The worst of the European airports

[spiggy_topes]

From the International Herald Tribute:

The worst of the European airports - International Herald Tribune

'If Heathrow is like being on a Long March, then Charles de Gaulle in Paris, according to one fellow traveler, is like being in an Escher print.'

CDG only second worst? Makes me glad I've hardly any travel lined up for the next few months...

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I'm going through Athens in March. I don't have high expectations.

 

[Andyc]

I flew through Athens in September and have never felt so happy to see my checked baggage slide out onto the carousel. As we walked down the baggage hall to get to our carousel all we could see was a sea of bags being guarded by security. Closer inspection of the tags showed that they were from flights that should have arrived days ago:

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[JohnK]

I flew through Athens in September and have never felt so happy to see my checked baggage slide out onto the carousel. As we walked down the baggage hall to get to our carousel all we could see was a sea of bags being guarded by security. Closer inspection of the tags showed that they were from flights that should have arrived days ago

LOL. I remember the sea of bags in August. I can laugh about it now.

I had luggage issues in the US in August with 2 checked bags going AWOL. I got to ATH on Thursday and spent a few days with a friend. Anyway the bags were sent to ATH together and on Sunday I found only the smaller bag in the sea of bags. This bag was logged as being received at ATH. No sign of the bigger bag.

Back through ATH on Wednesday and no sign of my other bag. It is also not logged on the system as being received. I was told that I could look for my bag in this small room that was packed wall to wall with bags. After a few minutes I had all but given up when I notice a QF bag tag. On closer inspection it was mine. So they received bag but did not log it as being received.

 

[GCD123]

I flew through Athens in September and have never felt so happy to see my checked baggage slide out onto the carousel. As we walked down the baggage hall to get to our carousel all we could see was a sea of bags being guarded by security. Closer inspection of the tags showed that they were from flights that should have arrived days ago:

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Athens airport is still good due to the Olympics investment.
I did a Milan-Athens flight on Olympic last year with 3 business associates. Arrived at 23.00. Our bags (only our bags) did not appear - then after 1 hour, there they were.
No explanation and no one could help during the 1 hour wait.

However, when departing BA to London, it all went seamlessly. I particularly liked the separate premium class security point.

The only miscalculation was that the associates were on *A and we planned to meet airside - the different sections are sealed off (unlike Sydney).
So we communicated by e-mail from the respective lounges.

GCD123

 

[whats_the_question_now]

Athens airport is still good due to the Olympics investment.
I did a Milan-Athens flight on Olympic last year with 3 business associates. Arrived at 23.00. Our bags (only our bags) did not appear - then after 1 hour, there they were.
No explanation and no one could help during the 1 hour wait.

However, when departing BA to London, it all went seamlessly. I particularly liked the separate premium class security point.

The only miscalculation was that the associates were on *A and we planned to meet airside - the different sections are sealed off (unlike Sydney).
So we communicated by e-mail from the respective lounges.

GCD123

Fantastic!
Glad to see other enjoys the Athens Airport Expereince as much I do. As I use Carnet for transporting/importing equipment I can always count on Athens Aiport Customs to be the slowest and most frustrating airport to deal with (Ok KUL comes a close second) fortunately have not had a bag lost.. but have spent a good hour or so while they get act together.

Athens is alos the most entertaining for Customs staff argueing with travellers... a bit of entertainment always good!

 

[Andyc]

I should also add Berlin Schonefeld airport to the bad list. Its just one step up from demountables. Although I was flying easyjet at the time so I probably shouldn't complain.

At the other end of the spectrum, Geneva and London City are probably two of the best airports in Europe. But then, I place a high value on actually being treated like a customer rather than an inmate.

 

[winetraveller]

I flew into Copenhagen a few months ago, and it looked like there had been a revolution and everybody was leaving, bags and bodies everwhere.

I was very glad my luggage made it.

Moscow Sheremetyevo is also chaotic, but I've always managed to get through OK.

Heathrow, I try and avoid like the plague.

Dublin is a another mess.

I actually like CDG, may becuase I'm a fan of Escher, and FRA I like because I hang out at the First Class Terminal.