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Worlds Best Airport

kalaminsa

By kalaminsa
in Suvarnabhumi Airport Forum

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samtam Platinum Member

samtam

Posted
Posted

Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok is the best because it was so well thought out - transport to and from - with all the requisite infrastructure built before it opened, with airport check-in facilities in two downtown locations, which you can do well in advance of your scheduled filght, leaving only a 23 minute train ride direct to the terminal, (arriving on the same level as departures). Arrivals can leave on the same level for arrivals, for trains to the city. It is excellently and immaculately maintained. It has internal underground trains for the gates furtherest away from the main area....need I go on? All of this completed in 1997 (?), nearly 10 years before the mess that sits a swamp here, where all those bits may have been considered, but not considered important enough to incorporate. The reason for that is that those who run the country don't have to bother about these details, just as they will never walk on a pavement in Bangkok....

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think_too_mut Platinum Member

think_too_mut

Posted
Posted (edited)
Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok is the best because it was so well thought out - transport to and from - with all the requisite infrastructure built before it opened, with airport check-in facilities in two downtown locations, which you can do well in advance of your scheduled filght, leaving only a 23 minute train ride direct to the terminal, (arriving on the same level as departures). Arrivals can leave on the same level for arrivals, for trains to the city. It is excellently and immaculately maintained. It has internal underground trains for the gates furtherest away from the main area....need I go on? All of this completed in 1997 (?), nearly 10 years before the mess that sits a swamp here, where all those bits may have been considered, but not considered important enough to incorporate. The reason for that is that those who run the country don't have to bother about these details, just as they will never walk on a pavement in Bangkok....

I wish Narita could get the same accolades.

Clinically clean, efficient (once you get into it) but notoriously inconvenient, to get in and out.

Japanese must be envious...for a reason...Chinese do it better than them.

Edited by think_too_mut
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ercorn Advanced Member

ercorn

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Posted
Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok is the best because it was so well thought out - transport to and from - with all the requisite infrastructure built before it opened, with airport check-in facilities in two downtown locations, which you can do well in advance of your scheduled filght, leaving only a 23 minute train ride direct to the terminal, (arriving on the same level as departures). Arrivals can leave on the same level for arrivals, for trains to the city. It is excellently and immaculately maintained. It has internal underground trains for the gates furtherest away from the main area....need I go on? All of this completed in 1997 (?), nearly 10 years before the mess that sits a swamp here, where all those bits may have been considered, but not considered important enough to incorporate. The reason for that is that those who run the country don't have to bother about these details, just as they will never walk on a pavement in Bangkok....

Well that maybe correct about HK airport but my favourite is still Changi.Hong Kong airport lacks character.

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Creeper Senior Member

Creeper

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I wish Narita could get the same accolades.

Oh how I wish the same, Narita is just a pain in the butt to get to, I guess that's why they have no flights before 9.30 am, cos it's not possible to get there unless going by 200 USD Taxi, I have also been stranded there at night after getting a complete search by customs 12 years ago ( there was a group of 12 Eueopeans in a mess ), no more trains or Bus's to downtown Tokyo!!

Had to sleep in the airport and wait for the first Keisai Line in the morning, but the security staff were very good and didn't mind us geting absolutely hammered on duty free spirits! :o

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lazeeboy Star Member

lazeeboy

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I wish Narita could get the same accolades.

Oh how I wish the same, Narita is just a pain in the butt to get to, I guess that's why they have no flights before 9.30 am, cos it's not possible to get there unless going by 200 USD Taxi, I have also been stranded there at night after getting a complete search by customs 12 years ago ( there was a group of 12 Eueopeans in a mess ), no more trains or Bus's to downtown Tokyo!!

Had to sleep in the airport and wait for the first Keisai Line in the morning, but the security staff were very good and didn't mind us geting absolutely hammered on duty free spirits! :o

hong kong is very good ,but its huge ,long walks for gates can get you a bit tired..............

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Creeper Senior Member

Creeper

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Changi Airport Singapore.

Totally agree.

Hi Mr Toad,

I always liked Changi Airport, then last year 24th December I had to do a Visa run, I had loads of air miles to use so I went Business Class Bkk-Sin-Bkk on Singapore Airlines.

Well, the service was out of this world, the Singapore Airlines business class lounge in Changi airport is fantastic, and I was treated like a VIP on my return flight to Bkk, I know it was Christmas and they had decorations up in the cabin, but that type of service................just don't expect it.

Singapore Airlines......................Great Airline.

Changi Airport Singapore..........Great Airport.

:o

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think_too_mut Platinum Member

think_too_mut

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Well that maybe correct about HK airport but my favourite is still Changi.Hong Kong airport lacks character.

Really, what "character" you want? A sandstone building with statues of lions?

Cnangi and Hong Kong kick ass of Ohare and Heathrow. Possibly, of any western inefficient and trade unions laden pits.

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Creeper Senior Member

Creeper

Posted
Posted (edited)
Well that maybe correct about HK airport but my favourite is still Changi.Hong Kong airport lacks character.

Really, what "character" you want? A sandstone building with statues of lions?

Cnangi and Hong Kong kick ass of Ohare and Heathrow. Possibly, of any western inefficient and trade unions laden pits.

I know where he's coming from @ Think Too Mut...................

I think what it is, is that Changi Airport seems kinda small and comfortable, Hong Kong Feels kinda Huge and impersonal, don't get me wrong, when I was flying Cathay Pacific to Tokyo I had a Ruby card that allowed me access to the lounges, and they are very good indeed, Cathay Pacific is a great Airline.

But......................Compare it with Singapore Airlines Business class' seat or lounge at home port, Singapore Airlines wins by a head, both very very good, but SQ.................something special.

Edited by Creeper
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mrtoad Star Member

mrtoad

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Changi Airport Singapore.

Totally agree.

Hi Mr Toad,

I always liked Changi Airport, then last year 24th December I had to do a Visa run, I had loads of air miles to use so I went Business Class Bkk-Sin-Bkk on Singapore Airlines.

Well, the service was out of this world, the Singapore Airlines business class lounge in Changi airport is fantastic, and I was treated like a VIP on my return flight to Bkk, I know it was Christmas and they had decorations up in the cabin, but that type of service................just don't expect it.

Singapore Airlines......................Great Airline.

Changi Airport Singapore..........Great Airport.

:o

Have flown in and out of that airport so many times with SQ over the last 17 years, and I have to say that I have never ever had a problem with either the airline or the airport. Oh, how I wish BA and Heathrow would learn from them.

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sjaak327 Gold Member

sjaak327

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Changi Airport Singapore.

Totally agree.

I can never figure why Schiphol is always so highly rated though. Yeah, it's okay, but is it really the 7th best?

Of course schiphol is my "home" airport, but I believe it's a great airport, great shopping, great bars, ample smoking areas and quick and easy transfers (it is a transit airport, maybe 75% of passengers are in transit). Also easily reachable by public transport. Parking right next to the terminal.

Munich is 5th, and I use that airport often as well, but it doesn't even come close to Schiphol.

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bendix Platinum Member

bendix

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I havent been to Seoul, but for me Singapore beats HK for two key reasons. Proximity and accessibility, first. I know HK has the express train, but it still usually needs a taxi to get you to a downtown hotel, whereas Changi is just so simple (and occasionally you get lucky and score one of those mercedes taxis). The second reason is immigration. It's very very rare that there isnt a long (albeit well-managed) queue at HK. I don't recall every queuing at Changi.

Plus, Changi has a homelier feel?

OHare and Heathrow. Holy shit. Having used both in the past few months, I'd rate Manila over them, and that's saying something.

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sibeymai Gold Member

sibeymai

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I havent been to Seoul, but for me Singapore beats HK for two key reasons. Proximity and accessibility, first. I know HK has the express train, but it still usually needs a taxi to get you to a downtown hotel, whereas Changi is just so simple (and occasionally you get lucky and score one of those mercedes taxis). The second reason is immigration. It's very very rare that there isnt a long (albeit well-managed) queue at HK. I don't recall every queuing at Changi.

Plus, Changi has a homelier feel?

OHare and Heathrow. Holy shit. Having used both in the past few months, I'd rate Manila over them, and that's saying something.

Don't tell me visitors get mugged in taxis they take from the airport in the UK now as well. :o

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chinthee Gold Member

chinthee

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've been through every one of those top 10, and I agree Changi is the world's best. Schiphol has a similar feel and functionality. I honestly haven't been through some of those in years (again not been to AMS for a few years), but agree Hong Kong, though very good, and I agree it's in the top 3 in Asia, still suffers from long immigration queues. And, agree the train is a bit inconvenient as you have to change to taxi when you reach Kowloon or HK Island.

I'd say Changi #1, then Amsterdam, then lots of them could shoot it out for third.

Edited by chinthee
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samtam Platinum Member

samtam

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And, agree the train is a bit inconvenient as you have to change to taxi when you reach Kowloon or HK Island.

This is a temporary measure until they complete the trains that take you right to your door.

But seriously, the taxi ranking system in the Airport Express is extremely efficient, again something that the "planners" here seemed to decide was an unnecessary add-on that might have made things easier for the traveller.

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chinthee Gold Member

chinthee

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And, agree the train is a bit inconvenient as you have to change to taxi when you reach Kowloon or HK Island.

This is a temporary measure until they complete the trains that take you right to your door.

But seriously, the taxi ranking system in the Airport Express is extremely efficient, again something that the "planners" here seemed to decide was an unnecessary add-on that might have made things easier for the traveller.

I agree. Taxi rank in HK at the Airport express city stations hums like a finely tuned instrument. Similarly in Changi. Step out of customs and quickly and efficiently get a PUBLIC taxi. Such a simple concept. Such a pleasant thing for the traveler. And, some wonder why we criticize Suwannaphoom for hiding the public taxis downstairs?

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samran Star Member

samran

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Out of the box. Not the worlds best, but one of the worlds most convinient.

London city airport. Centre of town. Good connections to the EU (and then onto asia if you like using Euro carriers). Not too busy. Got everything you need there, and the crowds aren't crazy. Got the DLR into town and (suprisingly cheap) car hire.

Coming in, LCY is pretty close to the centre of town. Immigration for a non-EU pleb like me is a breeze, and from the plane to the footpath is approx 15 minutes.

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  • 4 weeks later...
en184 Explorer Member

en184

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Schiphol, zurich and munich are good.

City airport in London is not bad. I did not have to remove my laptop from its case there.

Suvarnabhumi makes me feel like I am in a futuristic place. I think it is a great airport and near to pattaya. Thumbs up for Suvarnabhumi, even though I miss Don Muang. It had a sentimental attachment.

Immigration queue too long at Changi, it is actually quicker to pass immigration at Suvarnabhumi.

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kayo Star Member

kayo

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Good things about schiphol, which I fly through often.

(some of these mentioned by the dutch guy a few posts above (sjaak)

Excellent public transport links.

Excellent organisation (ie: scheduling, ON TIME departures, etc.../links and information between terminals.

Excellent customer service and shopping.

Enough (and clean) toilets everywhere.

Plenty of bars, café's etc....

Casino.

And... finally,

in twenty minutes you can be in a proper DUTCH coffeeshop in the heart of amsterdam, or less than ten minutes if you know where to go.

:o

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