Helsinki Airport breaks into Travel + Leisure’s top ten global airports as Europe’s sole representative

(IN SHORT) Helsinki Airport has been voted one of the world’s top ten airports in Travel + Leisure’s July 2025 Best Awards—the only European airport to make the list. Earning seventh place out of nearly 180,000 reader votes, the airport was assessed on factors like accessibility, passenger processing, dining, shops and design. This is Helsinki Airport’s debut in the annual rankings. Recent facility upgrades include shared-seating cafés, the world’s first second-hand café and shop, an outdoor terrace and enhanced lounge spaces. The airport also won “Commercial Space of the Year 2025” and “Food Court of the Year 2024,” and its live security wait-time feature attracted 100,000 views. Airport Director Ulla Serlenius celebrates the recognition as a testament to Finnish hospitality and thanks the entire airport community for their role in delivering an exceptional traveller experience.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 2025-Jul-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Travel + Leisure magazine’s global readership has placed Helsinki Airport among the world’s top ten airports for July 2025, making it the sole European facility to earn a coveted spot on the list. This marks the first time Helsinki Airport appears in Travel + Leisure’s annual Best Awards rankings.

“We are proud of the fact that Finland and Helsinki Airport are gaining international recognition. Helsinki Airport has maintained its strong position among the best airports in the world, which increases Finland’s attractiveness as a destination,” says Ulla Serlenius, Airport Director at Finavia.

Airports were judged on accessibility, streamlined passenger flows, dining, retail offerings and design, with final rankings reflecting the average of these categories, adds Serlenius. This year’s survey drew nearly 180,000 votes, and readers hailed top performers as “destinations one must experience.”

Finland’s gateway secured seventh place, following Istanbul Airport (Turkey), Singapore’s Changi Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport. In recent years, Helsinki Airport has expanded its passenger amenities—including shared-seating cafés, the world’s first second-hand café and shop, an outdoor terrace and upgraded lounges.

The airport’s commercial spaces earned “Commercial Space of the Year 2025,” and its gate-area food court was named “Food Court of the Year 2024.” On Finavia’s website, travellers can check real-time security queue estimates—an innovation that garnered 100,000 views within months and widespread praise.

“Helsinki Airport has received several awards for its customer experience. For many international passengers, the airport is their first contact with Finland and the Finnish character, and we are so happy that we have managed to stay in people’s minds. I would like to thank the entire airport community for this recognition – the success belongs to all of us,” says Airport Director Ulla Serlenius.

Media contact:
comms@finavia.fi and by phone:+358 20 708 2002

SOURCE: Finavia