Which Airports Are a Destination in Themselves?

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by Jerry52

Haven't been to the new Denver airport, can't comment.

I'm not saying that the Charlotte Douglas Airport is anything mesmerizing architecturally, but I think that considering that Charlotte is a mid-sized city it offered a surprisingly fine array of restaurants and shops, plus the nicety of the attended washroom, with the mouth rinse and fancy mints. Maybe those sort of very civilized washrooms are now commonplace at airports, I don't know. It's probably not a "world class" airport but to call it a "dump" is also extreme, IMO.
I agree with you 100%, I thought Charlotte was surprisingly nice given the size of the city, it's far nicer than both Airports in Houston. My wife enjoys sitting in the rocking chairs by the large windows near the piano.

 

[globetrotter]

I wouldn't call them destinations, but singapore, hong kong, dubai and frankfurt are all very comfortable. I love being able to get a shower, good food and a good massage in an airport, as well as put in a few good hours of work with wifi

 

[JetBlast]

I have to disagree with our local aviator about Dulles. An interesting but non-functional design but the worst of it is those ghastly people mover cabins on scissor lifts. Slow and cramped.

We are getting rid of those in a few years now-
http://www.metwashairports.com/dulle...train_system_2

The only ones that will remain will (probably) be for airplanes at remote stands where the terminals haven't been completed yet. One of the concourses will be completely moved to align with the new control tower and there is an addition going onto the concourse closest to the main terminal.

JB

 

[Jerry52]

Originally Posted by WN2

Not probably a destination as such, but the runway extension in Funchal is pretty interesting, especially with a highway passing underneath the structure:

I'm not much of an international traveler...where is Funchal? That was an interesting photo!

 

[Jerry52]

Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe

I agree with you 100%, I thought Charlotte was surprisingly nice given the size of the city, it's far nicer than both Airports in Houston. My wife enjoys sitting in the rocking chairs by the large windows near the piano.

I'm glad you connected with what I said, Southern-Nupe! I think I vaguely remember the piano area to which you allude. Again, it just was a lot of little things combined that made Charlotte's airport interesting for me, and evidently your wife and you as well. Of course, I guess our little ode to Charlotte pales when we hear of these exotic places overseas from these other guys, LOL!

Jerry

 

[JetBlast]

Jerry52,
Funchal is in Portugal.

JB

 

[Jerry52]

Thanks, JetBlast. Definitely I'd like to visit portugul someday.

Jerry

 

[Jerry52]

Even if I can't spell it...LOL!

 

[Matt]

A lot to be said for Changi. Very well done. tangenitally related to this thread: www.sleepinginairports.com Entertaining site

 

[globetrotter]

just out of curiosity, anybody count how many airports they have been in?

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Well, apart from the fact that Kansai International Airport is built on an artificial island, there is absolutely nothing to recommend the place.

In fact, considering that it was built quite recently and cost a vast sum of money, it is both shocking and depressing that the end result was such a hideous and depressingly grey, ugly and poorly designed building.

The main hall is not too bad - albeit very plain with much use of industrial vinyl and plastic in shades of grey - but the ancillary facilities are awful. The food/shopping floor has a low ceiling and feels cluttered and claustrophobic. There are scant facilities and the choices for both eating and shopping are limited and unappealing.

In short, unless you desperately wish to fly into Osaka for some reason, steer clear of it. It's certainly not worth travelling to for its own sake...

The new Chek Lap Kok airport in HK is a better effort than Kansai International Airport, but I miss the old HK airport. It was always interesting and enjoyable to fly into HK in-between buildings and I always found it intriguing to stand up on the Peak and watch planes come into land - you could see the jets on the approach, then they would vanish amongst the apartment blocks, and then you would again see them taxiing out along the runway after they had come in to land. I understand that the people who live near Kai Tak are very happy that the new airport opened up, but I do think it is sad that such a unique aviation experience has disappeared.

My interest in Kansai is prompted by a tv documentary I saw around the time of the opening of the airport following Renzo Piano's design and supervision of the construction process. It seemed to be an interesting project.

 

[lakewolf]

JetBlast ...

I was reading one on those magazines ( is boring to death to me, I confess...)

And I though on you... here is the link...

I think you can get a free subscription

http://www.internationalairportreview.com

 

[bryce330]

I really like the architecture of Dulles but it's a terrible airport to fly out of or into (especially international flights).

My favorite airport for spending time in is Amsterdam - loads of shops, restaurants, casino, art museum, and very easy to change terminals since everything is under one roof.

 

[rioni]

madrid and munich

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by rioni

munich

Agreed.