Forget endless corridors and soulless departure lounges. The 2026 Prix Versailles, which each year recognises the world's finest architectural achievements, has unveiled the seven most remarkable airports of the moment. Combining technical innovation, sustainable design and tributes to local cultures, these airports are redefining the travel experience.
Long regarded as little more than transport hubs, airports are increasingly being reinvented as welcoming, people-focused architectural spaces. It is precisely this bold new vision that the Prix Versailles celebrates. Created with the support of UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, the award honours some of the world's most outstanding architectural projects each year, from restaurants and railway stations to museums. For its 2026 edition, the jury selected seven airports that present a fresh vision of travel—one that is more beautiful, more sustainable and more deeply rooted in its local environment.
Airports That Have Become Architectural Landmarks
Airports are more than simply places of transit; they are often a traveller's first and last impression of a destination. As a result, many airports now commission leading architectural practices to create spaces that reflect their country's cultural, economic and environmental ambitions. In recent years, numerous airports have been built from scratch or comprehensively refurbished to provide a better experience for the millions of passengers who pass through them.
Only seven, however, earned a place on this year's Prix Versailles list. Among them is Cambodia's Techo International Airport, designed by Foster + Partners. It stands out for its vast roof, inspired by traditional Khmer architecture and carefully engineered to maximise natural daylight.
In Germany, Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 3 has been designed to make passengers' journeys as seamless as they are enjoyable. The architects opted for high-quality natural materials, including Jura limestone and travertine, to create a warm atmosphere, while generous, light-filled spaces enhance the overall experience. The piers, boarding gates and lounges are inspired by the streets and squares of a city, while three enormous suspended sculptures, made up of continuously rotating coloured aluminium discs, constantly transform the perception of the space.
Opened in 2025, Terminal 1 at Navi Mumbai International Airport is one of the most ambitious airport projects of recent years. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, it takes its inspiration from the lotus, India's sacred flower, with its forms echoed throughout the monumental roof, columns and ceilings.
'A carefully curated digital art programme further reinforces the project's innovative character, with interactive and dynamic installations positioned at key waiting areas. These transitional spaces bring together the youthful, dynamic face of India with the timeless richness of its cultural heritage,' the official statement explains.
The 7 airports recognised by the 2026 Prix Versailles
From the United States and China to India, Germany and Cambodia, this year's winners showcase the remarkable diversity of architectural approaches around the world. The airports recognised by the 2026 Prix Versailles for their exceptional design are:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Terminal 3 (China)
- Frankfurt Airport, Terminal 3 (Germany)
- Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Terminal 2 (India)
- Navi Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 1 (India)
- Techo International Airport (Cambodia)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (United States)
- San Diego International Airport, Terminal 1 (United States)
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