About Airports
Test your aviation knowledge by identifying major international airports from satellite images. Each airport has a unique runway configuration, terminal layout, and geographical setting that makes it recognizable from above.
This mode features major airports from around the world, including the busiest hubs and most iconic aviation facilities.
Why Learn Airports from Satellite View?
Airports are marvels of civil engineering that reveal global connectivity patterns and aviation infrastructure evolution. Learning to identify airports from above provides insights into how geography, politics, and economics shape air travel. From Heathrow's distinctive twin parallel runways serving Europe's busiest hub to Denver's unusual tent-like terminal visible from space, each airport tells a story of regional importance and design innovation.
Understanding airport layouts enhances appreciation for aviation logistics and safety. You'll recognize how runway orientation follows prevailing winds (evident in London Heathrow's east-west alignment), how terminal designs evolved from simple linear structures to complex satellite configurations (exemplified by Atlanta's concourse system), and how geographic constraints force unique solutions (Hong Kong's former Kai Tak approach between mountains, now replaced by land-reclaimed Chek Lap Kok).
This knowledge connects geography, history, and modern transportation. Airports reflect their region's role in global trade—Dubai and Singapore as connecting hubs between continents, or how Denver's central US location makes it ideal for domestic connections. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, frequent traveler, or geography student, airport recognition builds understanding of how infrastructure enables modern global mobility.
What You'll Discover
Examining airports from satellite imagery reveals distinctive patterns. Runway configurations vary dramatically: single-runway regional airports contrast with complex multi-runway systems like Chicago O'Hare's eight runways or Amsterdam Schiphol's six runways arranged in a cross pattern. Parallel runways indicate high-capacity hubs, while crossed runways accommodate different wind conditions. Terminal shapes tell stories—circular hubs (Charles de Gaulle's Terminal 1), linear concourses (most US airports), or satellite terminals connected by underground tunnels.
Taxiway networks reveal traffic patterns: complex webs at major hubs versus simple paths at smaller fields. Geographic settings matter too—island airports like Kansai (built on artificial island) show dramatic land reclamation, coastal airports reveal approach challenges, and mountain-surrounded airports like Innsbruck display limited expansion potential. You'll recognize cargo areas by large warehouse facilities, often separated from passenger terminals.
Historical evolution appears in satellite views. Many airports show gradual expansion—original single terminals with newer satellites added, or extended runways reflecting jet age requirements. Some reveal their military origins through geometric runway arrangements. Water features, whether nearby rivers, reclaimed land, or strategic coastal placement, indicate how airports balance accessibility with available space.
Featured Airports
...and many more!
Tips for Identifying Airports
- Count the runways: Number and orientation of runways is unique to each airport
- Look at terminal shapes: Circular, linear, or satellite terminal configurations
- Check the location: Coastal, urban, or remote settings
- Observe taxiway patterns: Complex networks connecting runways and terminals
- Notice the size: Large international hubs vs. regional airports
- Look for water features: Some airports are built on reclaimed land or near water
- Check nearby landmarks: Cities, mountains, or distinctive geography
Ready to Test Your Aviation Knowledge?
Can you identify all the major airports?
Play Airports Quiz