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Summary of this week’s travel news: the coolest regions in the world, the best cities for young people, and most internationally connected airports. Plus, the new 50 Best Dining Awards nominate the best restaurants in North America.
It was a challenging week for air travel.
Cyberattacks at airports, including Brussels and Berlin, sparked chaos last weekend and Monday, with a series of mystery loan sightings forced airports to close in Denmark and Norway throughout the week.
Today, these challenges are affecting more people than ever before. According to a Megahubs 2025 report released Wednesday by Travel Data Platform OAG, global seating capacity has skyrocketed by a third over the past decade, reaching over 6 billion yen a year. But the chaos in Europe reminds us that our thriving international network is not immortal.
This report ranks the world’s most connected airports in 2025 and is based on the destinations offered and scheduled connections.
For the third year in a row, London’s Heathrow has crowned the world’s top megahub for travelers who need to fly around the world with Giffy. However, all other airports in the top 10 have changed positions.
Istanbul jumped from 8th to 2nd place, while Amsterdam’s Schiphol climbed from 4th to 3rd place.
Frankfurt climbed from No. 10 and shared fourth place with last year’s No. 2 Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia’s megahub is not just the Asian airport that has lost ground in connectivity races. Seoul Incheon fell from No. 5 to No. 6, while Minato Tokyo went from No. 3 to No. 9 to No. 9.
In contrast, the US made profits. Adding 15 new destinations, Chicago O’Hare jumped two locations to become the seventh connected airport in the world. Already the world’s largest airport, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson, the world’s largest airport in seating capacity, has rejoined the global top 10, climbing from 11th to 8th.
Even further down the rankings, they’re doing bigger things in Texas. Dallas Fort Worth rose from No. 18 to No. 13 to No. 13, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston jumped from No. 29 to No. 18.
The coolest regions and best cities in the world of Gen Z
So, what are you going to do when you reach these world-class megahubs?
Of course, head straight to the coolest parts of town.
On Wednesday, the publishing giant timeout revealed a list of hot foods for 2025. Visitors to Heathrow can note that Camberwell’s South London district has been chosen as the fourth “cool” in the world thanks to its multiculturalism and “independent spirit.”
Also, a well-connected metropolis, Monchiara in Kuala Lumpur at No. 32, has acquired what is desirable through artisan bakeries, Pilates studios and third wave cafes, Timeout says.
The publisher’s number one cool neighborhood is also accessible from one of the top 10 airports in Megahub. The Tokyo area is an artistic enclave loved by the generation of intellectuals in this Asian city, and Timeout calls it “bibliographic Nirvana.”
Bangkok district did not reach the latest cool list of timeouts, but by the timeout in August it didn’t stop them from being declared the best city in the world for their 20s.
Melbourne placed second on the Gen-Z list for timeouts, and its “coolest” neighbourhood, North Melbourne, has been praised for its diverse dining scene and numerous cultural offerings.
According to the timeout, New York is the fourth largest city for young people, but once you reach the neighborhood, the hottest one – Red Hook – isn’t the easiest trip. There is no subway station, but there is a bus stop and a free ferry.
In New York, a small Korean eatery with a 14-seat U-shaped counter in Nomad’s Central Manhattan area has been named the best restaurant in North America.
The first list of North American’s 50 best restaurants put Atombach at the top, with judges saying it combines food, drinks and designs “at a level of height that fakes new stories for Korean cuisine around the world.”
Monrapin, a Canadian restaurant in Little Italy, Montreal, is second in France. It is run by a husband and wife team. The restaurant’s menu changes daily, but imaginative dishes can include everything from Chartreuse and tomato ice cream to honey nut squash, to pork heads and camellias.
Located in the picturesque Canadian wine region of Niagara, the French-style restaurant is located at No. 3. Restaurant Pearl Morisset overlooks Pearl Morisset Estate’s wineries, regenerative farms, Peach Orchard and vegetable gardens.
Look inside Cambodia’s latest airport
Phnom Penh’s new and operational Techo Takhmao International Airport was inspired by tradition but was built for the future. Lilit Marcus from CNN Travel visited the airport, which is still under construction this summer.
Certainly, the connected megahub is great, but what if the pilot’s dad could fly you home?
That’s a surprise waiting for Addison’s stock as she returned to Arizona from her honeymoon in Mexico.
Machu Picchu risks losing its “reliability” as one of the seven new wonders in the world.
So, what is happening to the treasures of this world?
Korean food is in the spotlight thanks to Atombak in New York.
Here are 40 dishes that we cannot live in.
A list of the best restaurants in North America, are you excited about Canadian cuisine?
There are 20 foods that reflect the size and diversity of the country.
