It’s out of 250 airports worldwide
If you’ve ever flown through Dubai International Airport (DXB), you know it’s a shopper’s paradise — packed with everything from luxe designer stores to duty-free gems. And when it comes to food, whether you’re after a quick caffeine fix or a full-on feast, there’s no shortage of tasty spots to hit up.
It’s official — DXB just snagged the top spot as the world’s best airport for food and shopping in 2025! According to a fresh report from AirHelp, Dubai International scored a standout 9.1 out of 10 in this category. Talk about leveling up the travel experience!
In the overall airport rankings, DXB landed an 8.14 score, placing it at 18th globally — with Abu Dhabi Airport hot on its heels at 19th. The 2025 AirHelp Score rated 250 airports across 68 countries, and Middle Eastern hubs are seriously on the rise. Eight airports from the region cracked the global top 20 this year — a major glow-up from just two in 2024.
The report ranked airports based on three main vibes: on-time performance, passenger feedback, and food & shopping options. Taking the global crown this year is Cape Town International in South Africa, scoring a solid 8.57 overall — officially the world’s top-performing airport.
The top 10 global airport ranking is as follows:
- Cape Town Airport, South Africa
- Doha Hamad Airport, Qatar
- Riyadh King Khaled Airport, Saudi Arabia
- Brasilia – President Juscelino Kubitschek Airport, Brazil
- Muscat Airport, Oman
- Panama City Tocumen Airport, Panama
- Durban King Shaka Airport, South Africa
- Salt Lake City Airport, USA
- Bergen Flesland Airport, Norway
- Dammam King Fahd Airport, Saudi Arabia
The AirHelp Score ranks the best — and worst — airlines and airports around the globe. Since 2015, AirHelp has been dropping these rankings to help travelers make smarter choices. It’s all about giving passengers the inside scoop on what kind of service they can actually expect, based on real data.
With summer in full swing, expats are jetting off on holiday or heading home to beat the Dubai heat. To keep things smooth, Emirates has dropped some handy travel tips for those flying out in the coming weeks.
