Saturday, July 12, 2025
In a world where airports often mean stress, crowds, and endless security lines, a handful of visionary terminals are rewriting the story of air travel. Kansai International Airport in Osaka has surged ahead, outshining contenders in Marseille, Portland, Réunion Island’s Roland Garros, San Francisco, and Yantai Penglai to claim the spotlight as one of the world’s most beautiful airports for 2025.
This fresh recognition from the prestigious Prix Versailles signals more than just sleek architecture. It’s a powerful statement about how airports are evolving into spaces of beauty, sustainability, and cultural pride. Passengers now crave terminals that soothe the soul and spark wonder, and airports across continents are racing to deliver.
Airports often feel like battlegrounds of stress and security lines. Yet in 2025, six extraordinary terminals prove they can be sanctuaries of light, nature, and art.
The Prix Versailles—a global award recognizing architectural brilliance—has unveiled its picks for the world’s most beautiful airports. And the winners are more than buildings. They’re living statements about how travel can be transformative.
From Japan’s ocean-inspired skylines to Oregon’s forested ceilings, these terminals signal an industry pivoting hard toward innovation and sustainability. It’s not just about getting passengers from A to B. It’s about how those journeys make us feel.
US Terminals Shine Bright on Global Stage
Two American airports claimed honors this year, sending a strong message: U.S. aviation is ready for a new era.
Portland International Airport (PDX) has unveiled a terminal that feels like stepping into a Pacific Northwest forest. Towering timber beams. Cascading daylight. Live plants breathing life into travel’s usual chaos.
The new space covers a million square feet. It boasts 72 live plants and 49 skylights. Designers drew inspiration from serene forest trails, aiming to calm anxious travelers. Studies show such biophilic design can lower stress and heart rates. And passengers are noticing.
Meanwhile, San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is rewriting how terminals can embody history and hope.
This terminal is the first worldwide named after an openly gay elected official. Beyond the tribute, SFO is racing toward a triple goal: zero carbon emissions, zero landfill waste, and zero net energy use.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with views of the Bay. Travelers wander through multimedia art installations that celebrate Milk’s civil rights legacy. For SFO, beauty isn’t just aesthetic. It’s a cultural mission.
Japan’s Kansai International Soars to New Heights
Across the Pacific, Japan’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) Terminal 1 is glowing under the spotlight. Originally crafted in 1994 by iconic Italian architect Renzo Piano, the terminal remains one of the world’s longest passenger buildings.
After a seven-year renovation completed earlier this year, the terminal now feels reborn. International capacity has jumped by 25 percent.
Populous, the global design powerhouse, orchestrated the overhaul. New materials reflect Japan’s natural beauty. Glass walls stretch floor-to-ceiling, pouring light and ocean views into every corner. It’s a breathtaking experience that feels like travel’s future.
Marseille’s Gateway Turns Travel into Art
Meanwhile, travelers heading to France’s southern coast have another reason to linger. Marseille Provence Airport’s (MRS) Terminal 1 has emerged as a symbol of elegant, sustainable architecture.
After a two-year closure and intense renovation, the terminal now welcomes 1.2 million more passengers annually. Foster + Partners designed a roof that’s both art and science.
An inverted beam structure with glass skylights draws daylight deep into the building. Natural ventilation reduces cooling needs. Indoor trees line passenger pathways, bringing tranquility to every step.
It’s a bold bet that beauty and sustainability can thrive side by side. And it’s paying off.
Roland Garros Airport: Green Innovation Takes Flight
On Réunion Island, Roland Garros Airport (RUN) has etched itself into history as the world’s first tropical bioclimatic airport terminal. This isn’t just architecture—it’s an environmental statement.
Opened in early 2024, the arrivals terminal harnesses nature for climate control. A central “canyon” acts as a thermal chimney. Air flows naturally through the space, reducing the need for mechanical cooling.
A staggering 830 shutters adjust automatically to sun, wind, and rain. Local volcanic stone and lush vegetation transform the terminal into a living showcase of Réunion’s unique ecosystem.
The airport is more than a gateway—it’s an extension of the island itself.
China’s Yantai Penglai Celebrates Maritime Heritage
In China, Yantai Penglai International Airport (YNT) Terminal 2 captures the spirit of both sea and mountain. Opened last summer, this striking building stands as a bridge between past and future.
Its sweeping roof echoes the curves of Mount Kunyu nearby. Inside, wooden arches pay homage to ship hulls, honoring the region’s ties to the Maritime Silk Road.
Light streams through every angle, casting dramatic shadows and highlighting elegant natural finishes. The terminal is more than functional—it’s storytelling in steel and glass.
A New Era for Airports—and Travelers
These six winning terminals signal a seismic shift in how the travel industry views airports. They’re no longer grim corridors we endure. They’re experiences we remember.
Airports today are competing for hearts and minds. Passengers crave spaces that soothe stress, spark wonder, and reflect cultural identity. The travel industry has listened—and is investing billions in reshaping the passenger journey.
In the U.S. alone, nearly $12 billion in federal grants since 2022 has fueled transformative airport upgrades. Concourses are being rebuilt. Dining options rival city restaurants. Lounges cater to wellness and work.
Moreover, sustainability is no longer optional. Eco-friendly architecture has become a core travel industry trend. Airports like SFO and RUN prove that design can reduce emissions, lower costs, and win traveler loyalty.
Beauty Meets Bottom Line
There’s a powerful business case behind these artistic visions. Passengers who feel calmer and happier spend more time—and more money—inside terminals.
Retail sales. Food and beverage revenue. Airport advertising. All these grow when travelers linger in beautiful spaces.
Tourism authorities are watching closely. A region’s airport often shapes first impressions. Cities and countries investing in iconic terminals are staking claims as forward-thinking travel hubs.
The 2025 Prix Versailles winners aren’t just architectural triumphs. They’re signals that global travel is evolving fast.
The Stakes Are Rising
Airports are racing to balance beauty, sustainability, and efficiency. Passenger expectations have never been higher. And in an age of fierce competition for tourism dollars, terminals can tip the scales.
The six airports crowned by Prix Versailles have thrown down the gauntlet. They’re redefining what travel can be—and daring others to keep up.
Because in 2025, it’s no longer enough for airports to move people. They have to move hearts.
Tags: asia pacific, china, Europe, france, japan, Marseille, north america, Oregon, Osaka, Portland, Réunion Island, San Francisco, travel industry 2025, United States, Yantai
