42 Underrated Airports That Are Surprisingly Fun to Get Stuck In
Most people think of airports as places to endure, not enjoy. But what if a layover wasn’t wasted time—what if it was part of the adventure? Around the world, a surprising number of airports are flipping that script, turning transit zones into full-blown experiences. We’ve expanded our list to 42 underrated airports that prove travel can start long before takeoff. These aren’t sterile halls with bad coffee and stiff chairs. These are terminals with rooftop pools, forest lounges, live music, world-class art, and local cuisine worth missing a flight for. Some feel like museums, others like luxury spas, and a few—like sci-fi utopias. Whether you’re recharging in a Finnish sauna, exploring an in-terminal rainforest, or sipping wine under vaulted ceilings, these airports offer something rare: joy in transit. So next time you're stuck, look again. You might just be in one of the coolest places you never meant to visit.
