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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

Inside the 'world's best airport' with an amusement park, slides and trampoline nets

The world's best airport for 2023 has been revealed, and the winner boasts seriously cool amenities like amusement park, indoor forests, playgrounds for kids, and even trampoline nets suspended high above the terminal.

Changi Airport in Singapore has reclaimed its title as the best airport in the world in the latest Skytrax rankings, and it's definitely the kind of place where a delayed flight wouldn't be so bad.

After all, the travel hub is home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall; dubbed the Rain Vortex, this features at the centre of its terminal with special lighting effects that can transform it into a very cool rainbow coloured feature.

A rendering of the Topiary Walk in Changi Airport (Jewel Changi Airport Devt)

Families can also enjoy an indoor maze, a huge indoor forest with exotic plants and topiaries including animal-themed surprises for children to find, and a Canopy Bridge walkway above the terminal so you can take in the views of the attractions.

Meanwhile, any parent will know that trying to keep the kids entertained on longer journeys can be somewhat of a challenge, but at Changi there's heaps of fun for families including playgrounds, slides and even a Butterfly Garden. (Oh, and big kids will also love the Discovery Slide, a huge sculpture which grown-ups and kids can slide down!).

There's even a 'Heritage Zone' where shops have vintage facades so you feel like you've stepped into 1930s Singapore, complete with live theatrical performances - although it's worth noting that these are currently paused due to Covid.

The rainbow vortex is sure to be a highlight (Jewel Changi Airport Devt)

It's estimated that the complex cost approximately £951million to build.

You can find out more about the airport and all of the fun features on changiairport.com.

It's not the first time the airport has been praised for its facilities. Last year it topped a list of the best airports in research by Money.co.uk, which compared some of the world's busiest airports across a number of factors such as parking costs, on-time performance, transfer times, and the facilities on offer such as restaurants and shops.

Brits planning long-haul trips will want to take note of an increase in flight taxes due to kick in for 2024, which could add close to £30 to an average family's holiday.

Brits flying abroad on family holidays this summer will be impacted by a rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD) which is in line with inflation and was announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the spring 2023 budget.

The tax, which is charged based on how far people travel, will rise based on the predicted rate of inflation for the coming year.

The impact will be felt most by those who can afford to fly long-haul to far away destinations.

For an economy seat to Thailand or Australia the APD paid will increase from £84 to £91. For a family of four, that is close to £30 in extra spending.

What's the best/worst airport you've ever been to? Let us know in the comments below.

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