Worst and Best Airports to transfer through
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Caribbean
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, US Air Silver Preferred, BA ExecSilver
Posts: 758
Worst and Best Airports to transfer through
We have been going through Heathrow a lot recently and I am finding it to be one of the busiest, dirtiest, ineffecient airports to go through. Security going from terminal to terminal is a nightmare - are they all getting to be this way?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,220
Originally Posted by Bruiser
We have been going through Heathrow a lot recently and I am finding it to be one of the busiest, dirtiest, ineffecient airports to go through. Security going from terminal to terminal is a nightmare - are they all getting to be this way?
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
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Posts: 4,376
CDG has been troublesome since the collapse in terminal 2E and the routing of many TATL flights to the trailer park on the edge of the airport property.
The airport is clean and pleasant, but the bus and waiting game to get to the clean and pleasant parts of the airport can easily consume one hour after touchdown and one hour leading up to departure time.
The airport is clean and pleasant, but the bus and waiting game to get to the clean and pleasant parts of the airport can easily consume one hour after touchdown and one hour leading up to departure time.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
This is a difficult question which varies based on your circumstances. In general, one terminal airports are easier to transfer. Airports with more than one terminal but with the buildings connected or with fast trains connecting them aren't bad.
Some airports are served by one large airline so if there is a problem, there are no other airlines to pick up the slack. US Airways is a fine airline (reasonably ok) and CLT is an easy to transfer airport. However, if your flight is cancelled, there might not be another airline going to the same place.
In my opinion, Singapore is a nice place to transfer. In the US, CLT isn't bad but note the caveat above. SFO and SEA are nice, too. DCA is nice only because you can visit a museum if you have time to spare....just in, rush to see a few things, then back to the airport. Glasgow is a bit spartan but I've connected there before....ditto for Malaga.
Some airports are served by one large airline so if there is a problem, there are no other airlines to pick up the slack. US Airways is a fine airline (reasonably ok) and CLT is an easy to transfer airport. However, if your flight is cancelled, there might not be another airline going to the same place.
In my opinion, Singapore is a nice place to transfer. In the US, CLT isn't bad but note the caveat above. SFO and SEA are nice, too. DCA is nice only because you can visit a museum if you have time to spare....just in, rush to see a few things, then back to the airport. Glasgow is a bit spartan but I've connected there before....ditto for Malaga.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Caribbean
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Posts: 758
I am replying to my own post, but I was actually referring to international airports - although I am happy to hear about the domestic ones as well. One place we may all agree is a nightmare domestically is Miami!
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Connecting in Intl Airports.
Hello All:
Let's see:
1. CDG: a total nightmare, especially with the bus in and bus out, depending on which terminal you land at. If you happen to be there at around noon to 100PM, you catch all the traffic headed out to the African capitals. The lines to stamp your passport and security can be endless, with the rudest people on Earth trying to topple you to get in front. YOU CAN HAVE IT!!!
2. MAD: Old and small. It is a good thing that Iberia has moved to the brand new Terminal 4. This is a much nicer place than the rest of the airport. At Terminals 1, 2 and 3, you most definitely will have a nice long walk in any instance of a connection. This airport is very short of escalators and elevators, so be prepared to go up and down stairways. Not too bad on connection times, though. It is easy to go through Customs and security.
Beware if flying Coach or not being an elite in a FFP. You will face LOOOOONG check-in lines, as in most of Europe.
3. MEX: Way in over its head on passenger handling. Although the check-in lines are not bad, the wait in security can be long, as can be to get your bag or if you come in from South America. The South America fllight passengers are directed to a baggage claim and security that has ONLY ONE Customs inspection station when it is time for you to get bags and get out. You can wait a LOOOONG time to take off at MEX. Connecting can be a breeze as well as an adventure.
4. SCL: The best airport in Latin America. A breeze to check-in, arrive and connect. Plus, a very pleasant, well-lit and decorated airport with a fair amount of facilities.
5. CCS: Talk about long lines for ANYTHING!!!! Arrive here at least 3 hours before your flight.
6. GRU: It has gotten better for getting in and out. Connecting intl to intl can be bad. I have seen very long lines at security for passengers coming from other countries and going to other countries (EZE/GRU/MIA), for example.
7. PTY: Getting better every day. The construction is annoying and you can get stuck climbing 2 flights of stairs in and out of your airplane. When it is done, it will be fairly efficient to get in and out. It is now a good one to connect.
Here's my list of nuke 'em and start from scratch:
a. SJO (Boy do I hate this one, even after re-modeling it is still crap).
b. GUA
c. TGU
d. BGI
e. MGA
f. UIO
g. CLO
h. ASU
i. MVD
That is it for now.
Let's see:
1. CDG: a total nightmare, especially with the bus in and bus out, depending on which terminal you land at. If you happen to be there at around noon to 100PM, you catch all the traffic headed out to the African capitals. The lines to stamp your passport and security can be endless, with the rudest people on Earth trying to topple you to get in front. YOU CAN HAVE IT!!!
2. MAD: Old and small. It is a good thing that Iberia has moved to the brand new Terminal 4. This is a much nicer place than the rest of the airport. At Terminals 1, 2 and 3, you most definitely will have a nice long walk in any instance of a connection. This airport is very short of escalators and elevators, so be prepared to go up and down stairways. Not too bad on connection times, though. It is easy to go through Customs and security.
Beware if flying Coach or not being an elite in a FFP. You will face LOOOOONG check-in lines, as in most of Europe.
3. MEX: Way in over its head on passenger handling. Although the check-in lines are not bad, the wait in security can be long, as can be to get your bag or if you come in from South America. The South America fllight passengers are directed to a baggage claim and security that has ONLY ONE Customs inspection station when it is time for you to get bags and get out. You can wait a LOOOONG time to take off at MEX. Connecting can be a breeze as well as an adventure.
4. SCL: The best airport in Latin America. A breeze to check-in, arrive and connect. Plus, a very pleasant, well-lit and decorated airport with a fair amount of facilities.
5. CCS: Talk about long lines for ANYTHING!!!! Arrive here at least 3 hours before your flight.
6. GRU: It has gotten better for getting in and out. Connecting intl to intl can be bad. I have seen very long lines at security for passengers coming from other countries and going to other countries (EZE/GRU/MIA), for example.
7. PTY: Getting better every day. The construction is annoying and you can get stuck climbing 2 flights of stairs in and out of your airplane. When it is done, it will be fairly efficient to get in and out. It is now a good one to connect.
Here's my list of nuke 'em and start from scratch:
a. SJO (Boy do I hate this one, even after re-modeling it is still crap).
b. GUA
c. TGU
d. BGI
e. MGA
f. UIO
g. CLO
h. ASU
i. MVD
That is it for now.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Programs: BA Blue, US, UA, FL, B6
Posts: 183
Originally Posted by seat 50J
US Airways is a fine airline (reasonably ok) and CLT is an easy to transfer airport. However, if your flight is cancelled, there might not be another airline going to the same place. ... In the US, CLT isn't bad but note the caveat above.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2005
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AMS is right at the top of my list, well marked, museum in the airport to keep you interested, and fantastic transportation - train station in the basement.
LHR is the worst I can think of due to the inter-terminal transportation and the security procedures.
CDG, not one of my favourites.
Out of curiosity, have they cleaned up the collapsed terminal at CDG yet? I flew through about 18 months ago and was amazed that they appeared not to have even picked up any rubble. Ongpoing investigation I suppose. Not sure when it happened but it was some time before that. What a PITA. The business lounge was a screened off section of concourse due to the damage. (Yes I know, poor me had to fly business. It was AF mind you, so perhaps just a little sympathy is in order.)
LHR is the worst I can think of due to the inter-terminal transportation and the security procedures.
CDG, not one of my favourites.
Out of curiosity, have they cleaned up the collapsed terminal at CDG yet? I flew through about 18 months ago and was amazed that they appeared not to have even picked up any rubble. Ongpoing investigation I suppose. Not sure when it happened but it was some time before that. What a PITA. The business lounge was a screened off section of concourse due to the damage. (Yes I know, poor me had to fly business. It was AF mind you, so perhaps just a little sympathy is in order.)
#14
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
Worst: Heathrow, Heathrow and Heathrow for the reasons listed above. "Worst" not only includes any airport where a bus is involved, but any where you have no alternative but to get dumped outsode the "secure" area and thus have to go through "security" again. See Heathrow...OK, I'll stop ranting now.
Best- ZRH- we went through only once but were impressed. "Best" includes any airport where you can manage to stay inside the secure area when connecting.
Best- ZRH- we went through only once but were impressed. "Best" includes any airport where you can manage to stay inside the secure area when connecting.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: east coast USA
Programs: Skyteam/Delta Silver Medallion, Starwood Gold Preferred
Posts: 403
Good overall:
HKG-Hong Kong, TPE- Taipei, CVG-Cincinnati, DTW-Detroit
Decent: KIX-Osaka (although not much choice in food & you have to go through security)
Good only when you're connecting in the same terminal:
EWR-Newark (most Continental flights)
crowded & big, but not too bad:
ATL-Atlanta, IAH-Houston
HKG-Hong Kong, TPE- Taipei, CVG-Cincinnati, DTW-Detroit
Decent: KIX-Osaka (although not much choice in food & you have to go through security)
Good only when you're connecting in the same terminal:
EWR-Newark (most Continental flights)
crowded & big, but not too bad:
ATL-Atlanta, IAH-Houston