NAIA among best airports for layover food—UK magazine
Once listed among the world’s worst airports, Ninoy Aquino International Airport is now recognized for having some of the best food offerings.
According to the latest list of Airport Parking & Hotels, a magazine in the United Kingdom, NAIA is the seventh-best airport in the world for layover food in 2026, noting its 131 dining spots.
Singapore's Changi Airport topped the list with 247 restaurants and cafés, followed by Chicago O’Hare (210) and Tokyo Haneda (173).
US airports dominate the top 10, while Asian hubs like Jakarta, Manila, and Shanghai also ranked highly, reflecting the diverse dining options at major global airports.
NAIA also placed sixth in its most affordable airport lounges list, noting its average price point of £18.80 ($25 or around P1,480), the same as Tokyo Haneda.
China dominated the list, with Xi’an Xianyang International Airport offering the lowest average price at £15 ($20 or ~P1,191), other cities, namely Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Beijing Capital, and Guangzhou, round out the top five.
The Department of Tourism welcomed the recognition, saying it "also underscores the importance of ongoing modernization efforts as part of NAIA’s privatization to further elevate the visitor gateway experience."
Overall, Singapore Changi Airport tops the list of the world’s best layover airports with a score of 7.3 out of 10, citing its excellent sleepability, dining, and facilities, followed by Dubai International with its 23 lounges.
Asia dominates the rankings, with airports in China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia performing strongly across food, sleep, and lounge affordability. Beijing Daxing leads for sleepability, and Changi also stands out for food, offering an unmatched 247 restaurants and cafés for travellers.
To rank the best airports for layovers, APH created a Layover Score for the world’s 50 busiest airports, combining 12 key factors, these include lounge availability and cost, daily flights, sleep and shower facilities, Wi-Fi, ATMs, dining options, and overall ratings for both the airport and its restaurants.
Each factor is weighted equally, producing a score out of 10 that shows which airports offer the most comfortable and convenient stopover experience.
