Impromptu tennis courts, surfing pools and unusual food treats can ease travel boredom. Veronica Stivala lists the top 10 airports in which to spend time waiting for a plane.

The airport-ranking agency Skytrax listed these 10 airports as the best in the world for 2014.

Interestingly, none are in the US, and the only airport selected in North America was Vancouver International in British Columbia.

Award criteria for the top airports also took into account the full experience across an entire airport’s footprint and even discerned between one terminal and another.

The results are similar to previous years, with Singapore remaining resolutely at the top.

1. Singapore Changi Airport

Changi Airport is the 15th busiest airport in the world, serving over 51 million passengers a year. There are many reasons why it has remained at the top of the list of people’s favourite airports. One is napping. Travelling is tiring and you’ve got to love an airport that values nap time as much as efficiency. All three terminals have dedicated areas such as the Snooze Lounge in T3, where travellers can stretch out on chaises for as long as they like. Another fantastic feature is real-time feedback, so if the floor is wet or there’s no toilet paper, this is solved quickly. Other plusses include little lockable charging stations for your phone and free foot massage machines. Bliss.

2. Incheon International Airport

The services at this airport are great. Immigration is super fast, leaving you with oodles of time to have a free shower, catch up with e-mails and friends thanks to the free wifi service, have your clothes dry-cleaned, send mum that postcard you forgot to send her at the airport post office, pray, get your hair and nails done at the beauty section, let your children play in the playroom, watch a movie, skate on the ice rink (really), play golf, go to the spa and sauna and, of course, shop.

3. Munich Airport

If you were recently at Munich Airport, one of Europe’s largest and most central airports, then you will probably have noticed the tennis court in the outside section that connects its two terminals. This is not the first of the airport’s wonderful and quirky ideas to help passengers while their waiting time away either watching intrepid sports enthusiasts play tennis, wave-pool surf or play beach volleyball, or by joining in the fun. And at Christmas, the area is transformed into a wonderful traditional Bavarian Christmas market.

4. Hong Kong International Airport

The Hong Kong International Airport is home to one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings. It is also one of the busiest in Asia. But it also makes it a point to not remind of you these things. Interesting attractions at this airport include its varied exhibitions and cultural activities, such as tea-making demonstrations and Chinese medicinal workshops. Other star features include an Imax cinema, simulators for sports such as football, basketball, car racing, boxing and skiing, miniature gardens and resting rooms, and a proper golf course.

5. Amsterdam Schipol Airport

A museum and library and 100 leather sofas – these are just some of the great attractions for the traveller with a few, or many, hours to kill at Amsterdam Schipol Airport. And why spend your money on a hotel room when you can blow it all away at this airport’s casino? If this is not your cup of tea, and if you have enough time, you can book yourself a quick tour through the in-house company that offers tours of the airport to waiting passengers. If planes and tarmac are your thing, check out the panorama terrace that offers views of the aforementioned attractions.

6. Tokyo International Airport

The showers at this airport are worth a mention. For a small sum you can get 30 minutes in a shower where soap, towels, washcloths, toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, ‘napkins’, shower cap and body lotion are provided. Other attractions include special cultural activities held throughout the year at special times. During these activities, you can become familiar with Japanese culture by participating in a hands-on kokeshi dolls and origami paper-making session. Traditional armour wearing and print making activities are held before security.

7. Beijing Capital International Airport

One of Beijing Capital’s top attractions is definitely the swimming pool. While not on airport grounds, a free 24-hour shuttle bus will take you to the Hilton Hotel, where you can use the gym and swimming pool. If you prefer to stay dry, relax at the two gardens with ponds. Staff will hand out food for travellers to be able to feed the fish.

8. Zurich Airport

If you are an active traveller, you can rent bicycles, inline skates and Nordic walking poles at the airport and get outside for some fresh air in between flights. Also, sightseeing tours take you behind the scenes to the aprons, Pier A and the Airside Centre, and then through the tunnel beneath runway 28 to Pier E, where you can get out of the bus and enjoy a close-up view of aircraft landing and taking off.

9. Vancouver International Airport

This airport is a treat for nature lovers as it has a 114,000-litre aquarium showcasing 850 indigenous sea animals. The observation area offers a place to meet friends while watching the activity on the tarmac. There are telescopes, interactive kiosks and a model of Sea Island. You can also go on a self-guided tour of the airport.

10. London Heathrow Airport

In this massive airport, it was actually the newest Terminal 5 that was chosen as the best by Skytrax. There you can enjoy an art gallery, a children’s play area and a bite at the Gordon Ramsay Plane Food in the observation area.