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Airport efficiency: the world's winners
Do you get frustrated when you walk into an airport? Even before you get there? On good days, it's a painful experience, with long lines, the security gauntlet and procedures (which may or may not be appropriate) that are guaranteed to annoy. It should come as no surprise that some are better than others. While the hope for a headache-free flight may not change your vacation plans, knowing that you'll pass though one may take the edge off a bit. The Air Transport Research Society has put out a list of the world's most efficient airports, large and small, in the top three regions for travel: North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The rankings were based on a wide range of statistic, including "traffic data, on-time statistics, financial reports and passenger throughput."
According to the ATRS, the five airports least likely to drive you nuts (by region) are:
- Europe, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Oslo, Norway
- Europe, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Geneva, Switzerland
- North America, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Atlanta, Georgia
- North America, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
- Asia-Pacific, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Hong Kong
- Asia-Pacific, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Seoul-Gimpo, South Korea
So, which one is the best in the world? The ATRS gives that distinction to Atlanta, which is tops for traffic and has solid financial management. Seoul-Gimpo, according to the study, has made a "remarkable turnaround, and Oslo knocked Copenhagen out of the winner's circle that it had owned for several years.
[photo by Franco Folini via Flickr]
Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, South Korea, Norway, Switzerland, United States, Airports, Hong Kong
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Laramie Jul 23rd 2010 8:54PM
Eww, Atlanta is awful. DTW doesnt drive me insane usually, and for small the one here in Traverse City is really nice but thats real low volume and the fares are high.
Chris Jul 23rd 2010 11:56PM
Ok, I really want to know what criteria they are using to determine whether an airport is "likely to drive you nuts." I flew in and out of Atlanta every week for over a year and a half, and that airport drives me freaking nuts!
1. 9 times out of 10 your flight WILL be delayed. Long tarmac waits are a matter of course, because ATL runs more ops per day on 5 runways than DFW runs on 7!
2. Gate changes are a matter of course, especially when you have a tight connection. Connecting in Atlanta is such a miserable experience that my wife has literally threatened divorce if I ever book a flight for her with a connection in Atlanta again.
3. Their new CONRAC absolutely sucks, requiring a customer to walk approximately a mile from their gate to their car and stopping on the way at the conference center, where NOBODY gets off the tram.
4. No people movers outside security (e.g. moving sidewalks, trams, etc.) means you have a LONG walk ahead of you no matter where you're going unless you have a ride that knows *exactly* where to pick you up.
5. Their wifi is HORRID, frequently booting users and blocking connections for no apparent reason. Boingo finally suggested that I turn off all instant messenger clients, avoid any rich content (e.g. HTML5, Flash, etc.) and stick to the most basic of web browsing to keep from getting booted from the network!
That said, I will give ATL credit on one thing... it is one of the cleanest airports I've ever flown to/from/through. They really do take their "opening day fresh" motto seriously!
Kaylin Jul 24th 2010 12:20AM
I normally fly out of Atlanta, and I've always liked it, as airports go. It's super busy but it always seems like traffic flows very well there b/c there's plenty of parking, and there's also plenty of places to eat, lounge, etc. The people mover is great too. The only time I've had a delay was because of bad weather (those summer thunderstorms that like to come out of nowhere here in the south). Of course I don't fly monthly or weekly like some people (more like once or twice a year) so maybe I've just hit it at good times. But I've never had a bad experience there.
For a smaller airport, Birmingham AL is excellent. It's so clean and all the workers are extremely nice, even the TSA people.
Ben Jul 24th 2010 12:17AM
I live in Atlanta and fly out every few weeks. I have definitely noticed that security has become amazingly quick with the opening of the new S and N gates. I remember wait times of an hour or more a couple years ago but in the last year have never waited more than 15 minutes at the busiest of times. Kudos!
On connections - I don't have any as I live here. Arriving internationally incurs some odd checked baggage moving; having to carry it through security again, and re-checking - even if Atlanta is final destination, but the new Int'l terminal under construction now will eliminate that.
Atlanta's great - super clean and easy to move through. If you leave the airport, there's always a lot going on.
james Jul 25th 2010 1:29PM
To be honest, I haven't been through Atlanta in years, and that's because my impression was that it was the worst airport I had ever been through, and giant hub of the worst US carrier I have ever dealt with, Delta. I seriously doubt this study.
angie123 Jul 25th 2010 2:11PM
Atlanta? Really? I would rather walk to my destination than to ever step foot in that airport.
robyn Jul 25th 2010 2:14PM
I have flown through Oslo a handful of times. Not a fan. It is not that big from my experience but it is not set-up the best. I like Dusseldorf, Germany Airport.
Atlanta, uhhgggg, I avoid that airport at all costs. When flying to and from Europe I would select nearly any airport in the states BESIDES Atlanta, LA, and Chicago.
Donnie Jul 25th 2010 7:50PM
I just moved back from Stavanger, Norway after being there for two and a half years and the airport in Oslo ranks number 2 on my worst list of airports as for efficiency. I have to agree that Dusseldorf, Germany Airport. number 1 on my list.
GB Jul 25th 2010 2:25PM
In small US category, Regional Southwest Airport in Ft Myers Florida has to be the best...
Linda Jul 25th 2010 2:44PM
LOVE RSW!!
marie Jul 25th 2010 2:28PM
NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER FLY OUT OF PHILADELPHIA. WE HAD A THREE HOUR DELAY. AND NEVER FLY AA IT SUCKS. I GOT STUCK IN CHICAGO FOR 6 HOURS AND MISSED ALL MY CONNECTIONS TO ALASKA DUE TO LACK OF PERSONAL IN PHILADELPHIA- THE PEOPLE OF AMERICAN AIRLINES DID NOT CARE- REFUSED TO TRY TO HELP ME THEN I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN ANCHORAGE DUE TO MISSING MY FLIGHT TO KING SALMON AND THEY GAVE THE TWO OF USE A BIG $10.00 FOOD COUPON. THE CHEAPEST FOOD ON THE MENUE WAS 11.95. NEVER NEVER NEVER FLY AMERICAN
Pam Jul 25th 2010 2:30PM
I live in the Atlanta area, so that's where I fly out of. I will sometimes opt to drive because it takes about 30-45 minutes to get to the airport. Then I find a place to park (usually offsite), get my bags checked (even if I am already checked in), make it through security (sometimes good, sometimes bad), get on the usually very overcrowded trains, and walk the hundred miles to my gate (never have the closest one). I'm tired just thinking about it. I flew into the Burlington, Vermont airport a few years ago. A ghost town compared to Atlanta. Loved it! I like the Las Vegas airport, but only if I have any money left at the end of my trip and I can feed some more into the slot machines!
maxine Jul 25th 2010 2:47PM
Atlanta is too big to be of any comfort to me. It is about a mile walk to get outside to the shuttle area. Then more chaos to find your shuttle bus among the throngs of people. As a flight attendant if you want to talk big and comforting, I love Munich airport. Clean and efficient and the farmacy is great for finding unique cosmetic items!
KRZZZZ Jul 25th 2010 3:04PM
Bishop Airport in Flint, MI is the best!! Never had a bad experience there. AND, how many airports can you park in the first row? LOL, Bishop is the best!!!
GB Jul 25th 2010 3:43PM
But why would anyone want to be in Flint in the first place???
nobobodysbiznez Jul 25th 2010 3:13PM
ATLANTA?????? WTF made this survey? Atlanta has the worse history of all the U.S. airports. Must be the CEO of Delta that made this survey
Know what the letters D E L T A stand for?
D does
E eventually
L leave
T the
A airport
Ralph Jul 25th 2010 3:10PM
I though Miami was the worst of all untill recently when I had no choice but to fly out of MIA. What a pleasant surprise. The billions spent was well worth the new terminals. Customer service has done a 180 and the shops and restaurants are new and worth the trip. Atlanta is way to big and old.
Newfiegirl Jul 25th 2010 3:33PM
Avoid Atlanta like the plague (and Delta and American). Love Vegas and Denver.
Nancyinaz Jul 25th 2010 3:51PM
I agree with most of the comments I've read here--what are they using to rate these! Atlanta is the worst! I avoid it whenever I can. My daughter had a connection on the same airline and barely made it hustling to her gate with on time aircraft, because the layout is SO bad. I'm a flight attendant, and I avoid it like the plague. If you get in after a certain time at night, the trains actually stop running, and some people have to walk about a mile to get to the baggage area and ground transportation! It's awful! So I can't believe any of this report is true...
D. Bell, RN Jul 25th 2010 3:58PM
Airlines!!!! stop the food and beverage service for flights shorter than 5 hours.
It is annoying, costly and unnecessary. That service may have been needed when we were flying slow, prop planes.
I would suggest not charging for baggage with the deletion of f&b services and the deletion of personnel to process baggage charges.
PS.
Could the " rent-a-security" personnel get some in-service on appearance and people skills?