Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named Best Airport in North America at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards in Frankfurt, Germany. Skytrax is recognized as the world’s premier international airport awards, with honours assessed according to votes cast by more than 13-million passengers worldwide.
YVR – the only Canadian airport earning top accolades in the survey – was also named the Cleanest Airport in North America and 17th best globally.
(Ed. note: Read on for further Canadian rankings).
The Skytrax World Airport Awards are globally recognized and are voted on by air travellers via the single largest, annual airport customer satisfaction survey, covering more than 550 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control or input. The survey evaluates the customer experience across all frontline areas of airport service and facilities.
YVR last received Best Airport in North America in 2021 and is the only airport to receive the designation of Best Airport in North America 14 times.
In 2023, YVR served 24.9 million travellers and implemented a number of operational improvements, while increasing collaboration with government and airlines, to build resilience and deliver a more efficient, predictable travel experience. This includes delivering accessibility programs and initiatives that meet the diverse needs of travellers and employees, ranging from a new Curbside Greeting program to sign language on information boards at each departure gate.
“Regaining our top spot as Best Airport in North America is a result of the dedication and hard work of our employees and everyone working here at YVR to serve travellers and our community,” said Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO at Vancouver International Airport. “From the team greeting people at our front doors, to those who move cargo and bags, to security staff who keep us moving safely, to those to maintain and clean our facilities – 26,000 people work at our airport each and every day with pride and purpose. This recognition belongs to them, and I want to acknowledge and thank them for all their work this past year.”
World’s best
Meanwhile, Doha’s Hamad International Airport was named the World’s Best Airport 2024, also taking honours as World’s Best Airport Shopping and the Best Airport in the Middle East. Here are the top 20 for 2024:
- Doha Hamad Airport
- Singapore Changi Airport
- Seoul Incheon Airport
- Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Tokyo Narita Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Dubai Airport
- Munich Airport
- Zurich Airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Hong Kong Airport
- Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Vienna Airport
- Helsinki-Vantaa
- Madrid-Barajas
- Centrair Nagoya Airport
- Vancouver Airport
- Kansai Airport
- Melbourne Airport
- Copenhagen Airport
Beyond YVR at No. 17, the rankings included Montreal Trudeau at 53 (No. 8 in North America) and Toronto Pearson at 63 (No. 10 North America).
Other notable rankings beyond the top 20: LHR (21), Amsterdam Schiphol (23), New York LGA (33), Frankfurt (34), London Gatwick (48), LAX (60), Atlanta (70), and JKF (93).
The top US airport was Seattle (24).
Canadian results
Some notable Canadian rankings (not previously mentioned) included:
- Toronto Pearson – 8th best globally in 40-50 million passengers category
- YVR – 3rd best globally for 20-30 million passengers and 7th best art globally for art
- Ottawa – No 6 in its class globally for less than 5 million passengers and 10th best regional airport North America
- Fairmont Vancouver Airport – 5th best airport hotel globally and 2nd in North America
- Best airport staff North America – No. 2 Montreal, No. 3 YVR.