moondog

The thread title is pretty straight forward. I'm interested in discussing airports, in which at least some gates are really far from the curb.
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My nomination in this first post is SZX (Shenzhen). The gates I seem to always end up at are a hair over a mile from the check-in counters, and most of the "close" gates are >1 kilometer. Fortunately, one of my bank cards allows me to use a spartan (as in they let me sit in a chair and give me a bottle of water) curbside lounge where I can check in, clear security, and get a ride directly to the plane when boarding starts. But, I don't know of any similar hacks for arrivals, so I do the mile walk from the gate to baggage claim.

What airports bestow the longest walks upon you guys? If there is a train that most people use (instead of walking), I don't think that should count. However, walks that could be eased by golf carts and the like are fair game. In fact, I often wonder what it takes to score such services (i.e. money, disability, age). I assume airports have their own policies.

ETA It would also be useful to learn about long gate to gate walks during connections.

enviroian

Heathrow of course comes to mind.

another you wouldn't expect on any list is BURBANK. Yes, Burbank. IF you are renting a car the walk from your gate to the rental facility I think is in another city

gaobest

Fra!! :-)

PLeblond

I've heard the new airport at IST takes the cake.

FindingFoodFluency

moondog as someone entirely removed from airport planning -- at least professionally-speaking -- I just find it to be the luck of the draw.

I've had lengthy terminal walks the world over, but then it might depend on peak hours. For example, at BKK two weeks ago, I feel like my GX Airlines flight landed in another country. But then a few days later, the Hong Kong Airlines jet landed at a gate catty-corner to immigration.

I will say that ANY jet bridge beats a bus. (I'm looking at you, Europe)

SPN Lifer

If enough people post their suggestions, this could be a great thread for getting one's 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise.

I enjoy skipping the moving walkways at SFO. There are some good UA walks there between the D, E, and F gates, with bonus steps for G (Int'l), all airside.

moondog

I like buses on arrival iff they drop off at baggage claim because this invariably saves a longish walk.

On departure, however, they often constitute a "double bad".

Goodoldflyer

FRA can be a bit ridiculous

FindingFoodFluency

Domestic China flights, I reckon?

After any length of flight, I'm usually eager to walk, so the leaps and bounds aren't an issue. What is the issue is not knowing how long immigration can be (particularly when Fast Track isn't available). We can all hurry up off the plane and wait.

moondog

Bus gates honestly aren't especially common in China anymore. I gather that jet bridges must be a status symbol for mayors of unimportant cities.

PLeblond

I always found that the sign that I was at a great place to be was: No Jetway. No bus. Stairs and a walk to a terminal building. It means you,re in a place where few people travel to/through....

Antonio8069

The longest walks of all are @ IAD : 4 terminals, lots of stairs, and very crowded. While there are air side shuttles, staff have told me its quicker to walk e.g. B to A!

EXP100

PHL is you're going to the B gates to the high A gates. MIA if you're going to the rental car/train/bus center.

FindingFoodFluency

For my flights to and fro Changsha, both required a bus. But out of 10 domestic Chinese flights in the past six weeks, it could've been worse.

To which places are you referring?

But I definitely dig the stairs and then walk to the terminal approach. IIRC, Santorini and Foz de Igua�u had bus rides that were about 20 seconds long ... the terminals were RIGHT THERE!

wrp96

SLC B terminal some of the gates are quite the walk.