Broadly speaking, I do not like airports. They're very emblematic of all the worst things about air travel (i.e. literally everything except the fact that you're flying through the air, which...
Broadly speaking, I do not like airports. They're very emblematic of all the worst things about air travel (i.e. literally everything except the fact that you're flying through the air, which under ideal circumstances you do not ever do within the airport buildings). My least favorite is probably Atlanta (ATL)? Or maybe O'Hare (ORD), though I've transferred through Atlanta more. Any gigantic, soulless airport that turns into an irresistible attractor for travel plans.
However, I will highlight one, which, while I don't like it, I do think is interesting: Hilo, HI (ITO) is a rinky-dink little airport serving the east (rainy, and therefore less popular) side of the Big Island. The terminal is like a time capsule to the '70s. Absolutely without a doubt the most dated public space I've ever been in that's not explicitly a museum, and therefore weirdly charming. (Our flight was delayed by something like four hours, which was a lot less charming.)
Totally agree about the airport atmosphere. Thanks for the information about Hilo; I've got a work trip coming up there in the next couple of months. I don't exactly have a soft spot for...
Totally agree about the airport atmosphere.
Thanks for the information about Hilo; I've got a work trip coming up there in the next couple of months. I don't exactly have a soft spot for unvarnished vintage airports (see note about Houston Hobby below), but I'll see how much attention I can pay when I get to it after nine or ten hours in flight.
I agree; all airports are kind of terrible. They are a combination of massive waiting rooms and malls filled with predatory vendors selling massively overpriced items, crowned with the jewel of...
I agree; all airports are kind of terrible. They are a combination of massive waiting rooms and malls filled with predatory vendors selling massively overpriced items, crowned with the jewel of the single most invasive "security" measures you will ever see. The security at airports are so bad that it actually exacerbates how bad everything else is. You have to get there early because of how long security takes, which means you will always be waiting longer and you will probably have to eat something at one of the absurdly expensive restaurants while you are there. Somehow I have gone from hearing people saying that they should be at the airport 15 minutes before takeoff, to an hour, and in the last decade or so it has become two hours, depending on the exact airport. It's insane.
They fixed this in 2023, apparently, but Kansas City Missouri had the worst airport I've ever had the displeasure of flying through. They had it set up so there were multiple secured areas that...
They fixed this in 2023, apparently, but Kansas City Missouri had the worst airport I've ever had the displeasure of flying through. They had it set up so there were multiple secured areas that only had a handful of gates in each, and so once you went through you were stuck in a relatively small area with no services aside from maybe a food cart. It felt like they designed it pre-9/11 when you could just waltz in and out of security as you pleased, and then never revised it. Haven't visited the new terminal but it cannot be worse than the old setup.
I flew out of DCA (Reagan) recently and the airport itself is quite nice but getting there is horrible.
I know a lot of people have bad experiences with Denver but I've never found the airport to be anything but pleasant. Good food options, spacious, relatively efficient train service between the concourses. Giant blue demon horse guarding the entry. Pretty much perfect.
Lol, I don't want to be a hater, but DCA is probably my least favorite airport to fly through! I try to avoid having a layover there whenever possible. The Southwest terminal is separate from the...
I flew out of DCA (Reagan) recently and the airport itself is quite nice but getting there is horrible.
Lol, I don't want to be a hater, but DCA is probably my least favorite airport to fly through! I try to avoid having a layover there whenever possible.
The Southwest terminal is separate from the rest of the airport, so you're limited to a very small, very crowded area unless you want to exit and re-enter security (which I never do). The one short hallway you can walk down has store shelving all along both sides, so there isn't a lot of seating or even neutral standing space.
The one plus I will give the airport is that I've gotten to see Ospreys flying outside of it a few times, and they are unbelievably cool to see in person. They genuinely look like they should only exist in movies.
DCA is my home airport. It's fine when not flying Southwest. But with Southwest, as I did yesterday coming home...yeah, not great. The Southwest terminal, or Terminal 1, is way too tiny like you...
DCA is my home airport. It's fine when not flying Southwest. But with Southwest, as I did yesterday coming home...yeah, not great.
The Southwest terminal, or Terminal 1, is way too tiny like you mention. And the baggage carousels right in the ticketing hall can make it quite cramped, especially when multiple planes come in at basically the same time. I also hate that the Metro stop is at the other terminal, where nearly all the other airlines are at (I think Frontier and Air Canada are also Terminal 1). Feels like the station is a mile away when you're dragging a piece of luggage of two.
But when I flew Delta back in June, it was perfectly fine. Because they're at Terminal 2. Literally got off the elevated Metro station, went down the escalators, entered the building, where Delta has a check-in desk, got rid of my bags, and proceeded through security to airside. Probably took like 10min.
I was thinking of Kansas City. We had a layover there many years ago, and I looked it up back then to confirm it was designed before 9/11 because that was the only explanation for the security...
I was thinking of Kansas City. We had a layover there many years ago, and I looked it up back then to confirm it was designed before 9/11 because that was the only explanation for the security setup. From what I remember it was basically a long strip with the gates lining one side, and the entrances and maybe stores on the other (again, years ago), so they had to set up security at each individual gate.
Honestly I thought it was a cool design, but I can't think of any alternative way to set up security. Annoying since I'm pretty sure even the bathrooms were outside the gates, so you'd have to exit and go through security again. On the other hand though, the security seemed less stressful since it's for a single gate, which meant shorter lines. People could probably arrive a lot closer to their flight time than at other airports.
I used to live in KC, so I have A LOT of experience with MCI. My understanding is that there were issues with the airport even pre-9/11. Various airplane hijackings in the 70s/80s necessitated...
I used to live in KC, so I have A LOT of experience with MCI. My understanding is that there were issues with the airport even pre-9/11. Various airplane hijackings in the 70s/80s necessitated installing security at every gate. And it just got worse after 9/11 since simple metal detectors were no longer enough. Each gate needed x-ray machines and those full body scanners.
The curb-to-gate in like 10min concept can be nice, and was doable even post-9/11. My mom would often take advantage of that since my dad, my brother, or me would drop her off. She did carry-on only and had her boarding pass printed off at home. Security could actually be pretty quick, even without TSA Pre-Check. But for people like me who drove and parked in the lots, and almost always had bags to check, I never really experienced that. I had to be there at least 1.5hrs early.
The new airport is MUCH nicer though. Restrooms a-plenty. The gender-neutral bank of restrooms are amazing. There are like 50 floor-to-ceiling stalls in there. Then there several eateries, bars, and shops. No more one little sandwich shop and like 2 restrooms per gate area. I've had coworker almost miss their flights because they were in line to use the restroom at the old airport.
Tegel was like this for a long time as well, until it got replaced by the new airport. Each gate had its own waiting area and security setup. In some ways it was more convenient because you only...
Tegel was like this for a long time as well, until it got replaced by the new airport. Each gate had its own waiting area and security setup. In some ways it was more convenient because you only need to go through security for your gate, which means fewer people, but also each gate was much less efficient and the costs were surely enormous to staff each gate separately like that.
You can't see my complaint because you live in the area, lol. The problem is not getting in and out of DCA if you are already right next to it, the problem is in getting anywhere near DCA....
You can't see my complaint because you live in the area, lol. The problem is not getting in and out of DCA if you are already right next to it, the problem is in getting anywhere near DCA. Washington DC traffic is some of the worst in the country, and it can take literal hours of extra time to exit the morass if you time it wrong. If I was able to hop the metro in or whatever I'd probably love it too.
I guess that's true of most airports in a major city. Like before I moved to DC (I actually live on the VA side), I had a handful of business trips in DC, like in the District. Getting from/to DCA...
I guess that's true of most airports in a major city. Like before I moved to DC (I actually live on the VA side), I had a handful of business trips in DC, like in the District. Getting from/to DCA was always a breeze via Uber or taxi. I live next to a Metro stop now and I'm like a handful of stops away from DCA.
Though if you're trying to get out to the suburbs, good luck. But that's true for Dulles, too (I hate driving to Dulles and a Metro ride is still like 1.5hrs each way!). And ORD in Chicago. LAX I imagine; just driving in and out of the airport sucks. DEN is so far away from the city, and good luck if you gotta take I-25. That highway always seems to be bumper to bumper stop and go traffic.
Mid-sized cities are better for sure. Like in Kansas City, roughly max 45min to from/to MCI to anywhere in the Metro. LAS, the airport is literally right off The Strip. Plus the valley is pretty small.
I don't know if I've visited enough airports but Pearson International Airport out of the Toronto Canada sucks. It's just never a good experience, the layout sucks, and it's never quick. Vancouver...
I don't know if I've visited enough airports but Pearson International Airport out of the Toronto Canada sucks. It's just never a good experience, the layout sucks, and it's never quick.
Vancouver Airport on the other hand, big fan as far as major airports go. Feels organized, there can be a lot of walking but it feels clean, nice with lots of room and even a sort of quiet area for introverts.
While I don't particularly like Pearson, something bad always seems to happen when I'm in Montreal - flight delays, cancellations, and more often than not, when flying internationally I can count...
While I don't particularly like Pearson, something bad always seems to happen when I'm in Montreal - flight delays, cancellations, and more often than not, when flying internationally I can count on them to lose my bag. The food in Montreal is amazing though, especially in the international terminal!
For me, Pearson is just "okay". There are better airports, there are worse airports. It's acceptable. Montreal, on the other hand, is quite challenging. Poor spacing for passengers means that if a...
For me, Pearson is just "okay". There are better airports, there are worse airports. It's acceptable.
Montreal, on the other hand, is quite challenging. Poor spacing for passengers means that if a large flight is boarding, you're fighting through a crowd just to walk by. Last time I went, it was exhausting to fight through everything to get to my flight.
Of the ones I've been through, definitely Changi Airport in Singapore. Modern, spacious, well lit, clear signage, polite and efficient staff end to end, clean and comfortable. Security checkpoints...
Of the ones I've been through, definitely Changi Airport in Singapore. Modern, spacious, well lit, clear signage, polite and efficient staff end to end, clean and comfortable. Security checkpoints are at each gate so you're not fighting other planes' passengers to get through a single common checkpoint. Multiple environment-themed gardens (including a live butterfly garden packed with butterflies), interesting art installations, many comfortable places to kill time. If you've got a lot of time to kill, the airport is connected to Jewel Changi Airport, a donuts shaped mall with the worlds tallest and largest indoor waterfalls as well as one of Asia's the largest indoor gardens.
Terminal 4 has central security, and the upcoming Terminal 5 reverts back to gate security. I'm not sure if it's still per gate or they'll do clusters of it like how some gates in Changi T1-T3...
Terminal 4 has central security, and the upcoming Terminal 5 reverts back to gate security. I'm not sure if it's still per gate or they'll do clusters of it like how some gates in Changi T1-T3 share security screening.
The airport has extensive carpeting. A pain to drag rollers around but it makes the airport much quieter. Many of the public seating is on the level of what you'd find at lounges at other airports. Another difference is public announcements are kept to a minimum instead of being repeatedly blasted through the airport. In return there's so much more flight information displays that you can just look at, or connect to the fast Wi-Fi and open up your airline's app. Adds to the quiet ambiance alongside the carpeting for the number of people going through.
It also has some of the most efficient automated checkpoints I've experienced. Scan passport, fingerprint, look at camera, you're in/out in seconds. They also double as departure control so you're going back through the same gates, and there's a lot of them across multiple places at the terminals so there's no bottleneck. Compare that to say, Australia where a "smart" gate kiosk gives you a paper slip with your mugshot, then you go through the actual passport control gates, and you give that slip to a customs officer.
Between the cheap swimming pool and jacuzzi at T1, the free movie theater at T3, the free arcades at T4, and everything else, Changi is definitely my pick if I'm stuck for 8 hours at an airport and with zero problems to kill time.
And back when they still did manual immigration the most memorable thing to me that stood out was the small bowl of candies on the booth while the officer chatted you up.
I don't fly a whole lot but there a years ago I took a trip to Europe with a friend and we had to fly through Stansted airport. No idea if this is still the case, but the best description I've...
I don't fly a whole lot but there a years ago I took a trip to Europe with a friend and we had to fly through Stansted airport. No idea if this is still the case, but the best description I've seen of my experience is a "high-security labyrinth of a shopping mall that happens to have planes at it".
It was seriously the worst experience I've ever had. After going through security, it took us like 30 minutes just to get through to the main terminal area. In order to get there, you were funneled, shoulder to shoulder, through an elaborate maze of shopping stores. Most airports are usually long corridors with the shopping stores on the sides, but no. This one we were literally funneled through the stores. Once we got to the main terminal, they wouldn't tell us what gate our plane would be at until 45 minutes before take off, and boarding would end like 30 minutes before takeoff. So we basically had 15 minutes to figure out where our flight was and scramble across the airport to get there again.
0/10 would not recommend. Hopefully it's not as bad these days.
Manchester Airports Group - they own Manchester and Stansted (and I thought Birmingham was well, but apparently only East Midlands), and they are all awful. I used to have to fly through a...
Manchester Airports Group - they own Manchester and Stansted (and I thought Birmingham was well, but apparently only East Midlands), and they are all awful. I used to have to fly through a Manchester a lot, and Terminal 3 there is basically like you describe at Stansted, but without even the shopping mall - just high security labyrinths where you hope a plane will appear at some point.
The best I've been through is definitely Changi in Singapore. It's been well over a decade since I've been through, but I liked it for all the reasons @DrStone mentioned. My least favourite is...
The best I've been through is definitely Changi in Singapore. It's been well over a decade since I've been through, but I liked it for all the reasons @DrStone mentioned.
My least favourite is more a personal vendetta than it being a bad airport, but I will always remember Dubai International Airport (DXB) for one time I had to go through.
This was on my first real solo overseas trip and I had a connecting flight through DXB after a 14 hour flight (my tiredness definitely contributed to this experience). The flight arrived on time, but then we had to wait for around 15 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes in the opposite direction from where I my connection was to reach a tiny security checkpoint that wasn't even ready for us to even enter the main area. Once I was through, I then had a 20 minute walk to get from one end to the other. And my outbound flight was due to start boarding in... 20 minutes.
You'd think that it would be easy to get from one end of a long and straight building to the other, but being an airport (in Dubai as well) it's designed to make you spend money. Brightly-lit shops in windy paths designed to slow you down and make you buy stuff you don't need. I was tired, a little annoyed from the security checkpoint, and determined to walk to the other end to reach my flight. Which I did, boarding started pretty much when I got to the gate. I made my flight, no disasters happened, but I dislike that airport for being the worst straight line I've ever had to walk.
I rather like Detroit Metro, Portland PDX, Phoenix SkyHarbor, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. All well-designed, with fresh interior architecture; efficient layouts with trams for quick connections;...
I rather like Detroit Metro, Portland PDX, Phoenix SkyHarbor, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
All well-designed, with fresh interior architecture; efficient layouts with trams for quick connections; charming art installations; good seating at the gates; respectable food, beverage, and shopping options for long layovers; and easy transit/rental access. The renovated New York LaGuardia airport isn't bad, and a vast improvement over its previous incarnation.
My home Cherry Capitol Airport is a charming little jewel box of Mission architecture, short lines, and easy parking/transit access. If you ever fly here in winter, allow plenty of time for connections, since extra de-icing at the gate is constant December - March.
I'm less impressed with Dallas-Fort Worth, LAX, Chicago-O'Hare (O'Hate!), SeaTac (good food, though), Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale (both overcrowded and poorly maintained), Charlottesville, Philadelphia (outdated facilities, but great transit connections), Houston Hobby (antique and overcrowded), San Jose (dated, dull, poor amenities).
Texas TSA... avoid if your complexion is even slightly brown, your visible gender isn't purely binary, or your name isn't 100% Anglo-Saxon. I've been pulled into enhanced search every other time I've flown through a Texas airport, and the questions are barely outside the bounds of a civil rights lawsuit. Gropy patdowns are just the moldy dill pickles on that excrement buffet.
Avoid Detroit City Airport at all costs - it's a scary drop onto those short runways.
I've seen many U.S. airports, and none of them are really world-class by current standards. There was a utilitarian design ethos for the period of 1960 - 1980 when most regional airports were built. They've often had design compromises in expansions, don't connect well to the cities they serve, or there's been a pattern of maintenance underinvestment. National franchise concessions make the amenities similarly bad.
If I was the God of Airports, there would be clean, spacious bathrooms with plenty of seats every three or four gates.
PDX has some of the best coffee on the west coast of any airport. Lots of local businesses have shops in the airport, so there are tons of options and they actually know how to pull espresso shots.
PDX has some of the best coffee on the west coast of any airport. Lots of local businesses have shops in the airport, so there are tons of options and they actually know how to pull espresso shots.
I had a decent bowl of ramen in PDX, and that's not to be underrated. Especially since it restored my will to live enough to endure a cross-country red-eye after a grueling week of onsite work. I...
I had a decent bowl of ramen in PDX, and that's not to be underrated. Especially since it restored my will to live enough to endure a cross-country red-eye after a grueling week of onsite work.
I don't think most people care what they're fueling themselves with in airports, but I value good food enough that I'll pass on eating if it's typical airport chain junk.
Good design, good coffee, good ramen, anti-gouging policy. That sounds like a very civilised country and momentarily made me doubt X codes airports are all American. Ah yes of course, Portland.
Good design, good coffee, good ramen, anti-gouging policy.
That sounds like a very civilised country and momentarily made me doubt X codes airports are all American. Ah yes of course, Portland.
It's hard for me to actually like a place that charges R$ 30 for a coxinha. But Salvador airport has hammocks for you to freely rest on, which is pretty neat and in tone with our culture.
It's hard for me to actually like a place that charges R$ 30 for a coxinha. But Salvador airport has hammocks for you to freely rest on, which is pretty neat and in tone with our culture.
To get the trauma out of the way, the ones I hate most are LAX and Cairo International purely on account of the traffic. The very unspecified cluster "London" airports because that becomes an...
To get the trauma out of the way, the ones I hate most are LAX and Cairo International purely on account of the traffic. The very unspecified cluster "London" airports because that becomes an issue of traffic + confusion + drives that are longer than the flight. Jeddah for being so dehumanizing that it literally led to a crisis of faith. And Paris CDG. Don't know how I wronged the people of Paris specifically because France is lovely. But CDG feel like a PsyOp to make one yearn for the guillotine. However anything at 6am from Brioche Dore makes up for all of it.
Besides that, I love tiny airports. Especially in Africa and South America. Remote international travel is what I miss most about my old job and I really want to get back in a position to do it again. Theres something amazing about landing in Chicheka International, walking straight out of the plane into the immigration hall where they are in the flimsiest booths on earth. And then turning the first corner and already being outside the airport.
I think these sort of gateways are some countries biggest points of national pride an many of them can't attract luxuries like big brands or shopping experiences. So a lot of them fall back on good service, hospitality and if they can, really cool architecture and locations.
So places like Ho Airport in Ghana, Balise in Senegal and ANF in Chille are probably some of the most beautiful locations with the nicest staff and fellow travelers anywhere. Theres also a random airstrip in Canada where everyone donated cloths to me because Canadian summer is hypothermia everywhere else on earth.
Its probably the closest you can get to a sort of Sci-Fi adventure where you're thrown on an alien planet and it doesn't feel real. There was one trip I had with a juniot who travelled international for the first time. And for a few days he occasionally used to just stare up at the sky because it was the only thing that felt right when the landscape and people were so different.
Bare in mind its not all sunshine and roses. You really need to be careful about being scammed by crooked immigration and grifters in lower traffic airports. A good strategy is to keep some international candies/snacks or distant low value currencies on hand. The natural curiosity instantly takes over and that little novelty can buy you enough grace to move along.
Sounds like you've had some amazing experiences. I'm a homebody, and the uncertainty of outcomes when I do travel (delays, weather, losing luggage, crime, getting lost, not having the right...
Sounds like you've had some amazing experiences. I'm a homebody, and the uncertainty of outcomes when I do travel (delays, weather, losing luggage, crime, getting lost, not having the right clothes or other things) makes it very hard to enjoy the travel. So I rarely travel unless required by work or family. I wish I could have a calmer, freer attitude toward it because I know there are a breadth of experiences I am missing out on, but it seems to not be my nature.
I'd say the most important part about travel that helps with most anxiety is the people. Even having one person looking out for you makes all the difference. That can be a travel companion or a...
I'd say the most important part about travel that helps with most anxiety is the people. Even having one person looking out for you makes all the difference. That can be a travel companion or a local contact or even just knowing how to get hold of the nearest embassy. For my work, there was often the rest of the team and the client hosting us and the company back home all keeping us out of trouble.
On the whole, while I think everyone should travel a little, the real challenge is finding the right speed for you and the right people to do it with. If you want to get a feel for it with a local mini-adventure, maybe try taking some friends on a local grocery tour. Basically plan the most convoluted shopping day you can without any supermarkets. So find local farms, factory shops and small businesses and see what's out there. It's surprising how much you find around you by just breaking routine.
I keep an informal ranking of all the airports I have flown through. There isn’t a single best one, but I can give some cool aspects of some of my favorites. PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) is possibly...
I keep an informal ranking of all the airports I have flown through. There isn’t a single best one, but I can give some cool aspects of some of my favorites.
PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) is possibly the single best airport, if I had to choose. It does so many things very well. It is well laid out, good plane viewing areas, easy to navigate, etc. I don’t like phoenix itself, but their airport is very nice.
BOD (Bordeaux, France) is a very average airport. There is really nothing special about it. Except they have quite a few airbus beluga aircraft there. Those are very cool aircraft, so it gets a bonus just for that.
FRA (Frankfurt, Germany) is one of my favorite airports to connect through. I haven’t actually started/ended here, just connected through it. Almost everyone I talk to hate FRA, but I think it’s fantastic. Huge with a ton of airplane viewing opportunities. You can almost always see a queen of the skies (Boeing 747) or an A380. And a frankfurter and beer is the single best meal to have while traveling. Nothing comes close to getting off a plane and walking through the airport with a wiener and Hefeweizen.
And now for the worst airport in existence: EWR (Newark, New Jersey). My god, I don’t know how an airport can be so bad. Everything about it is just not good. It’s like the designers always chose the worst possible choice at every opportunity. When people talk about how awful air travel can be, EWR is what I picture in my mind.
Personally love a pils and a pretzel - wouldn't want to get all that meat mixed with air travel but maybe next time I'm at my final stop I'll give it a shot.
Nothing comes close to getting off a plane and walking through the airport with a wiener and Hefeweizen.
Personally love a pils and a pretzel - wouldn't want to get all that meat mixed with air travel but maybe next time I'm at my final stop I'll give it a shot.
Them's fighting words! Every time I've come through Frankfurt, I've got lost getting in or out of the building, or wandering between locations. The last time, I was looking for a particular...
FRA
Them's fighting words!
Every time I've come through Frankfurt, I've got lost getting in or out of the building, or wandering between locations. The last time, I was looking for a particular station, and I, along with multiple other, independent groups of people, ended up missing it because we needed to go through a closed, unmarked service door to get to the right place.
The rest of the airport is fine - I'm not a fan of the food, but for airport food it isn't the worst, and like you say, you get some good views of the planes - but I just don't understand their complete inability to put basic signage up to show you where you're going!
And now for the worst airport in existence: EWR (Newark, New Jersey). My god, I don’t know how an airport can be so bad. Everything about it is just not good. It’s like the designers always chose the worst possible choice at every opportunity. When people talk about how awful air travel can be, EWR is what I picture in my mind.
I like SFO. Small enough that getting around is easy, some of the restaurants are surprisingly not expensive, at least relative to SF, connected by public transit, and a bonus: one of the few...
I like SFO. Small enough that getting around is easy, some of the restaurants are surprisingly not expensive, at least relative to SF, connected by public transit, and a bonus: one of the few airports (only?) in the US without TSA.
I think ATL gets a bad rap. All the big hubs have a lot of stressed people running to transfers, but that is what it is. At least ATL is well connected (it has the best metro system in Atlanta), there are multiple runways, and there is rarely bad weather (almost never snow, and few hurricanes can last long enough to cancel flights). IMO the airport is fairly modern as well.
O'Hare sucks. There's only one runway for some reason? The airport is rinky-dink and it's a billion miles away from Chicago (O'Hare, more like 'Where?). Plenty of bad snow storms.
PDG (Pudong, Shanghai) is OK, although huge, but they don't turn on the AC in the shoulder seasons. That's more of a cultural thing, but damn can it suck in April/May.
Haneda is nice; there's a good variety of lounging chairs, and a special pikachu vending machine.
JFK, for being so important, also sucks. A big reason why is that the terminals are not connected within the secure zone at all. As a result, you have leave and go back through security... sometimes there are buses. It's also pretty old now.
Can I ask what you mean by SFO not having TSA? I fly out of SFO, often with TSA Precheck, so I'm confused here haha. Do you mean they don't ask you to scan your boarding pass when going through...
Can I ask what you mean by SFO not having TSA? I fly out of SFO, often with TSA Precheck, so I'm confused here haha. Do you mean they don't ask you to scan your boarding pass when going through security?
Kaohsiung (KHH) is a really fun airport. Really lovely design. It doesn't feel too big. I think a problem with a lot of airports is they feel too big. Even Naha airport (OKA) feels a little bit...
Kaohsiung (KHH) is a really fun airport. Really lovely design. It doesn't feel too big. I think a problem with a lot of airports is they feel too big. Even Naha airport (OKA) feels a little bit too big... On the other hand ORD and LAX don't feel that big because of their layout AND the shuttle service between terminals.
Philippines and Malaysian airports are often crowded and poorly managed / under-staffed. Iloilo airport is okay but it also feels too small in many places.
There's a lot to love about Incheon airport (ICN). The rail connection / transit center layout and transition to airport is very bright and lovely. My only complaint is that it feels a bit far from Seoul.
Orange County airport (SNA) has a nice layout but baggage claim is kinda confusing. You can easily walk to another building and then realize you need to walk back two terminals because it is actually located in a different terminal from the one you arrived in. They need to change the way that they label the baggage claim areas so that it is more obvious instead of doing sequential numbers when they aren't in the same area.
Salt Lake City airport (SLC)... I've never had to wait long to go through security. I like the very distinct separation between the security area and the terminal. That whole dropoff to terminal experience feels very well designed. However, the terminal itself is bland and boring. I can't quite put my finger on it but it doesn't feel like a space for humans.
Also, it is really annoying when flying through the USA to have to re-check your bag. It feels so asinine and arbitrary. I love airports that allow you to stay airside during international transfers.
Not sure if the kinetic art exhibit is still at Boston Logan airport, but it was when I was somewhat frequently there with my son who was 1-3 years old at the time. We would spent 30 minutes to an...
Not sure if the kinetic art exhibit is still at Boston Logan airport, but it was when I was somewhat frequently there with my son who was 1-3 years old at the time. We would spent 30 minutes to an hour each time we’d be there, he was totally in love with that thing (and so was I).
Logan wasn’t (isn’t?) a fancy airport and probably unremarkable to most people, but it is very special to me. Being there always triggered the feeling of just how lucky we were to be able to experience it.
Stanford Children's Hospital has a smaller scale version of this kind of kinetic sculpture in its lobby, and it's just a fascinating mechanism. Come to think of it, there's considerable overlap in...
Stanford Children's Hospital has a smaller scale version of this kind of kinetic sculpture in its lobby, and it's just a fascinating mechanism. Come to think of it, there's considerable overlap in the styles and purpose of public art in U.S. airports and hospitals... meant to give anxious, stressed people something beautiful or interesting to dwell on besides their troubles.
I don't have a favourite but I certainly have a least favourite, and that would be London Heathrow. I understand that airports are inherently large, but the fact that Heathrow has no real viable...
I don't have a favourite but I certainly have a least favourite, and that would be London Heathrow.
I understand that airports are inherently large, but the fact that Heathrow has no real viable alternative to get between the terminals besides one of three train systems is baffling to me. For someone either visiting London for the first time, or worse, someone requiring transit between terminals after a long flight to catch a connection, having to decipher which train you need to get, where to go, whether you need a ticket or not, and whether there are any operational issues with said train is unnecessarily complicated. I wouldn't be opposed to having a direct walking route between terminals rather than what is presented now; there isn't even a free shuttle bus service in case the trains break down (which happens more frequently than I'd hazard Heathrow would admit).
Arriving by car is also fundamentally flawed if you need to get to Terminals 2 & 3 if there's an snag on the entrance road, because if there's an issue, you are forced to go to either Terminal 5 or Terminal 4 and then get the aforementioned train across to T2&3.
The only terminal I actually like at Heathrow is Terminal 4, and that's probably because it's the most logically laid out, both pre and post-security. The other terminals are these massive glass-fronted buildings with several levels pre-security, and confusing, multi-storey lounges post, whereas T4 is essentially just a straight line, flanked by shops and restaurants post-security. The lifts (elevators) at Terminal 5 are perhaps the perfect example of this confusing nature - the lift goes from the bottom floor, all the way to the top, and then stops at the interim levels. The amount of tourists I've seen get off and then immediately get confused because they want to be on another level is comically high, because it goes against the basic function of a lift: people press the floors they want, and it takes them there sequentially. I just think the whole thing (minus T4) is overly complicated when it doesn't have to be, mainly for the sake of having fancy facades. I dislike Heathrow to such a degree that I would (and have) quite hapilly spend a bit more money to fly from Gatwick or London City, both of which are simple and far less stress-enducing than Heathrow.
I can't think of any particularly good airports off the top of my head, since none have particularly left a strong impression on me. Usually I'm just in the mindset "I'm gonna have to wait X...
I can't think of any particularly good airports off the top of my head, since none have particularly left a strong impression on me. Usually I'm just in the mindset "I'm gonna have to wait X hours" or "I want to get the bags and go home/to the destination". So, not paying the most attention.
But one that I think is worth mentioning: Chicago O'Hare is WAY too big. Last time we were there for a layover, we spent most of the layover first getting lunch, and then just running to the next gate over ~40 minutes because the tram or whatever connected terminals wasn't working that day for whatever reason. And pretty sure the terminals were on basically opposite sides of the airport....
That building is also one of very few where I approve having its own app. Usually I find those apps to be totally unnecessary. With a building that big though, and the time constraints with catching flights, it makes sense for O'Hare.
I wholeheartedly agree, but I also love O’Hare for exactly that reason. I’m an “airport walker” in that I spent most of my time during a layover just walking up and down the airport. It helps keep...
I wholeheartedly agree, but I also love O’Hare for exactly that reason.
I’m an “airport walker” in that I spent most of my time during a layover just walking up and down the airport. It helps keep me from getting antsy when I’m then stuck in a small uncomfortable chair for hours on the flight.
I got a record 11 miles at O’Hare during a flight delay, and at any other airport I would have gotten sick of walking the same path over and over again. O’Hare, however, was so big it didn’t feel repetitive. I love the underground tunnel.
The size seems great for extra long layovers or if you have to fly out of there. Seems like there's probably a lot to do and see, which is better than a few other airports I can recall visiting....
The size seems great for extra long layovers or if you have to fly out of there. Seems like there's probably a lot to do and see, which is better than a few other airports I can recall visiting. So many memories of arriving a bit too early and awkwardly looking for places to hang out since the previous flight would still be at our gate...
The fact we spent most of our layover just rushing from one end to the other definitely soured it a bit for me though. Couldn't really take our time to appreciate anything.
Do they still have the chasing neon lights in the tunnel? I think I remember being amazed by that during the 80s, or maybe the 90s. But like @patience_limited said, I avoid it for logistical...
Do they still have the chasing neon lights in the tunnel? I think I remember being amazed by that during the 80s, or maybe the 90s.
But like @patience_limited said, I avoid it for logistical reasons when possible.
I loathe Chicago O'Hare with a burning hate, but I'll admit that its biggest flaws (long distance between gates, terrible food options, poorly designed tram system) are compounded by the airlines...
I loathe Chicago O'Hare with a burning hate, but I'll admit that its biggest flaws (long distance between gates, terrible food options, poorly designed tram system) are compounded by the airlines and dependably messy local weather.
Never book flights through this airport with less than an hour between connections. It's guaranteed you'll have a delay on your incoming flight that will leave you less than 10 minutes before your next flight boards to get from one end of the airport to the other. A nice walk if you have time, a brutal marathon if you don't.
It's architecturally ugly, the seating areas for flights are too small, and there aren't enough electrical outlets for charging devices. And it's one of two major airports that I have to connect through - familiarity has definitely bred contempt.
I'll echo @DrStone as Changi is a fantastic airport. Every time I've been through there, it has been a decent experience. They also have multiple play areas with climbing structures and...
I'll echo @DrStone as Changi is a fantastic airport. Every time I've been through there, it has been a decent experience. They also have multiple play areas with climbing structures and interactive things for kids, which was a great way to let my kids get some energy out before our next flight.
I don't have any airport I've had a huge negative experience with, but I did have a hindsight an interesting experience last time I flew into the main San Francisco airport. I had a domestic transfer and saw a sign saying go this way for transfers after I got my checked bag. I followed the sign and didn't have to go through any security check points or screenings and ended up in the domestic check in area where I could have left the airport without having gone through security upon arrival into the country. I know a lot of what TSA does is security theater, but they do occasionally catch things, and it felt very odd not having gone through them.
I only realized I could have just left the airport after I had made it to my final destination and slept since I find it really hard to sleep on airplanes, so after a flight across the Pacific I'm usually mentally drained and just going on autopilot until I get to my destination.
La Crosse Regional Airport - I showed an agent my pass, put my stuff on the belt, started to unpack and the agent waived me through. When I got to the next agent he ripped into me because my...
La Crosse Regional Airport - I showed an agent my pass, put my stuff on the belt, started to unpack and the agent waived me through. When I got to the next agent he ripped into me because my laptop was in my bag, like it had been at the six other airports I was in that week. At one point he said to me "Sir, why did you leave that in the bag?" and I replied "The other agent waived me through," to which he replied "No, he didn't."
Like, I'm already through the detector, he obviously did. I'm still annoyed, obviously, but I can't exactly throw down with a TSA agent so I take it out, he looks at my laptop, and we part ways.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - I had just gotten in from Frankfurt and had a rough three days prior. I had not been able shower so I was still caked in sand, sweat, and for the sake of my fellow passengers, deodorant. When I landed in DFW, I went to the Admiral's Club and they let me in to take a shower. Even if I don't visit there again, I'll always remember that shower.
Shannon Airport - I had a long layover there and was able to relax with a coffee before a decent stint of stressful work. Can't really speak to the whole airport but it felt cozy and had gorgeous views on takeoff.
I used to travel a lot for work before the pandemic, and I would always travel with a bunch of coins in a pill bottle in case I needed change for tolls or hotel laundry. There were a few airports...
Like, I'm already through the detector, he obviously did. I'm still annoyed, obviously, but I can't exactly throw down with a TSA agent so I take it out, he looks at my laptop, and we part ways.
I used to travel a lot for work before the pandemic, and I would always travel with a bunch of coins in a pill bottle in case I needed change for tolls or hotel laundry. There were a few airports where you would have thought it was a nuclear missile with the level of "what made you think this was okay" attitude I got. In always wanted to say, "put it on your silly list of security theater items or don't hassle me about it." But wisdom dictates keeping those thoughts to myself.
My general posture with TSA is to remain (outwardly) completely calm and just ask them "what would you like me to do now." But I'm also a US citizen, white, male, and in my 40s, so I know the baseline for my interactions with them is a lot better than many people's.
Not sure there are any airports I have strong negative feelings about. Maybe the closest is LAX, simply because of how it forces you to drag your bags around on the sidewalk outside in hot LA...
Not sure there are any airports I have strong negative feelings about. Maybe the closest is LAX, simply because of how it forces you to drag your bags around on the sidewalk outside in hot LA weather to transfer to the international terminal. I’ve had multiple close calls there. In particular there’s one check-in attendant I still owe to this day for getting me on the plane with checked baggage right as the door was closing… It’s also just so busy.
Dulles wasn’t much fun when I was passing through back around 2011, though that might be skewed by my getting stuck two nights there (those plastic seats they have outside security suck to sleep on).
SFO’s layout is easy to get around in which makes it nice. PDX is more awkward to navigate, but is airy and beautiful. I’m ambivalent about SeaTac. In Japan I think that generally Haneda > Narita, particularly after NRT got remodeled and rearranged inside which undid a lot of the nostalgia I previously had with it.
I've lived in some major cities before that had large international airports, and they were fine. Typical airport experience. Now I live in a relatively low-populated area in the US, not like...
I've lived in some major cities before that had large international airports, and they were fine. Typical airport experience. Now I live in a relatively low-populated area in the US, not like middle of nowhere, but definitely less populated than any major city. And the local 'international' airport is amazing! It has 'international' in the title because it has exactly one flight to Canada like once a month, but there's nothing international about this airport.
It's tiny! There's maybe like a dozen flights all day. But because it has connections to Atlanta and Charlotte, you can get pretty much anywhere via Delta or American Airlines (since those are their hubs). So even though there are only a dozen flights each day, half of them go to those two airports, so you can easily take a quick layover there and then be anywhere in the world without having to wait in any lines. Last time I flew out of this smaller airport it took me no joke less than five minutes from walking in through the front doors to get to my gate... with a baby and stroller and checked luggage and everything. No TSA precheck or anything like that, there was just no line for security or for checking bags so we went right on in. And tickets to/from that airport tend to be a little cheaper overall, so that's another bonus.
Don't want to list the exact airport since it's like 5 mins from my house (which is another huge perk!), but I would definitely recommend checking out smaller/regional airports, even for longer or international trips. One layover is a small price to pay for the reduced cost of the ticket/parking/food and increased convenience of not having to wait in massive lines.
Reverse view point: I hate living far away from a major hub airport because I only want to fly direct. Yes, the lax lines are pretty great. Probably saves half hour maybe? But having to make a...
Reverse view point: I hate living far away from a major hub airport because I only want to fly direct.
Yes, the lax lines are pretty great. Probably saves half hour maybe? But having to make a connection easily puts 1.5hr extra on my overall travel, and increases the chances of something going wrong like lost bag, delay or cancellation by square. If I have a connect, I can't simply fly red eye and sleep. If I have a connect, I can't even properly relax until I get there. Also, because we're told to be at the airport at least 90 minutes regardless of airport size, small airport means there's absolutely nothing to do but stare at a wall instead of shops and a decent lounge.
I'd gladly take the security of Toronto, Vancouver, even Heathrow instead, every time. If I have to fly small airports for work that would put me in a really bad mood forever until I quit.
I live 2 hrs from a small airport, but I stay overnight and fly out of the biggerish one 3 hours away every time I have a choice. (No direct in winter)
Those are all fair points. I guess the location of said airport matters a lot too. Like in your case you said a small airport is 2 hrs away, which I would agree negates most of the positives I...
Those are all fair points. I guess the location of said airport matters a lot too. Like in your case you said a small airport is 2 hrs away, which I would agree negates most of the positives I mentioned. But in my case it's the inverse. The small airport 5 mins from my house is incredibly efficient, vs driving 1.5 hours away to the nearest 'big' airport, then having to pay double the price in parking, then having to get from the massive parking lot to the terminal, through the security line, then to the gate, and having to do all that on the return flight as well. So the 5 mins that it takes me to get to the airport, plus another 5-10 mins to park and get past security, then even a layover of 1/2/3 hours is much more hassle-free and worth it for my particular situation.
Which was a surprise to me before moving to where I am now. I grew up in major cities and only really experienced large international airports (because my parents also greatly preferred flying direct). So I never would have considered this tiny airport a few miles away from us when flying halfway around the world if I hadn't heard so many good stories and experiences about it from coworkers who have lived here their whole lives.
This is exactly what my home airport is like. There's nothing like getting back from a long trip and being 15 minutes from gate to my doorstep. Most of my travel arrivals are an absolute minimum...
This is exactly what my home airport is like. There's nothing like getting back from a long trip and being 15 minutes from gate to my doorstep.
Most of my travel arrivals are an absolute minimum of an hour and a half from gate to hotel or job site, even with carry-on only baggage.
Yup, I grew up going to large airports and the mentality that I need to be at least 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours early for an international one. And let me tell you, sometimes...
Yup, I grew up going to large airports and the mentality that I need to be at least 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours early for an international one. And let me tell you, sometimes that 2/3 hours was cutting it close.
Then I was talking to a coworker last year (about this smaller airport that I didn't have much experience with) and he mentioned that he doesn't bother leaving the house until like 30 mins before his flight since it never took him more than 5-10 minutes to get from where he parked his car to sitting down in front of his gate. I was shocked, and I still would never leave it so close, but I totally get it now having experienced it first-hand.
Even with TSA Precheck, I've hit 90+ minute security lines in big airports like IAH, Miami, and Atlanta. I have to go through the body scanner due to metal implants. Several times in the past...
Even with TSA Precheck, I've hit 90+ minute security lines in big airports like IAH, Miami, and Atlanta. I have to go through the body scanner due to metal implants. Several times in the past couple of years, rushed TSA agents have sent me through the metal detector anyway. Extra delays for the alert, patdown, detector wand, and explanations. [If you've got medical implants, it helps your argument if you bring the cards the doctor gives you with the device types and IDs.]
Home airport at peak tourist season... 3 minutes, and TSA agents who greet me by name.
Haven't flown in a while, but my favourite airport by a long shot was always London City. It's tiny, doesn't really cater for tourists, and doesn't attract the budget airlines. It's filled with...
Haven't flown in a while, but my favourite airport by a long shot was always London City. It's tiny, doesn't really cater for tourists, and doesn't attract the budget airlines. It's filled with people who fly for work, don't want any drama, don't check bags, etc.
It used to take approximately 5-6 minutes on an average day to get from taxi to bar airside of security.
Other nice ones include:
Geneva where the air side restaurant used to do an epic burger, and you can buy SAKs in the airport. What's not to love?
Amsterdam (Schiphol) - clean and efficient, but MASSIVE. You will definitely get your steps in.
Least favourites:
London Luton - it's not in London, it's shit, and it mainly does package holiday flights with budget airlines. Only saving grace is the short stay parking is cheaper than long stay at other London airports. If you think Stansted is bad, Luton is next level.
London Gatwick - Also not in London. Much like the above, but a bit less grubby and a bit more expensive. It's also miles away so only used if no other option exists, thankfully.
London Stansted - Still not in London. When your only saving grace is you're better than the first two, that's bad.
Athens - Filthy. By far and away the dirtiest airport I've ever been in. I'm not a clean freak by any means, and it even got to me.
Airports are mostly about where you have to go. The exception is when an itinerary requires layover(s) anyway, so you can choose between several routes where the number of hours door to door don't...
Airports are mostly about where you have to go. The exception is when an itinerary requires layover(s) anyway, so you can choose between several routes where the number of hours door to door don't differ much in the end anyway.
That's the only time when airport preferences come into play, really. Even if it takes time on paper, I avoid the following three airports. It's just not worth it.
I avoid:
All the London airports for transit. Especially Heathrow. They're terrible, delay-prone, expensive and ruin itineraries.
Amsterdam (Schiphol), especially during weather/winter. Delay-prone both in- and outbound. Terminal switches happen regularly and suck due to distance. Many much better alternatives.
Inbound to Newark. Immigration lines are often nightmarish. I dislike the food options/amenities for the hours you need to spend there to be sure you connect and get through immigration as planned.
When route durations and times are reasonably comparable, I prefer the following airports. For several of them, I'd rather go to one of the following even if it'll take longer on paper. When there are two or more layovers anyway, it's not like an hour saved or lost matters much. It's work/sleep time during the travel anyway, so it might as well be decent travel.
I prefer:
Copenhagen or Iceland (Keflavik) to transit in Northern Europe. Get the job done where the above fail.
Frankfurt. Efficient now they've managed to rehire enough staff post-covid. Good routes, decent food and shopping.
Detroit for East Coast transit (Philly is good if connections match, especially inbound. Immigration is a breeze.)
Atlanta. Connects well West and into the rest of the Americas. Works well. Decent food and services for a US airport.
Singapore into Asia or the Pacific rather than any of the large Middle East hubs. All around nice, practical.
San Diego if you have to connect on the West coast either going to Asia or elsewhere in the US. If the flights match, this is much preferable to LAX, Seattle etc.
Into or out of China, nothing comes close to Guangzhou airport. Hong Kong was good until things got more complicated the last years. Not it's just extra hassle moving on, even though the airport itself is still great.
New Dehli (Indira Gandhi int.) is good for Indian connections if I can't fly directly to where I need to go in India. It's preferable to many other layovers.
I don't fly often, but I've done two trips that required flying over the last year or two, which I think is enough that I've already formed opinions on the airports :) I've flown out of a few...
I don't fly often, but I've done two trips that required flying over the last year or two, which I think is enough that I've already formed opinions on the airports :) I've flown out of a few others in the past, but I don't hold any recent feelings on them.
IAD (Dulles International) is my favorite. Sample size of two departures, but I found security to be very quick/easy to get through. In fact the first time I flew out of it I was traveling with someone who had TSA precheck and we both got through security at roughly the same speed. I also appreciate how it shares some design cues with the DC Metro system (Brutalist). I do kind of hate their long term parking setup though. I got on the wrong bus (my fault) and trying to figure out where I was and if I could walk to the right lot was a pain in the ass. Also if you ever get the chance to ride the people movers, take it. It's a neat little novelty.
DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) is my least favorite. Mostly just because of how rundown it felt compared to IAD and SFO. This was just terminal C, but it felt like an abandoned mall full of people. Just that level of slightly falling apart..I didn't like it. I did, however, like how each terminal has its own security check-in and then from there you can get wherever you need to. My employer is in Fort Worth, so there's probably no escaping future trips via DFW in the near future. That whole departing flight was troubled so maybe I'm not being fair to DFW.
SFO (San Fransisco) I'm pretty neutral on. Most of my issues were because the group of people I was supposed to meet up with weren't very good at communicating which floor we needed to meet up on, so there was a lot of panicked rushing around. It was kind of fun landing/departing an airport I've encountered in GTA: San Andreas though!
Mataveri International Airport (IPC) on Easter Island is one of the most unique airports I've ever been to, and I had nothing but good experiences there so I guess that makes it a favourite. It's...
Mataveri International Airport (IPC) on Easter Island is one of the most unique airports I've ever been to, and I had nothing but good experiences there so I guess that makes it a favourite.
It's surreal landing there in a 787 on a runway that basically stretches from one side of the island to the other.
Fun facts:
The runway was lengthened by NASA when IPC was temporarily designated as an abort site for the space shuttle, which is why big jets can land there now.
It is the airport most remote from any other airport
Special mention to Lukla in the Himalayas for being probably my least favourite because it's terrifying.
Hopefully I'm not the only one scanning through the thread for my local airports haha. Most favorite is probably SFO since I fly out of it often. Layout of the airport itself is good, transit...
Hopefully I'm not the only one scanning through the thread for my local airports haha.
Most favorite is probably SFO since I fly out of it often. Layout of the airport itself is good, transit connection via BART is convenient (if it connects to where you want to end up), and I've never really had any major issues here.
Least favorite from recent memory is probably ORD (Chicago O'Hare) and MAA (Chennai, India). ORD is on my bad side mainly because it's a bit of a maze and my flights will often have the most inconvenient terminal/gate change that makes you walk across the entire airport sometimes. MAA is here since I've only ever had neutral or bad experiences here. Super long wait times at baggage claim, security check is a pain, it's somehow always overcrowded, and really lacks in good post-security food options.
I've been enjoying flying from BER recently. There's a train station directly in the airport that's very accessible, and they've got the new scanners that make security very comfortable and...
I've been enjoying flying from BER recently. There's a train station directly in the airport that's very accessible, and they've got the new scanners that make security very comfortable and relaxed. There are drinking fountains (never enough, but I know where they are now), and it's fairly easy to find your gate and fairly comfortable once you're there. It gets the basics right, and I think that should be more appreciated, because I've been through a lot of airports that can't even manage that...
Recently I had a flight at LaGuardia in NYC and found that since their renovations, it's one of the nicest and generally pleasing airports I have been in recently. Now, getting on the bus to LEAVE...
Recently I had a flight at LaGuardia in NYC and found that since their renovations, it's one of the nicest and generally pleasing airports I have been in recently. Now, getting on the bus to LEAVE the airport and get to the city? That's a bit cramped and crowded, but the airport itself was smooth and enjoyable compared to what I heard in the past.
I think I'm nowhere as well-traveled as some of the other commenters on this topic, but let me throw in my two cents: Favorite airports? Fairbanks International (FAI) in Fairbanks, Alaska and...
I think I'm nowhere as well-traveled as some of the other commenters on this topic, but let me throw in my two cents:
Favorite airports? Fairbanks International (FAI) in Fairbanks, Alaska and Hector International (FAR) in Fargo, North Dakota. Not because they have good amenities or amazing architectural design, but because they address my root problem with air travel- having to be inside an airport at all.
Both are small on the commercial side- just 5-6 gates each, with no more than 10 destinations (even counting seasonally). But, the way both their 'departure' flowthrough works, I can literally can get dropped off at the front door, check in, go through security, and be ready at my gate in just 30-45 minutes. Minimal time in terminal purgatory!
Least favorite? Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). I will loathe that rat's maze until the last atom in the universe stops vibrating. No part of it makes sense, there are no amenities when you truly need them, and if somehow your sanity remains intact, your legs will still have given out from underneath you for all the endless walking between terminals. Forget making your connection if you don't have an EU passport, either! The internal customs line will make sure you will become intimately familiar with the scratched chrome during the remainder of your sentence.
LAX is pretty terrible, but the Theme Building is unsurpassed anywhere. Schipol was a lot of fun back in the late 1980s. An incredible amount of duty-free shopping. We bought a CD player for our...
LAX is pretty terrible, but the Theme Building is unsurpassed anywhere.
Schipol was a lot of fun back in the late 1980s. An incredible amount of duty-free shopping. We bought a CD player for our stereo there. A lot of that has probably gone by the wayside nowadays.
The Taipei airport is my favourite. It's beautiful inside, especially in the international section. The gates are all a unique theme and beautifully decorated, and it's super easy to navigate....
The Taipei airport is my favourite. It's beautiful inside, especially in the international section. The gates are all a unique theme and beautifully decorated, and it's super easy to navigate.
Charles de Gaulle is the worst airport I've ever been to. It's ugly, you land on tarmac and have to bus over to the airport proper, which is some horrific looking grey warehouse.
Broadly speaking, I do not like airports. They're very emblematic of all the worst things about air travel (i.e. literally everything except the fact that you're flying through the air, which under ideal circumstances you do not ever do within the airport buildings). My least favorite is probably Atlanta (ATL)? Or maybe O'Hare (ORD), though I've transferred through Atlanta more. Any gigantic, soulless airport that turns into an irresistible attractor for travel plans.
However, I will highlight one, which, while I don't like it, I do think is interesting: Hilo, HI (ITO) is a rinky-dink little airport serving the east (rainy, and therefore less popular) side of the Big Island. The terminal is like a time capsule to the '70s. Absolutely without a doubt the most dated public space I've ever been in that's not explicitly a museum, and therefore weirdly charming. (Our flight was delayed by something like four hours, which was a lot less charming.)
Totally agree about the airport atmosphere.
Thanks for the information about Hilo; I've got a work trip coming up there in the next couple of months. I don't exactly have a soft spot for unvarnished vintage airports (see note about Houston Hobby below), but I'll see how much attention I can pay when I get to it after nine or ten hours in flight.
I agree; all airports are kind of terrible. They are a combination of massive waiting rooms and malls filled with predatory vendors selling massively overpriced items, crowned with the jewel of the single most invasive "security" measures you will ever see. The security at airports are so bad that it actually exacerbates how bad everything else is. You have to get there early because of how long security takes, which means you will always be waiting longer and you will probably have to eat something at one of the absurdly expensive restaurants while you are there. Somehow I have gone from hearing people saying that they should be at the airport 15 minutes before takeoff, to an hour, and in the last decade or so it has become two hours, depending on the exact airport. It's insane.
They fixed this in 2023, apparently, but Kansas City Missouri had the worst airport I've ever had the displeasure of flying through. They had it set up so there were multiple secured areas that only had a handful of gates in each, and so once you went through you were stuck in a relatively small area with no services aside from maybe a food cart. It felt like they designed it pre-9/11 when you could just waltz in and out of security as you pleased, and then never revised it. Haven't visited the new terminal but it cannot be worse than the old setup.
I flew out of DCA (Reagan) recently and the airport itself is quite nice but getting there is horrible.
I know a lot of people have bad experiences with Denver but I've never found the airport to be anything but pleasant. Good food options, spacious, relatively efficient train service between the concourses. Giant blue demon horse guarding the entry. Pretty much perfect.
Lol, I don't want to be a hater, but DCA is probably my least favorite airport to fly through! I try to avoid having a layover there whenever possible.
The Southwest terminal is separate from the rest of the airport, so you're limited to a very small, very crowded area unless you want to exit and re-enter security (which I never do). The one short hallway you can walk down has store shelving all along both sides, so there isn't a lot of seating or even neutral standing space.
The one plus I will give the airport is that I've gotten to see Ospreys flying outside of it a few times, and they are unbelievably cool to see in person. They genuinely look like they should only exist in movies.
DCA is my home airport. It's fine when not flying Southwest. But with Southwest, as I did yesterday coming home...yeah, not great.
The Southwest terminal, or Terminal 1, is way too tiny like you mention. And the baggage carousels right in the ticketing hall can make it quite cramped, especially when multiple planes come in at basically the same time. I also hate that the Metro stop is at the other terminal, where nearly all the other airlines are at (I think Frontier and Air Canada are also Terminal 1). Feels like the station is a mile away when you're dragging a piece of luggage of two.
But when I flew Delta back in June, it was perfectly fine. Because they're at Terminal 2. Literally got off the elevated Metro station, went down the escalators, entered the building, where Delta has a check-in desk, got rid of my bags, and proceeded through security to airside. Probably took like 10min.
Hah, I was flying American so I think I had a better experience. Always nicer to fly the hub airline!
I was thinking of Kansas City. We had a layover there many years ago, and I looked it up back then to confirm it was designed before 9/11 because that was the only explanation for the security setup. From what I remember it was basically a long strip with the gates lining one side, and the entrances and maybe stores on the other (again, years ago), so they had to set up security at each individual gate.
Honestly I thought it was a cool design, but I can't think of any alternative way to set up security. Annoying since I'm pretty sure even the bathrooms were outside the gates, so you'd have to exit and go through security again. On the other hand though, the security seemed less stressful since it's for a single gate, which meant shorter lines. People could probably arrive a lot closer to their flight time than at other airports.
I used to live in KC, so I have A LOT of experience with MCI. My understanding is that there were issues with the airport even pre-9/11. Various airplane hijackings in the 70s/80s necessitated installing security at every gate. And it just got worse after 9/11 since simple metal detectors were no longer enough. Each gate needed x-ray machines and those full body scanners.
The curb-to-gate in like 10min concept can be nice, and was doable even post-9/11. My mom would often take advantage of that since my dad, my brother, or me would drop her off. She did carry-on only and had her boarding pass printed off at home. Security could actually be pretty quick, even without TSA Pre-Check. But for people like me who drove and parked in the lots, and almost always had bags to check, I never really experienced that. I had to be there at least 1.5hrs early.
The new airport is MUCH nicer though. Restrooms a-plenty. The gender-neutral bank of restrooms are amazing. There are like 50 floor-to-ceiling stalls in there. Then there several eateries, bars, and shops. No more one little sandwich shop and like 2 restrooms per gate area. I've had coworker almost miss their flights because they were in line to use the restroom at the old airport.
Tegel was like this for a long time as well, until it got replaced by the new airport. Each gate had its own waiting area and security setup. In some ways it was more convenient because you only need to go through security for your gate, which means fewer people, but also each gate was much less efficient and the costs were surely enormous to staff each gate separately like that.
What issues did you have getting to DCA? I live in the area and it's a breeze to get in and out so I love flying out from there.
You can't see my complaint because you live in the area, lol. The problem is not getting in and out of DCA if you are already right next to it, the problem is in getting anywhere near DCA. Washington DC traffic is some of the worst in the country, and it can take literal hours of extra time to exit the morass if you time it wrong. If I was able to hop the metro in or whatever I'd probably love it too.
I guess that's true of most airports in a major city. Like before I moved to DC (I actually live on the VA side), I had a handful of business trips in DC, like in the District. Getting from/to DCA was always a breeze via Uber or taxi. I live next to a Metro stop now and I'm like a handful of stops away from DCA.
Though if you're trying to get out to the suburbs, good luck. But that's true for Dulles, too (I hate driving to Dulles and a Metro ride is still like 1.5hrs each way!). And ORD in Chicago. LAX I imagine; just driving in and out of the airport sucks. DEN is so far away from the city, and good luck if you gotta take I-25. That highway always seems to be bumper to bumper stop and go traffic.
Mid-sized cities are better for sure. Like in Kansas City, roughly max 45min to from/to MCI to anywhere in the Metro. LAS, the airport is literally right off The Strip. Plus the valley is pretty small.
I don't know if I've visited enough airports but Pearson International Airport out of the Toronto Canada sucks. It's just never a good experience, the layout sucks, and it's never quick.
Vancouver Airport on the other hand, big fan as far as major airports go. Feels organized, there can be a lot of walking but it feels clean, nice with lots of room and even a sort of quiet area for introverts.
While I don't particularly like Pearson, something bad always seems to happen when I'm in Montreal - flight delays, cancellations, and more often than not, when flying internationally I can count on them to lose my bag. The food in Montreal is amazing though, especially in the international terminal!
For me, Pearson is just "okay". There are better airports, there are worse airports. It's acceptable.
Montreal, on the other hand, is quite challenging. Poor spacing for passengers means that if a large flight is boarding, you're fighting through a crowd just to walk by. Last time I went, it was exhausting to fight through everything to get to my flight.
Of the ones I've been through, definitely Changi Airport in Singapore. Modern, spacious, well lit, clear signage, polite and efficient staff end to end, clean and comfortable. Security checkpoints are at each gate so you're not fighting other planes' passengers to get through a single common checkpoint. Multiple environment-themed gardens (including a live butterfly garden packed with butterflies), interesting art installations, many comfortable places to kill time. If you've got a lot of time to kill, the airport is connected to Jewel Changi Airport, a donuts shaped mall with the worlds tallest and largest indoor waterfalls as well as one of Asia's the largest indoor gardens.
Terminal 4 has central security, and the upcoming Terminal 5 reverts back to gate security. I'm not sure if it's still per gate or they'll do clusters of it like how some gates in Changi T1-T3 share security screening.
The airport has extensive carpeting. A pain to drag rollers around but it makes the airport much quieter. Many of the public seating is on the level of what you'd find at lounges at other airports. Another difference is public announcements are kept to a minimum instead of being repeatedly blasted through the airport. In return there's so much more flight information displays that you can just look at, or connect to the fast Wi-Fi and open up your airline's app. Adds to the quiet ambiance alongside the carpeting for the number of people going through.
It also has some of the most efficient automated checkpoints I've experienced. Scan passport, fingerprint, look at camera, you're in/out in seconds. They also double as departure control so you're going back through the same gates, and there's a lot of them across multiple places at the terminals so there's no bottleneck. Compare that to say, Australia where a "smart" gate kiosk gives you a paper slip with your mugshot, then you go through the actual passport control gates, and you give that slip to a customs officer.
Between the cheap swimming pool and jacuzzi at T1, the free movie theater at T3, the free arcades at T4, and everything else, Changi is definitely my pick if I'm stuck for 8 hours at an airport and with zero problems to kill time.
And back when they still did manual immigration the most memorable thing to me that stood out was the small bowl of candies on the booth while the officer chatted you up.
I don't fly a whole lot but there a years ago I took a trip to Europe with a friend and we had to fly through Stansted airport. No idea if this is still the case, but the best description I've seen of my experience is a "high-security labyrinth of a shopping mall that happens to have planes at it".
It was seriously the worst experience I've ever had. After going through security, it took us like 30 minutes just to get through to the main terminal area. In order to get there, you were funneled, shoulder to shoulder, through an elaborate maze of shopping stores. Most airports are usually long corridors with the shopping stores on the sides, but no. This one we were literally funneled through the stores. Once we got to the main terminal, they wouldn't tell us what gate our plane would be at until 45 minutes before take off, and boarding would end like 30 minutes before takeoff. So we basically had 15 minutes to figure out where our flight was and scramble across the airport to get there again.
0/10 would not recommend. Hopefully it's not as bad these days.
Manchester Airports Group - they own Manchester and Stansted (and I thought Birmingham was well, but apparently only East Midlands), and they are all awful. I used to have to fly through a Manchester a lot, and Terminal 3 there is basically like you describe at Stansted, but without even the shopping mall - just high security labyrinths where you hope a plane will appear at some point.
The best I've been through is definitely Changi in Singapore. It's been well over a decade since I've been through, but I liked it for all the reasons @DrStone mentioned.
My least favourite is more a personal vendetta than it being a bad airport, but I will always remember Dubai International Airport (DXB) for one time I had to go through.
This was on my first real solo overseas trip and I had a connecting flight through DXB after a 14 hour flight (my tiredness definitely contributed to this experience). The flight arrived on time, but then we had to wait for around 15 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes in the opposite direction from where I my connection was to reach a tiny security checkpoint that wasn't even ready for us to even enter the main area. Once I was through, I then had a 20 minute walk to get from one end to the other. And my outbound flight was due to start boarding in... 20 minutes.
You'd think that it would be easy to get from one end of a long and straight building to the other, but being an airport (in Dubai as well) it's designed to make you spend money. Brightly-lit shops in windy paths designed to slow you down and make you buy stuff you don't need. I was tired, a little annoyed from the security checkpoint, and determined to walk to the other end to reach my flight. Which I did, boarding started pretty much when I got to the gate. I made my flight, no disasters happened, but I dislike that airport for being the worst straight line I've ever had to walk.
I rather like Detroit Metro, Portland PDX, Phoenix SkyHarbor, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
All well-designed, with fresh interior architecture; efficient layouts with trams for quick connections; charming art installations; good seating at the gates; respectable food, beverage, and shopping options for long layovers; and easy transit/rental access. The renovated New York LaGuardia airport isn't bad, and a vast improvement over its previous incarnation.
My home Cherry Capitol Airport is a charming little jewel box of Mission architecture, short lines, and easy parking/transit access. If you ever fly here in winter, allow plenty of time for connections, since extra de-icing at the gate is constant December - March.
I'm less impressed with Dallas-Fort Worth, LAX, Chicago-O'Hare (O'Hate!), SeaTac (good food, though), Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale (both overcrowded and poorly maintained), Charlottesville, Philadelphia (outdated facilities, but great transit connections), Houston Hobby (antique and overcrowded), San Jose (dated, dull, poor amenities).
Texas TSA... avoid if your complexion is even slightly brown, your visible gender isn't purely binary, or your name isn't 100% Anglo-Saxon. I've been pulled into enhanced search every other time I've flown through a Texas airport, and the questions are barely outside the bounds of a civil rights lawsuit. Gropy patdowns are just the moldy dill pickles on that excrement buffet.
Avoid Detroit City Airport at all costs - it's a scary drop onto those short runways.
I've seen many U.S. airports, and none of them are really world-class by current standards. There was a utilitarian design ethos for the period of 1960 - 1980 when most regional airports were built. They've often had design compromises in expansions, don't connect well to the cities they serve, or there's been a pattern of maintenance underinvestment. National franchise concessions make the amenities similarly bad.
If I was the God of Airports, there would be clean, spacious bathrooms with plenty of seats every three or four gates.
PDX has some of the best coffee on the west coast of any airport. Lots of local businesses have shops in the airport, so there are tons of options and they actually know how to pull espresso shots.
I had a decent bowl of ramen in PDX, and that's not to be underrated. Especially since it restored my will to live enough to endure a cross-country red-eye after a grueling week of onsite work.
I don't think most people care what they're fueling themselves with in airports, but I value good food enough that I'll pass on eating if it's typical airport chain junk.
PDX also has a street pricing policy, so vendors cannot sell food for more than it is sold outside the airport.
Good design, good coffee, good ramen, anti-gouging policy.
That sounds like a very civilised country and momentarily made me doubt X codes airports are all American. Ah yes of course, Portland.
These comments make me yet once again happy to be a Portlander.
It's hard for me to actually like a place that charges R$ 30 for a coxinha. But Salvador airport has hammocks for you to freely rest on, which is pretty neat and in tone with our culture.
To get the trauma out of the way, the ones I hate most are LAX and Cairo International purely on account of the traffic. The very unspecified cluster "London" airports because that becomes an issue of traffic + confusion + drives that are longer than the flight. Jeddah for being so dehumanizing that it literally led to a crisis of faith. And Paris CDG. Don't know how I wronged the people of Paris specifically because France is lovely. But CDG feel like a PsyOp to make one yearn for the guillotine. However anything at 6am from Brioche Dore makes up for all of it.
Besides that, I love tiny airports. Especially in Africa and South America. Remote international travel is what I miss most about my old job and I really want to get back in a position to do it again. Theres something amazing about landing in Chicheka International, walking straight out of the plane into the immigration hall where they are in the flimsiest booths on earth. And then turning the first corner and already being outside the airport.
I think these sort of gateways are some countries biggest points of national pride an many of them can't attract luxuries like big brands or shopping experiences. So a lot of them fall back on good service, hospitality and if they can, really cool architecture and locations.
So places like Ho Airport in Ghana, Balise in Senegal and ANF in Chille are probably some of the most beautiful locations with the nicest staff and fellow travelers anywhere. Theres also a random airstrip in Canada where everyone donated cloths to me because Canadian summer is hypothermia everywhere else on earth.
Its probably the closest you can get to a sort of Sci-Fi adventure where you're thrown on an alien planet and it doesn't feel real. There was one trip I had with a juniot who travelled international for the first time. And for a few days he occasionally used to just stare up at the sky because it was the only thing that felt right when the landscape and people were so different.
Bare in mind its not all sunshine and roses. You really need to be careful about being scammed by crooked immigration and grifters in lower traffic airports. A good strategy is to keep some international candies/snacks or distant low value currencies on hand. The natural curiosity instantly takes over and that little novelty can buy you enough grace to move along.
Sounds like you've had some amazing experiences. I'm a homebody, and the uncertainty of outcomes when I do travel (delays, weather, losing luggage, crime, getting lost, not having the right clothes or other things) makes it very hard to enjoy the travel. So I rarely travel unless required by work or family. I wish I could have a calmer, freer attitude toward it because I know there are a breadth of experiences I am missing out on, but it seems to not be my nature.
I'd say the most important part about travel that helps with most anxiety is the people. Even having one person looking out for you makes all the difference. That can be a travel companion or a local contact or even just knowing how to get hold of the nearest embassy. For my work, there was often the rest of the team and the client hosting us and the company back home all keeping us out of trouble.
On the whole, while I think everyone should travel a little, the real challenge is finding the right speed for you and the right people to do it with. If you want to get a feel for it with a local mini-adventure, maybe try taking some friends on a local grocery tour. Basically plan the most convoluted shopping day you can without any supermarkets. So find local farms, factory shops and small businesses and see what's out there. It's surprising how much you find around you by just breaking routine.
I keep an informal ranking of all the airports I have flown through. There isn’t a single best one, but I can give some cool aspects of some of my favorites.
PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) is possibly the single best airport, if I had to choose. It does so many things very well. It is well laid out, good plane viewing areas, easy to navigate, etc. I don’t like phoenix itself, but their airport is very nice.
BOD (Bordeaux, France) is a very average airport. There is really nothing special about it. Except they have quite a few airbus beluga aircraft there. Those are very cool aircraft, so it gets a bonus just for that.
FRA (Frankfurt, Germany) is one of my favorite airports to connect through. I haven’t actually started/ended here, just connected through it. Almost everyone I talk to hate FRA, but I think it’s fantastic. Huge with a ton of airplane viewing opportunities. You can almost always see a queen of the skies (Boeing 747) or an A380. And a frankfurter and beer is the single best meal to have while traveling. Nothing comes close to getting off a plane and walking through the airport with a wiener and Hefeweizen.
And now for the worst airport in existence: EWR (Newark, New Jersey). My god, I don’t know how an airport can be so bad. Everything about it is just not good. It’s like the designers always chose the worst possible choice at every opportunity. When people talk about how awful air travel can be, EWR is what I picture in my mind.
Personally love a pils and a pretzel - wouldn't want to get all that meat mixed with air travel but maybe next time I'm at my final stop I'll give it a shot.
Them's fighting words!
Every time I've come through Frankfurt, I've got lost getting in or out of the building, or wandering between locations. The last time, I was looking for a particular station, and I, along with multiple other, independent groups of people, ended up missing it because we needed to go through a closed, unmarked service door to get to the right place.
The rest of the airport is fine - I'm not a fan of the food, but for airport food it isn't the worst, and like you say, you get some good views of the planes - but I just don't understand their complete inability to put basic signage up to show you where you're going!
It's a fitting airport for new jersey, eh?
I like SFO. Small enough that getting around is easy, some of the restaurants are surprisingly not expensive, at least relative to SF, connected by public transit, and a bonus: one of the few airports (only?) in the US without TSA.
I think ATL gets a bad rap. All the big hubs have a lot of stressed people running to transfers, but that is what it is. At least ATL is well connected (it has the best metro system in Atlanta), there are multiple runways, and there is rarely bad weather (almost never snow, and few hurricanes can last long enough to cancel flights). IMO the airport is fairly modern as well.
O'Hare sucks. There's only one runway for some reason? The airport is rinky-dink and it's a billion miles away from Chicago (O'Hare, more like 'Where?). Plenty of bad snow storms.
PDG (Pudong, Shanghai) is OK, although huge, but they don't turn on the AC in the shoulder seasons. That's more of a cultural thing, but damn can it suck in April/May.
Haneda is nice; there's a good variety of lounging chairs, and a special pikachu vending machine.
JFK, for being so important, also sucks. A big reason why is that the terminals are not connected within the secure zone at all. As a result, you have leave and go back through security... sometimes there are buses. It's also pretty old now.
Can I ask what you mean by SFO not having TSA? I fly out of SFO, often with TSA Precheck, so I'm confused here haha. Do you mean they don't ask you to scan your boarding pass when going through security?
SFO is one of a small number of airports that has a special allowance to contract out security (as was the case pre-9/11).
Ah interesting, was reading that some airports do contract out security but didn't realize SFO was one of them, thanks for clarifying!
Kaohsiung (KHH) is a really fun airport. Really lovely design. It doesn't feel too big. I think a problem with a lot of airports is they feel too big. Even Naha airport (OKA) feels a little bit too big... On the other hand ORD and LAX don't feel that big because of their layout AND the shuttle service between terminals.
Philippines and Malaysian airports are often crowded and poorly managed / under-staffed. Iloilo airport is okay but it also feels too small in many places.
There's a lot to love about Incheon airport (ICN). The rail connection / transit center layout and transition to airport is very bright and lovely. My only complaint is that it feels a bit far from Seoul.
Orange County airport (SNA) has a nice layout but baggage claim is kinda confusing. You can easily walk to another building and then realize you need to walk back two terminals because it is actually located in a different terminal from the one you arrived in. They need to change the way that they label the baggage claim areas so that it is more obvious instead of doing sequential numbers when they aren't in the same area.
Salt Lake City airport (SLC)... I've never had to wait long to go through security. I like the very distinct separation between the security area and the terminal. That whole dropoff to terminal experience feels very well designed. However, the terminal itself is bland and boring. I can't quite put my finger on it but it doesn't feel like a space for humans.
Also, it is really annoying when flying through the USA to have to re-check your bag. It feels so asinine and arbitrary. I love airports that allow you to stay airside during international transfers.
Not sure if the kinetic art exhibit is still at Boston Logan airport, but it was when I was somewhat frequently there with my son who was 1-3 years old at the time. We would spent 30 minutes to an hour each time we’d be there, he was totally in love with that thing (and so was I).
Logan wasn’t (isn’t?) a fancy airport and probably unremarkable to most people, but it is very special to me. Being there always triggered the feeling of just how lucky we were to be able to experience it.
For those interested in seeing the kinetic art.
Stanford Children's Hospital has a smaller scale version of this kind of kinetic sculpture in its lobby, and it's just a fascinating mechanism. Come to think of it, there's considerable overlap in the styles and purpose of public art in U.S. airports and hospitals... meant to give anxious, stressed people something beautiful or interesting to dwell on besides their troubles.
I don't have a favourite but I certainly have a least favourite, and that would be London Heathrow.
I understand that airports are inherently large, but the fact that Heathrow has no real viable alternative to get between the terminals besides one of three train systems is baffling to me. For someone either visiting London for the first time, or worse, someone requiring transit between terminals after a long flight to catch a connection, having to decipher which train you need to get, where to go, whether you need a ticket or not, and whether there are any operational issues with said train is unnecessarily complicated. I wouldn't be opposed to having a direct walking route between terminals rather than what is presented now; there isn't even a free shuttle bus service in case the trains break down (which happens more frequently than I'd hazard Heathrow would admit).
Arriving by car is also fundamentally flawed if you need to get to Terminals 2 & 3 if there's an snag on the entrance road, because if there's an issue, you are forced to go to either Terminal 5 or Terminal 4 and then get the aforementioned train across to T2&3.
The only terminal I actually like at Heathrow is Terminal 4, and that's probably because it's the most logically laid out, both pre and post-security. The other terminals are these massive glass-fronted buildings with several levels pre-security, and confusing, multi-storey lounges post, whereas T4 is essentially just a straight line, flanked by shops and restaurants post-security. The lifts (elevators) at Terminal 5 are perhaps the perfect example of this confusing nature - the lift goes from the bottom floor, all the way to the top, and then stops at the interim levels. The amount of tourists I've seen get off and then immediately get confused because they want to be on another level is comically high, because it goes against the basic function of a lift: people press the floors they want, and it takes them there sequentially. I just think the whole thing (minus T4) is overly complicated when it doesn't have to be, mainly for the sake of having fancy facades. I dislike Heathrow to such a degree that I would (and have) quite hapilly spend a bit more money to fly from Gatwick or London City, both of which are simple and far less stress-enducing than Heathrow.
I can't think of any particularly good airports off the top of my head, since none have particularly left a strong impression on me. Usually I'm just in the mindset "I'm gonna have to wait X hours" or "I want to get the bags and go home/to the destination". So, not paying the most attention.
But one that I think is worth mentioning: Chicago O'Hare is WAY too big. Last time we were there for a layover, we spent most of the layover first getting lunch, and then just running to the next gate over ~40 minutes because the tram or whatever connected terminals wasn't working that day for whatever reason. And pretty sure the terminals were on basically opposite sides of the airport....
That building is also one of very few where I approve having its own app. Usually I find those apps to be totally unnecessary. With a building that big though, and the time constraints with catching flights, it makes sense for O'Hare.
I wholeheartedly agree, but I also love O’Hare for exactly that reason.
I’m an “airport walker” in that I spent most of my time during a layover just walking up and down the airport. It helps keep me from getting antsy when I’m then stuck in a small uncomfortable chair for hours on the flight.
I got a record 11 miles at O’Hare during a flight delay, and at any other airport I would have gotten sick of walking the same path over and over again. O’Hare, however, was so big it didn’t feel repetitive. I love the underground tunnel.
The size seems great for extra long layovers or if you have to fly out of there. Seems like there's probably a lot to do and see, which is better than a few other airports I can recall visiting. So many memories of arriving a bit too early and awkwardly looking for places to hang out since the previous flight would still be at our gate...
The fact we spent most of our layover just rushing from one end to the other definitely soured it a bit for me though. Couldn't really take our time to appreciate anything.
Do they still have the chasing neon lights in the tunnel? I think I remember being amazed by that during the 80s, or maybe the 90s.
But like @patience_limited said, I avoid it for logistical reasons when possible.
Yes, they had the neon lights when I went through last month, but half of them weren't working and the "chasing" effect was off.
I guess time wounds all heels.
I've spent a half hour taxiing to my gate after landing at O'Hare. It's absolutely massive.
I loathe Chicago O'Hare with a burning hate, but I'll admit that its biggest flaws (long distance between gates, terrible food options, poorly designed tram system) are compounded by the airlines and dependably messy local weather.
Never book flights through this airport with less than an hour between connections. It's guaranteed you'll have a delay on your incoming flight that will leave you less than 10 minutes before your next flight boards to get from one end of the airport to the other. A nice walk if you have time, a brutal marathon if you don't.
It's architecturally ugly, the seating areas for flights are too small, and there aren't enough electrical outlets for charging devices. And it's one of two major airports that I have to connect through - familiarity has definitely bred contempt.
I'll echo @DrStone as Changi is a fantastic airport. Every time I've been through there, it has been a decent experience. They also have multiple play areas with climbing structures and interactive things for kids, which was a great way to let my kids get some energy out before our next flight.
I don't have any airport I've had a huge negative experience with, but I did have a hindsight an interesting experience last time I flew into the main San Francisco airport. I had a domestic transfer and saw a sign saying go this way for transfers after I got my checked bag. I followed the sign and didn't have to go through any security check points or screenings and ended up in the domestic check in area where I could have left the airport without having gone through security upon arrival into the country. I know a lot of what TSA does is security theater, but they do occasionally catch things, and it felt very odd not having gone through them.
I only realized I could have just left the airport after I had made it to my final destination and slept since I find it really hard to sleep on airplanes, so after a flight across the Pacific I'm usually mentally drained and just going on autopilot until I get to my destination.
La Crosse Regional Airport - I showed an agent my pass, put my stuff on the belt, started to unpack and the agent waived me through. When I got to the next agent he ripped into me because my laptop was in my bag, like it had been at the six other airports I was in that week. At one point he said to me "Sir, why did you leave that in the bag?" and I replied "The other agent waived me through," to which he replied "No, he didn't."
Like, I'm already through the detector, he obviously did. I'm still annoyed, obviously, but I can't exactly throw down with a TSA agent so I take it out, he looks at my laptop, and we part ways.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - I had just gotten in from Frankfurt and had a rough three days prior. I had not been able shower so I was still caked in sand, sweat, and for the sake of my fellow passengers, deodorant. When I landed in DFW, I went to the Admiral's Club and they let me in to take a shower. Even if I don't visit there again, I'll always remember that shower.
Shannon Airport - I had a long layover there and was able to relax with a coffee before a decent stint of stressful work. Can't really speak to the whole airport but it felt cozy and had gorgeous views on takeoff.
I used to travel a lot for work before the pandemic, and I would always travel with a bunch of coins in a pill bottle in case I needed change for tolls or hotel laundry. There were a few airports where you would have thought it was a nuclear missile with the level of "what made you think this was okay" attitude I got. In always wanted to say, "put it on your silly list of security theater items or don't hassle me about it." But wisdom dictates keeping those thoughts to myself.
My general posture with TSA is to remain (outwardly) completely calm and just ask them "what would you like me to do now." But I'm also a US citizen, white, male, and in my 40s, so I know the baseline for my interactions with them is a lot better than many people's.
Not sure there are any airports I have strong negative feelings about. Maybe the closest is LAX, simply because of how it forces you to drag your bags around on the sidewalk outside in hot LA weather to transfer to the international terminal. I’ve had multiple close calls there. In particular there’s one check-in attendant I still owe to this day for getting me on the plane with checked baggage right as the door was closing… It’s also just so busy.
Dulles wasn’t much fun when I was passing through back around 2011, though that might be skewed by my getting stuck two nights there (those plastic seats they have outside security suck to sleep on).
SFO’s layout is easy to get around in which makes it nice. PDX is more awkward to navigate, but is airy and beautiful. I’m ambivalent about SeaTac. In Japan I think that generally Haneda > Narita, particularly after NRT got remodeled and rearranged inside which undid a lot of the nostalgia I previously had with it.
I've lived in some major cities before that had large international airports, and they were fine. Typical airport experience. Now I live in a relatively low-populated area in the US, not like middle of nowhere, but definitely less populated than any major city. And the local 'international' airport is amazing! It has 'international' in the title because it has exactly one flight to Canada like once a month, but there's nothing international about this airport.
It's tiny! There's maybe like a dozen flights all day. But because it has connections to Atlanta and Charlotte, you can get pretty much anywhere via Delta or American Airlines (since those are their hubs). So even though there are only a dozen flights each day, half of them go to those two airports, so you can easily take a quick layover there and then be anywhere in the world without having to wait in any lines. Last time I flew out of this smaller airport it took me no joke less than five minutes from walking in through the front doors to get to my gate... with a baby and stroller and checked luggage and everything. No TSA precheck or anything like that, there was just no line for security or for checking bags so we went right on in. And tickets to/from that airport tend to be a little cheaper overall, so that's another bonus.
Don't want to list the exact airport since it's like 5 mins from my house (which is another huge perk!), but I would definitely recommend checking out smaller/regional airports, even for longer or international trips. One layover is a small price to pay for the reduced cost of the ticket/parking/food and increased convenience of not having to wait in massive lines.
Reverse view point: I hate living far away from a major hub airport because I only want to fly direct.
Yes, the lax lines are pretty great. Probably saves half hour maybe? But having to make a connection easily puts 1.5hr extra on my overall travel, and increases the chances of something going wrong like lost bag, delay or cancellation by square. If I have a connect, I can't simply fly red eye and sleep. If I have a connect, I can't even properly relax until I get there. Also, because we're told to be at the airport at least 90 minutes regardless of airport size, small airport means there's absolutely nothing to do but stare at a wall instead of shops and a decent lounge.
I'd gladly take the security of Toronto, Vancouver, even Heathrow instead, every time. If I have to fly small airports for work that would put me in a really bad mood
foreveruntil I quit.I live 2 hrs from a small airport, but I stay overnight and fly out of the biggerish one 3 hours away every time I have a choice. (No direct in winter)
Those are all fair points. I guess the location of said airport matters a lot too. Like in your case you said a small airport is 2 hrs away, which I would agree negates most of the positives I mentioned. But in my case it's the inverse. The small airport 5 mins from my house is incredibly efficient, vs driving 1.5 hours away to the nearest 'big' airport, then having to pay double the price in parking, then having to get from the massive parking lot to the terminal, through the security line, then to the gate, and having to do all that on the return flight as well. So the 5 mins that it takes me to get to the airport, plus another 5-10 mins to park and get past security, then even a layover of 1/2/3 hours is much more hassle-free and worth it for my particular situation.
Which was a surprise to me before moving to where I am now. I grew up in major cities and only really experienced large international airports (because my parents also greatly preferred flying direct). So I never would have considered this tiny airport a few miles away from us when flying halfway around the world if I hadn't heard so many good stories and experiences about it from coworkers who have lived here their whole lives.
Proximity is a big part of the equation, for sure. Be able to sit at home until nearly the 90min required is a nice plus. :)
This is exactly what my home airport is like. There's nothing like getting back from a long trip and being 15 minutes from gate to my doorstep.
Most of my travel arrivals are an absolute minimum of an hour and a half from gate to hotel or job site, even with carry-on only baggage.
Yup, I grew up going to large airports and the mentality that I need to be at least 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours early for an international one. And let me tell you, sometimes that 2/3 hours was cutting it close.
Then I was talking to a coworker last year (about this smaller airport that I didn't have much experience with) and he mentioned that he doesn't bother leaving the house until like 30 mins before his flight since it never took him more than 5-10 minutes to get from where he parked his car to sitting down in front of his gate. I was shocked, and I still would never leave it so close, but I totally get it now having experienced it first-hand.
Even with TSA Precheck, I've hit 90+ minute security lines in big airports like IAH, Miami, and Atlanta. I have to go through the body scanner due to metal implants. Several times in the past couple of years, rushed TSA agents have sent me through the metal detector anyway. Extra delays for the alert, patdown, detector wand, and explanations. [If you've got medical implants, it helps your argument if you bring the cards the doctor gives you with the device types and IDs.]
Home airport at peak tourist season... 3 minutes, and TSA agents who greet me by name.
Haven't flown in a while, but my favourite airport by a long shot was always London City. It's tiny, doesn't really cater for tourists, and doesn't attract the budget airlines. It's filled with people who fly for work, don't want any drama, don't check bags, etc.
It used to take approximately 5-6 minutes on an average day to get from taxi to bar airside of security.
Other nice ones include:
Least favourites:
Airports are mostly about where you have to go. The exception is when an itinerary requires layover(s) anyway, so you can choose between several routes where the number of hours door to door don't differ much in the end anyway.
That's the only time when airport preferences come into play, really. Even if it takes time on paper, I avoid the following three airports. It's just not worth it.
I avoid:
When route durations and times are reasonably comparable, I prefer the following airports. For several of them, I'd rather go to one of the following even if it'll take longer on paper. When there are two or more layovers anyway, it's not like an hour saved or lost matters much. It's work/sleep time during the travel anyway, so it might as well be decent travel.
I prefer:
I don't fly often, but I've done two trips that required flying over the last year or two, which I think is enough that I've already formed opinions on the airports :) I've flown out of a few others in the past, but I don't hold any recent feelings on them.
IAD (Dulles International) is my favorite. Sample size of two departures, but I found security to be very quick/easy to get through. In fact the first time I flew out of it I was traveling with someone who had TSA precheck and we both got through security at roughly the same speed. I also appreciate how it shares some design cues with the DC Metro system (Brutalist). I do kind of hate their long term parking setup though. I got on the wrong bus (my fault) and trying to figure out where I was and if I could walk to the right lot was a pain in the ass. Also if you ever get the chance to ride the people movers, take it. It's a neat little novelty.
DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) is my least favorite. Mostly just because of how rundown it felt compared to IAD and SFO. This was just terminal C, but it felt like an abandoned mall full of people. Just that level of slightly falling apart..I didn't like it. I did, however, like how each terminal has its own security check-in and then from there you can get wherever you need to. My employer is in Fort Worth, so there's probably no escaping future trips via DFW in the near future. That whole departing flight was troubled so maybe I'm not being fair to DFW.
SFO (San Fransisco) I'm pretty neutral on. Most of my issues were because the group of people I was supposed to meet up with weren't very good at communicating which floor we needed to meet up on, so there was a lot of panicked rushing around. It was kind of fun landing/departing an airport I've encountered in GTA: San Andreas though!
Mataveri International Airport (IPC) on Easter Island is one of the most unique airports I've ever been to, and I had nothing but good experiences there so I guess that makes it a favourite.
It's surreal landing there in a 787 on a runway that basically stretches from one side of the island to the other.
Fun facts:
Special mention to Lukla in the Himalayas for being probably my least favourite because it's terrifying.
Hopefully I'm not the only one scanning through the thread for my local airports haha.
Most favorite is probably SFO since I fly out of it often. Layout of the airport itself is good, transit connection via BART is convenient (if it connects to where you want to end up), and I've never really had any major issues here.
Least favorite from recent memory is probably ORD (Chicago O'Hare) and MAA (Chennai, India). ORD is on my bad side mainly because it's a bit of a maze and my flights will often have the most inconvenient terminal/gate change that makes you walk across the entire airport sometimes. MAA is here since I've only ever had neutral or bad experiences here. Super long wait times at baggage claim, security check is a pain, it's somehow always overcrowded, and really lacks in good post-security food options.
I've been enjoying flying from BER recently. There's a train station directly in the airport that's very accessible, and they've got the new scanners that make security very comfortable and relaxed. There are drinking fountains (never enough, but I know where they are now), and it's fairly easy to find your gate and fairly comfortable once you're there. It gets the basics right, and I think that should be more appreciated, because I've been through a lot of airports that can't even manage that...
Recently I had a flight at LaGuardia in NYC and found that since their renovations, it's one of the nicest and generally pleasing airports I have been in recently. Now, getting on the bus to LEAVE the airport and get to the city? That's a bit cramped and crowded, but the airport itself was smooth and enjoyable compared to what I heard in the past.
I think I'm nowhere as well-traveled as some of the other commenters on this topic, but let me throw in my two cents:
Favorite airports? Fairbanks International (FAI) in Fairbanks, Alaska and Hector International (FAR) in Fargo, North Dakota. Not because they have good amenities or amazing architectural design, but because they address my root problem with air travel- having to be inside an airport at all.
Both are small on the commercial side- just 5-6 gates each, with no more than 10 destinations (even counting seasonally). But, the way both their 'departure' flowthrough works, I can literally can get dropped off at the front door, check in, go through security, and be ready at my gate in just 30-45 minutes. Minimal time in terminal purgatory!
Least favorite? Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). I will loathe that rat's maze until the last atom in the universe stops vibrating. No part of it makes sense, there are no amenities when you truly need them, and if somehow your sanity remains intact, your legs will still have given out from underneath you for all the endless walking between terminals. Forget making your connection if you don't have an EU passport, either! The internal customs line will make sure you will become intimately familiar with the scratched chrome during the remainder of your sentence.
LAX is pretty terrible, but the Theme Building is unsurpassed anywhere.
Schipol was a lot of fun back in the late 1980s. An incredible amount of duty-free shopping. We bought a CD player for our stereo there. A lot of that has probably gone by the wayside nowadays.
The Taipei airport is my favourite. It's beautiful inside, especially in the international section. The gates are all a unique theme and beautifully decorated, and it's super easy to navigate.
Charles de Gaulle is the worst airport I've ever been to. It's ugly, you land on tarmac and have to bus over to the airport proper, which is some horrific looking grey warehouse.