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Original poster

What's the best airport you've been to?

169 replies

WeAreTheHeroes · 20/05/2023 16:33

I thought I'd start a thread on best airports as the flip side of the thread about the worst ones.

I'll start: Alicante. Rebuilt since I was last there thirty years ago. Very light and spacious. We were very quickly through bag drop and security. Lots of coffee and food places, including once you're through to the actual gates. Lots of staff for those passengers needing assistance. Very clean everywhere. Good aircon.

OP posts:
StopFeckingFaffing · 20/05/2023 17:28

I think Liverpool Airport is great

Easy and cheap parking, never seem to be any queues at check-in or security and it never feels crowded or chaotic

Small enough that it's easy to find your gate and doesn't take long to walk to

Fleur405 · 20/05/2023 17:31

Abu Dhabi. It was almost 10 years ago to be fair but it had this amazing tiled atrium that was really quite beautiful. Very clean modern and organised, lots of seating.

A coffee from Starbucks did cost me about £12 though!

Whiteroomjoy · 20/05/2023 17:31

StopFeckingFaffing · 20/05/2023 17:28

I think Liverpool Airport is great

Easy and cheap parking, never seem to be any queues at check-in or security and it never feels crowded or chaotic

Small enough that it's easy to find your gate and doesn't take long to walk to

Agree, generally. Had a few off days as staff from cheap airlines go missing in action in departure lounge once things go tits up, in terms of delays or cancellations. But generally quiet, relaxed, and nice bright open building.

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Flying Holidays
LoobyDop · 20/05/2023 17:31

I liked Frankfurt when we flew through there. Lovely and calm and spacious, and nice friendly security staff who were letting people finish drinks so they didn’t have to throw them away. Mind you, it was 2020 so it might not normally be like that.

I really like the way Dubrovnik has an outdoor seating area airside, so you can get some fresh air. It feels as though you’re extending the holiday a little bit.

TheHateIsNotGood · 20/05/2023 17:32

Tirana - arrival - easy to walk to hire car places and a cafe next door while you wait. If you're getting picked-up the vehicle is parked not far from the door. Departure - nice little semi open-air bar/cafe adjacent to the tarmac, where you could also smoke and watch the planes. Haven't been for 10 years now so it might have changed.

Fleur405 · 20/05/2023 17:32

Also I connected through Dublin once and my incoming flight was late. All of the staff were so helpful and friendly in trying to get me to my connecting flight - not at all like at British airports!

Yate12 · 20/05/2023 17:32

Heathrow T3 - spacious, clean and feels calm.

Vienna - clean, very well organised and modern.

Milkand2sugarsplease · 20/05/2023 17:33

Qatar airport was beautifully done and seemed well organised.

Weelegs29 · 20/05/2023 17:36

Istanbul Airport, although it does go on for miles!

Lamelie · 20/05/2023 17:37

tailinthejam · 20/05/2023 16:43

Years ago and it has probably all changed now, but Mombasa airport. It was a large tin hut, and baggage claim was a roped-off area outside on the tarmac. Flocks of sparrows (of all things!) everywhere, and the air was that hot earthy smell of Africa. If you've ever been, you'll know what I mean.

You’ve transported me 😍
Small airports are the best. City, Inverness (apparently bigger now) Florence.

Doggymummar · 20/05/2023 17:37

Singapore followed by Hong Kong

Vitriolinsanity · 20/05/2023 17:44

I like Stansted. It's mentally busy, but the staff get it and are front and centre organising what is human chaos very quickly.

Dubai is great. Had a foot massage waiting for a connection.

Worst by a distance impossible to calculate is JFK. Stucco everywhere, hot, low ceilings, ridiculous queues and the singularly most obnoxious security staff on earth.
It has to be in the job description "Are you a xenophobic, misogynist, people hating prick that can work at a pace approximating a glacier forming? We want you!"

JaneJeffer · 20/05/2023 17:45

Liverpool John Lennon - it's so chilled

lieselotte · 20/05/2023 17:47

I like Southampton and Jersey because they are small and efficient.

Otherwise (pre covid) I liked Helsinki, Copenhagen, and as a few people have said already, Singapore Changi.

Gatwick has improved a lot as well (or had pre covid, I've not flown from there since).

Blabla81 · 20/05/2023 17:47

ScribblingPixie · 20/05/2023 16:35

The new Istanbul airport is pretty nice - very airy, tight but well-organised security, and I liked the pop-up lounge close to the departure gates. Really nice women's toilets too, with lots of room for sorting babies and kids out.

Yes I agree - the new Istanbul one is lovely. It was quiet when we were there last year too - so new and sparkly.

GloomySkies · 20/05/2023 17:48

Hoolihan · 20/05/2023 17:16

Ibiza. Arrivals has the iconic Evissa sign (and you've just arrived IN IBIZA!!). Departures is clean and bright, with a lovely view of the salt flats. Nice food and coffee options, really great shops, good seating, small enough that there's no last minute dash to the gate. Shame I always feel like the living dead by that point 😂

I was impressed by Ibiza. It even had childrens' play areas when we were there. Godsend with two DC about to be sitting still on a plane for 4.5 hours.

Calgary International was very relaxing when we were there, though it was about 10 years ago.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 20/05/2023 17:48

Definitely Singapore.

Azandme · 20/05/2023 17:49

Bombay

GeraltsBathtub · 20/05/2023 17:51

DestinationTravel · 20/05/2023 17:20

I find big airports like Changi, Dubai and Doha overwhelming and confusing. I like London City (small, just need to reach airport 45 minutes before departure) and Zurich (very airy) and Istanbul (proper shopping and food).

I came to say LCY and ZRH as well! Both really nice, modern and smooth experiences. Honourable mention to Amman airport which is a cool building.

foreverbasil · 20/05/2023 17:56

Fiumicino is great, I agree.
In UK it's difficult to beat Liverpool JLA for a relaxed departure experience

HavfrueDenizKisi · 20/05/2023 17:56

Singapore Changi without a doubt. The butterfly enclosure; the koi carp ponds; the lounges; loads of space; calm and comfortable.

Copenhagen too but I think it's got quite shabby the last 5 years or so.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 20/05/2023 17:56

And yes London City is the most pleasant to fly out of. Not so keen on the approach back into the airport though. Quite steep.

ScribblingPixie · 20/05/2023 17:57

LoobyDop · 20/05/2023 17:31

I liked Frankfurt when we flew through there. Lovely and calm and spacious, and nice friendly security staff who were letting people finish drinks so they didn’t have to throw them away. Mind you, it was 2020 so it might not normally be like that.

I really like the way Dubrovnik has an outdoor seating area airside, so you can get some fresh air. It feels as though you’re extending the holiday a little bit.

Is it Frankfurt that's got that huge vintage destinations board where the details flutter and change? I think I passed through that airport once & loved it.

jay55 · 20/05/2023 17:58

Is Singapore the one with the free cinema, if
so that one.

But I also love Heathrow when I have nice lounge access.

Newnamenewname109870 · 20/05/2023 17:59

847arc · 20/05/2023 16:43

Singapore Changi was by far the best I’ve been to.

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