Airports can be a living hell for travellers, especially if they are stuck in layover between connecting flights. But, as valid as a traveller’s experience might be, there are some who can claim to be experts on the state of airports.
Pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, ground crew; those who use them for professional reasons have an informed opinion on which is best and which is worst.
It is this category that found its way into the pages of The Independent newspaper in the UK, which printed the 10 worst airports in the world, in no particular order, according to professionals who shared their experience with travellers on the popular discussion website reddit.
LaGuardia, US: “So bad that pilots don’t want to return to it and prefer to land in the Hudson. Crossing runways (one to take-off, one to land), constant ground delays to take-off and to get to the gate. Cramped terminal and just looks outdated.”
Charles de Gaulle Airport, France: “The last time I was there, the only ‘eatery’ available was a Paul’s and a juice stand; neither was open. The entire airport looked like a huge plain of nothing. It has to be the loudest airport in the universe, everything glass and concrete, packed at all times, guaranteed to give you a massive headache.”
Split Airport, Croatia: “I’m sure there are many examples but Split is just a small old airport that is 300 per cent over its max capacity due to recent tourist booms.”
Philadelphia Airport, US: “Philadelphia Airport is godawful. Whose f–king idea was it to put 40 gates in order in one f–king glorified hallway?”
Cancún International Airport, Mexico: “Just an absolute s–t show in every way. The way they just herd three plane-loads of people through one security checkpoint is so disorganised.”
Mykonos Island National Airport, Greece: “Imagine a box. Now imagine a box that has been gutted with zero security and cats running in and out. This airport is literally a circus. I walked through the buzzers and beeped. The security guard just told me to hurry and didn’t bother checking anything. Constant flight delays since it is between two mountains and something to do with the wind. There is a hell on earth and it is Mykonos airport.”
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Italy: “Absolute s–t hole of an airport. Full of people, air conditioning broken down and taxi rank is the loudest, most Italian thing you could imagine.”
Don Muang Airport, Bangkok: “One time late last year, it took me over three hours of standing in line just to check-in my baggage and the whole airport was jam packed with people when I got there at 4am.”
McCarran International Airport, US: “The airport in Las Vegas is a casino that happens to have planes. Considering how much they spend on the city, I totally don’t understand why it’s like that.”
Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland: “Security still believe it’s the ’70s and ’80s in the north. Have to walk through rain, wind and snow to plane. Real embarrassing airport.”
Conversely, most reddit users cited Singapore’s Changi Airport as the best, with free movie theatres, internet, foot massages and gardens.