Most exciting new airports opening in 2019

(CNN) — Most of us wouldn’t voluntarily spend longer than necessary in an airport, but after these new transport hubs open in 2019, you might feel differently.

From an otherworldly, spaceship-like building in the Israeli desert to a spectacular Singaporian hub featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, these new aviation spaces take airports to a new level.

Here’s our round-up of the most exciting new airports and expansions opening in 2019.

Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport — Israel

This new Israeli hub cost $473.5 million to build.

Courtesy Hufton + Crow

Located 18 kilometers from Eilat and spread over 1,250 acres, it’s named after Illan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, and his son Assaf Ramon, who was an Israel Air Force F-16 pilot.

This new Israeli airport has a futuristic design.

Courtesy Hufton + Crow

Two million passengers a year will transit through the airport and there’s room for expansion in the future — that figure’s estimated to grow to roughly 4.25 million passengers annually.

The designers say they wanted the airport to feel space-age but be in harmony with its sandy surroundings. It’s also designed to withstand temperatures that fluctuate as high as 45 C (113 F) during the day, before plunging during the night.

The building has been designed to adapt to the hot climate.

Courtesy Hufton + Crow

The airport opened to the public on January 21, 2019, coinciding with the closure of former airport hub J. Hozman Eilat Airport.

“We actually designed the Airport through a storyboard process, just like a movie, evaluating the passenger experience at each stage,” says Mann.

Singapore Changi Airport — Singapore

Jewel Changi is going to be a central hub for the airport and connect three of the airport’s terminals.

It’s designed by architect Moshe Safdie and is an impress glass-paneled building, doughnut shaped and striking, spanning over 1.4 million square feet (130,000 square meters).

The airport reportedly cost SGD$1.7 billion (roughly US$1.25 billion) to construct.

The highlight? Probably the Rain Vortex — the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by greenery.

This plant-heavy design concept refers to Singapore’s reputation as a “City in a Garden.”

Istanbul Airport — Turkey

Istanbul Airport may have officially opened on October 29, 2019 — but it’s still only running a few Turkish Airline flights at the moment.

Speaking at the Passenger Terminal Conference 2019, in London, representatives from Istanbul Airport explained that the traffic can’t transfer all at once, but they they think after April 7, 70-80% of the Ataturk traffic will be at the new airport.

Istanbul Airport was always planned to open in stages, but it’s been subject to a lot of delays and some controversy — such as whether or not it really is a “green” airport.

The airport might not have opened yet, but its tulip-shaped control tower and striking design won first prize in the “Future projects — Infrastructure” category at the 2016 World Architectural Festival in Berlin.

CNN Travel investigated the project in more detail last fall, speaking to Dr Thomas Budd, lecturer in airport planning and management at the Centre for Air Transport Management at Cranfield University, UK.

The airport PR team says the facility is “built to grow” and they hope the airport will eventually see 200,000 or more passengers passing through daily.

Carlisle Lake District Airport — England

Carlisle Lake District Airport is designed to open up the region to the world.

Courtesy Carlisle Lake District Airport

The Lake District National Park is a rocky region of the UK, home to rugged natural scenery.

The area’s eponymous airport is going to be open for business in summer 2019 — with flights to London, Dublin and Belfast.

There have been several delays leading up to this point, so some remain skeptical about when it’ll get off the ground.

Still, summer flights are available to book now and the routes will be operated by Scottish airline Loganair.

Murcia-Corvera Airport — Spain

This new hub was opened by King Felipe VI of Spain, following a €500m (roughly $561m) construction project and is situated between Murcia and Cartagena, linked to the motorway network and with good access to the nearby resorts.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport — New Orleans, USA

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is set to see a super-modern terminal open in May 2019.

Courtesy Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Another long-awaited airport opening is scheduled to take place in 2019 — this time over in New Orleans. At the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, a new super-modern terminal is now scheduled to open in May.

It’s cost $1,029 billion and is designed to revitalize the airport and its existing infrastructure.

Beijing Daxing International Airport — Beijing, China

Beijing Daxing Airport hopes to be the world’s largest and busiest.

Courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects

China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines flights will depart to and from Daxing and connections via a high-speed rail connection and motorway network will help put the airport on the map.

It’s another aviation hub with room for growth, they’ll be space for 100 million passengers per year and seven runways.