Best/Worst Airports

[rtjcbrown]

We all love to travel. Sometimes we even go to places other than WDW or DL. What have your experiences been at other airports? What is the best and worst you have been to. Save others a lot of future grief.

Best=Las Vegas, being able to check in to your room at the airport, while waiting for your luggage is great. So is the fact that the strip is 3 blocks from the airport.

Worst=Miami, Dirty, run-down, always under renovation but never finished, horrible rental car set up.

 

[gallaj0]

Best (so far): Orlando. I have been 6-7 airports, adn so far Orlando is the best.

Worst (by far): Logan in Boston. Almost impossible to get to, almost impossible to park if you have to, and forget about trying to move inbetween terminals if you are forced to. The restraunts and stores don't open until after 7 AM, so bring you own food if you have an early flight, cause you can only get a coffee or donut before then. The counters are awful, even with online checkin, and curbside luggage. The security points are horrible, stuck into a tight hallway, with only 1-2 metal detectors for 12-14 gates.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Best: (tie) Flint MI or Grand Rapids MI ... i've flown out of both of these airports because it was cheaper than flying out of Detroit, and not a horrendously long drive. Both were small, easy to get to, and pretty clean too. Flint didn't have much in terms of food options.

The new McNamara terminal in Detroit is amazing. NW is the only airline using this terminal (a few CO flights but not many), and the old terminal in Detroit is horrible. However, it's supposed to be replaced with a more modern terminal, very similar to the McNamara terminal, and then the existing terminal will be demolished.

Worst: Syracuse NY. Food options are horrible, flight selection is bad, taxes are higher, so fares are higher, very little selection as to where to fly to (Chicago, Detroit, Philly, Pittsburgh, and NYC are about your only choices)

 

[inkkognito]

I like Orlando a lot, but the remodeled Midway in Chicago has a lot going for it. I like the new food court and the fact that it's still not too huge (although getting there). Also, there is an independent parking lot across the street, literally within walking distance, so you don't have to park at a shuttle lot. That's a big plus for me.
Barb

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by gallaj0
Best (so far): Orlando. I have been 6-7 airports, adn so far Orlando is the best.
Worst (by far): Logan in Boston. Almost impossible to get to, almost impossible to park if you have to, and forget about trying to move inbetween terminals if you are forced to. The restraunts and stores don't open until after 7 AM, so bring you own food if you have an early flight, cause you can only get a coffee or donut before then. The counters are awful, even with online checkin, and curbside luggage. The security points are horrible, stuck into a tight hallway, with only 1-2 metal detectors for 12-14 gates.

Too funny Gallaj0! I actually find getting into and out of Logan to be "wicked easy" in the local argot. But then I am a mere 13 miles away and could take the subway there if we didn't have one family member in a wheelchair. We are easy in easy out, just hopping a cab will get us in or out in plenty of time. And it really is a lot better than it was back when it was run by Republican party hacks like Peter Blute (and this is in Mass, where we have what, maybe 150 Republicans total, including the last 4 governors?). And there's Legal Seafood in Terminal C, so there is some decent food available, at least for dinner. Gallaj0, you must be going out of Terminal B or something, bcs C and E are just fine, if you're not at a peak time when you're fighting all of humanity. Logan is certainly not among the best airports, but it's not that bad.

My favorite airport would be Albuquerque NM (ABQ), which is small and just lovely in so many ways, in addition to being convenient and well laid out. I also LOVE Portland Maine (PWM), for size and convenience; plus it is just so funny that Mainers needed to call it a "Jetport" to make it more important or something. Best overall, I'd agree with Gallaj0 here with MCO, with honorable mentions for Amsterdam (Schiphol) and Munich (Franz-Josef Strauss).

Hmmm, for worst it used to be a tie between JFK and Toronto Pearson. JFK used to be a mess, badly maintained and poorly run, while Pearson used to be a relic of the 60s and 70s with the all tile restroom type interior. I understand both are much improved but I havent flown out of either recently. I was also not fond of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which I found airless and soul-less. My current least favorite would be West Palm (PBI) which I profoundly disliked mainly bcs of the folks we were competing with to get off the plane. By the time we could get DS off the plan and into his wheelchair and into the airport, all the skycaps had been monopolized by cranky but able-bodied seniors, and we had folks stepping over DS and his wheelchair to get ahead in the baggage queue. I'm sure it's a fine little airport but we got a very poor impression of it. Miami is probably worse, but I have had better experiences there. (and Gallaj0, I would still assert that any of these airports on my worst list are still worse than Logan now; but then, maybe I'm just used to Logan so it doesn't bug me).

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Best: Copenhagen! It is a truly beautiful airport, shopping, free strollers/prams for use, kids play areas, and it's clean!

Worst: Charles De Gaulle Paris. First time we went to visit my in-laws we are let off a plane in what appeared to be a field. We're taken down a walk way in the rain to busses and then up a narrow hall into what I then thought was the scariest looking airport I've ever seen! I was WRONG! Main terminal is much worse! I was seriously concerned that we had landed in a third world country, thankfully I was wrong about the rest of that too!

 

[Beast fan]

Call me crazy, but I love the Savannah, GA (SAV) and West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) airports. I liked the atmosphere and the overall mood of the employees when I've flown there.

Around Michigan, I liked my experience at the Toledo, OH (TOL) airport. Very small, but the long-term parking was EXTREMELY close and very cheap.


Worst...... the "old" terminal at Detroit Metro (DTW). I cannot wait until that trash is torn apart.

Dave

 

[Mainebound]

Worst -- Logan, hands down. Unhelpful staff, dirty, hard to get around, and late flights!
Best -- Northern Ky/Cinn (new, clean, easy to navigate, flights on time), and our little friendly Bangor International Airport, of course!

 

[kaydoggy]

Mccarren would be the best that I have flown into.

Cincinnati was the worst. Of course it could be because I was trapped there for the super bowl a few years ago.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Best: I love Providence. It's small, easy to get to, great parking and never had any problems, even flying out in a snowstorm...

and that brings me to worst (even though it wasn't their fault)
BWI: Got stuck there overnight when my connection to Tampa was cancelled. Ended up finding some floor space by an elevator shaft and managed to catch 20 minutes sleep (ALL benches, chairs, etc. were already full of people). Also trying to get out the next morning was a disaster - gates with 3 or more flights waiting to board. Total chaos!!!

I have to mention MCO and TPA as great airports to. Very easy in and out!!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, so TinkBoo&ElliesMum agrees with me on CDG (scary is the right adjective, especially after the terminal collapse this summer, but I would also add soulless), BeastFan is at the opposite end of the spectrum from me when it comes to PBI, and Mainebound loves CVG while kaydoggy hates it... Interesting. All the criticism of Logan (BOS) staff as unhelpful is justified, but then we are in Boston after all and you have the whole Mass**** factor to deal with. Too bad. I guess Logan doesn't bug me bcs I am used to it, and love being able to get there quickly and easily now via the Ted Williams tunnel.

Mainebound is right on about Bangor! Its history as an international flight refueling stop has endowed it with long comfy runways, and Bangor is such a great town anyways.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Best: MCO, MCCarren (gotta love being able to gamble!), and Ontario, CA. It is a very nice airport and a great alternative to LAX. As I recall the Pittsburgh airport is pretty nice too.

Worst: The old terminal in Detroit, LaGuardia, and Atlanta (because I have never had a flight that wasn't delayed getting out of there).

 

[gallaj0]

back to Logan, I will agree that the new tunnel makes it easy to get to the airport road, but after that, watch out. You still need to get to the terminals or parking, and good luck there. I suppose it would be an "easy" ride if you were getting dropped off at the terminal, but for some people it's cheaper to drive and park there, as hard as that may be to believe.

As as to the restraunts, even if Legal Seafood was open at 7 AM, who wants a bowl of chowder for breakfast?

 

[JudithM]

We prefer Manchetser, NH airport as an alternative to Boston's Logan (except Legal Seafood was not there any more the last time ). I'd have a bowl of chowder at 7 a.m. because I don't get LS chowder here !

As for upstate NY: The Rochester airport was easy to get around, people were friendly, very little crowd, etc. Albany was way more crowded & not as friendly, but was ok overall. It would be nice if Syracuse had lower fares!

Off to pack my suitcase ...!

 

[Chicago526]

I don't think Chicago O'Hare is all that bad, but since it's my home-town airport, maybe it's just that I'm used to it.

I really liked Orange County/John Wayne. It's just a little aiport, so it was very easy to figure out where to go, it was very clean, and while the food options weren't extensive, if all you wanted was a bite to eat, you'd have no trouble finding something.

My all time favorite was the Manchester, MA airport before it was expanded for SW. The orriginal airport was like this: You walk in, there is a ticket counter and snack bar in front of you. To the left, was the United gate. To the right, American. That was it, the whole airport (I'm sure there was some type of security screening, but I don't remember the set up, this was 15 odd years ago). It was the first (out of 2 times, total) I've had to walk up stairs to board a plane, they didn't have jetways.

 

[simzac]

Best-tossup between LAS & MCO

Worst-has to be ORD, things have gotten so bad there that the government is going to force the airlines to cut flights because they are affecting air travel across the country.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Worst-Houston Hobby.

Best-maybe Savannah, or is it only because it's the gateway to HHI or Cleveland-is that the new airport?

 

[Luckymommyx2]

BEST--MCO (Orlando)!! It was even rated the #1 best airport in the US. They are always improving things and I think it is bright, clean and easy to navigate, especially when you consider the amount of travelers!

I have really come to like BWI. Maybe we've just been lucky the few times we've flown in and out of there but it has always been no more than 15 or 20 mins from the front door, to gate.

 

[CarolA]

Got to admit CDG is not great, but it does mean you are in Paris so it gets some points there!

I have some wonderful Worsts. One of my favs was Valdosta. There is NOTHING there and if your plane is delayed for two hours there is NOTHING to do. Plus if you don't pay attention it's gone. (They don't announce flights just open the doors!) O'Hare is a nightmare. Atlanta is not too bad for connnections, but checking in there at Delta makes me want to plow people down with my luggage. Place is a madhouse and it can take over an hour for security!

I like my local airport, Nashville. Sometimes when I get home on Fridays we have live music from wannabe country stars. (It's not begging, we have stage and everything). Orlando is also very nice, but they need to do something about the doors on the trams. The folks that keep RUNNING on and blocking the door can really delay the tram. (NOTE: In Atlanta when they say "Doors will not rebound" they MEAN it. I saw a woman get her arm caught the other day. We were able to push the door open and the train won't move if the door is not closed, but I am sure it hurt!)

 

[tiggerzpalz]

Gotta say Newark Liberty is AWFUL! Parking is terrible, airport is poorly run. I don't go near there anymore.

Love Atlantic City Airport (the convenience factor) and Orlando.