Terminals Or Circles Of Hell?
People who say that it's about the journey not the destination clearly never had to deal with the perils of modern air travel. Between everlasting layovers, delayed departures, and confusing facilities, it seems like airports are designed to drive you to the brink of madness so that your vacation is all the more enjoyable. While not every airport is a torture vortex, you're more likely to remember the ones that are.
1. Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt isn't the largest, busiest, or most dangerous airport on this list, and yet it manages to inspire a unique sort of ire in travelers. Everything about this airport seems designed to send flyers into a spiral of despair from the labyrinthine layout to rude security staff. And who could forget the rodent infestation?
2. Courchevel Altiport
If you're heading to Courchevel ski resort in France, we recommend taking the train or bus rather than flying in. Why? Oh, it's just that the runway is extremely short (1,762 ft, while most international runways start at around 8k)...with a hill in the middle...and a cliff at the end. Did we forget to mention it's in the middle of the Alps?
Hugues Mitton (hugovoyages) on Wikimedia
3. John F. Kennedy International
None of the airports around NYC are necessarily "good", but JFK is a special type of nightmare. More than 3% of flights experience tarmac delays, making this notoriously stressful airport all the more so. Add in the crumbling infrastructure and hostile atmosphere and you have a recipe for disaster.
4. Denver International
Denver is the second-largest airport in the world, which is already enough to make arrivals and departures daunting. Flights are constantly delayed, people are packed into every corner or space like sardines, the facilities are dystopian and unsettling, and that's before getting into the cursed horse statue that watches over the airport like a vengeful god.
5. Tunis Carthage Airport
Ranked the worst airport in the world by AirHelp, Tunis Carthage doesn't seem so bad compared to the other airports on this list. Considering how busy this airport is, you could expect some regularity, and yet, only 54% of departures are on-time. Before you even get to waiting on the tarmac, you'll have to wait at least an hour to get through security, and that's being optimistic.
Jorge Franganillo on Wikimedia
6. Toronto Pearson International
If you're thinking of flying into Toronto Pearson, we have one word of advice for you: don't. First of all, the airport is actually in Mississauga, 40 minutes away from the city center on an exceptionally good day of traffic. Flights also experience significant delays and are limited when it comes to nighttime travel.
7. Gibraltar International
Gibraltar is little more than a rock, so the airport is working with limited room. In this case, that means the runway goes directly through Gibraltar's main road and into the sea! You'd better hope your pilot is skilled at braking. Other than that, the facilities are perfectly adequate, just unsettling.
8. Shanghai Pudong International
Pudong is the biggest airport in China, but crowded terminals and tarmac delays are actually very low on their list of problems. It's eerily bare for its size, filled with empty space, limited amenities, and restaurants that close early. And good luck if you arrive early. You'll likely have to wait for an hour for a pre-check with nowhere to sit.
9. Orlando International
Orlando International is so big you take a monorail between terminals, but that's actually the most fun part of flying. This airport is plagued by daily rainstorms, exhausted parents, and kids hopped up on sugar. MCO also has the most reported luggage complaints of any aiport in the country.
10. Cairo International
Airports are generally stressful, so it helps to give your fellow travelers a bit of grace. This is not the case in Cairo, where the staff are rude and disinterested and some level of pushing is advised to cut through the crowd. The Egyptian government even accused one travel blogger of lying when he was honest about his experience at the airport.
Now that we've lamented over some of the worst airports, let's look at a few that you'll want to fly out of again and again.
1. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International
Ranked the highest in satisfaction for three years running, Minneapolis-Saint Paul proves that flying out of a mega airport doesn't have to be bad. Not only does MSP have great signage, easy check-ins, and downtown convenience, but it's just a joy to explore. The space is loaded with art and history, as well kid-friendly activities and animal ambassadors to keep stress levels in check.
2. Billy Bishop Toronto City
If you're flying in or out of Toronto domestically, try to make it out of Billy Bishop. Billy Bishop is on one of Toronto's island, connected to the mainland by a 4-minute pedestrian tunnel, which automatically puts it miles above Pearson. In addition, Billy Bishop is known for its consistent and timely service.
3. Wellington International
In the spirit of transparency, we wanted to put Wellington International on the other side of this list solely for getting rid of their iconic Gandalf and the eagles statues. However, the Smaug sculpture still guards the check-in counters, and the eagles were replaced by a Wētā Workshop-designed sculpture of Te Manu Muramura, a spirit bird. Sculptures aside, this airport is great for its size with interesting food options and clean facilities.
4. Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport took home first place in Skytrax' World Airport Awards this year, and for a good reason. Halfway between a mega-mall and a luxury resort, this place has everything. What to catch a free movie, explore a butterfly garden and rope course, or swim in a rooftop pool? You can do all that and more; it's no wonder Singaporeans sometimes come here just to hanf out.
5. Hamad International Airport
Located in Doha, Qatar, Hammad International is regularly called the best airport in the Middle East. This airport is quite literally a tropical oasis in the middle of the desert with a water theme and tropical garden to explore during those long layovers. Considering Doha is at the receiving end of some ultra-long haul flights, we appreciate all the thought that went into making this airport pleasant for the whole family.
6. Vancouver International
Even if you don't live into Vancouver, flying into this airport will make you feel like you've come home. Vancouver consistently ranks among the best airports in North America for its calming atmosphere, accessibility and amazing art collection. Seriously, we'd book a trip just to check out gorgeous art collections celebrating the west coast's Indigenous cultures.
7. Istanbul International
Istanbul's newest airport sees millions of passengers a year and does so with grace. This is a big airport that involves some substantial walking, but not one inch of the space feels wasted. In addition to museum exhibits, art displays, and musical performances, this airport also offers one essential that should be a no-brainer: showers.
8. Detroit Metro
For American domestic flights, you can't go wrong with Detroit Metro. This airport has been consistently named one of the best in the country, and not just for shopping, though they do have an impressive array of shops. If you want to get some restless energy out before your flight, you can let your kids play in one of the play areas or explore the beautiful light tunnel in the McNamara Terminal.
en:User:Dehk deekster(at)gmail [dot] com on Wikimedia
9. Tokyo Haneda
Tokyo Haneda rounds out the top three of the world's best airports. Haneda is modern, clean, and efficient, three traits many airports sadly lack. Haneda is much closer to the city center than Tokyo's other airport, Narita, and, as a bonus, is one of the most accessible airports on this list.
10. Casablanca Mohammed V
Casablaca's Mohammed V International Airports is one of the busiest airports in Africa, but they do their best to make things easy for you. The staff are friendly, but take security seriously, and the airport is easy to navigate. If you're feeling a little weird getting off the plane, they also have a pharmacy and a 24-hour medical centre.
