Most Powerful City in the West.....Not Named Los Angeles San Francisco or Seattle (compared, place)

[BlueRedTide]

Originally Posted by :-D

I think Phoenix and Denver are the two, so I agree with the poll thus far. Not sure about Denver but from my anecdotal experience Phoenix does have a global recognition even in third world countries. Not sure if Phoenix has an "influence" though so to speak. Phoenix's economy doesn't have any specialization or niches and I think that's what Phoenix needs to really bring up the influence. I think Phoenix could be more influential in terms of economics, very easily.

Really? for what?....people in Bangladesh know about Phoenix??

[BlueRedTide]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Wayward Pines, ID

Uhhhh what. Is this suppose to be funny

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by BlueRedTide

Really? for what?....people in Bangladesh know about Phoenix??

In Cambodia... and in the very poor parts of Malaysia (so not Kuala Lumpur). They know it as a big city in the desert with all the cacti! Haha

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by :-D

In Cambodia... and in the very poor parts of Malaysia (so not Kuala Lumpur). They know it as a big city in the desert with all the cacti! Haha

I had a simar experience in parts of South America they all knew what Phoenix was, or atleast that it was a big hot city with Cowboys and cacti

[RadicalAtheist]

I find this third/developing world-wide PHX recognition to be shocking! I will say that PHX is definitely underrated (or not rated at all, really) on this subforum.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

I had a simar experience in parts of South America they all knew what Phoenix was, or atleast that it was a big hot city with Cowboys and cacti

Yep! I heard all about the Wild West! This was coming from tribal villages in the island of Borneo who had no electricity... Not sure how they heard about it but they did some how!

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by RadicalAtheist

I find this third/developing world-wide PHX recognition to be shocking! I will say that PHX is definitely underrated (or not rated at all, really) on this subforum.

If you read my other posts I am not a big Phoenix homer (would not even call myself a homer)... I try to be as realistic as possible. But on C-D and even outside of C-D it is very underrated. All of the good things about Phoenix are sort of hard to see which is good because it is keeping our COL manageable because we aren't becoming the new "fad" city to live in, one thing that Phoenix is doing stellar at. Phoenix might have the best COL out of all the major cities in this country, except for a few select places in Texas

[Calisonn]

Unfortunately Phoenix doesn't have an Eiffel Tower, a Big Ben, or an Astro Dome to bolster its international image.

[Trafalgar Law]

Originally Posted by MilehiDenver

"its global air route network says so)'

What what what????? If you mean airport routes, than SD blows!!!!!!! Denver is FAR SUPERIOR to any other city mentioned for this stat!

Yes, Denver International Airport is more of an economic driver for Denver than is San Diego International Airport for San Diego.

A few key reasons for that; Denver International is United Airlines' hub (one of many), while San Diego International is an independent airport and doesn't have a hub airliner operating service there. It is like Boston in this regard, in fact, operates similarly to Boston's Logan International because it has the same restrictions (fewer runways (San Diego only has one)), close to the city CBD (so intervening flight paths), and the need to acquire foreign flag carriers (since its not a hub).

With that being said, San Diego International and Tijuana International, when put together offer as many routes, possibly more foreign ones, than Denver, Phoenix, and Portland. Tijuana International connects San Diego to every relevant place worth mentioning in Mexico (and then some) plus Shanghai. San Diego International itself has a respectable collection of foreign flag carriers for its size and service destinations.

In regards of where a city can freakin take me in the world, San Diego and Denver are more or less on par, depending on which region of service you prioritize, it can go either way.

SKYTRAX is considered one of the world's foremost authorities on ranking airports based of the quality of service and atmosphere it provides a customer. More user friendly and approachable airport employees and TSA along with beneficial amenities that speed up the process for fliers rank a city's airport well in the world. The ranking system is derived off stars, the highest is a 5-star airport, which America has none.

World Airport Quality Rating | SKYTRAX

4-Stars:
- Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport

3-Stars:
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- Boston Logan International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Houston George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- New York John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Notice something? When it comes to quality customer experience, amenities, offerings, and services -- Denver, like San Diego, like Phoenix, and like Portland is not seen on the list. That is because all of these cities are more or less in the same general tier in regards to airport service destinations and amenities, Denver hasn't separated itself from the pack yet.

Yes, Denver International is impressive and I fully expect it to be a beast of an airport in regards to traffic statistics and hub activities for generations and years to come, but it still needs some more improvements, obviously.

[MilehiDenver]

No, sd is not on par with DIA for where you can fly! Not even close. Your good at digging up stuff it appears. Dig up how many routes each offers and post it! Not even close!

As for the quality list. Hmm. I have read that list before. Not sure what criteria they use. But I have flown into Cincinnati and SFO before. In no way shape or form are they nicer or offer more than DIA. Not really sure how they come up with those ratings. But yes, I have read that the Cincy airport at least shows up on it quite often. Not sure why though!