Auckland tops Sydney, Melbourne as Asia-Pacific's best airport

Auckland has beaten Sydney and Melbourne as the best airport in the Asia-Pacific in the 2012 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

It’s the fourth year in a row that New Zealand’s biggest airport has bested its Australian cousins.

Brisbane Airport was gonged as Asia-Pacific’s ‘Best Regional Airport’ – which many Brissie-based travellers will take as a backhanded compliment – with the Parkroyal Melbourne Airport chosen as the region’s best airport hotel.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards are based on an independent survey of 12 million passengers from 108 countries.

Incheon takes top spot

Stepping onto the global stage, Seoul’s Incheon International is rated as the world’s best airport, ahead of long-time favourites Singapore Changi and Hong Kong.

However, Singapore picked up a medal for being the best airport for transit passengers – no surprise to anyone who’s spent a few hours poking around Changi.

“The well thought out and quite unique leisure facilities including a swimming pool, open gardens and cinema continue to a be a driving force behind Singapore Changi Airport success as the world's leading transfer airport" said Skytrax chairman Edward Plaisted.

Asian airports continue to dominate the awards, this year claiming six of the top ten slots.

Best Terminal? Heathrow T5

A new category of World’s Best Airport Terminal (as opposed to airport) saw London’s Heathrow Terminal 5 take first honours.

“Despite initial teething problems when Terminal 5 opened in 2008, it has since become a firm favourite with passengers” Plaisted explained.

“The architecture, ambience and terminal layout was repeatedly mentioned in the feedback in the survey, as well as the extensive range of shopping and dining options in the departures area."

Best airports to shop and eat at...

Heathrow also scored for World's Best Airport Shopping, ahead of Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, like us, you may be a little mystified that Hong Kong International Airport – which has so far won the world's Best Airport accolade eight times – took the podium for Best Airport Dining Experience.

Here’s a rundown of the Skytrax award winners across several key categories. For a full breakdown head to worldairportawards.com.