World's 10 best airports and lounges

CNN ^ | May 13, 2005 | By Gordon T. Anderson, CNN/Money staff writer

[optik_b]

World's 10 best airports and lounges The United States lags far behind Asia in a ranking of the best airports and airline lounges. May 13, 2005: 4:10 PM EDT By Gordon T. Anderson, CNN/Money staff writer

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Ever waited out a snowstorm at O'Hare? Tried to change terminals at Dallas-Ft. Worth? Stood in the international arrivals line at JFK?

Then you know that a typical U.S. airport occupies its own particular circle of hell.

But take heart, weary traveler. Somewhere, there are airports where passengers are viewed as customers, not cattle.

Imagine big, airy terminals, with convenient gates and lavish amenities. Places where floors sparkle, restrooms shine, and plush seats are abundant -- some even recline to a horizontal position.

There's just one problem: Such places are in lands far, far away.

Recently, the London-based consultancy Skytrax released the results of its annual global survey of travelers.

The poll ranked more than 150 of the world's biggest airports according to 31 factors, including cleanliness, security and check-in procedures, and entertainment options like gyms and gamerooms.

Some 5.5 million people from more than 90 countries participated. The greatest concentrations of voters came from Europe and North America, yet almost all the airports judged to be the best were in Asia.

Only 3 of the top 10 were in Europe, and none were in the United States. The best-performing American airport was Minneapolis, ranked No. 20 overall.

Maybe it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt, or a grass-is-greener mentality among Westerners. Or it could be that airports elsewhere just do things right.

In any event, I can vouch for the comforts of the world's best: Hong Kong International, which won the title for the fifth consecutive year.

[optik_b]

This does not surprise me at all. We spend all our money on other things while the governments in Asia are making investments for the future. Our airports are dilapidated messes that some poor emerging market in Asia surpasses.

[martin_fierro]

World's 10 best airports and lounges

...are all ones showing FOX NEWS!

[goldstategop]

We view airports as places to get to and leave as fast as possible and when we fly, we want to get there cheaply. Airport comfort? Its low on the list of the traveling public's priorities. Its not exactly a place one wants to spend too much time in - the airport, I mean.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[expatguy]

Singapore is my favourite.

[optik_b]

You've obviously never been to those airports in Asia. It is not a torture experiment like our airports.

[R. Scott]

Not surprising at all – with our airlines trying to compete with Greyhound buses, why wouldn’t the air terminals remind one of supersized bus stations?

[dalereed]

They are all at general aviation FBOs that the public doesn't even know exist!

[Pro-Bush]

SMF is great - in and out no problem. Park less than 5 minutes to the terminal. Good skybar as well!! Hotties abound.

[MarkL]

I just flew into an airport this evening, Kansas City International. IMHO, it's the BEST airport I've ever been to for getting off of your plane, and getting to the parking shuttles! If you've got carry-on only, once you're gotten off the "jetway," you've got less than a 50 foot walk to the exit, and the waiting area to be picked up by the shuttles. I was actually driving home less than 15 minutes from the time I got off the plane, and that's from the economy, long term parking lot!

Mark

[poobear]

Well, I still think Orlando International is O.K. In and out just fine. All roads lead to Disney World! (and my home too)

[QwertyKPH]

I've been a transit passenger at HKG, SIN and TYO many times in the last 6 years. Asian airport hubs, HKG especially are very easy to transit and comfortable for extended layovers. I once had 13 hours in HKG enroute to MNL in 2002.

In contrast, the worst airport HUB I've personally experienced is CDG and LHR is a close second. Elsewhere in the European region; AMS, ZRH and LGW are rather good. I found the train station in the basement of ZRH to be very convenient connection to BSL. It's actually faster than the flight when you factor in wait time in ZRH plus taxi upon arrival BSL.

Finally, IMHO, the absolute worst airport I have ever arrived and departed is BOM (Mumbai, formerly Bombay). Its filthy, crowded beyond capacity, staff is rude and there's plenty of unsavory characters milling about and trying to get your attention away from luggage. It was a grueling experience for me.

[dawn53]

I've been in lots of airpots, in US and overseas, but I've never been in an airport that's more convenient to navigate than the Tampa airport.

Doesn't have fancy lounges or waiting areas, but it is fast and easy to get from ticket counter to gateside, or gateside to your luggage.

[mlmr]

Hong Kong hasnt been a poor emerging market in 25 years.

[QwertyKPH]

When I lived in Houston, I commuted to the GB monthly. Non-stop on CO from IAH-LGW. On my returns, LGW-IAH, I found it amazingly fast. Land, arrivals, immigration, luggage, customs then taxi home to Kingwood (15-20minutes drive) was less than an hour! What was absolutely stunning was the fact that it happened over and over again.

Now I'm back in Connecticut. :-( Unfortunately, I have to use JFK or EWR to Europe. Now it takes 3-5 HOURS to get home after landing.

Wish I were back in Houston!

[azhenfud]

Hong Kong, by far. A close second & third are Guangzhou and Bejing Capitol, IMO.

Chicago ought to be demolished.

[Phlap]

CNN ran this story Friday afternoon revealing it's total frivolity.

[ml/nj]

Amsterdam is the only one on the list that I have been to.

Eh! Except for the casino, I didn't think there was anything special about it.

I always liked Montreal's Dorval but I haven't been in there for about 20 years now. Nantucket's pretty good too!

ML/NJ

[paudio]

Except for Kansai in Osaka, the other 5 Asian aiports are located in their capitals. It's common for Asian countries to make their airport as 'show cases' for the foreigners; hence, they put a lot of money for the 'gate' to their respective country.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Nantucket's pretty good too!

John Kerry likes it...especially the catering that you don't have to pay for.

[cardinal4]

Maybe it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt, or a grass-is-greener mentality among Westerners. Or it could be that airports elsewhere just do things right.

Or maybe its just another leftist finding something else to bash America about..