Why are US airports so dated compared to those in Asia and Europe?
Dec 28, 22, 12:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 517
Why are US airports so dated compared to those in Asia and Europe?
Even smaller cities in Europe have airports that are completely modernized and have nice duty free stores and other shops. I was recently in CDG and the duty free section of the terminal is practically like an indoor shopping mall. Perfume from just about every brand you could think of and a bigger selection than most malls have.
Then you return home to a place like terminal 5 at ORD and it feels like you are stepping back in time to the 80s.
Then you return home to a place like terminal 5 at ORD and it feels like you are stepping back in time to the 80s.
Dec 28, 22, 12:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,049
Dec 28, 22, 12:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 123
For the most part, US airports are older than similar facilities in Asia and Europe.
Personally, I despise the architecture of many non-US airports that forces passengers to traverse a shopping mall between check-in and the gates. I am there to travel, not to shop.
Personally, I despise the architecture of many non-US airports that forces passengers to traverse a shopping mall between check-in and the gates. I am there to travel, not to shop.
Dec 28, 22, 12:34 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 517
Oh yeah, that is annoying too. Some of the European airports make you walk through the duty free shop before you get to the gates. But at least the airport is kept up nicer.
Dec 28, 22, 12:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,356
Or ARN 
There's plenty of bad or dated airports on this side of the pond but I think the relevant question is which US airports (or terminals) compete with the best airports in the World. And by which metric do you consider the airport world class?
I've heard about and seen pictures from the Star Alliance terminal at LAX that looked good but I haven't been there. Is that the best the US airport [terminal}? I was through ORD T3 a couple of times recently and I'm not impressed. Yes, everything works but it just feels old and is lacking something. It's just big. The bathrooms feel old too. I have the same experience with other airports such as MIA.
There's plenty of bad or dated airports on this side of the pond but I think the relevant question is which US airports (or terminals) compete with the best airports in the World. And by which metric do you consider the airport world class?
I've heard about and seen pictures from the Star Alliance terminal at LAX that looked good but I haven't been there. Is that the best the US airport [terminal}? I was through ORD T3 a couple of times recently and I'm not impressed. Yes, everything works but it just feels old and is lacking something. It's just big. The bathrooms feel old too. I have the same experience with other airports such as MIA.
Dec 28, 22, 1:37 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
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And the ones that deliberately keep you in the "lounge" area a.k.a. middle of the shopping mall, and only announce the gate at the (relative) last minute so you are tempted to shop, though the know well in advance where the gate will be..
Dec 28, 22, 4:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,722
I hate the !@#$% perfume gauntlet in every !@#$% airport has one that I have had to traverse. So does my spouse. I am obviously not the target market as I have not bought anything in an airport other than some thing to drink and eat.
Dec 28, 22, 5:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Leon, MX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 276
Well the US has more airports than any other country. The US has 13,000 and next closest is Brazil with 4,000, Mexico is third with 1700 (thats surprising). No country in Europe is anywhere in the top 10 unless you count Russia. Changi and Doha and Dubai have 1 (2 in case of Dohas old airport) and they can focus all their money on an amazing single airport. Generally all US airports are funded by local, state and federal plus airline money. It takes a lot of time to get them all in agreement.
Dec 28, 22, 6:10 pm
#13
formerly rt23456p
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,156
Well the US has more airports than any other country. The US has 13,000 and next closest is Brazil with 4,000, Mexico is third with 1700 (thats surprising). No country in Europe is anywhere in the top 10 unless you count Russia. Changi and Doha and Dubai have 1 (2 in case of Dohas old airport) and they can focus all their money on an amazing single airport. Generally all US airports are funded by local, state and federal plus airline money. It takes a lot of time to get them all in agreement.
Dec 28, 22, 6:21 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,297
I'd rather fly out of the TBIT at LAX 100 times than ever fly out of MNL again! 
P.S. If you are NOT flying on QF, SYD International kinda sucks. All the other gates are a long walk.... AND you have to run the Duty free store marathon...
P.S. If you are NOT flying on QF, SYD International kinda sucks. All the other gates are a long walk.... AND you have to run the Duty free store marathon...
Dec 28, 22, 6:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Isle of Man/East Palo Alto
Programs: AA - CK/Airpass
Posts: 985
