Why are US airports so dated compared to those in Asia and Europe?
Jan 8, 2023, 3:52 pm
#106
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
Isn't it because the US Airports do not have International Transfer Connections? You would have to actually land in the US and then clear immigrations and customs before you take your connecting flight if you arrive on an International flight? While in other countries they also mostly cater for the airside transfer passengers who need a lot more facilities while they wait for their connections?
Jan 8, 2023, 4:18 pm
#107
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 524
A few people have mentioned in this thread that duty free shops are pointless. I disagree. I just bought three bottles of gin from LHR and the cost was cheaper than what I can buy them for in the US. Sipsmith London Dry 750ml is $28.99 + TX sales tax from my local Total Wine. The duty free shop sold it for 25.09GBP (or about $30USD) and that was for a 1L bottle with no additional tax. Because I bought three bottles, I got a 10% price reduction.
Jan 8, 2023, 5:06 pm
#108
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,065
A few people have mentioned in this thread that duty free shops are pointless. I disagree. I just bought three bottles of gin from LHR and the cost was cheaper than what I can buy them for in the US. Sipsmith London Dry 750ml is $28.99 + TX sales tax from my local Total Wine. The duty free shop sold it for 25.09GBP (or about $30USD) and that was for a 1L bottle with no additional tax. Because I bought three bottles, I got a 10% price reduction.
Jan 8, 2023, 8:10 pm
#109
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,623
THIS needs to be emphasized. Google 'ATL airport corruption'. But it's not just ATL. Many (most?) US airports also have problems with this. Politicians see airports as piggy-banks and also feathers in their caps. They'll spend millions on a sports stadium which gets used for a whopping 8 home games a year, because it's very public and very visible...but the airport? Nah. Just collect the kickbacks and bribes.
Mar 3, 2023, 7:34 am
#111
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,191
Since the start of the year, EWR airport has opened a brand new A terminal, Kansas City has opened a brand new terminal which replaces all of the previous terminals, Nashville has opened a new main arrivals and departures hall re-linking the two halves of the airport post-security while construction continues.
Mar 3, 2023, 12:13 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,235
Yeah, I flew out of T5 a couple weeks ago and was surprised that it still feels like an dumpy old terminal when the renovations were supposed to be complete. Lots of empty retail spaces with big "COMING SOON" signs.
Mar 3, 2023, 2:10 pm
#113
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,191
The expansion is complete. The interior renovations continue.
Mar 5, 2023, 4:46 pm
#114
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
AMS chose to make the trek from security to gate 2 or 3 times longer by putting in a huge shopping area in between, and while they have people movers, most seem to be out of action on a regular basis. For people with mobility problems, it's exhausting, and AMS requires more than 24 hours notice if you need assistance getting to the gate.