Malaga Airport Leads Europe's Family-Friendly Airport Rankings
Travelling with children often transforms a holiday into a logistical challenge, making the search for well-equipped airports a top priority for families. A newly released report delves into the European hubs that provide the best support for holidaymakers accompanied by youngsters. The Family-Friendly Airport Index, compiled by Airport Parking and Hotels (APH), evaluates key factors such as children's play areas, baby-changing facilities, dining options, and the availability of nearby hotels.
Top Performers in Family Travel
Europe's 50 busiest airports were scrutinised in this research, with the top 10 featuring destinations across Spain, Hungary, and France. Malaga Airport emerged as the premier choice for families, boasting an impressive 17 children's play areas—one of the highest counts in the rankings—ensuring ample entertainment for young travellers. This popular Spanish hub welcomed a record-breaking 26.76 million passengers last year, catering to both international and domestic journeys.
With 23 restaurants on offer, holidaymakers are spoilt for culinary choices, while the average hotel price stands at £94 per night. Malaga Airport achieved a score of 7.7 out of 10 on the index, securing the highest overall rating. Its spacious terminals, designed with pushchair and luggage accessibility in mind, along with a clear and navigable layout, make it an ideal gateway for beach-bound families.
Spanish Dominance in the Rankings
Following closely is another Spanish hub, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which ranked second. It features 18 play areas and leads the top five with 53 restaurants, providing extensive dining options. As one of Spain's busiest airports, it handled 68.2 million passengers last year, underscoring its significance for family travel.
Alicante International Airport, the third Spanish entry in the top five, scored 6.7 on the index. It offers eight play zones and 18 restaurants, with nearby hotels averaging £88 per night, making it an affordable choice for families visiting the Costa Blanca region.
European Contenders Rounding Out the Top Five
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague in the Czech Republic claimed third place overall. Families can access 10 play areas, 23 restaurants, and quiet rooms perfect for relaxing with children. Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Hungary ranked fifth, featuring three play areas and 26 dining venues. It also provides five pushchair locations and priority security screening for families, with hotels averaging £86 per night.
Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport in France placed sixth, with four kid zones and 26 restaurants, followed by Geneva Airport in Switzerland. Charles de Gaulle Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport tied for eighth, while Lisbon Portela Airport, Helsinki Airport, and Stuttgart Airport complete the top 10.
Comprehensive List of Family-Friendly Airports
The top 20 family-friendly airports in Europe, as per the APH index, are:
- Malaga Airport, Spain
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Spain
- Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, Czech Republic
- Alicante International Airport, Spain
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Hungary
- Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport, France
- Geneva Airport, Switzerland
- Charles de Gaulle Airport, France
- Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkey
- Lisbon Portela Airport, Portugal
- Helsinki Airport, Finland
- Stuttgart Airport, Germany
- Henri Coandă International Airport, Romania
- Adnan Menderes International Airport, Turkey
- Munich Airport, Germany
- Frankfurt am Main Airport, Germany
- Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport, Germany
- Dublin Airport, Ireland
- Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, Italy
- Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland
This index serves as a valuable resource for families planning their travels, highlighting airports that prioritise comfort and convenience for passengers with children.
