World’s most beautiful airports of 2026 chosen by Prix Versailles

The Prix Versailles has unveiled its list of the world’s most beautiful airports for 2026. The list of seven newly opened airports comprises “innovative, inescapable hallmarks of their regions and their eras,” according to Prix Versailles Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain.

In December, three projects from the list will be given additional titles of a World Title – Prix Versailles, Interior, or Exterior. The unveiling of the airport shortlist comes shortly after the organization chose its shortlist for restaurants, hotels, and museums. 

Below, we have published the seven projects comprising the World's Most Beautiful Airports list 2026. You can compare the projects with those of previous years by following our ongoing coverage of the series here.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Terminal 3, Guangzhou, China by Artelia and the Guangdong Architectural Design and Research Institute (GDAD)

Project excerpt: “The stylised cycle of clouds, water and flowers produces an intuitive, light-filled layout with fluid, organic curves to guide travellers on their way. The overall effect calls to mind the prosperity of the Maritime Silk Road and brings movement, clarity and exchanges to the forefront in an ever-blossoming décor. Through rhythmic sequences of terraces, atriums and gardens – including the highest openair public observation deck at a Chinese airport – Terminal 3 has emerged as an icon of hospitality, one that is avant-garde and yet also imbued with age-old history, just like the Greater Bay.”

Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3, Frankfurt am Main, Germany by Christoph Mäckler

Project excerpt: “To give travellers a smooth, familiar experience, its piers, boarding gates and lounges emulate the streets and squares of a city. Its aesthetics rely on noble materials in warm tones, like Jura limestone and travertine. Vast spaces, bathed in natural light thanks to large plate glass windows, create a soothing atmosphere while minimising the use of artificial light sources. The architecture, which flawlessly blends sociability with technicality, delivers a constantly refreshed travel experience, as exemplified by three hanging ring-shaped sculptures, made up of coloured aluminium discs that rotate continuously, perpetually altering perceptions of the installation.”

Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport Terminal 2, Guwahati, India by Nuru Karim 

Project excerpt: “Sweeping vaulted ceilings in organic shapes provide structure to the whole building, subtly referencing Assam’s sacred landscapes and indigenous architectural traditions. These vast spaces are complemented by fluid ceiling patterns that trace the rhythms of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, intuitively guiding passengers through a sequence of open, legible spaces. Indigenous art, tribal narratives and local craftsmanship are seamlessly embedded within the interiors, transforming waiting areas and transition zones into moments of discovery and reflection.”

Navi Mumbai International Airport Terminal 1, Navi Mumbai, India by Zaha Hadid Architects

Project excerpt: “The lotus design, devised by Zaha Hadid Architects, gives structure to the project’s formal language, including the overhangs extending from the roof. Like the sacred flower, the new terminal opens each day as its petals unfurl in the morning light. A series of geometric portals choreographs the arrival experience, extending inward as a continuous ceiling and resolving into signature lotus-inspired columns that define ceremonial, intuitive entrances. Lastly, a carefully curated digital art programme enhances the project’s future-ready character through dynamic, interactive installations placed at key pause points. In these transitory spaces, the youthful, innovation-driven face of India fuses with the timelessness of its culture.”

Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia by Foster + Partners

Project excerpt: “This infrastructure is contained beneath an overarching roof canopy that prioritises short walking distances from the drop-off zone to the boarding areas, as well as simple orientation. The modular roof has an undulating form that crescendos at the centre of the building, in an echo to Cambodia’s spectacular palaces and temples. The interior ceilings are inspired by traditional basket weaving and seem to be actually woven out of bamboo and rattan, reducing the need for mechanical ventilation and for artificial lighting during the day. Greenery follows the passenger journey through the terminal, with native rumduol trees – a national symbol – rising within the soaring central void.”

Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, United States by Gensler and HDR

Project excerpt: “Drafted by Gensler and HDR in association with luis vidal + architects, its design celebrates the natural landscape, with biophilic integrations blurring the line between indoors and out. 38 steel columns shaped like trees create a familiar, warm canopy 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. Representative of the region’s heritage, showcasing local artists and the new “Petal Tunnel” (inspired by the Fort Pitt Tunnel), the airport is worthy of praise for its energy efficiency, its significantly shortened passenger distances and its inclusive comfort features, making it a role model for global air travel.”

San Diego International Airport, Terminal 1, San Diego, United States by Gensler

Project excerpt: “The architecture, entrusted to Gensler, choreographs the landside-airside sequence into a seamless, intuitive procession from curb to boarding gate. Its most iconic feature, a 244 metres long curved glass façade developed in collaboration with the artist and architect James Carpenter, disseminates natural daylight while tempering heat and glare. This produces a bright, expansive space that recalls the city’s bayfront promenades and gardens. Thanks to an innovative system that allowed for the removal of structural columns, the ticketing hall feels more open, with a carbon footprint that has shrunk by 30%. Lastly, outdoor terraces overlooking the bay, flexible lounges and local concessions enhance the comfort and the profoundly appealing character of the site.”