1-860-374-7569 These International Airports Are A Luxury Shopper's Paradise

Shopping has become almost synonymous with the airport experience as both airports and airlines try to make the most of passengers having hours of time to burn with little to do. Nowadays, most of the world's leading international airports offer a wide range of shopping options both landside and airside.

At some of the best airports, the experience is akin to strolling through a world-class luxury shopping mall, given the huge amount of shops, restaurants, and other curiosities on offer. In fact, many find themselves shelling out more on new clothes or jewelry than they paid for their actual flight!

Photo: Tang Yan Song | Shutterstock

According to Airport Technology, airports have been increasingly investing in the amount of premium retail space in recent years, signaling a growing trend among travelers to invest in high-end products. The travel retail market overall is booming, with a projected worth of $80 billion in 2023 estimated to shoot up to $145 billion by 2032.

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So which airports offer the best luxury shopping experience? There is, of course, a key difference between your typical retail options and the luxury retail market, so this guide will explore airports that really place an emphasis on prestigious (and often expensive) brands.

Hamad International Airport (DOH)

The Doha airport is just over a decade old and has consistently ranked as one of the world's best airports by Skytrax (including making the Number 1 spot in 2024) since it opened in 2014. Its luxury shopping options are unmatched, with some of the world's most iconic brands - think Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior and Fendi - boasting their own stylish boutique stores.

Much of the luxury is centered around 'The Orchard', a stunning indoor tropical garden opened in 2022 that is set over three levels. Here there are over 90 shops and eateries with a 268-sqm water feature as the focal point. The high-end brands aren't localized to this area, with the airport also offering Duty Free zones and plenty more luxury across its Concourses.

Photo: Chris Hoare | Wikimedia Commons

It's not just international brands on offer either, particularly in the airport's 'Souq Al Matar' area in the North node terminal that focuses on Qatar's heritage. Here you'll find a handful of boutiques selling locally-made perfumes, desserts, clothes and souvenirs, such as Al Attar, described as a "unique apothecary store" selling honey, dates, coffees, teas, herbs and spices.

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

One of the original mega-luxury airports, Singapore Changi has long held a reputation as not just a shopping powerhouse but also an incredibly exciting and unique airport, featuring all kinds of attractions like a butterfly garden and huge indoor fountain feature.

Photo: Jewel Changi Airport

It is best known for its massive 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft) retail area called 'The Jewel,' featuring its famous Rain Vortex waterfall. Of more interest to luxury shoppers is its 300+ outlets, but you won't be lacking in any of the airport's four passenger terminals either.

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Along with a variety of international high-end brands, the airport has Duty-free areas operated by Shilla Duty Free and Lotte. Three of its most iconic boutiques are operated by Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffany & Co., each maintaining duplex boutiques next to one another in Terminal 1.

New York JFK (JFK)

As the busiest international gateway to New York City, JFK was always going to boast a world-class selection of luxury goods. Set across five passenger terminals, JFK caters to luxury in all of its terminals, and this will be going up significantly as its progresses with the 'New Terminal One' project.

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Photo: Sorbis | Shutterstock

Many brands have launched their own private boutiques inside the airport, most notably Dior, which opened its 'La Collection Privee' in JFK's Terminal 1. Terminal 4 is also a hotspot for high-end shopping following its recent refresh, while Terminal 5 - which primarily caters to JetBlue passengers - delivers the least in terms of luxury.

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam Schiphol has long been a key transit hub in Europe, giving retailers plenty of guaranteed browsing time among its connecting passengers. Its retail spread has also long been regarded as one of the best on the continent, much of it located in the airport's Schiphol Plaza.

Photo: ingehogenbijl | Shutterstock

Notably, this area is situated before security, meaning both ticketed and non-ticketed shoppers can benefit from the wide range of shops on offer. In terms of airside options, Schiphol is set in a single passenger terminal complex but divided into three separate Departure Halls, namely 1, 2, and 3. While these are dominated by Duty-free areas, there are still plenty of standalone shops.

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Luxury capacity will be getting a major upgrade, with Schiphol investing heavily in a revamp of its Lounge Two area. This will essentially become a high-end brand zone catering to the tastes of travelers with an eye for luxury.

Dubai International (DXB)

No luxury airport shopping guide would be complete without including DXB, the gateway to one of the world's most prestigious shopping destinations, Dubai. Leading global brands have long maintained a foothold in the airport, which was an early pioneer of integrating luxury shopping into the travel experience.

Photo: monticello | Shutterstock

The airport made headlines many years ago for its gold bar vending machine where passengers can literally buy a chunk of gold. Dubai Duty Free is the main operator and has a large presence at all three of DXB's passenger terminals. According to Harper's Bazaar Arabia,

"Dubai International Airport stands among the largest and busiest airports in the world when it comes to international travel. Positioned as one of the shopping capitals, it occupies the role of a premier hub for duty-free luxury shopping."

Hong Kong International (HKG)

Hong Kong's airport houses two separate shopping malls along with extensive shopping options within its two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 is home to the multi-level SkyMart area along with several luxury boutiques, including flagship duplex stores operated by Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.

Photo: Sorbis | Shutterstock

One handy service is the HKIA Luxury Concierge, which enables passengers to reserve purchases and get personalized tips. For those interested in premium beverages, Duty Free by cdf offers a huge range of international and local spirits and wines, while Shilla Duty Free is a mecca for fragrances and beauty products.

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport is relatively new, having opened its doors to passengers in late 2018, and its shopping options don't disappoint. One of the busiest transit hubs in the world, dominated by Turkish Airlines , IST has multiple Duty Free areas and even a locally-inspired Bazaar area similar to the souq in Doha.

Many of the airport's high-end offerings are located in its unique 'Luxury Square' in Zone 5. This 800 sq. meter space is home to around 30 top brands and was designed to replicate the luxury department store experience, a la Harrods or Selfridges.

The growing travel retail market

With the travel retail market expected to double in size over the next decade, airports are making the most of limited floor space by attracting the most prestigious brands to open up shops. The market shot up almost 15% within the last year alone, growing from around $80 billion to over $90 billion between 2023 and 2024.

Photo: Manchester Airport 

According to aviation historian Professor Dan Bubb, the airport shopping experience has somewhat replaced the traditional high-street or brick-and-mortar shopping session, giving people an in-person browsing experience in a world of increasingly digital browsing. This is particularly true of younger generations who may never have had the authentic "on-the-ground" shopping experience. As Bubb explained,

"Having the chance to shop in high-end shops in airports (in a safe environment) brings back that familiar experience of shopping in brick and mortar stores."

As air travel itself is expected to grow by over 4% per year over the next couple of decades, footfall within airports will only go up, giving brands exposure to more and more people.

Photo: Singapore Changi Airport

This will also be true of other key airport amenities, including restaurants and bars, as well as airport lounges. As it stands, airports are banking big on luxury retail, with many global hubs expanding their luxury retail space within the past few years. As summarized in a Forbes article from last year,

"Luxury retailers are leaning into international airports as an opportunity to meet luxury buyers where they are; a move that underscores a global appetite for luxury retail experiences that resonate with many generations of travelers."