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Seems like there might be a sweet spot for airports. Ones which aren't super big and are either very well maintained or newish.
San Diego, Ontario CA, Raleigh-Durham, San Jose, tampa, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Austin, Richmond etc.
Of those I like San Diego, RDU, and Austin. Haven't been in Richmond in over 20 years so will defer judgement.
MSP is OK, I wouldn't call it a small airport. PHX is poorly managed and just a fiasco every time I fly through there. I think TPA is showing it's age and what a PITA to get in and out of.
I would definitely add PVD to the list of great airports.
1. Good food on the sterile concourse
2. Plenty of seating.
3. Adequate HVAC
4. Clean bathrooms.
5. Love that you can get to and from the parking deck/rental cars in the enclosed sky bridge to stay out of the elements.
6. Luggage hits the carousel fast.
If they'd put a US Airways Club in there I wouldn't use any other New England airport, ever.
Worst--IAD. Huge, long walks even to make simple connections within the C/D terminal...no moving walkways so you end up getting exhausted. Heaven forbid you have to take the NEW skytrain to make an international connection...it's a tiring walk just to get to the freaking station.
Best--none of the US ones stand out honestly...but I would give ALB high marks for cleanliness and convenience (yeah, I know it's small). Internationally, I have yet to come across cleaner, more private restroom stalls than in BRU!
Worst--IAD. Huge, long walks even to make simple connections within the C/D terminal...no moving walkways so you end up getting exhausted. Heaven forbid you have to take the NEW skytrain to make an international connection...it's a tiring walk just to get to the freaking station.
Best--none of the US ones stand out honestly...but I would give ALB high marks for cleanliness and convenience (yeah, I know it's small). Internationally, I have yet to come across cleaner, more private restroom stalls than in BRU!
Best thing about ALB is the announcements telling people to come back to security to claim the oddest items. The last time I was there they were calling for someone to claim "One yellow sock."
Never any lines at RIC/Richmond. The Pilot actually waves goodbye when he takes off with my son when his trip here ends. In fact, they sometimes leave 20 minutes early.
I live right between DCA and RIC. I try to use RIC when possible but since I work in DC it isn't always possible.
First hour of parking at RIC is free as well although I did lose my ticket once and tried to use other methods to prove that I was only parked there for an hour. They stuck it to me for a day and wouldn't listen. I'd bet that I could have convinced someone at DCA. Still not a good enough reason to avoid the airport, but don't lose your parking ticket at RIC!
I think SeaTac and DFW are pretty nice. Easy to navigate and very clean.
LAX was by far the worst. It was like going through a maze trying to get to where we had to board. And most of what I was in looked like I was transported to the early 80s. Very out of date.
CVG, my home airport, is pretty nice as well. They recently updated it. It's a shame how its lost so many flights, though. Used to be the busiest in the country behind ATL.
I think SeaTac and DFW are pretty nice. Easy to navigate and very clean.
LAX was by far the worst. It was like going through a maze trying to get to where we had to board. And most of what I was in looked like I was transported to the early 80s. Very out of date.
CVG, my home airport, is pretty nice as well. They recently updated it. It's a shame how its lost so many flights, though. Used to be the busiest in the country behind ATL.
Agree...I went through there recently, and it's a shadow of its former self. Although I must admit I was never fond of the messy overcrowded Concourse C!
I had a layover at Reagan in DC (from Pittsburgh to Denver.) Worst experience. Aside the fact that it is darka nd outdated, I had to go through security again. I had bought a bottle of shampoo at the airport in Pittsburgh, not knowing I had to go through security again. The TSA were complete jerks about the situation. The layout is terrible. I have no idea how people love that airport. I avoid it like a plague.
Best : all American airports I had layovers in (DFW, Miami,Atlanta , Philadelphia)
Worst : Beauvais private Ryan air (infamous "airline" by the way) "airport" N of Paris. It's in fact a redesigned
army plane shelter. Due to lack of room inside, people wait for planes outside on sitting on the ground on the lawn . And it is completely isolated in the middle of potato fields. No trains, no shuttles, no taxis. Only way of access : the Ryanair - operated buses! (or your own car eventually).
Oh but am I stupid I just read that US infrastructures were 24th in the world, France's 5th! so I guess it's me because of my chip on the shoulder who doesn't want to do justice to that "magnificent" French infrastructure! so much better than American international hubs!
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