Not everyone arrives at the airport by limousine, gets ushered (almost) straight through to the First Class lounge and then into Seat 1A. SKYTRAX, London, U.K.-based aviation research experts (www.airlinequality.com), carefully scrutinizes airports annually, assessing their overall product, service and general comfort, and awarding airport "Oscars®."

Peter Miller is SKYTRAX’s director of marketing. His company considers the viewpoint of leisure travelers heavily, since “those are the guys who’ll make maximum use of the facilities and have more contact with different service points within the airport,” Miller says. Asian airports score high, “purpose-built for the 21st century, not having been adapted like some airports, from 20 or 30 years ago when passenger requirements were different.”

Honestly, Miller confides, ”every one of us dislikes departing, arriving, getting there, standing in queue (line), and more ‘with-it’ airport operators respect that fact.” That alone is worth a major award. These airports made the coveted SKYTRAX “best” list for 2006, rated on 40 aspects of passenger satisfaction. Ladies and gentlemen flyers, the envelope please:

1. Singapore Changi: “It’s been in the top two or three for many years,” according to Miller, who adds that the majority of its customers are leisure travelers and those transferring to other flights. He cites “a fantastic array of services, a swimming pool, day or transit rooms, free Wi-Fi, cinemas, jazz music, piano bar, and the place is spotlessly clean.” One airport survey participant wrote that “Singapore have made the airport experience something to look forward to...rather than something one normally dreads."

2.  Hong Kong International: This airport, opened in July 1998, nips at Singapore’s heels for the #1 spot. With seven floors of shopping - and 11 bookstores - it’s clean, spacious, efficient, airy and light. Travelers laud the variety of dining choices and rate food quality high in spots like Sky Garden Restaurant, Caf? Deco and Toro Bar & Seafood House. For HK $250, take advantage of ‘luxe airport lounges with full amenities including buffet.

3. Munich: Snagged “Best Airport in Europe” kudos for ease of transit process and variety of facilities, including 130 shops and Travel Market, with 50 travel agencies and “organizers.” Passengers enjoy the Bavarian delis and other international noshes like Thai, Turkish, Japanese and Italian, plus supermarkets. Hop frequent train service to central Munich via the S-Bahn. 

4. Osaka Kansai: It took first place in the SKYTRAX Immigration Service category and gets points overall for ease of communication, terminal cleanliness/presentation, and high standards of staff service across front-line customer service functions. It’s “impossible to get lost in,” writes one appreciative passenger. Kansai has stunning views of landings and departures and lovely outdoor terraces. Out of 35 total offerings, you can dine in one of 21 Japanese restaurants. This single terminal is reputed to be “the longest building in the world.”

5. Seoul Incheon: Seoul slipped down a few notches, but SKYTRAX says it’s “highly regarded as a transit airport, and particularly praised for quality of staff service, terminal facilities and cleanliness.” It seems that poor ground transportation options and travel times between Incheon and downtown Seoul caused the drop. Respondents say it’s “quiet,” “a monument,” with “spotless” restrooms and “friendly, polite people” who provide “great customer service.” Change channels on free plasma TVs at most gates; use the public gym, massage and pedicure services.

6. Kuala Lumpur (KLIA): Its slogan is “Integrated for Ease.” Surveyed travelers like ease of transfer and a “more general feeling of space around terminal areas.” The place is spacious with lots of light - and a “forest” in the middle - with plentiful areas for relaxing. Pay to use those executive lounges with showers, food and Internet or take the Sky Bridge over to the highly rated Pan Pacific Hotel, with its full list of amenities, including pool and gym.  

7. Helsinki Vantaa: At last, we’re back in Europe, and this airport - busy yet serene, according to passengers - is stylish, pleasing and clean with efficient architecture (incorporating wood and glass, accented by sculpture), SKYTRAX says. Shop in three main areas for some of Finland’s best-known designer products. Care to quaff? Try The Oak Barrel for good beer and whiskey selections or The Sky Cellar Wine Bar.

8. Zurich: “Efficiency, speed of processing and a good, balanced range of facilities were frequent reasons supporting the nominations for this airport,” SKYTRAX notes. Travelers say it’s “very Swiss!” and vote for its floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining choices include Chalet Suisse, Momma Leone’s and the Bill Bentley Pub. You can snag yummy free samples from luxury chocolate shops. Grocery stores, banks, shower and rest areas, plus well-equipped business facilities, soothe harried travelers

9. Dubai: This airport, with major construction under way, was named blue ribbon winner in the Best Duty-Free Shopping category: 35,000 product lines. Standards of passenger experience, it seems, “mirror consequent congestion levels through the terminal areas,” SKYTRAX says, and in fact, some passengers do report “sleeping bodies!” Need space and TLC? Buy it, as Dubai offers “E Services” such as the Al Majlis, for special check-in, immigration and baggage clearance.

10. Copenhagen: Hungry? This airport won the Best Airport Dining honors, and made the overall list because of “staff service efficiency, terminal facilities and general ambience.” Seek out quiet areas and Danish ergonomic chairs. “A beautiful airport: wooden floors, free Internet portals everywhere, great shopping and very up-to-date on everything,” one SKYTRAX frequent flyer commented. “Well laid-out,” another said. Excellent train service adjacent to Sweden too. Eat and treat with Danes at Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar, the Salmon House or Gino’s Pasta.

The author, a former Carolina girl, likes to rock…in wooden chairs inside Charlotte Douglas International Airport.