Top 5 Photogenic Airports for Instagram

Airports are evolving from mere transportation hubs into visually striking spaces that travellers love to share on social media. Some airports have become renowned tourist attractions, drawing visitors worldwide for their beauty and internet fame, especially on Instagram. 

A recent survey by Miss Tourist highlighted the world’s most Instagrammed airports, revealing popular travel destinations that captivate visitors' interest and cameras alike. 

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

LAX ranks as the world’s most Instagram-able airport, with an impressive 3,393,690 Instagram hashtags. Known for its unique architecture, including the iconic Theme Building and a distinctive runway layout, LAX offers stunning views of planes flying low against the Los Angeles cityscape. 

 LAX's year-round clear skies and vibrant lighting, especially at sunset, make it a favourite spot for photographers, particularly near popular locations like the In-N-Out Burger at runway 24R. Despite its reputation, LAX’s expansion plans have recently been paused due to updated forecasts indicating slower passenger growth through 2028. 

  

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 

 Second place goes to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with over a million Instagram posts. SFO’s modern architecture and art-filled terminals appeal to travellers, garnering 1,047,624 Instagram tags. 

In March 2023, SFO launched the “SFO Celebrates: Your SF Experience” initiative, inviting visitors to share their best San Francisco photos on social media for a chance to be displayed in Terminal 3. Passengers participated by tagging @FlySFO and using #YourSF, creating a year-long display of traveller photos. This initiative, combined with improved traveller experience and reduced delays post-pandemic, helped SFO restore its national reputation, sparking a surge in social media engagement. 

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) 

London’s Heathrow Airport ranks among the top Instagrammed airports, driven by its status as a major international hub. Located 14 miles west of Central London, Heathrow features two east-west runways and four passenger terminals (Terminals 2-5), with one additional cargo terminal. 

As Europe’s busiest airport and the second busiest globally in terms of international passenger traffic, Heathrow recorded the most international connections in 2023. The airport’s popularity on Instagram was further bolstered by the 2014 unveiling of Terminal 2, designed by Spanish architect Luis Vidal, featuring 24 gates and a range of restaurants and shops. 

 Heathrow is currently moving forward with plans for a third runway, which was approved in 2016 but faced legal challenges on environmental grounds. After the UK Supreme Court lifted the ban, the expansion efforts are set to proceed. 

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 

  Kuala Lumpur International Airport holds the fourth spot with 600,336 Instagram posts. Known for its unique modern architecture blended with nature, KLIA’s Jungle Boardwalk is a lush indoor green space that draws attention from travellers. In 2023, KLIA handled 47 million passengers, making it the largest and busiest airport in Malaysia. 

 Since the opening of Terminal 2 in 2014, KLIA has continued to expand, including developing a new satellite terminal at Terminal 2 to achieve an ultimate capacity of 97.5 million passengers annually. KLIA, operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, also serves as a major base for Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. 

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) 

 Singapore Changi Airport, located 24 km (15 miles) east of downtown Singapore, connects travellers to over 400 cities worldwide with more than 100 airlines. Changi’s three runways and four primary passenger terminals serve as a vital international hub. 

 The airport’s standout attraction, Jewel Changi Airport, is a mixed-use development featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex. Opened in April 2019, this nature-inspired space has quickly become a social media sensation. Changi is currently expanding with Terminal 5 and a third runway, set to boost capacity significantly by the mid-2030s. 

These airports showcase the evolving role of modern airports as more than just travel points. They have become destinations, inspired travellers and drawn online attention for their architectural and experiential offerings.