Skytrax names 2026 winners for best art in airports

Skytrax has announced the 2026 winners of its World's Best Art in the Airport category, part of the World Airline Awards that the industry often calls the Oscars of aviation. The results are given in ranked order.

Houston takes top spot for the fourth consecutive year. Its two airports, George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby, together show a wide art programme, from a hanging glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly formed of 537 parts to a 16.5-foot-tall photo-ready sculpture, plus live music performances involving more than 120 musicians across the terminals.

Singapore Changi comes second. Its permanent collection includes a moving wave of 1,216 copper-plated droplets in Terminal 1 and a set of welcoming statues in Terminal 3. Denver follows, known for its unusual sights such as a blue horse with red eyes, murals, and talking gargoyles in the baggage area. Vancouver rounds out the list, its spaces showcasing Coast Salish works, blankets, and First Nations and Inuit art that give travellers an early sense of British Columbia.

What it means for travellers from India

• If your itinerary passes through Houston, Singapore, Denver or Vancouver, a longer layover may offer a chance to see large-scale art without leaving the airport.
• At Singapore Changi, the notable artworks are part of a permanent collection within the terminals themselves.
• Travellers changing planes in Denver might notice unusual installations, including pieces in the baggage claim area.