This year's Skytrax World Airport Awards are in, naming the world's best airports as voted for by the passengers who use them. For some, little has changed, and others are seeing the effort of improving customer service and redeveloping infrastructure paying off. So, what can we learn from this year's rankings?

First of all, Singapore's Changi Airport is a seemingly unstoppable force. Its eighth year in the top spot overall (fifth consecutive year) is another affirmation that this Asian hub is really doing something right in the way it is developing amenities to enhance and improve the passenger experience. These include an expansion of its on-site Crowne Plaza hotel, plus a new central water fountain and garden area.

Next, if you're looking for a U.S. airport on the list, you will need to look pretty hard as, yet again, the airports simply don't seem to be up to scratch on the world stage. Overcrowding, cramped terminals, poor customer service and a lack of inspiring amenities drag them down.

However, for a ray of hope, head to Vancouver which is the highest-ranked airport in North America, and 13th overall. Some kudos also goes to Houston George Bush Intercontinental, which was the second-most improved airport on the list.

Air travel in Indonesia has always been important as a lifeline for people who live on the hundreds of separate islands. However, safety and the quality of airports has rarely been a positive point. Yet this year the most improved airport in the list is Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International, jumping 19 places to position 44, thanks to improvements to its terminals and connectivity.

Looking to Japan, Tokyo's Haneda Airport confirmed its stance as a force to be reckoned with. Having grown from a largely domestic and regional hub, it is now a major player on the world stage as more and more long-haul connections are added and improvements made to the airport. It has risen from fourth to second position this year and could be the one to challenge Singapore's dominance in the future.

In Europe, Munich and Zurich airports both maintain places in the top 10. Always favorites among travelers, these modern, light and efficient hubs are a pleasure to fly through, and the results show. Still surprising to many, London's Heathrow airport stays in the top 10 also, despite how crowded it can be. Surely the addition of the new Terminal 2 has improved the passenger experience somewhat, and its shopping experience was voted the best of any airport.

Despite their rising dominance as hubs, only one of the Middle Eastern airports — Doha's new Hamad International takes a spot in the top 10, rising four places to sixth. Abu Dhabi and Bahrain both slide, while Dubai has crept up to 20th place.

More than 13 million people voted in the Skytrax survey. The results are a census over time, and not just a snapshot of a particular moment, giving the results significant credibility. A full list of rankings in all categories can be found at: www.worldairportawards.com

Here is the Top 10 list:

  1. Singapore Changi Airport
  2. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
  3. Incheon International Airport
  4. Munich Airport
  5. Hong Kong International Airport
  6. Hamad International Airport
  7. Chubu Centrair Nagoya
  8. Zurich Airport
  9. London Heathrow Airport
  10. Frankfurt Airport