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World’s most Instagrammed airports revealed
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Travelers walk through the Butterfly Garden at Changi Airport, Singapore. (Changi Airport/File)
W
aiting for a flight in an airport is probably not something you look forward to, especially if the transit takes more than three hours. But some airports are worth a visit, at least according to a list released by Singapore-based travel search engine Wego.
“We’ve seen an evolution in airports over recent years in terms of design, infrastructure and services, but combine that with more people traveling today than ever before, add a social media platform like Instagram, and you see which airports truly resonate with travelers,” the company's chief flights officer Dean Wicks said in a press release on Tuesday.
Here are eight of the most popular airports in the world based on the number of posts and tags on Instagram.
Changi Airport, Singapore
A lot of Jakartans have visited Singapore at least once, and we are all too familiar with Changi Airport, even when transferring between terminals for connecting flights. The airport provides impressive services with its innovative installations, a rooftop sunflower garden and annual festival celebrations for Christmas and New Year. The most photographed feature of the airport would have to be the Kinetic Rain installation.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
If you are traveling to Bangkok, you will definitely want to take pictures straight away because you are introduced to Thai culture before even stepping out of the airport. In spite of the fact that it has no official Instagram account of its own, it was named the most Instagrammed location in the world in 2012. Its most photographed area is the vaulted concourse, along with the intricately designed Buddhist Pagoda.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most beloved cities of the world, known for being the heart of California and home to the Hollywood sign, and a place to make your dreams in the entertainment industry a reality. It is also the second-most Instagrammed airport in the world, with the LAX sign being a popular feature on the social media app. The number of celebrities who pass through this airport contributes to the quantity of tags, and outside of an awards show, it is possibly one of the most opportune locations for star spotting.
(Read also: 6 Instagram-worthy hotels for your next holiday)
London Heathrow Airport, London
Heathrow is known as one of the busiest airports in the world, because who doesn't want to travel to London? There is a trend for food images, particularly a good British breakfast, along with departure lounge drink and passport shots. The lively photographs reflect the airport’s position as a global hub, playing host to many travelers who are either arriving or passing through the city.
Sydney International Airport, Sydney
Sydney is one of the first cities tourists visit when they travel to Australia. The airport is mostly tagged in photographs of aircraft on the runway, rather than what’s inside the terminals, with the stunning skyline, warm sunrises and the “G’day, Welcome Home” sign upon arrival, as well as the spectacularly designed Qantas First Class lounge.
Hamad International Airport, Doha
This airport connects Europe and the Middle East with Asia and the rest of the world. It is a pit stop for travelers, and on the possible routes for Indonesian travelers going to London. It actually has a strong presence on Instagram; Urs Fischer's Giant Teddy Bear is a point of interest in the departure terminal, as is the giant moving walkway for passengers transferring between concourses A and E.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Named after the 35th president of the United States following his assassination, it is the busiest international air passenger gateway in the country, and is located in Queens. It even has a restroom for dogs, complete with a decoration of a mini hydrant. New Yorkers reportedly enjoy using Instagram, posting the Big Apple’s very own Shake Shack, which has a particularly stylish airport outlet.
Haneda Airport, Tokyo
Japanese culture is well-known among those who enjoy watching anime and reading comics, and Jakarta is no stranger to J-pop. Also, everybody loves sushi. Haneda Airport has an enormous market place in Terminal 2 with curvy designs and striking architecture that is a big hit with travelers. The traditional Japanese-styled Edo-Koji shopping area in the international terminal and Japanese culinary delights in the departure lounge are also popular tags. (kha/kes)
