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Stuck in an Airport: The Best Ones
When I flew back from Taiwan on my way to Albuquerque, N.M., I had a scheduled eight-hour (or more) layover in Minneapolis, Minn. The best part was the convenience of the rented luggage cart. Pick up was right where the bags came off the conveyor belt. Drop off was at the gate of my connecting flight. In between my landing and takeoff, I spent a good deal of the time sleeping with my feet propped up on my carry-ons piled on the cart. It doesn't take much to make me happy.
There are airports that crank it up a notch or two to create great layover spots. These are the places recently named as the best of the best for places to be stuck for a while in Forbes Traveler. Click on each link to find out what's the reason. If you happen to be somewhere bored of waiting, take photos. That's what nashsnazzy did. I like the black and white.
- Changi International Airport, Singapore
- Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong
- Dallas/ Ft. Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas
- Zurich Airport, Kloten, Switzerland
- Munich International Airport, Munich, Germany
- Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
- Central Japan International Airport, Ise Bay, Japan
- Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt, Germany
Filed under: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pat Jan 24th 2008 1:08PM
Trams, long treks and CONSTRUCTION left me exhausted. I found nothing pleasant about Vegas.. that is unless you wanted to gamble. Sitting on the floor waiting for a delayed flight wasn't may idea of comfort. Will avoid if at all possible!
Reils133 Jan 24th 2008 9:02PM
Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport is the greatest I have been to. Plenty of room, lots of shops and great places for food. (Especially when taking food with you back on your flight) The airport itself is fast and convienent and easy to get around in. Seattle is a great city to visit and spend some time in but the airport is greater!
Kraig&Melissa Mar 16th 2010 6:59PM
Of all the airports I've been in for the last 3 years, BY FAR the most convienient and "traveller friendly" has been Seattle/Tacoma Int'l. Everything you might need is readily available (even if you have an unexpected delay or re-scheduling) and the most amazing surprise for me was the fact that ALL the shops and restaurants are mandated to charge the VERY SAME price at the airport shops as they do in their "off site" establishments. From the fast-food places (Wendy's, etc.. ) to the finer dining chain restaurants, no price-gouging increases simply because you are trapped in an airport! You can quickly park/drop off your rental car, scoot through the beautiful, well- thought out and signed main terminal (even use the mini-subway to reach the outer terminals) and reach your departure gate without having to resort to Olympic level endurance. Free WiFi and Starbucks every 40 feet or so are another plus. Well done, Seattle!
Mike May 26th 2007 9:32PM
I'm sure the first class terminal in Frankfurt is
a wonderful place to be stuck in but who can afford
first class?
Ron May 26th 2007 9:32PM
Newark airport is a great place to do a layover. They have expanded it in recent years so that it has many places to shop and eat. Kind of like an upscale mall.
tammy46350 May 26th 2007 10:38PM
i love the airport in orlando, there are so many nice places to eat and shop. i wish i had more time in the airporte than i did.
Larry May 26th 2007 11:04PM
My favorite airport as far as a wait goes is McCarran International in Las Vegas, plenty to do there, and if you are there long enough there is plenty to see on the nearby Vegas strip.
BMAN May 26th 2007 11:15PM
Good thing DFW is a good place for a layover, because with their weather, you will get stuck there quite often. If you really want to get to your final destination, don't go through DFW. However, the La Bodega Winery is a great place to wait - many choices of wine by the glass, snacks, and nice staff to talk with and attend to you needs.
Andrea Morrison May 26th 2007 11:37PM
I'll take Memphis - great aroma of barbeque and music, music, music -
Robin May 27th 2007 1:14AM
I had a wonderful layover in Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam,Netherland. They have so many shops and amminities. They have a lounge area for non-business class as well as business, and first class. I didn't mind my eight hour layover from Cairo, going back to the states. Also found Minneapolis Airport to be very nice and huge!
mellogurl May 27th 2007 2:01AM
Minneapolis has the Super Mall within minutes from the airport-a taxi can get there for under 20.00
My flight wasdelayed 6 hours there and so I spent a few hours shopping and looking around. It was a nice way to kill time.
JJ May 27th 2007 2:30AM
Salt Lake City! Great dining and shopping as well as a stellar view from every window.
Nancie May 27th 2007 8:37AM
I have been through Incheon Airport too many times to count. It's a boring airport. There's nothing, unless you're into shopping. Believe me, there are better duty free's then Incheon. HK is a great airport for a stopover.
Singapore is fantastic. You can even do free tours of the city.
Once again, who compiles these lists?
http://360.yahoo.com/bunni56531
Erik Nov 7th 2007 1:10PM
Two of my favorites. (1) Hong Kong. You can check your bags at the train station in Central Hong Kong, go down the escalator to a high-speed train that whiskes you to the airport in 20 minutes, walk out directly into the departure terminal, behind which is th efficient security, which leads you to great duty-free shopping, then large comfortable terminals. (2) Vancouver. Business travellers especially like this attractive, well-designed airport.
JJ Nov 10th 2007 6:43PM
Actually the absolute best layover is in Las Vegas!!
JJ Nov 10th 2007 6:42PM
Las Vegas baby!
B. Jan 20th 2008 9:47PM
Disappointed with Salt Lake Airport.
Needs upgrades...remodeling.
Appears to be "dingy" looking.
Baggage is very slow!
Excellent upgrade...non-stop flight to
Denver by Southwest. Great airline!!