AMS, HKG, LHR(T4)

I love Tampa. It's a really easy airport, and it's only getting better. Oddly enough, my air con repair man is the director of air conditioning for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (the operator of Tampa Int'l -- he works independently on weekends for extra cash) so he always fills me in on what's new. The new Airside E (for Delta) is coming along nicely, ready to open in November of next year. At that time Airside C(current Delta) will be knocked down and rebuilt, and eventually Airside D (United, Jetblue, AirTran) will move into the new C while D is rebuilt. The revitalization of the airport is great. Airside F (US Airways, AA) just underwent a major refurbishment with brigher carpets and new brand-name food facilities (Chilis, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Chick Fil A)

Orlando MCO generally gets high marks, but I've never been there despite dozens of visits to Orlando. Comments?

In my opinion, I'm in the world's best airport right now -- Changi in Singapore. It has everything: grocery store, nice (free) lounge areas with comfortable seats and cool flatscreen televisions, a good internet cafe, a transit hotel, cheap showers, and so on. Hong Kong was pretty phenomenal too. As far as I'm concerned, the worst airport that has all of its terminals attached to each other is better than the best airport that has a bunch of separate terminals -- like JFK, LGA, CDG.

My (somewhat biased) vote would go to:
CPH

Very clean, easy to get around. Very nice louges both * and OW (SK, in the opinion of many people, run some of the best * lounges and CPH is probably home of the best of those). A couple of independent lounges as well.

A drawback is that there are a lot of Danes at this particular airport but that's something one has to live with http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


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Goldlust

My votes go to : HKG-SIN-AMS-TPA-NRT-LHR (T4)
SBH
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MRKEY

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 04-22-2001).]

Anyone who likes SNA would probably also like FNT, a similar, albeit smaller, new terminal. Those of us unlucky enough to live near DTW often choose instead to fly out of FNT because it is spacious, uncrowded, and you can park just a few feet from the ticket counter.

As for Austin's Bergstrom airport, it is a pretty place, but what the heck is with that silly logo? On the down side, I flew out of the remote UA gates once out of the new AUS airport. There's no concessions or lockers at that end of the gates and the walk was too far for a small airport. If you're flying AA or CO, it's great. When I arrived at AUS, the signage for the rental cars wasn't very good, and certainly wasn't good at all for Hertz Gold service. (No signage directing you to the parking lot by direction, so if you've never been there before you either have to guess or ask.)

I'm surprised nobody nominated LAS. I like that airport because the arrival halls/baggage claim areas are unique and very futuristic .. when it first opened it was very impressive, plus it's got a nice satelite train system. The last time I was there they had opened a new satelite with a beautiful arrival hall. For those of you that like TPA, LAS is a nicer version of TPA with similar satelite and train systems, but longer walks to get to security. The bad thing about LAS is that the taxi drops you near the checkin counters for your airline, which is not necessarily the closest place they could drop you if you don't need to stop at the counter or check bags at curbside. Also, always seems to be a long line to check bags curbside at LAS. Of course the other nice thing about LAS is that it's probably one of the only places where you can play quartermania while waiting for your flight.

-David

You could also nominate SFO for both the best and worst category.

For the best, the new international terminal and the UA wing in the North terminal. The walkway to the UA hub in the North terminal is also a museum with exhibits that change periodically. The hub has a nice selection of eateries and shops.

For the worst, the SFO south terminal is disgusting. I'm amazed that it's the same airport.

Then there's the weather and the runway situation at SFO. Oh well.

-David

I'm surprised I haven't seen any mention of CVG -- at least the Delta terminal. That's really nice.

Ed Suranyi

Favorite airport is EYW...you get to fly in and out on little prop planes, landing on that seemingly far to small strip of land can be breathtaking, and there's even one of those old style bars right there at ground level next to the runway.

Total throwback to the days when DC-3s were all the rage and Rick was kissing Elsie goodbye for the last time...

This image of Humphrey Bogart kissing the Borden cow just isn't doing it for me... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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"Whether your final destination is Heaven or Hell, you still have to change planes at Dallas/Fort Worth."

Major airport (renting a car): PIT. The rental cars are across the street.
Major airport (local): ORD. The bus drops me off in front of the terminal. Can fly to 100s of destinations nonstop.

Medium sized airport (renting a car): OAK, SLC (quick connections, rentals across the street).
Medium sized airport (local): MCI. Quite convenient parking and walking 200 feet or less to arrive at your gate.

Small Airport: TUL, ICT. Nothing like walking towards the gate, the agent recognizing you and having your record up before you get there.