While most airports are infrastructure and something you pass through to get somewhere else, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan is a building that makes you want to stop before you check the departures board and just look around and explore.
The Architecture
The airport's terminal which opened in 2014 features an architectural concept by Arup and a an interior that features experiential design by the acclaimed studio Autoban. It is renowned for redefining what an airport can be through warmth, organic flow, and custom wooden "cocoons."
The terminal is a fluid, continuous form with a white undulating structure that flows upward from the ground without harsh corners. And, inside, the curving surfaces continue where corridors become ceilings that become walls, and giant wooden cocoons that house cafes.
Baku's Architectural Moment
The airport is part of a broader transformation that Baku underwent after Azerbaijan's oil revenues peaked in the 2000s. The government invested heavily in landmarks including the Flame Towers (three glass skyscrapers shaped like fire, visible from anywhere in the city), the Heydar Aliyev Center (designed by Zaha Hadid, also extraordinary), and the airport terminal.
The result is a city that feels like it is one of the most visually distinct capitals in the world right now, and the airport serves as the opening ceremony.
The Experience
Beyond the architecture, the airport functions well. It's Azerbaijan Airlines' (AZAL) main hub, with connections to Istanbul, Moscow, Dubai, London, Frankfurt, Beijing, and across the former Soviet republics. Many transit passengers use the airport as a hub between Europe and Central Asia.
The facilities are modern with duty-free shopping that includes Azerbaijani carpets, pomegranate products, caviar, and local wine alongside the usual luxury brands. The food options are decent by airport standards, with local cuisine available alongside international fare. WiFi is free and fast.
Azerbaijan as a Transit Country
Baku sits at a crossroads between Europe and Asia that has been significant since the Silk Road. As a transit point, it offers something actually worth stopping for since the old city (İçərişəhər) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of medieval alleys, caravanserais, and the 12th-century Maiden Tower. And, the Caspian seafront is dreamy. The food such as, plov, dolma, pomegranate sauces, sturgeon, and local wines from the Shamakhi region are excellent and almost unknown outside the region.
Getting There and Through
- Located north of central Baku; taxi takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic
- The Baku metro runs to the city center but not directly to the airport (taxi or bus connection needed)
- Visa-on-arrival is available for many nationalities, or an e-visa through the ASAN service (fast, reliable)
- The transit visa-free arrangement allows many nationalities to transit through Azerbaijan without a visa for stays under 24 hours