Singapore’s Changi Airport has lost the top spot to Istanbul Airport in a UK travel magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, prompting some Singaporeans to question how the Turkish airport managed to come out ahead.
The rankings, published by Condé Nast Traveller on 6 October, placed Istanbul Airport first with a score of 94.29.
Changi Airport followed closely in second place with 93.92 points, while Dubai International Airport secured third place with 93.18 points.
The results were based on votes from the magazine’s UK readership, with thousands of respondents submitting their ratings between 1 April and 30 June 2026.
However, the outcome did not sit well with some Singaporean travellers, who took to Reddit to share their experiences and question whether Istanbul Airport deserved the recognition.
Singaporeans Question Istanbul Airport’s Service and Facilities
Several Reddit users expressed surprise at Istanbul Airport’s first-place ranking, with some pointing to issues they encountered during their visits.
One commenter described the airport’s staff as unfriendly and complained that food prices were considerably higher than at other European airports.
They also felt that its interior design and overall atmosphere were less impressive compared with airports in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Another traveller said they could understand airports such as Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Incheon ranking above Changi, but found Istanbul’s position more difficult to accept.
Based on their experience, they described the immigration process as tedious, the service as mediocre and the boarding arrangements as messy.
Others raised concerns about the condition of the airport’s toilets and the considerable distances passengers sometimes had to walk between different sections.
Some Travellers Defend Istanbul Airport
Despite the criticism, not everyone shared the same negative assessment.
One Reddit user described Istanbul Airport as one of the most efficient airports they had visited, claiming they barely encountered any queues during their time there.
Another commenter also acknowledged that Istanbul was a good airport, although they remained unconvinced that it should rank above Changi.
The contrasting opinions suggest that passengers may evaluate airports differently depending on their travel experiences, including immigration procedures, staff service, facilities, food prices and ease of navigating the terminals.
Changi Airport Still Tops Skytrax’s 2026 Rankings
The discussion also brought attention to the differences between airport ranking organisations.
Some Reddit users argued that Skytrax’s rankings were a better reflection of airport quality.
In Skytrax’s 2026 World Airport Awards, Changi Airport was crowned the World’s Best Airport, retaining its reputation as one of the leading aviation hubs globally.
Seoul Incheon International Airport came in second, followed by Tokyo Haneda Airport in third place.
Istanbul Airport, meanwhile, ranked eighth, while Rome Fiumicino Airport placed seventh.
The different results highlight how airport rankings can vary depending on the organisation conducting the survey, the respondents involved and the criteria used to evaluate each airport.
While Istanbul Airport may have won over readers of the British travel magazine, Changi Airport continues to receive recognition in other international rankings.
Ultimately, whether Istanbul deserves to be ahead of Changi may depend on what travellers value most when judging an airport.
For Singaporeans accustomed to Changi’s extensive facilities, shopping options, cleanliness and passenger services, the latest ranking may be difficult to agree with.