Unusual Airports Around the World
Unless you're flying out of Singapore Changi (SIN) — which has its own cinemas, butterfly and cactus gardens, nature trails and even a giant slide — you can't expect too much from an airport. If you're lucky, you might find a decent lounge or restaurant where you can kill some time before your flight. Or maybe all you want is decent infrastructure, like a tram or bus that takes you between terminals, or automated kiosks to help make the check-in process go by faster. Occasionally, though, you may find yourself in an airport that isn't like all the others. Here's a look at some of the most unique airports around the world, featuring everything from train and road crossings to ski slopes and landings on the beach.
Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand (DMK)
Besides being one of the world's oldest international airports — commercial flights began here in 1924 — it's also famous for another reason: there's a golf course located between the two runways. You read that right. There are no barriers separating the golf course from either runway, and golfers depend on a red light to know when planes will be coming in for a landing. It's unclear, however, what the caddy is supposed to do if the ball lands in front of a jumbo jet.
Kansai International Airport, Japan (KIX)
Built as a backup to help with overcrowding at Osaka International (ITM), Kansai may at first glance seem like any other airport, but it's actually situated on a man-made island off the coast of Honshu. The island, which is 2.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, took 10,000 workers and 80 ships about three years to construct, and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. In 2001, after seven years of service, it was dubbed the Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It's not all a bowl of cherries, though: The airport is sinking at an alarming rate. Now that the island is considered an engineering disaster, the Japanese government is trying to reinforce it, but only time will tell if they'll succeed.
King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia (RUH)
This airport makes the list for a few different reasons. Not only does it have one of the world's largest control towers, there's also a special terminal specifically for royalty or high-ranking VIP guests of the kingdom. Besides fancy décor like gardens and fountains, it offers a serious welcome upon arrival — think airside receptions featuring bands and honor guards. The royal pavilion also has a large mosque inside.
Gibraltar International Airport, UK (GIB)
Deemed by The History Channel as one of the world's most extreme airports, GIB has a crazy addition: a main road that crosses the runway. Winston Churchill Avenue leads toward the land border with Spain and must be closed to traffic each and every time a plane lands or departs. If you want to view the hectic mess of cars and pedestrians crossing the the runway, watch this video.
Gisborne Airport, New Zealand (GIS)
Think cars crossing the runway is crazy? GIS sees Gibraltar's traffic nightmare and ups the ante with train tracks that cross its runway. The Palmerston North-Gisborne Line runs right through the runway and all plane departures and arrivals must be coordinated with rail schedules to avoid any mishaps. Although the tracks aren't used much anymore, they still sit along the runway, and likely always will.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, US (SAV)
Built mostly on Georgia farmland, SAV encountered a slight hiccup when builders were extending one of the runways back in the 1980s — a small cemetery directly in the path of the planes. Since the family of the deceased didn't consent to having the bodies moved, a handful of graves still remain, but instead of eternal rest on a peaceful farm, the departed are now part of an airport runway. The graves were paved over, but two flat markers were added, ensuring that Richard and Catherine Dotson won't soon be forgotten.
Barra Airport, Scotland (BRR)
This is one of the few airports in the world that uses a beach as an official runway — it's divided into three runways, which are set in a triangle and marked by wooden poles. A windsock notifies beachcombers if a runway is in use. Pilots have to pay attention to the tides as well, because if the water is high, there may not even be a runway to land on.
Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, Portugal (FNC)
Also known as Madeira Airport, this one is famous not only the creepy statue of its soccer star namesake, but for its elevated runway. Originally, it was short and difficult to land on because of the surrounding mountains and ocean — in the 1980s, it was extended an extra 656 feet, but since there was nowhere else to go, the builders decided to make the airport jut out over the sea and created a platform over the ocean. Supported by 180 columns — each one about 230 feet high — the runway now sits partly on land and partly over the sea, as you can see in the photo below.
Courchevel Altiport, France (CVF)
Located in the heart of the French Alps, landing at this altiport — a term for aerodromes for small planes and helicopters in mountainous terrain — is a bit like landing on a ski slope. The runway's not just short, it's also steep, with an 18.6% gradient. The surrounding mountains make this one of the most difficult airports in the world to touch down on, and it's unlikely you'll be able to arrive during inclement weather or at night, as it has no nighttime lighting. If things look familiar, it may be because the James Bond film Goldeneye features this famous runway.
What's the craziest airport you've ever flown into or out of? What made it so nutty? Share your story below!
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.