Swissdiver - 24/11/2010 12:51 GMT
What is for you the best airport in the world, and why?
Best airport in the world?
Posts
Swissdiver - 24/11/2010 13:00 GMT
Please allow me to shoot first... :-) I go by continents (yes I should have written airportS in the question :-))
In the US, I love ATL because of its structure (a series of rectangular buildings linked by a train) that allows the huge traffic they face.
In Europe, this is clearly LHR T5 for its smoothness and efficiency.
In Asia (ex Middle East), my sample is a but smaller (may-be about 10 or 15 airports). So far HKG is clearly the best.
frustratedflyer - 24/11/2010 13:39 GMT
I would say Singapore in Asia, Chicago in US (if I had to choose one), LHR T5 (but it is not an airport) so maybe Munich or Schipol in Europe, Dubai in Middle East
PatJordan - 24/11/2010 21:28 GMT
I prefer Newark (in USA). In Europe, my favourite has to be Schipol: nice shopping and eating, and well laid out.
CharlesRhona - 25/11/2010 08:36 GMT
Without a doubt the best airport in the world is Changi, Singapore. Well laid out, peaceful, excellent airport shopping, airside hotel, airside swimming pool and showers if lounge access not available, city tours on stopovers and most important minimal queues. I have been through immigration and found bags on the carousel within 15 minutes of landing. No problems ever encountered with access to and from the airport and staff always efficient and helpful.
Binman62 - 25/11/2010 09:14 GMT
CharlesRhona...Agreed. Changi is without doubt the worlds best airport and on so many levels.
DisgustedofSwieqi - 25/11/2010 09:38 GMT
As this is a highly subjective question, with no parameters, I'll choose Malta International Airport.
It has connections to most of the major cities I travel to frequently, e.g. Rome, Milan, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cairo, Dubai, Moscow etc.
From arriving at the kerbside, to the lounge (with hand luggage) takes typcailly 5-10 minutes, although my record is 3 and from aircraft to exit (with hand luggage) is about 4-5 minutes.
You can still collect people without paying for parking and stay by your car 30 metres from the arrivals hall and the car parking is large enough and reasonably priced if needed.
For a small airport, the executive lounge is spacious, modern and smart, with free wifi (try getting that in a BA galleries lounge), 4 internet terminals and a printer, as well as a good selection of snacks and drinks.
Finally the vast majority of the staff, including security, are polite, helpful and friendly.
This is my local airport and I am a very satisfied user.
Brusselsregular - 25/11/2010 12:51 GMT
Atlanta is the only airport I have been to where you have to go through security on arrival. Why would I fly with dangerous weapons when after I can get them in Downtown Atlanta if i wanted ! Also, you retrieve your baggage so you can give it to security and then collect in a public area 5 stops away on the train !
They actually need an international terminal which is fully separated from the domestic terminals
Cedric_Statherby - 25/11/2010 13:27 GMT
It's hard to argue with Changi, which is unfailingly efficient and does what it says on the tin. But it is a fairly easy airport to run (although large, it is for example all international flights).
If one is flying just domestic, some of the US West Coast airports (Portland, Phoenix, Seattle-Tacoma) have been spruced up and are now really very pleasant experiences. A recent 6-airport trip round the region offered me no queues (longest security line was 2 people), no delays, ample food, clean buildings, helpful staff. And landing to baggage to taxi was seldom more than a Changi-style 10-15 minutes. Those who only know East Coast US airports (Newark, for example?) might think the US cannot do public transportation, but in the West they certainly can.
thertsak - 25/11/2010 16:45 GMT
it's a tie between hkg and sin. hkg with its wonderful duty free brand names, variety of shops and very reasonable food prices. and sin with its great T3, super efficient immigration service and super fast luggage retrieval.
canucklad - 25/11/2010 17:05 GMT
One of the most underated airports in the world has to be YVR-especially arriving Internationally
The whole experiance say's alot for traditibal Canadian politeness, values & serenity
Faultless
Mind the AC Exec lounge is a bit cramped-still very friendly staff though
1) YVR 2) AMS 3) HKG
I actually used to like my local airport EDI-but the good people at BAA have turned it into a visit to my local shopping centre
FlyingChinaman - 25/11/2010 18:44 GMT
Thertsak
I am a Hong Kong resident and have lived in Singapore for years. HKG and SIN are certernly a tie for the best airports in the world. They both offer passengers a pleasant travel experience. Just used SYD and SFO and they are not bad at all and certainly far better than most of the major airports in Europe where I use on a regular basis. Paying high passenger service charge/tax through the ticket prices and getting very little for it.
MartynSinclair - 25/11/2010 19:16 GMT
Thats simple - Orlando Int. Once through immigration and onto that monorail. its time to holiday!
I also love the jetty at Gatwick, means I am on my way.
Choosing the best airport really depends on the day of the week. ANy airport running at capacity is a drag - to be honest, Luton or even T1 at Heathrow on a quiet day is a joy, Singapore on a busy morning is awful.
OzTraveller - 25/11/2010 21:53 GMT
A very subjective question - what is the best airport in the world.. What is "best" ? A regional airport with few flights a day so there's plenty of parking; no crowds; no delays; quick and easy check-in; a coffee shop where there is always a clean table waiting ... the list goes on.
However, taking your question in the spirit for which I assume it was intended, the answer without any dispute is Singapore Changi Airport., especially Terminal 3.
MartynSinclair - 26/11/2010 03:48 GMT
"However, taking your question in the spirit for which I assume it was intended"
I dont think the question was at all clear hence the variety of answers. Its a bit like the question I am always asked by my friends, which is the best airline I fly and my answer is,...... the one that has the friendliest crew and service on the day.
FlyingChinaman - 26/11/2010 04:44 GMT
MartySinclair
You make sensible comments, whether it is for an airport or a particular flight but remember this thread is about an overall airport experience rating (a major world hub). Not regional airports.
In my worldly onpinon (not a humble one - a Bad Chinese here), Hong Kong and Singapore are the tale of the two airports in world travel as they are well designed and consistance in service.
HKG never gives you the impression that it is unbearably over -crowded and SIN offers you everything (minus a mini casino) to while your boring transit time away, indoors or outdoors, Don't we all love the tropical Koi ponds!
The other new MAJOR airports world-wide are just either new or big or have only a small part of their operation (like a more pleasant LHR T5) but not in it's totality
Ausline - 26/11/2010 06:10 GMT
Best MEL - ease of use and friendly enviroment. YVR - great international arrivals. ZRH - better then most Euro airports.
Worst LAX - Its like a zoo LHR - with the exception of T5, dreadful airport LOS - try and avoid it!
MartynSinclair - 26/11/2010 06:21 GMT
"What is the best airport in the world and why" - asked by Swiss Diver
Intereting and very open question. It doesnt specifically refer to either regional, national, international just "Best Airport".
My ideal airport would provide 30 minute check in, 30 minute flight connections, 30 minute processing and no more than a 30 minute delay.It would make all those airport shops and lounges redundant, making the airport experience far quicker.
However, I realise that some people enjoy airports and the shopping expperience.
FlyingChinaman - 26/11/2010 06:45 GMT
MartynSinclair
Many people want many different things! That makes us human!!!
I support your idea of an ideal airport (swift and stress-free) as NO frequently travellers would want to stay in any airport area longer than necessary but in reality we often have to due to schedules etc and this is where the PLEASANT airport experience comes in and an import factor as the next best thing when stuck!
CKYCKYCKY - 26/11/2010 11:36 GMT
I shuttle between HKG and SIN at least once a month.
In terms of custom clearance, baggage handling security clearance , Singapore T2 and T3 are much better than HKG.
As SIN T1, it is going through major renovation, now, it can be not so user friendly.
SIN T3 even has a butterfly park ,roof top gardern and bars.
However HKG has better connectivity to the city and better city check-ins.
In terms of shopping both HKG and SIN are indifferent. All major brands are there. T3 even have a Le Perla and Apple store. Just came back from HKG today , as of now HKG does not have ipads, but T3 has it.
However for food, HKG in my opinion is slightly better in my opinion becos of the food court on L2.
The Kris Lounge in T3 is a lot more superior than Cathay's Pier.
