The world's best airports 2005 list- according to a survey conducted by Skytrax, a London based (yes another British survey) airport pax research firm.
Skytrax surveyed 5.5 million pax using 31 criteria, including, airport access, terminal comfort, ambience and cleanliness, immigration wait times and service, terminal signage, friendliness and language skills of airport staff, ease of connections, internet options and entertainment, shopping and dining options. However it should be noted that neither airport sleeping conditions or the volume of airport floor buffers /vacuum cleaners were included in the criteria, which leads me to view the survey's results with a certain amount of skepticism. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
The results
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1 Hong Kong International Airport--this single terminal with floor-to-ceiling windows offers fantastic views of Hong Kong Bay. Efficient pax flow make connections easy. Express transportaion shuttles pax to downtown Hong Kong in 23 minutes, but if you're stuck in the airport it has a beauty salon, extensive tax-fee shopping and the Regal Airport Hotel, rated the best airport hotel in the Asia-Pacific regiion.
--Hmmm wonder if the Regal offers non-rev rates?
2 Singapore Changi International Airport--features a roof top swimming pool, a free 24 hour movie theater and beautiful orchids throughout its two terminals. Known for it's high standards of service efficiency in immigration and security processing areas.
--But do they have a Starbucks?
3 Incheon Inernational Airport--spacious single terminal makes it easy to navigate. Incheon Airport's cleanliness is "almost unmatched" at any other airport in the world. Service ranks high as does the availability of Internet access points throughtout the airport.
4 Munich Airport --well planned airport for the 21st Century. Rated high in speed of pax processing, ease of transfer and short distances between gates-note pax find it "fast" to connect through, possbily because it isn't very crowded yet.
5 Kansai International Airport--highly efficient in processing pax through security and immigration checkpoints. Wi-fi is available throughout the airport, and a five-star hotel is connected to the main terminal.
6 Dubai International Airport--Award winnning duty free shopping, "glitzy layout that portrays an air of luxury and opulence".
7 Kuala Lumpar Interanational Airport--startling architecture, wide open expanses and planted atriums. Airport has a high-speed rail to downtown and an adjacent five-star hotel.
8 Amsterdam Schiphol Airport-- single terminal, easy connecting points, excellent ground connections
9 Copenhagen Airport-- caviar bars, excellent shopping and wooden floors prevail at this airport, which is one of the smallest in Europe.
10 Sydney Airport-- shopping is abundant and transportation to the city is easy. Service is described as "warm, friendly and sincere".
--Sounds to me like Al and Vicki are meeting people at the doors. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Highest rating U.S airport-- Minneapolis-St Paul coming in #20 worldwide.
Entire story here Forbes.com [/list]
Interesting list, but I wonder can a airport really be called "the best" without a Starbucks? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
My favorite airports
1 Hilo (ITO)--It's in Hawaii, it's small, it's in Hawaii, open-air airport, it's in Hawaii, tradewinds, it's in Hawaii.
2 L.A. (LAX)--Why of course...there's no place like home, it has a Starbucks http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Comments
Keep'em flying
Edited to correct spelling and stuff http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
