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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:
jellycakeandicecream · 20/05/2023 18:44

Detroit easily number one for me. Then Phoenix probably followed by Madeira.

Depending what terminal you fly from Barcelona El Prat that can be a great or poor experience. I traveled there recently with family and the children loved the multiple free play areas dotted around.

Great that Jet2 announced they will be flying from Liverpool next year.

BettyfromBristol · 20/05/2023 18:45

Barra in the Outer Hebrides. It is tiny, two or three small planes a day and the only airport in the world where scheduled flights take off from the beach. The flight times are constantly adjusted to be at low tide.

Original poster
WeAreTheHeroes · 20/05/2023 18:50

Funchal, Madeira has the dodgy approach which means you can get diverted if the weather isn't right. I cannot for the life of me remember what it was like flying from there, other than queuing ages to drop bags.

OP posts:

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Flying Holidays
CMOTDibbler · 20/05/2023 18:54

Linkoping in Sweden as it is so tiny, only there because of the Saab aerospace factory, and therefore you are through in 2 minutes.
And rather niche, but Okinawa airport is a shared military and civil airport so you are on the same runway as fast fighter jets which I totally geeked out about

AnotherDelphinium · 20/05/2023 18:57

Milkand2sugarsplease · 20/05/2023 17:33

Qatar airport was beautifully done and seemed well organised.

Yes, Qatar is top of my list too!

Chompiemompie · 20/05/2023 18:58

Love tamps. Open, airy, spacious with beautiful sculptures and installations. We had special assistance for my mum and they were amazing to us all.

MargotBamborough · 20/05/2023 18:59

It wasn't fancy, but I liked San José Airport in Costa Rica.

It was really clean and airy, with loads of toilets, water fountains everywhere and tons of plug sockets.

JaneJeffer · 20/05/2023 18:59

FlounderingFruitcake · 20/05/2023 18:41

Also weirdest airport but has anyone else been to Denver and seen the horrific murals and the masonic stone slab? Or heard the conspiracy theories about the tunnels?

Haven't been but read all about it. It's very weird.

Mañanarama · 20/05/2023 19:04

I loved Changi too, I’d happily live there.

My favourite airport experience was in remote Indonesia. Passengers and luggage weighed together then led outside to what can best be described as a bus shelter. A small plane just pulled up next to us, we hopped on with our bags, and it took off immediately. No fannying around for pleasantries (or safety checks).

BTMadmummy · 20/05/2023 19:09

Belfast City - small so easy to get around

Dublin - amazing airport

Orangello · 20/05/2023 19:10

Changi, you can't beat Changi.

StampOnTheGround · 20/05/2023 19:11

Another vote for Singapore Changi!

Lovegossip · 20/05/2023 19:13

London City, its 20 mins from home to airport so convenient, am a frequent flyer from their to Belfast City and both are comparable in size and ease of getting around

DaysofHoney · 20/05/2023 19:14

Doha all day long!!

ladygindiva · 20/05/2023 19:17

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!

I came on to say exactly this. It's a beautiful work of art.

Topseyt123 · 20/05/2023 19:20

Changi, Singapore.

ememem84 · 20/05/2023 19:22

847arc · 20/05/2023 16:43

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

Agree

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 20/05/2023 19:27

If you've got a few hours between flights then Singapore.

For functionality I like Billund in Denmark. Natural light, enough seating and my only complaint was that the line for passport control was long as there were only 2 desks but they've changed that now.

PP made a good point about the staff at Stansted - hadn't thought about that before.

wherethecityis · 20/05/2023 19:52

Västerås.
But going by the replies here, there’s quite a few other tiny airports I’d love.

Chanel05 · 20/05/2023 19:55

Melbourne Orlando

Small, very quiet and so simple to get through.

ElinorDashwood68 · 20/05/2023 19:59

Best Singapore, worst Athens

Maddy70 · 20/05/2023 20:00

Dubai

foreverbasil · 20/05/2023 20:06

Is it a long time since you were in Athens?.....because I think it's really improved, including transit into the city

FettleOfKish · 20/05/2023 20:06

Living in Jersey we usually have to go through London to get anywhere so we're in T5 at Heathrow a lot. Touch wood we've never had an issue there, always smooth and quick security, we've learnt the quietest spots to find a seat and the catering options are good.

My only complaint is the shopping is all high end, I'd like more Dune / Zara / Superdry like some of the other terminals and Gatwick have.

maddiemookins16mum · 20/05/2023 20:06

I love Dubrovnik airport. The views as you land are amazing. On one occasion we landed there at 7.25pm and opened the door to our hotel room at 8pm. Yes the hotel was 10 min drive away but literally our cases were on the carousel within 10 minutes of getting off the aircraft. (Plus they had a smoking room in the departure lounge as recently as 2016).