
Four historic gates in Seoul—the original entrances to the 2,000-year-old walled capital city—were the primary inspiration for this twenty-first century gateway to South Korea.
Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal Complex was the product of an international design competition, in which Fentress Architects was unanimously selected. The passenger terminal itself is configured in the shape of an arc, a welcoming gesture for arriving passengers. The complex’s form was inspired by both the aerodynamic shapes of airplanes and the rolling form of waves lapping the shore. The concourse’s roof design is a modern interpretation of a traditional Korean temple, a gentle catenary curve that makes much of Korean architecture. The steel masts and cables that support the concourse roof structure reflect the profiles of ships in Incheon Bay and are also reflective of Korea’s steel industry.
The hub of the complex is the Great Hall, which serves as a central location for transportation facilities, passenger amenities, and airport operations. The Great Hall organizes the terminal by addressing pedestrian traffic flow patterns. Throughout the facility, abundant natural daylight, cultural offerings, upscale amenities, and interior landscaping that emulates a Korean garden provide a pleasant travel experience for passengers.
A materials palette that includes indigenous woods and granite, the incorporation of comfortable and abundant seating areas, and landscaping reminiscent of traditional Korean gardens help people easily comprehend and navigate the building. Interspersed throughout the facility are high tech services that further enhance the environment.
The winning design fully understands this new world-class hub airport will be the gateway to the Korea of the new age. Its efforts to draw harmony between Korean images and global design trends and technologies are outstanding. – International Design Competition, Jury Comments

Award-Winning Design
- #2 Best Airports 2020: 60 to 70 Million Passengers, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2020
- #4 World’s Top 10 Airports of 2020, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2020
- World’s Best Transit Airport, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2020
- Most Beautiful Airports In The World, Top 22 List, Huffington Post, 2020
- #3 Best Airport in Asia, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2019
- World’s Best Transit Airport, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2019
- #3 World’s Top Airports, Top 10 List, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2019
- World’s Best Airport, Top 10 List Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2013
- Best Airport Asia Pacific Region, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2012
- Best Airport Worldwide 2012 (By Size), Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2012
- World’s Best Airport, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2012
- Best Airport Worldwide 2011, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2011
- World’s Most Beautiful Airports, Top 10 List, CNBC, 2011
- World’s Best Airport, Top Ten List, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2011
- #2 World’s Best Airport, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2010
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2010
- Best International Airport, Executive Travel Magazine, 2010
- World’s Most Beautiful Airports, Top 15 List, Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2010
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2009
- Best Airport in the World, Business Traveler Magazine, 2009
- Best Airport, Passenger Survey, CNN Travel Network, 2009
- World’s Best Airport, Global Traveler Magazine, 2009
- World’s Best Airport, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2009
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2008
- Best Airport in the World, Business Traveler Magazine, 2008
- World’s Best Airport, 5th Annual Reader Survey, Global Traveler Magazine, 2008
- Eagle Award, Outstanding Performance in Customer Satisfaction, International Air Transport Association, 2008
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2007
- World’s Best Airport, Annual Reader Survey, Global Traveler Magazine, 2007
- Best Airport in the World, Official Airport Guide, 2007
- Citation Award, AIA Colorado, 2006
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2006
- World’s Best Airport, Annual Reader Survey, Global Traveler Magazine, 2006
- Best Airport Worldwide, Airport Service Quality Awards, Airports Council International, 2005
- Honor Award, AIA Denver, 2001
- Judge’s Special Award, Gold Nugget Awards Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference, 2002
- Merit Award, AIA Colorado, 2002