For AvGeeks seeking out flights operated by niche airlines on rare aircraft types, not all airports are created equal.
Some airports are fairly monotonous and predictable, served by a few major carriers operating run-of-the-mill aircraft to a few dozen destinations. Others, however, are aviation playgrounds featuring an extensive roster of smaller airlines serving far-flung destinations with rare and unique aircraft.
Whether you’re into plane spotting, hunting unique award redemptions, discovering obscure airlines, or taking the most interesting long-haul flights, certain airports stand out.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the 10 best airports in the world for AvGeeks. To create this ranked list, we looked at route diversity, fleet variety, airline mix, and the availability of unique award travel opportunities. Below, we’ll explore what makes each airport an AvGeek’s dream.
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Not every airport deserves a place on an aviation enthusiast’s bucket list. While some airports not found on this list may offer travelers a modern terminal with solid connectivity and premium amenities, we’re not ranking the best airports for travelers.
For this list, we evaluated airports based on several attributes that are likely to appeal to AvGeeks, plane spotters, and frequent flyers looking for a unique award flight. Here’s how we arrived at our top 10:
Exceptional Route Diversity
Airports that act as crossroads between regions, for example between Europe and Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and the Pacific, usually attract the widest variety of airlines. This is because these geographical crossroads serve as the perfect international hubs for connecting passenger traffic. For example:
- Istanbul (IST): Connects niche Central Asian cities like Dushanbe and Bishkek, leveraging its placement straddling Europe and Asia.
- Dubai (DXB): Offers routes throughout Africa, South Asia, and the Gulf serving as the perfect bridge between East and West.
- Frankfurt (FRA): Maintains nonstop flights to destinations like Windhoek, Astana, and Addis Ababa as a result of its status as a central European hub.
A Wide Mix of Airlines, Including Rare or Niche Carriers
What makes an airport exciting isn’t just how many airlines operate from its terminals but also which airlines serve the airport. Aviation nerds love hubs where rare regional carriers appear alongside global flagships. These include:
- New York-Kennedy (JFK): Hosts Uzbekistan Airways, Philippine Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and Saudia alongside major U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue.
- London-Heathrow (LHR): Attracts everything from Biman Bangladesh to MEA and SriLankan Airlines operating alongside British Airways’ massive home base.
- Addis Ababa (ADD): Sees a mix of tiny African regional carriers operating alongside major carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
Fleet Variety and Unusual Aircraft Types
Seeing an Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 is great, but seeing an A340-600, a 747-8, or a Fokker 50 is a memory an AvGeek files away forever. Airports that handle a wide spectrum of aircraft types feel more dynamic and unpredictable. Some airports that often see the most fleet variety or play host to unusual aircraft types include:
- Frankfurt (FRA): Is one of the few airports where you can still see the Boeing 747-8, 747-400 and Airbus A340-600 operating side-by-side.
- Johannesburg (JNB): Frequently sees the Airbus A340 and A380 mixing with ancient Boeing 737s and regional jets leased by smaller African carriers.
- Southeast Asia (CKG/KUL): Airports like Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are known for older narrowbodies and unique regional airliners not typically seen in the West.
Strong Presence of Fifth-Freedom Routes
Fifth-freedom routes—flights where an airline carries revenue traffic between two foreign countries as part of a service connecting to their home country—create extra excitement and excellent award opportunities. Some of the airports with the best mix of these fifth-freedom routes include:
- New York-Kennedy (JFK): Hosts fifth-freedom routes operated by Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Qantas.
- Singapore-Changi (SIN): Serves as a transit hub for airlines operating between Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. As a result, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, and Qantas all operate fifth-freedom flights from the airport.
- Tokyo-Narita (NRT): Boasts fifth-freedom flights operated by Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.
Unique Award Travel Opportunities
Finally, we looked at airports that boast unique flights bookable with points and miles. Airports that host airlines belonging to all major alliances—or easy-to-book partners—scored slightly higher.
With these criteria in mind, let’s look at the 10 best airports for AvGeeks.
The List: Top 10 Airports for AvGeeks
10. Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport is one of Africa’s busiest and most globally connected hubs, and is the second busiest airport on the African continent. The airport offers AvGeeks a fascinating mix of long-haul widebodies, regional carriers, and the opportunity to catch older aircraft that have all but vanished from most major hubs. As South Africa’s primary international gateway, JNB supports a diverse network of flights that span Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The AvGeek Appeal: What makes O.R. Tambo stand out is the “Hot and High” performance conditions and the blend of aircraft types. South African Airways, Airlink, and FlySafair dominate regional movement. While SAA operates a standard fleet of Airbus A320s, Airlink and FlySafair operate a more unique blend, including Embraer E-Jets and older Boeing 737 Classics.
Long-haul flights bring in a steady stream of A350s, 787s, and 777s from major carriers, while charter operators often rely on older widebodies that add retro flair.
Unique Routes from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Austral | Saint-Denis (RUN) | Airbus A220-300 | Niche regional carrier with limited network serving remote island of Reunion | |
| Air Botswana | Gaborone (GBE) | ATR-72-600 | ATR turboprops rare outside of a select few markets | |
| CemAir | Bloemfontein (BFN) | Dash 8-100 | Smallest variation of DHC-8 series in limited commercial service | Operates on additional routes including JNB-KIM |
| FlySafair | Durban (DUR) | Boeing 737-400 | Increasingly rare "classic" variation of the Boeing 737 | |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) | Boeing 747-8 | One of the routes regularly served by the carrier's 747-8 |
The Points & Miles Angle: JNB is a sweet spot for alliance connectivity. Star Alliance members can utilize United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan to book South African Airways for intra-Africa travel. For the long haul, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points can often be a great value for flights between the airport and London. One of the most popular redemptions is using Qatar Airways Avios to fly Qatar’s QSuite into JNB, connecting onward to the rest of Southern Africa.
9. Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
Although Tokyo-Haneda is the most globally connected airport serving the region, Tokyo-Narita offers travelers and aviation enthusiasts a greater assortment of quirky and unique routes. Narita is also served by a few niche carriers, offers a number of fifth-freedom flights, and features extensive cargo operations.
The AvGeek Appeal: Narita is home to ZIPAIR, Jetstar Japan, Peach, and other regional LCCs, which sit side-by-side with long-haul giants like Singapore Airlines and Emirates. That combination of flagship intercontinental flights and “thinner” regional routes to places like Saipan, Guam, and secondary Chinese cities gives Narita a unique AvGeek appeal.
Niche carriers here include Aero Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Cambodia Angkor Air to Phnom Penh, and Royal Brunei Airlines to Bandar Seri Begawan.
But the standout feature is United Airlines’ hub-like operation. United has significantly expanded its footprint, using NRT as a launching pad for fifth-freedom flights to the rest of Asia and Micronesia. The airline now serves the following markets from Narita:
- Cebu (CEB)
- Denver (DEN)
- Guam (GUM)
- Houston (IAH)
- Kaohsiung (KHH)
- Koro, Palau (ROR)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Newark (EWR)
- Saipan (SPN)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Ulaanbaatar (UBN)
Unique Routes from Tokyo-Narita:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Mongolia | Ulaanbaatar (UBN) | Airbus A319 | One of the few routes operated by this niche Mongolian carrier | |
| Nepal Airlines | Kathmandu (KTM) | Airbus A330-200 | One of the airline's few widebody routes serving the gateway to the Himalayas | |
| Singapore Airlines | Los Angeles (LAX) | Boeing 777-300 | Fifth-freedom flight | Potential award travel opportunity |
| Starlux Airlines | Taipei (TPE) | Airbus A350-900 | Relatively short route served by the airline's flagship widebody | Potential award travel opportunity |
| United Airlines | Ulaanbaatar (UBN) | Boeing 737-800 | Fifth-freedom flight that's part of the airline's niche Pacific network | Operates seasonally |
The Points & Miles Angle: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club remains the best way to book ANA First or Business Class (The Suite/The Room) to the U.S./Europe, provided you can find space. For regional hops, using United miles (or other Star Alliance currencies) to fly United’s “Island Hopper” segments or their direct flights to Cebu and Guam offers a unique way to explore the Pacific without backtracking to the U.S.
8. London-Heathrow (LHR)
London-Heathrow is the world’s most concentrated gathering of global flag carriers, premium long-haul flights, and widebody operations. Though, over the past few years, it has lost some of the fleet oddities of other airports on this list, the airport’s sheer size, scale and unrivaled connectivity make it a paradise for AvGeeks.
The AvGeek Appeal: If an airline has a flagship widebody it wants to show-off, it flies it to Heathrow. The airport routinely hosts the Airbus A380 from British Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines. It is also a prime location to spot lesser-known tails like Royal Brunei, Biman Bangladesh, and Tianjin Airlines. That’s not to mention the endless stream of Boeing 787s, Boeing 777s, and Airbus 350s.
AvGeeks might know Heathrow as one of the world’s best airports for plane spotting, thanks to the famous green at Myrtle Avenue near runway 27L, where enthusiasts can watch take in the sights and sounds of the hundreds of daily flights.
Selected Routes at London-Heathrow:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biman Bangladesh Airlines | Dhaka (DAC) | Boeing 787-8 | One of the few long-haul routes operated by Bangladesh's flag carrier | |
| Finnair | Helsinki (HEL) | Airbus A350 | Short-haul route served by the airline's flagship widebody | Great opportunity for cheap lie-flat business class award redemption |
| Loganair | Isle of Man (IOM) | ATR-72-600 | Serves the self-governing Crown dependency with ATR turboprop | |
| Qantas | Sydney (SYD) | Airbus A350-1000ULR | Will become the world's longest-flight when nonstops launch in 2026/27 | Currently operated with a stopover in Singapore (SIN) |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore (SIN) | Airbus A380 | Features Singapore Airlines' unique new first class suite | Hard to find availability, but potential award travel opportunity |
The Points & Miles Angle: The elephant in the room at LHR is the high Air Passenger Duty (APD) and carrier surcharges. However, savvy AvGeeks know how to navigate this. British Airways Reward Flight Saver awards can cap these fees for short-haul hops. For long-haul, using American Airlines miles or Alaska miles to fly on partner metal (like Finnair or Iberia) rather than BA can save hundreds of dollars in fees. If you do splurge on fees, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Upper Class) and the British Airways Concorde Room (First Class) are ground experiences worth the price of admission.
7. Malé-Velana International Airport (MLE)
Malé’s Velana International Airport might seem like an odd pick at first glance, but for AvGeeks, it is one of the most visually striking airports in the world. Built on its own island, the airport features a mix of widebody aircraft from major hubs and a constant flow of turboprops and seaplanes ferrying guests to resort islands across the Maldives.
The AvGeek Appeal: Few places on earth blend traffic like MLE. You will see a Qatar Airways A350 or Emirates 777 parked next to a De Havilland Twin Otter on floats. The seaplane operation here is the largest in the world, with Maldivian managing a massive fleet of Twin Otters that ferry guests to resort atolls. Watching these aircraft takeoff from the water adjacent to the main runway is a spectacle unique to the Maldives.
While Male’s main international airport doesn’t have a traditional rooftop observation deck, it is well known in spotting circles for its excellent views from nearby hotels, cafes, and waterfront areas on Hulhulé and neighboring islands, where aircraft can be watched arriving over the water.
Selected Routes at Male:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeOnd | Dubai Al-Maktoum (DWC) | Airbus A319 | Operates all-business class Airbus A319 | Operates thru-flights to Europe including Milan and Zurich |
| Emirates | Colombo (CMB) | Boeing 777-300 | Fifth-freedom flight | Great opportunity for cheap lie-flat business or first class award redemption |
| Maldivian | Various | DHC-6 Twin Otter | Operated as part of the airline's seaplane operations | |
| Manta Air | Various | DHC-6 Twin Otter | Non-amphibious variation serving STOL airports across the region | |
| Gulf Air | Colombo (CMB) | Airbus A321neo | Fifth-freedom route featuring carriers narrowbody lie-flat business class product |
The Points & Miles Angle: Getting to MLE is the ultimate goal for many points enthusiasts. Availability can be tough, but Qatar Airways’ QSuite (via Doha) and Etihad’s Apartments (via Abu Dhabi) are the gold standards. A lesser-known “sweet spot” is using Emirates Skywards to book the short fifth-freedom hop between Malé and Colombo (Sri Lanka). It’s an cheaper way to experience Emirates First Class or Business Class for a flight that lasts just over an hour.
6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
With its strong connections to destinations across the Pacific, robust route networks from all 3 major alliances, and premium long-haul flights, Los Angeles International Airport remains the West Coast’s go-to destination for AvGeeks. The airport sees everything from the Airbus A380 to Southern Airways Express’ Cessna 208 Caravan.
The AvGeek Appeal: What sets LAX apart is the sheer variety of airlines operating at the airport. International carriers including Air Tahiti Nui, Lufthansa, ZIPAIR, French Bee, and Starlux join the hub operations of the 3 major U.S. carriers. This mix of legacy carriers, boutique airlines, and leisure-focused operators makes Los Angeles International Airport an AvGeek paradise.
As a result, LAX is also one of the few airports that even serves as a destination for non-AvGeeks. The airport has become a staple in aviation spotting. This is partly thanks to the iconic In-and-Out restaurant located adjacent to two of the airport’s four runways. However, true aviation nerds know that some of the best spotting is done on Imperial Hill located on the south side of the airport.
Selected Routes at Los Angeles International Airport:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Tahiti Nui | Papeete (PPT) | Boeing 787-9 | Niche carrier serving the tropical paradise of Tahiti | Also operates fifth-freedom to Auckland (AKL) |
| Asiana Airlines | Seoul-Incheon (ICN) | Airbus A380 | One of the airlines few remaining Airbus A380 routes | Alternatively, Korean Air operates this route with the Boeing 747-8 |
| Fiji Airways | Nadi (NAN) | Airbus A350-900 | One of only two nonstop routes between the US mainland and Fiji on a niche carrier's flagship widebody | |
| Breeze Airways | Providence, RI (PVD) | Airbus A220-300 | Unique point-to-point transcontinental service | Operates seasonally |
| Southern Airways Express | Imperial/El Centro (IPL) | Cessna 208 | Cessna service to essential air service market |
The Points & Miles Angle: LAX is not a stronghold for any one alliance and this works in your favor. There are endless ways to redeem points or miles for flights from the airport through most major frequent flyer programs. However, Alaska Airlines Atmos is powerful program here including for those looking to book Starlux to Taipei, Korean Air to Seoul, or Qantas to Australia. British Airways Avios are also excellent for short-haul American Airlines flights up and down the West Coast (e.g., LAX to San Francisco or Cabo) despite recent devaluations.
5. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Singapore Changi is famous for its comfort and design (including it’s cascading waterfall feature), but AvGeeks know it as serving as one of the major geographic crossroads in aviation. With a blend of premium giants, Southeast Asian carriers, and regional airlines, Singapore Changi (SIN) sees a little bit of everything.
The AvGeek Appeal: From ultra-long-haul flights to New York and London to short turboprop hops into Indonesia and Malaysia, Changi offers a broad spectrum of operations in a very compact footprint. It’s also one of the best airports in the world to simply hang out in between flights while watching aircraft takeoff and land. For plane spotters, Changi provides several landside “Viewing Malls” and galleries in its terminals, with the Terminal 1 viewing gallery in particular offering good views of the apron and runway movements.
Selected Routes at Singapore Changi:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Dili | Dili (DIL) | AIrbus A319 | Flag carrier of Timor-Leste, a small and young nation | |
| Aircalin | Nouméa (NOU) | Airbus A330-900neo | One of the Caledonian carrier's few long-haul routes | |
| Air Niugini | Port Moresby (POM) | Boeing 767-300 | Increasingly rare aircraft in passenger airline fleets | |
| Drukair | Paro (PBH) | Airbus A319 | Bhutan's flag carrier serving Paro, an airport surrounded by mountains as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) | |
| Singapore Airlines | New York-Kennedy (JFK) | Airbus A350-900 | Currently the world's longest scheduled passenger flight |
The Points & Miles Angle: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is the key here. It is a transfer partner of Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One, making miles easy to earn. Look out for their monthly “Spontaneous Escapes,” which offer 30% off award redemptions. Also, SIN is one of the best places to use the Aeroplan “Stopover” rule: book a flight from the U.S. to Thailand or Australia, add a stopover in Singapore for just 5,000 extra points, and enjoy a few days of spotting.
4. New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
New York-Kennedy International Airport, or JFK as it’s better known, sees more passengers arriving from international destinations than any other airport in the United States. Serving the financial capital of the U.S. and one of the country’s cultural hubs, JFK Airport sees dozens of global flag carriers, a number of premium fifth-freedom routes, and even the fairly rare Tecnam P2012 operated by Cape Air.
The AvGeek Appeal: You’ll find a wide variety of international carriers including Uzbekistan Airways, Philippine Airlines, Etihad Airways, El Al, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines operating from one of the airport’s 5 terminals. Terminals 1 and 4 see a constant stream of A330s, A350s, 777s, and 787s arriving and departing for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
JFK is also home to one of the most talked-about spotting points in the world. Aviation geeks willing to pay the entry fee can enjoy panoramic views of Terminals 4 and 5 from the TWA Hotel’s rooftop pool. Between the iconic TWA Terminal and various outdoor spaces like JetBlue’s rooftop terrace at Terminal 5, there are several ways to watch aircraft without having to park alongside one of the airport’s busy roadways.
Selected Routes at New York-JFK:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Serbia | Belgrade (BEG) | Airbus A330-200 | One of Air Serbia's few long-haul routes | |
| Cape Air | Various | Tecnam P2012 | Smaller regional carrier operating the niche P2012 aircraft | |
| Emirates | Milan Malpensa (MXP) | Airbus A380 | Long-running fifth-freedom route operated by the superjumbo A380 | |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) | Airbus A340-600, Boeing 747-400 | Experience two increasingly rare icons on flights to Frankfurt | Aircraft rotate seasonally, occasionally operated by Boeing 747-8 |
| Qantas | Sydney (SYD), Auckland (AKL) | Boeing 787-9 | Qantas' one-stop thru-flight to Sydney operated via Auckland | JFK-AKL bookable as fifth-freedom flight |
The Points & Miles Angle: JFK offers arguably the most diverse award options in North America. If you’re looking to fly to Europe, one sweet spot is to use Iberia Avios to book Iberia Business Class to Madrid. Taxes are significantly lower than booking via British Airways. However, with the airport home not only to oneworld carriers, you can also redeem Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue miles, or JetBlue TrueBlue points.
Related: How Many JetBlue Points Do You Need for an Award Flight?
3. Istanbul International Airport (IST)
Istanbul International Airport is the most connected airport in the world in terms of destinations served. This should come as no surprise thanks to the airports position between Europe and Asia. The current and former Istanbul International Airports have long served as a bridge between East and West. As a result, there are no shortages of thin and even unusual routes to and from the airport.
The AvGeek Appeal: Turkish Airlines’ enormous global network is the backbone of operations at IST Airport, linking it to over 120 countries across the globe including to secondary markets in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and North Africa. That means you’ll routinely see departures for places many travelers have never heard of, alongside more familiar flights to major European and Asian cities.
Istanbul has also leaned into its AvGeek appeal with an official spotter area located on a hill west of the airport, offering panoramic views of the runways and aprons. The airport also features several “Fresh Air Terraces” inside the terminal where passengers can step outside and take in the action.
Selected Routes at Istanbul International Airport:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly OYA | Tripoli (MJI) | Boeing 777-200 | Libyan start-up carrier operating ex-JAL Boeing 777 | Boeing 777 operates only on select days |
| Jordan Aviation | Amman (AMM) | Boeing 737-300 | Jordan's lesser-known airline operating increasingly rare "classic" variation of the Boeing 737 | |
| Red Wings Airlines | Samara (KUF), Sochi (AER), Ufa (UFA), | Sukhoi Superjet SU-95 | One of the few modern Russian airliners in regular service | |
| Sichuan Airlines | Athens (ATH) | Airbus A330-300, -200 | Unique fifth-freedom route operated by a lesser-known Chinese carrier | |
| Turkmenistan Airlines | Ashgabat (ASB) | Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR | Turkmenistan's flag carrier occasionally operated by the airline's flagship widebody | Only operates on select days with route regularly seeing Boeing 737-800 |
The Points & Miles Angle: Istanbul International Airport is a Star Alliance fortress. Using Air Canada Aeroplan to book Turkish Airlines business class avoids the fuel surcharges that some other programs impose. Both United MileagePlus and Avianca LifeMiles will also come in handy for partner award flights from the airport.
2. Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport is the undisputed gateway between North and South America. Serving as this gateway, MIA hosts a variety of airlines from across Central and South America, alongside a healthy mix of European and Middle Easter carriers. The airport offers a unique window into Latin American aviation, with everything from legacy flag carriers to low-cost operators bringing in a wide range of aircraft and liveries you rarely see at other U.S. airports.
The AvGeek Appeal: You’ll see American Airlines’ massive hub alongside flights from Avianca, LATAM, Copa Airlines, Boliviana de Aviación, and many other Central and South American carriers at the airport. Nearly every major European carrier including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Iberia serve MIA daily. You’ll also see smaller leisure carriers including Condor and Air Europa.
Cargo movements are also unmatched with Miami International Airport being one of the busiest cargo hubs in the Americas. The combination of heavy Latin American traffic, transatlantic service, and cargo carriers creates a robust lineup of diverse airlines and aircraft at anytime of the day.
Miami doesn’t have a single famous rooftop observation deck like some airports on this list, but it is a well-established spotting destination, with multiple locations around the airfield. While these locations are all rather informal spotting points, airport police tolerate spotting at the airport. There is an even a spotting location on the west side of the airport in which dedicated holes for cameras have been cut out of the fence surrounding the airfield.
Selected Routes at Miami International Airport:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Pointe-a-Pitre | Airbus A320-200 | The first leg of one of the airline's "Milk Runs" serving French territories in the Americas | Potential award travel opportunity though, availability can be hard to find |
| American Airlines | South Bimini (BIM) | Embraer E175 | Flight distance of just 58 miles (93 km) makes these one of the shortest flights in the Americas | Begins February 14, 2026 |
| Emirates | Bogota (BOG) | Boeing 777-300ER | Fifth-freedom flight | Potential award travel opportunity though, availability can be hard to find |
| GOL | Brasília (BSB) | Boeing 737MAX8 | One of the longest scheduled flights operated by a Boeing 737 | |
| World Atlantic Airlines | Havana (HAV) | McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | One of the last few passenger routes to/from the U.S. operated by the MD-80 | Charter flight, service is variable |
The Points & Miles Angle: Again, despite devaluations, using British Airways Avios to book short-haul American Airlines flights to the Caribbean is a solid redemption from MIA. Because Avios is distance-based, flights from MIA to places like Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, or Jamaica can cost a fraction of the miles American would charge directly. However, both the Alaska Airlines Atmos and American Airlines AAdvantage programs remain strong options for award travel from Miami.
Related: How Many American Airlines Miles Do You Need For an Award Flight?
1. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
For some, number 1 will come as no surprise. Thanks to the airports ideal geographic positioning and its status of the home base for regional powerhouse Emirates Airline, Dubai International Airport claims the top spot on the list. No other airport combines premium carriers, rare and lesser-known airlines, unique routes, and widebody traffic at this scale.
The AvGeek Appeal: Emirates dominates operations at DXB with a fleet built around the A380 and 777-300ER, linking Dubai to major and secondary cities across nearly every continent. Alongside Emirates, you’ll find flydubai’s extensive 737 operation and a wide range of airlines from Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia. The airport boasts a number of lesser-known destinations to cities like Basra, Multan, Haikou, Lusaka, and Novosibirsk that you won’t see on many Western departure boards.
Dubai is not as straightforward for plane spotting as some other hubs, and there is no official public observation deck. However, enthusiasts often make use of landside vantage points such as certain terminal food courts, nearby parks, and spotting-friendly hotels or other properties with rooftop pools and terraces that overlook the runways.
Selected Routes at Dubai International Airport:
| Airline | Destination | Aircraft Types | What Makes This Unique | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Baltic | Riga (RIG) | Airbus A220-300 | One of the longest flights operated by the Airbus A220 | |
| Belavia | Minsk (MSQ) | Airbus A330-200 | Operated by one of three Airbus A330s with storied pasts acquired in 2025 by evading sanctions | Flights rotate between Boeing 737s and Airbus A330 |
| Iran Airtour | Tehran (IKA) | Airbus A310, A300 | Extremely rare older Airbus models | |
| Kish Air | Kish Island (KIH) | McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | A short 30-minute flight operated by the iconic MD-80 | |
| Royal Brunei Airlines | London-Heathrow (LHR) | Boeing 787-8 | Fifth freedom flight operated by the airline's flagship widebody |
The Points & Miles Angle: If you want to fly Emirates First Class, DXB is the place to be. Over the past few years, Emirates has restricted First Class inventory mostly to members of its own program. Fortunately, Skywards is a transfer partner of all major credit card programs (Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One). For Star Alliance flyers, Air Canada Aeroplan has a partnership with Emirates (for economy/business and occasionally first class), allowing unique routings through DXB without breaking the bank.
Other Noteworthy Airports for AvGeeks
While the top 10 airports on this list offer some of the highest concentrations of rare aircraft and unique routes, there are several others around the world that are still worth a mention. These airports didn’t make the final ranking, often because their traffic mix is more limited or their connectivity is more regional. Nevertheless, these three airports also offer air traffic that is irresistible to aviation enthusiasts.
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo International Airport is a major crossroads between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, giving AvGeeks a steady mix of widebodies, regional jets, and carriers from across North and East Africa. Beyond the hometown carrier, EgyptAir, Cairo is a magnet for many lesser-known airlines that often fly older leased aircraft including carriers like Yemenia and Sudan Airways that are banned from Western airspace. If you are lucky, you might even spot Soviet-era cargo aircraft transporting freight on flights to smaller cities across Africa.
Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO)
Following geopolitical events, SVO has transformed into a hub where sanctioned Western widebodies (like Aeroflot’s A350s and 777s) fly alongside a resurrected fleet of Russian-built aircraft. AvGeeks visitng in 2025 can spot the re-introduction of the Tupolev Tu-214 and increasing numbers of Sukhoi Superjets replacing Airbuses and Boeings. Additionally, the void left by Western carriers has been filled by a massive influx of Chinese carriers making SVO one of the best places outside of East Asia to see the full lineups of Air China, China Southern, and Beijing Capital Airlines.
Related: What It’s Like to Fly on The Russian-built Sukhoi Superjet
Havana / Jose Marti International Airport (HAV)
Havana offers the most distinctive “time capsule” atmosphere in the Americas. The crown jewel for enthusiasts is Cubana de Aviación, which returned its flagship Ilyushin Il-96-300 to service in 2023 after heavy maintenance. Seeing this four-engine Soviet giant operating alongside modern Boeing 787s from Europe and American 737s from Miami is a surreal contrast unique to Cuba. While much of Cubana’s fleet (including the Tu-204 and An-158) often sits grounded visible from the terminal, the active mix of Venezuelan, Russian, and Caribbean traffic makes the airport a bucket-list destination for anyone chasing retro airliners.
Final Thoughts
Even with a ranked list and clear criteria, any “best airports for AvGeeks” roundup is going to be at least a little subjective. But the criteria for this list were clear: where can you find the best mix of rare aircraft, fifth-freedom routes, and niche or lesser-known airlines?
While legendary cargo hubs like Anchorage (ANC) or Leipzig (LEJ) dominate in volume, and time capsules like Havana (HAV) offer nostalgia, the top 10 provide a dynamic mix of both—plus the ability to actually fly some of these routes using points or miles.
From the unrivaled connectivity of Istanbul to the robust mix of airlines operating at New York-JFK, each hub offers AvGeeks something different. If you are looking to cross a specific airframe off your bucket list or want to try out an airline you wouldn’t see serving most cities, these are the best airports to do just that.
Do you agree with this list? What airports did we miss?
