[EYE_Overstand]

So after getting in a debate on the "YYC Airport Updates" thread, it occurred to me that many people on these forums have travelled quite a bit and can provide some decent insight to where their Favorite or Worst Airports? are... and WHY!

I thought this thread might serve as a reference to where some of us want to choose a layover or simply just a list of entertaining, efficient, passenger friendly, etc etc etc Airports.

Favorite Airport:

Beijing:

Big + NEW + Impressive that this emerging market made such a massive airport that transits SO MANY but has never seemed to be FULL or over whelming. Maybe it is because the ceilings are ridiculously high in 90% of the areas. I was in shanghai once and the taxi line up was over an hour long...... NOT because of the lack of taxis but because sooooooo many passengers had arrived at the same time and leaving the airport became a major headache. Coming back to Beijing... i really liked taking a train from the landing and immigration gate to the baggage claim. it takes about 3 minutes total but just a fun ride and a big finger to the world and saying that this airport is BIG NEW and designed well.

Vancouver:

Besides constant issues with the air canada and west jet local baggage claim wait times (i come to vancouver 4 times a year and travel through vancouver another 4-6 times a year).... this airport is very nice and has a very western Canadian feel. Its a place that i feel happy where so many new tourists first get welcomed to Canada. Sometimes it seems to take so long to taxi, after landing, to the gate. Regardless, Vancouver airport feels new and fresh. Very friendly staff and decent food choices.

Honorable Mention:

Hong Kong.

Just liked the to and from accessibility and the views from waiting areas. food was decent and things seemed and felt very organized.

Worst Airport:

Chicago Ohare:

Passenger wait area and Baggage claim. The wait area was soooo small that most people who were on my flight were standing or were forced to look at the sh*ty souvenir shops. The airport was so busy and even the chills wait was 30 minutes. I do love that they had a mcdonalds in the terminal.... better than burger king airport options. The Baggage claim area was so small and took so long that i had time to go to the washroom, go buy a drink, and mess around on my phone for 15 minutes before anything came out. Also when visiting the GREAT city of CHICAGO, be sure to budget enough time for travel from DT because the traffic to and from is ridiculous.


Most Recent Layover Experience:

The Good

Minnesota

Felt kinda like a shopping mall. Rows of shopping and quite a bit of food choices. and those food choices had small lines. I hate when i need food fast and everything is under employed or just flooded with people looking to order or pick up an order. i had a late dinner at one place and a few beers at another establishment. Both not bad for the price but the bar i sat at had like 30 beers on tap, and 10 of them were local. kinda nice.

From my arriving flight to my connecting flight i had to walk what seemed like city blocks hahaha. not that i mind that BUT keep in mind if your layover will be short.

The Bad:

Portland and Seattle

For how under rated these 2 cities sometimes seem to be... their airports are so small and out dated. I had to spend 6 hours in seattle (weather issues) and 3 hours in Portland, and both seemed to lack in quality food and drinking holes and just sheer comfort.



* i went from start to finish on this thread in about 10 minutes so please ignore spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes. i just indulged in some rolled goodness and didn't feel like proof reading hahahaha. Thanks.