Cassandra

I hope this isn't considered too frivolous for this board, but I was thinking about the rocking chairs at Charlotte Airport, which are now showing up elsewhere now -- Phila, I think -- and began to try to put together the perfect airport, using the best attributes of airports I've been in.<BR><BR>What would you take from which airport -- what would your ideal airport look like?

MikeJ

I'd take the ease of getting from counter to gate at DFW, and the concession choices available at O'Hare.

soccr

There's a used bookstore/exchange at RDU airport, at least 'til they take it away.<BR><BR>Agree re: food concessions at ORD -- happy to have airline food disappear IF we can carry-out and carry-on good stuff, but it would have to be available almost around the clock (not open at 10 am AFTER most morning flights have gone).

JamesA

I'd take Singapore Changi and simply copy it! Love that about the 2nd hand bookstore, amazing idea. Trouble is that costs for space at airport are so high! Imagine being able to say buy a book for $5 at an airport and then leave it at another airport, pay $2 and change for another and so on, great idea but it won't happen.

Statia

I've never seen security more well organized than at Orlando International. I was very impressed passing thru there twice this past holiday season.<BR><BR>

Cassandra

On the US board, there's currently a thread about the Charlotte airport and two posters made comments that fit with this thread:<BR><BR>ccolor said: I've only been in the Charlotte airport once for a short time and didn't notice one, but in Atlanta they have an area that rents videos for long layovers. <BR><BR>And MikeJ said: I've always said that someday, someone is going to open a bar/high class billiards hall (small one) in an airport, and make a ton of money. If you're travelling with a friend, what better way to kill a couple of hours

Derek

One poster likes DFW. It may be good for Dallas residents but there is a lot of walking for connecting passengers since airplace line up on only 1 side of the building unlike in Houston Intercontinental, Charlotte, Atlanta, etc. where the concourses are like fingers with planes on both sides.<BR><BR>Charlotte is one of the best hub airports for connecting and local passengers. Parking is cheap, the airport is not too far away, walking distances are manageable. The only thing missing is a subway to the city.

AAFrequentFlyer

I would take the design of Tampa International and make it mandatory for any future airport construction. It's a pleasure to fly in and out of TPA. Since it's my home airport, I'm there about 24 times a year. In most cases I'm in the car going home to Sarasota in less then 15 minutes after the plane doors open. The airport facilities are centralized, and each terminal is connected to the central buliding by it's own train. Once you get to the terminal the walk to the actual gates is no more than 5 minutes, regardless of the gate. And in reverse, once you get to the central bulding from the terminal the car garages and taxi stands are just outside. Love that place.

Statia

Derek,<BR><BR>I agree with you about DFW. Those who use it as their home base airport love it, but those of us traveling thru think it's a nightmare.

Keith

I love getting in and out of Kansas City (MCI). It is about 50 yards from your seat on the plane to the curb!<BR><BR>But it would be a boring place to spend a few hours waiting for a flight.<BR><BR><BR>I like the food choices and shopping at Minneapolis.<BR><BR> Keith

Keith

Oh! And the security check points in KC are great. It must cost the airport a fortuen, but there is a different security check for every 3-5 gates. <BR><BR>There is rarely a line and if there is a line and one of the flights is boarding, someone comes over and moves folks on the flight to the front.<BR><BR>And if someone breaks security they don't have to shut down the airport, just a few gates!<BR><BR> Keith

petlover

The perfect airport would need to make sure there are ample food stations and a smoking lounge INSIDE security. Having to go in and out of security when you're changing planes in an airport is such a waste of time! More than one trip through security should never be necessary, all it does is slow down the process for those first boarding!

GoTravel

I love Charlotte Airport. Not too big and not too small. You can actually walk from one concourse to another unlike Atlanta where you need at least 45 minutes between connections. Charlotte is one of the best airports I've ever been routed through.<BR><BR>Palm Springs has a cool airport. The whole thing is open air except for the gates.

traveller333

The perfect airport would have everything needed within the secured area. It only boggs down the entire process when passengers need to leave the secured area for food, smoking areas, or the like only to return back through security minutes later.