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There are lots of reasons to spend time in an airport. Freak snowstorms, airline strikes, giant ash clouds. Or maybe you’re just a really big fan of Airworld. Whatever the reason, you have time to kill. So what airport would you choose to be in?
AMS (Schiphol) for its excellent choice of cafes, bars and restaurants (not to mention a casino)?
Maybe you appreciate the architecture of MAD (Madrid-Barajas) or the “natural” beauty of YVR (Vancouver).
Some airports make a layover seem a lot shorter. And others make you wish you had sprung for the cost of a direct flight.
Tell us: Which airport would you prefer to spend time in on a layover? And what makes it special?
About the Author
Joey Tanny is a marketing consultant, specializing in digital marketing solutions. He’s worked on a variety of award winning projects and for companies such as Air Canada, DHL, Fairmont, a variety WPP companies, Just For Laughs, tech startups and more. He’s also a photographer, experience junkie, art explorer and idea tinkerer. Find him, a few of his pictures, time lapses and musings at www.Joeytanny.com.
An airport that I didn’t mention, that I thought was interesting (in my still not so complete tour around the airports of the world), is definitely Munich. And Charles de Gaulle is one I will avoid.
We’ve had such great feedback on our social media spaces that I thought it would be worth sharing.
Linkedin:
Airlines Industry Professionals Worldwide (Linkedin):
“By far Singapore with Incheon in 2nd place” “Every airport is pain in…But to pick one – Amsterdam. Lot of resting areas, good beer ” “None are designed for this since airports are fundamentally transactional” (I disagree) “Amsterdam-Schiphol and Copenhagen” “Tokyo-Haneda! What a fantastic airport”
Aviation Marketing & Business Development (Linkedin):
“San Francisco. There are good restaurants, art displays,” ” Surely the one where the girls look the best, so it’s relaxing for the eye and good for the brain to dream away those wasted hours when you could be working. Dublin is prety good for that.” (We forgot this one…) ” cactus garden in Singapore, or a casino and small art gallery in Amsterdam” “Grass airstrip, Denis Island, Seychelles – nuff said! ” “thankfully the choice is made for us on a regular basis and we have ample opportunity to enjoy getting stuck in different airports. Singapore’s Changi would be my favorite.”
And what maybe the best argument yet “…surely Munich, which has by far the most versatile food on offer, incl. its own brewery, bavarian deli, japanese, thai, turkish, standard german, italian, american fastfood, plus a supermarket in each terminal, chocolatier, fan shops and more… foodwise, it is miles better than anything Changi has on offer. Prices are reasonable for an aiport too. Seasonal festivities below the MAC roof include summer beach volleyball, winter ice skating rink and the traditional bavarian Christkindlmarket to name but a few.”
FastTrack Business Network (Linkedin):
“I would have to say Munich – Germany – lovely airport and well laid out while my worst would be Frankfurt – Heathrow OK as well as plenty facilities ” “Seattle, Amsterdam ,Minneapolis, Kalispell – I’d just leave the terminal for the backwaters of Montana, Munich, Anchorage”
Twitter:
“As much as I dislike how PHL is laid out (and the signage), I gotta say some of my best airport bar experiences have been there…But of course we’re not just talking about the bar (but it IS important :0)” “any Crown Room I can find….”
I’m a huge fan of Schiphol. Every time I pass through I’m reminded of how much I love Holland. I always buy some stroopwafels to take home to friends and find I’m disappointed when I don’t have enough time to peek into the museum!
I find it weird that it costs more for a non-direct flight – I know there are multiple planes involved, but who would choose a layover when a direct flight is cheaper? I found some other airports that are good for layovers: http://www.holidaymatrix.com/update/the-best-airports-for-layovers.html
I have to go with Madrid, just because it is so magnificent. Never been to Changi, but it sounds like a destination in itself.
Oh, I despise Dulles…
Agree on Madrid, a really spectacular place.
An airport that I didn’t mention, that I thought was interesting (in my still not so complete tour around the airports of the world), is definitely Munich. And Charles de Gaulle is one I will avoid.
We’ve had such great feedback on our social media spaces that I thought it would be worth sharing.
Linkedin:
Airlines Industry Professionals Worldwide (Linkedin):
“By far Singapore with Incheon in 2nd place” “Every airport is pain in…But to pick one – Amsterdam. Lot of resting areas, good beer ” “None are designed for this since airports are fundamentally transactional” (I disagree) “Amsterdam-Schiphol and Copenhagen” “Tokyo-Haneda! What a fantastic airport”
Aviation Marketing & Business Development (Linkedin):
“San Francisco. There are good restaurants, art displays,” ” Surely the one where the girls look the best, so it’s relaxing for the eye and good for the brain to dream away those wasted hours when you could be working. Dublin is prety good for that.” (We forgot this one…) ” cactus garden in Singapore, or a casino and small art gallery in Amsterdam” “Grass airstrip, Denis Island, Seychelles – nuff said! ” “thankfully the choice is made for us on a regular basis and we have ample opportunity to enjoy getting stuck in different airports. Singapore’s Changi would be my favorite.”
And what maybe the best argument yet “…surely Munich, which has by far the most versatile food on offer, incl. its own brewery, bavarian deli, japanese, thai, turkish, standard german, italian, american fastfood, plus a supermarket in each terminal, chocolatier, fan shops and more… foodwise, it is miles better than anything Changi has on offer. Prices are reasonable for an aiport too. Seasonal festivities below the MAC roof include summer beach volleyball, winter ice skating rink and the traditional bavarian Christkindlmarket to name but a few.”
FastTrack Business Network (Linkedin):
“I would have to say Munich – Germany – lovely airport and well laid out while my worst would be Frankfurt – Heathrow OK as well as plenty facilities ” “Seattle, Amsterdam ,Minneapolis, Kalispell – I’d just leave the terminal for the backwaters of Montana, Munich, Anchorage”
Twitter:
“As much as I dislike how PHL is laid out (and the signage), I gotta say some of my best airport bar experiences have been there…But of course we’re not just talking about the bar (but it IS important :0)” “any Crown Room I can find….”
I’m a huge fan of Schiphol. Every time I pass through I’m reminded of how much I love Holland. I always buy some stroopwafels to take home to friends and find I’m disappointed when I don’t have enough time to peek into the museum!
I find it weird that it costs more for a non-direct flight – I know there are multiple planes involved, but who would choose a layover when a direct flight is cheaper? I found some other airports that are good for layovers: http://www.holidaymatrix.com/update/the-best-airports-for-layovers.html
What’s the best airport for a layover? http://bit.ly/cbnIcg
What’s the best airport for a layover? http://bit.ly/bqJPNZ
I just put up a Question Spark: What’s the best airport to get stuck in? http://bit.ly/cmt1GX …Please share a comment
Cuál es el mejor aeropuerto para quedar atrapado? http://bit.ly/b0jK98 @piscitelli @cscolari
RT @sparksheet: What’s the Best Airport to Get Stuck In? http://t.co/wDfmDKV