In your rush to catch a flight it is easy not to notice the terminal around you. The following are five airports with some of the largest total terminal space, and special features you may want to look out for next time you are passing through.
Heathrow Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 74,601 sqm, Terminal 3 – 98,962 sqm, Terminal 4 – 105,481 sqm, Terminal 5 – 353,020 sqm, Terminal 2 – under construction (see news here)
Total terminal area: 632,064 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 84
Passenger volume per year: 70.1 million
Special feature:
If you forgot to put on your make-up, don’t worry: you can make use of the free beauty service at the airport. At World Duty Free in all terminals, free tasters of the beauty products are available, including a ten-minute three-step consultation from Clinique, a two-minute "make makeup last" session from Estee Lauder, and a 15-minute "refresh and fly" mini facial from Sisley Paris.
www.heathrowairport.com/
Hong Kong International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 570,000 sqm, Terminal 2 – 140,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 710,000 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 107
Passenger volume per year: 56.5 million
Special feature:
An Aviation Discovery Centre is located at Terminal 2, with aviation-themed exhibits and graphics and a "Sky Deck and Cockpit Simulator".
www.hongkongairport.com
Photo credit to Hong Kong International Airport
Narita Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 451,000 sqm, Terminal 2 – 370,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 821,000 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 71
Passenger volume per year: 32.8 million
Special feature:
If you didn't have time to properly admire the the city and its airport, you can spend time looking at the beautiful scenes through a screen at the airport. Sky Gate Vision is the largest digital signage system in Japan. The big screens are located throughout Terminal 1 and 2 including the departure and arrival lobbies and retail areas. The biggest 9.6 x 1.92 metre screen has a 385 inch display with a curved picture and seamless panels. Other than terminal information, security information and corporate advertising, they also display images of Japan, Narita Airport and music videos performed by airport staff.
www.naa.jp
Beijing Capital International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 61,580 sqm, Terminal 2 – 336,000 sqm, Terminal 3 – 986,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 1,383,580 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 82
Passenger volume per year: 73.95 million
Special feature:
In Terminal 3, there are the botantical oases of Suzhou Garden and Royal Garden, available for your meandering pleasure every day from 9am to 3pm. Staff are also on hand to provide you with free fodder for the fish in the gardens' pond.
www.bcia.com.cn
Dubai International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 + Concourse C – 246,474 sqm, Terminal 2 – 13,000 sqm, Terminal 3 and Concourse B – 1,185,000 sqm, Concourse A – 528,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 1,972,474 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 147
Passenger volume per year: 57.7 million
Special feature: If you find it hard to sleep on board the aircraft, you could take a nap before take off in a Snooze Cube (see here). Next to Gate 122 in Terminal 1 there are ten sound-proof units containing a full-sized bed, touch-screen TV with a selection of entertainment and music, and high-speed internet. The cabin is also connected to the airport’s flight information system, so passengers can avoid missing their flight – just be sure to set an alarm! Hourly rates start from Dhs65 (US$17.7).
www.dubaiairport.com
Valerian Ho
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 74,601 sqm, Terminal 3 – 98,962 sqm, Terminal 4 – 105,481 sqm, Terminal 5 – 353,020 sqm, Terminal 2 – under construction (see news here)
Total terminal area: 632,064 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 84
Passenger volume per year: 70.1 million
Special feature:
If you forgot to put on your make-up, don’t worry: you can make use of the free beauty service at the airport. At World Duty Free in all terminals, free tasters of the beauty products are available, including a ten-minute three-step consultation from Clinique, a two-minute "make makeup last" session from Estee Lauder, and a 15-minute "refresh and fly" mini facial from Sisley Paris.
www.heathrowairport.com/
Hong Kong International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 570,000 sqm, Terminal 2 – 140,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 710,000 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 107
Passenger volume per year: 56.5 million
Special feature:
An Aviation Discovery Centre is located at Terminal 2, with aviation-themed exhibits and graphics and a "Sky Deck and Cockpit Simulator".
www.hongkongairport.com
Photo credit to Hong Kong International Airport
Narita Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 451,000 sqm, Terminal 2 – 370,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 821,000 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 71
Passenger volume per year: 32.8 million
Special feature:
If you didn't have time to properly admire the the city and its airport, you can spend time looking at the beautiful scenes through a screen at the airport. Sky Gate Vision is the largest digital signage system in Japan. The big screens are located throughout Terminal 1 and 2 including the departure and arrival lobbies and retail areas. The biggest 9.6 x 1.92 metre screen has a 385 inch display with a curved picture and seamless panels. Other than terminal information, security information and corporate advertising, they also display images of Japan, Narita Airport and music videos performed by airport staff.
www.naa.jp
Beijing Capital International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 – 61,580 sqm, Terminal 2 – 336,000 sqm, Terminal 3 – 986,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 1,383,580 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 82
Passenger volume per year: 73.95 million
Special feature:
In Terminal 3, there are the botantical oases of Suzhou Garden and Royal Garden, available for your meandering pleasure every day from 9am to 3pm. Staff are also on hand to provide you with free fodder for the fish in the gardens' pond.
www.bcia.com.cn
Dubai International Airport
Terminals and size: Terminal 1 + Concourse C – 246,474 sqm, Terminal 2 – 13,000 sqm, Terminal 3 and Concourse B – 1,185,000 sqm, Concourse A – 528,000 sqm
Total terminal area: 1,972,474 sqm
Number of operational airlines: 147
Passenger volume per year: 57.7 million
Special feature: If you find it hard to sleep on board the aircraft, you could take a nap before take off in a Snooze Cube (see here). Next to Gate 122 in Terminal 1 there are ten sound-proof units containing a full-sized bed, touch-screen TV with a selection of entertainment and music, and high-speed internet. The cabin is also connected to the airport’s flight information system, so passengers can avoid missing their flight – just be sure to set an alarm! Hourly rates start from Dhs65 (US$17.7).
www.dubaiairport.com
Valerian Ho 
