What makes a good airport and what's your favourite?

[RooFlyer]

My faves, entirely biased and personal choice, and in no particular order:

• Changi
• HK
• CBR (best airport in Australia, IMO)
• YYZ
• KUL T1
• DXB (only if you have lounge access!!).

Very fair list I think, except on it I'd replace YYZ with YVR.

 

[justcallmeryan]

Very fair list I think, except on it I'd replace YYZ with YVR.

Haven't been to YVR for a long time and YYZ is the airport of my birth town, so a tad more familiar. I should also clarify that its YYZ T1 only, T3 is awful....

 

[Kctoo]

I'd have to say BOB is my favourite. . Gorgeous flight, approach past an extinct volcano, landing on tiny, sandy, palm tree edged motu, no security hassles. Just grab your bags, and hop on your hotel boat transfer. Heaven.

 

[repete]

What makes a good airport, IMO:

• Minimal queueing.
• Natural light.
• Something that helps with noise (carpet etc).
• No loud, obnoxious boarding announcements.
• Nice concessions, restaurants, cafes, bars. If appropriate, they stay open...
• Friendly staff.
• Well served by public transport and airport hotels.

My faves, entirely biased and personal choice, and in no particular order:

• Changi
• HK
• CBR (best airport in Australia, IMO)
• YYZ
• KUL T1
• DXB (only if you have lounge access!!).

Great to see CBR on the list! It's even an international one But yes, I do like its general cleanliness, space for its capacity and ease of access. Often security line is very short.
I also recently had my first transit through DOH and was impressed at the space, shops and light/green spaces. Each time we went through security it was also incredibly well staffed and so efficient. Toilets in the terminal were almost better than the one in the lounge I visited too!

 

[elanshin]

Great to see CBR on the list! It's even an international one But yes, I do like its general cleanliness, space for its capacity and ease of access. Often security line is very short.
I also recently had my first transit through DOH and was impressed at the space, shops and light/green spaces. Each time we went through security it was also incredibly well staffed and so efficient. Toilets in the terminal were almost better than the one in the lounge I visited too!

I have a sneaky suspicion CBR is nice for the same reasons that DCA is a reasonably nice airport.

 

[Himeno]

I have a sneaky suspicion CBR is nice for the same reasons that DCA is a reasonably nice airport.

That it's reasonably close to the city and isn't the mess of SYD (or IAD in the case of DCA) and has public transport buses through the CBD and into the northern suburbs every 15-30 mins?

 

[elanshin]

That it's reasonably close to the city and isn't the mess of SYD (or IAD in the case of DCA) and has public transport buses through the CBD and into the northern suburbs every 15-30 mins?

They're both a 10mins drive to the political centre of each country.

 

[trooper]

They're both a 10mins drive to the political centre of each country.

CBR to Parliament House? Maybe with a Police escort...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m surprised HKIA scores so highly on the transport front. The train is around AUD24 each way, which is far from cheap! And a long walk at the Central end to connect with the MTR.

 

[SYD]

I’m surprised HKIA scores so highly on the transport front. The train is around AUD24 each way, which is far from cheap! And a long walk at the Central end to connect with the MTR.

Same price as MEL SkyBus….

OT, but I bought 2x one way via Trip.com for A$32. We’re flying in next week.

 

[elanshin]

I’m surprised HKIA scores so highly on the transport front. The train is around AUD24 each way, which is far from cheap! And a long walk at the Central end to connect with the MTR.

It's reasonably efficient, in city check in available as well.

Also you could get the Bus (and I've done so quite a few times now) all over the island /mainland instead for half the price. Basically like taking the skybus but they go to a couple of dozen places.

 

[flyingfan]

In general agreeance with the top contenders mentioned so far. Features that do it for me:

• Short (or no) queues for check in, security, immigration, boarding (or enforced priority)
• Staff at the above that aren't Gestapo-like
• Clear signs
• Ample, clean toilets
• Water fountains
• High ceilings
• Good views
• Exits and pickup zones that aren't a total zoo
• A variety of shops
• Aerobridge boarding rather than tarmac and bus
• As painless transfers between terminals as possible
• Travellators that are actually useful and go in both directions

 

[elanshin]

I think my only gripe with HKG that I've mentioned is that the people mover only goes one way. But that's me going to The Pier lounging grumbling having to walk back to a low gate.

If they had the Pier at the bridge location it would've been the perfect central location.