tjl

Have to agree, based on a recent flight (on Jet Blue) to LGB. They pull up stairs to both ends of the airplane to board and exit the plane.

On a flight departing LGB to OAK, you get a bird's eye view of LAX if you have a right window seat.

BNA_flyer

That's great to hear. Hard to believe it's been that long since I went through MKE. I guess the larger number of people having to wait outside security to pick up incoming passengers has offset the smaller number of passengers coming out of the sterile area (as I used to do) to check out the bookstore. That is the oddest location I've ever seen for a used bookstore, but it's a great little feature of that airport.

silverthief2

ABQ is definitely a great airport for this. Their observation deck directly above the restaurants between Concourses A and B provides a great view of landings and takeoffs, and I always have time to sit there because there isn't much else to see airside.

pinniped

As much as I hate actually flying through ORD, the airport itself is somewhat interesting. There is a lot of interesting stuff between the terminals. Take a walk and check it out next time your ORD-MCI flight is delayed six hours because it's partly cloudy outside.

The downside to ORD, in my opinion, is that the shops and restaurants are quite bland, and the whole place seems to close down about two hours before the last regularly-scheduled flights are taking off.

Another one I hate flying through (because it means I'm on DL ) is SLC, but it has some interesting and different shops. Also, unlike ORD, I've had sit-down bar service (food & drink) there quite late, within an hour or so of the last scheduled flight out.

SEA is kind of interesting if you have time to visit the main terminal area. A few unique shops, good food, and plenty of room at a variety of bars if you want to just grab a beer. But we United fliers spend our time in the most boring part of that airport...

MKC is still my favorite though, with its DC-3 and Super Connie.

cblaisd

HNL -- great people watching

PDX -- excellent shopping with "normal" prices

SBA -- wonderful old terminal; decent restaurant from which to watch a nice mix of airline/GA traffic.

ACV -- also decent (for airports) restaurant, but the real attraction is see where all the Haight Ashbury residents from 1970 went to.

LAS -- slot machines, aviation museum, free wifi and an Aunty Anne's pretzel shop. All you need.

ABQ -- for same reasons a previous poster said.

EUG -- if solely for the incredibly good seafood chowder at the little restaurant by the UA gates

Kagehitokiri

arg, wish the free wifi was better publicized at LAS

its everywhere i take it?

BamaVol

Certainly in D. There were signs/posters.

peersteve

A vote for Greensboro-Spartanburg airport.....it's an architectural gem, in a subtle way...won major awards when built......take some time to stand still and "feel" the concourse space, the width without columns, the proportion of the space, even if ceiling is not high......the cental restaurant-bar area (after security) reamains orginal from the late 60s cool...hop on large leather stools at the bar.....a delight!

In an up-to-date sense, the best thing at GSP is the large monitors that show a map of eastern US with the current location of all aircraft going to/from GSP......so your airline can't say the "plane will be here in a few minutes" and you see on map it's still 2 states away!

Ginger K

I've always liked HNL and PSP for the open air nature. AMS has lots to do with the art museum, casino and tons of shopping. SAN also has art exhibits put on by the Port Authority and some wonderful public sculpture.

My own little airport of RHI has a snowmobile trail that runs along the fence line. In fact, you could snowmobile to the airport and park your sled in the parking lot . Hard to carry your golf clubs, however

BamaVol

You just merged 2 distant airports; it's Greenville-Spartanburg.

I don't know if they built a new building or added on. When I lived there is 1983, the facility was maybe 6 gates, more outdoors than indoors. Anything would be an improvement.

N965VJ

It’s *definitely* worth going through security if you have some time to kill in MKE.

There’s also a smaller used book store in RDU. When they’re not open, they have a small display outside with a collection can on the honor system.

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Now that's a great idea. Use the technology if it's there.

Carioca Canuck

I like DEN and ORD for things to do (eat and drink, etc) and in IAD there is a waaaay cool wine bar called VINO VOLO near the international departures gates.

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Years ago I read a travel guide about Las Vegas that said the slots in the airport were more generous than those at the casinos. Apparently they they were set up that way to suck the punters into thinking that their trip to Las Vegas was going to be easy pickings.

If that was the case I'd go to Las Vegas and spend all my gambling time at the airport! Anybdy know for sure whether the slots at LAS are more generous than those outside the airport?

par8thed

Terminal 1 at NRT has perhaps the best observation deck I've ever seen. It is before security, but after check-in. Open air, and a tremendous amount of space and seating. Plus, its on the top level of the terminal so you can see the entire takeoff/landing sequencing. I could spend hours there.

Oh, and there are a dozen or so restaurants directly inside! ^