Swanhunter

* Lounges before security
* No dual jetbridges for widebodies
* Endless, pointless check of documents a la every Indian airport
* Ticket and bag check before entering the building a la Colombo
* No fastrack security clearance for premium pax
* Mosquitos!

Spiff

1. Stupid "security"
2. Having to deal with "security" more than once
3. All of airside not connected necessitating 2. above
4. No decent lounge options

Sweet Willie

a bad airport is one that has no easy method of public transportation available from the airport to/from the city center. Sadly many airports don't.

RBH58

Mindless officialdom
Security overkill
Slow immigration
Slow check-in
Slow baggage claim
Poor/non-existent signposting
Crappy food
Crappy lounges
Frequent delays, cancellations and/or gate changes
Huge distances to gates
Getting to/from - Pick Ups/Drop Offs...affordable parking (Sydney are you listening?)

mojoloco

As someone who drinks a lot of water, bathrooms also contribute to my rating. If there is only one bathroom in the terminal and it's all the way at one end with not enough stalls, no toilet paper, no soap, with wet stalls and long lines, ugh.

Not enough seats in the waiting/boarding area. When I was younger, I would just sit on the floor or sit at another gate, but now I'm too old to sit on the floor for an hour and I learned that when they start making announcements on the crappy PA system and you're the next gate over, you might not hear something important.

Now that I've flown to Hong Kong, I'm pretty sure most airports will pale in comparison. Totally efficient check in counter and security, immaculately clean, plenty of seating, good variety of shops, the works.

pacer142

Bad airports: LHR, LGW.

The main reason for this is that they are set up as shopping malls that happen to have planes. AMS, which is an airport that happens to have some shopping, is vastly superior.

The constant up and down and hidden passageways is also a big fault of LHR and LGW.

I like LCY, but one bad mark for it (and I think LTN, which is another airport I quite like) is that there are no toilet facilities before passport control.

Neil

mhnadel

In the developed world, lack of facilities would be my major peeve. MCI has at least a few gates for which one goes through security to an area with no food available and no toilets. Which might be okay if one did not then have a 3 hour mechanical delay.

In the developing world, I expect the lack of facilities and am happy if I can buy some bottle water and use a reasonably clean toilet. Having been to a few of the less salubrious spots in the South Pacific, a roof that doesn't leak would be nice (though not to be expected).

phedre

I don't know, but EWR has it down pat

But seriously, I'd go with:

- Unconnected terminals. I shouldn't have to exit security and get re-scanned to enter another terminal!
- Coupled with this, crappy facilities in some terminals. The US Departures terminal in YOW for example: HORRIBLE. One measly little bar/restaurant serving awful, greasy food. The only healthy option on their menu is yogurt and fruit, and they didn't have that available this morning! Unless you want a Tim's coffee and a doughnut, you're screwed in that terminal. (sorry, had to vent.)
- No free wifi. Come on people, internet access is NOT expensive. Sponsor it with an ad like Denver's service if need be, but offer it!
- No lounge. I hate waiting with the plebes :P. I fully admit this one is me being spoiled, but I like having a quiet, out of the way area to await my flight.
- Poorly laid out hallways. You've got people coming through with luggage, strollers, and god knows what else. There needs to be enough space to pass!
- Permanently broken elevators and walkways. I'm looking at you, Pearson international departures terminal!
- Dirty, dingy, poorly lit facilities. While the dirt can be blamed partially on passengers (come on, pick up after yourselves a bit folks!), the lighting and dinginess goes right on the terminals themselves.

mecabq

-- Too many document checks (e.g., India as someone mentioned)

-- No, or few, sit-down restaurant options (e.g., IAD)

-- Poor lighting that makes the place feel dank and dated (e.g., AUH, not a bad airport overall though)

-- Requirement to take a train or bus without a walking option (e.g., LAS, compared to ATL)

Global_Hi_Flyer

+1.

Airports that are illogical, have too many people who think they're in power, frequent flight delays, inconvenient, have multiple terminals for one airline (with no airside connection), and ones with lousy food choices. I'd add dark and dank to the list.

Examples: CDG (long connections, lots of remote stands, and illogical setup for transit passengers along with too many folks that think they're in power. JFK, Delta Terminal (need I say more?). LAX - poor food service options and inability to move about on the secure side. LGW: obnoxious officialdom, rabbit warren trying to get out through immigration & customs. BWI: crappy security - too many wannabes that have "power over the people", lousy food selections and inability to get to some of the better food selections in other piers, parking hassles, don't care about passenger attitude.

djk7

Because you hate airports where parts of the roof have been known to cave in?

Finite Elephant

Bad or nonexistant (i'm looking at you, ORD T5) airside food options.
Dated, run-down facilities.
Uncomfortable seating.
No views of the runways.

Granted, based on some of the other posts in this thread, these are minor quibbles.

MrMan

My three biggest pet peaves

Lack of clocks with local time. Sometimes terminals are like Vegas Casinos for their lack of clocks.

No power or charging stations. Plugs hidden behind chairs etc.

Airport controlled status boards that state "Delayed" and don't give updated time. I am looking at you PHL. Why can AA gate say new time but flight board states "Delayed". Note for some reason US flights do show updated times, but all other airlines don't

4now

, interesting thread to me.
I've got nothing new to add; but as a senior citizen, I hate airports that make you go through security AGAIN for a domestic connection, as well as those long, long, long walks between gates.

dabears1020

If a train or some other kind of people mover is required to get to a gate, forget it. Huge minus points right there.