity-laden showers. Night packages run even cheaper, allowing you to bask for up to six hours while waiting for your connection.