LAX Named World’s Most Instagrammed Airport

A new study has revealed that with over 3.3. millions posts, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ranks in the top spot of the most Instagrammable airports around the globe. (Based on hashtag data.)

The study, organized by the travel site Miss Tourist, used an initial seed list of the top fifty busiest airports in the world based on passenger traffic and then identified the most popular hashtag for each of these airports. Instagram was then used to determine the number of times each hashtag had been used to reveal the most Instagrammable airports worldwide. 

Most Instagrammable airports in the world:  
Rank   Airport  Top Instagram Hashtag for the airport   Number of Posts  
1  Los Angeles International Airport  #lax  3,393,690 
2  San Francisco International Airport  #sfo  1,047,624 
3  Heathrow Airport  #heathrow  762,904 
4  Kuala Lumpur International Airport  #klia  600,336 
5  Singapore Changi Airport  #changiairport  581,993 
6  Amsterdam Airport Schiphol  #schiphol  478,744 
7  Dubai International Airport  #dubaiairport  451,229 
8  Tokyo Haneda Airport  #hanedaairport  448,039 
9  Frankfurt Airport  #frankfurtairport  326,069 
10  Gatwick Airport  #gatwick  257,330 

Ranking first with a staggering 3,393,690 Instagram hashtags, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is not only one of the world’s busiest airports, handling 75,050,875 passengers in 2023, but also the most Instagrammed airport in the world.   

LAX’s iconic Theme Building, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, and proximity to Hollywood have clearly made it a favorite backdrop for travelers eager to capture the start or end of their journey.  

With 1,047,624 Instagram posts, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) takes second place. It’s modern design, art exhibits, and scenic views of the San Francisco Bay Area contribute to its popularity on social media.   

London’s Heathrow Airport, with 762,904 Instagram hashtags, secures the third spot. Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest international airports, accounting for 79,183,364 passengers in 2023 alone.  

Heathrow serves as a gateway to Europe. And thanks to its diverse range of luxury shopping, captivating art installations, and impressive architecture, it is a must-snap destination for travelers starting their European tour.  

Ranking fourth with 600,336 Instagram hashtags, Kuala Lumpur Airport, which had 47,242,468 passengers in 2023, is famous for its lush indoor greenery and famous Jungle Boardwalk. Its blend of modern design and traditional Malay elements makes it an excellent destination for Instagram enthusiasts.  

With 581,993 Instagram posts, Singapore Changi Airport is the fifth most Instagrammable airport. Known as one of the most picturesque travel hubs in the world, Changi is renowned for its extraordinary amenities, including the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a butterfly garden, and numerous art installations. It’s a paradise for travelers looking to capture something truly unique.  

Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam takes the sixth spot with 478,744 Instagram hashtags. Known for its efficiency and modern design, Schiphol handled 61,889,586 passengers in 2023. The Dutch airport showcases its country’s culture through its art exhibits, museums, and even a library, all of which enhance its Instagram appeal.  

Dubai International Airport ranks seventh with 451,229 Instagram hashtags. The airport is famous for its luxurious lounges, high-end shopping, and unique architecture. Its futuristic design and world-class amenities make it a prime location for those hoping to capture the perfect Instagram shot.  

With 448,039 Instagram posts, Tokyo Haneda Airport has been named the eighth most Instagrammed airport. Haneda is celebrated for its cleanliness, efficiency, and various cultural experiences, including traditional Japanese gardens and restaurants.   

Frankfurt Airport has amassed 326,069 Instagram hashtags and ranks as the ninth most Instagrammable airport. As one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, transporting 59,355,389 passengers through its doors in 2023, Frankfurt Airport offers travelers a wide range of services and amenities, including art exhibits, shopping, and dining. Its efficient design and central location in Europe make it a popular spot for Instagram posts.  

Rounding out the top ten is Gatwick Airport, with 257,330 Instagram hashtags. Located near London, Gatwick is known for its convenience and accessibility. The airport’s modern facilities and proximity to the English countryside provide travelers with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.  

Speaking on the findings, Yulia Saf, Founder of Miss Tourist, says: “Airports have transformed from simple transit points to gateways for adventure and unique experiences. With the rise of social media, travelers are increasingly eager to document and share their journeys from the moment they arrive at the airport. It is fascinating to reveal which airports are gathering the most social media attention and deemed the most picturesque.   

“Additionally, many airports now serve as introductions to their countries’ beauty and culture, which visitors are keen to capture and share on social media. For instance, Kuala Lumpur Airport’s iconic Jungle Boardwalk leaves a lasting impression on visitors, offering them a unique experience of walking through a forest inside the airport and providing a memorable first taste of Malaysia.”  

Sources:   

Methodology:   

  1. An initial seed list of the fifty busiest airports in the world was obtained from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  
  2. For each of these airports, the most popular Instagram hashtag was identified. 
  3. The airports were then ranked based on the total number of posts using that hashtag. 
  4. The total passenger traffic in 2023 was also used as additional context for the study. 
Most Instagrammable airports in the world – Full Ranking: 
Rank   Airport  Top Instagram Hashtag for the airport   Number of Posts   Total Passengers Count (2023) 
1  Los Angeles International Airport  #lax  3,393,690  75,050,875 
2  San Francisco International Airport  #sfo  1,047,624  50,196,094 
3  Heathrow Airport  #heathrow  762,904  79,183,364 
4  Kuala Lumpur International Airport  #klia  600,336  47,242,468 
5  Singapore Changi Airport  #changiairport  581,993  58,946,000 
6  Amsterdam Airport Schiphol  #schiphol  478,744  61,889,586 
7  Dubai International Airport  #dubaiairport  451,229  86,994,365 
8  Tokyo Haneda Airport  #hanedaairport  448,039  78,719,302 
9  Frankfurt Airport  #frankfurtairport  326,069  59,355,389 
10  Gatwick Airport  #gatwick  257,330  40,905,856 
11  Seoul Incheon International Airport  #incheonairport  245,684  56,235,412 
12  John F. Kennedy International Airport  #jfkairport  175,786  62,464,331 
13  Seattle–Tacoma International Airport  #seatac  165,041  50,877,260 
14  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport  #mumbaiairport  162,770  51,589,040 
15  O’Hare International Airport  #ohare  145,006  73,894,226 
16  Indira Gandhi International Airport  #delhiairport  133,578  72,214,841 
17  Istanbul Airport  #istanbulairport  133,306  76,027,321 
18  George Bush Intercontinental Airport  #iah  126,728  46,168,662 
19  Newark Liberty International Airport  #ewr  112,456  49,084,774 
20  Dallas Fort Worth International Airport  #dfwairport  85,351  81,755,538 
21  Suvarnabhumi Airport  #suvarnabhumiairport  78,358  51,699,104 
22  Hamad International Airport  #hamadinternationalairport  61,042  45,916,098 
23  Miami International Airport  #miamiinternationalairport  60,469  52,340,934 
24  Logan International Airport  #loganairport  52,089  40,861,658 
25  Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport  #ATLairport  33,589  104,653,451 
26  Orlando International Airport  #orlandoairport  33,480  57,735,726 
27  Soekarno–Hatta International Airport  #soekarnohattainternationalairport  29,316  49,080,532 
28  Charles de Gaulle Airport  #charlesdegaulleairport  28,092  67,421,316 
29  Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport  #barcelonaairport  28,076  49,883,928 
30  Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport  #barajasairport  25,425  60,181,604 
31  Toronto Pearson International Airport  #torontopearsonairport  16,555  44,761,805 
32  Charlotte Douglas International Airport  #cltairport  16,336  53,445,770 
33  Tan Son Nhat International Airport  #tansonnhatairport  14,820  40,738,295 
34  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport  #phxskyharbor  13,657  48,654,432 
35  Shanghai Pudong International Airport  #pudongairport  11,820  54,476,397 
36  King Abdulaziz International Airport  #jeddahairport  9,846  42,910,407 
37  Ninoy Aquino International Airport  #ninoyaquinointernationalairport  8,305  45,300,322 
38  Harry Reid International Airport  #lasairport  6,344  57,666,456 
39  Denver International Airport  #denairport  4,737  77,837,917 
40  Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport  #shenzhenairport  4,564  52,734,934 
41  Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport  #HongqiaoAirport  4,020  42,492,745 
42  Mexico City International Airport  #mexicocityairport  3,893  48,416,008 
43  Beijing Capital International Airport  #beijingcapitalairport  3,064  52,879,156 
44  Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport  #guangzhouairport  2,995  63,169,169 
45  Chengdu Tianfu International Airport  #chengduairport  947  44,786,032 
46  Kunming Changshui International Airport  #kunmingairport  605  42,053,214 
47  Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport  #hangzhouairport  481  41,170,470 
48  Xi’an Xianyang International Airport  #xianairport  471  41,371,228 
49  São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport  #guarulhosinternationalairport  411  41,307,919 
50  Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport  #chongqingairport  338  44,657,268 

Story Credit: https://misstourist.com/  Photo Credit: iStock Photo: Iconic LAX Los Angeles International Airport Sign at Night

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