Airports of the World; The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Even before I embarked on my latest adventure, I spent a respectable percentage of my adult life inside terminals, on jetways and in window seats, so I’ve become quite picky when it comes to airports. Knowing I have a long layover in advance is one thing; back in the states I would often plan to stop in Atlanta just so I could visit the Chick-Fil-A. These days, I also coordinate layovers based on comfort in the event of a cancelled or drastically delayed flight. Getting stuck in an airport without WiFi or adequate electrical outlets is a nightmare – one I try to avoid at all costs.

The Best Airports Have:

Free WiFi
Quality sleeping benches inside and outside of security
Late-night restaurant options
Ample electrical outlets and charging stations

JFK, New York City (Terminal 5)

Terminal 5 is a glorious marvel of airport architecture. People with brains thought this place up, and I give them big props. Once when trapped there for nine hours, I checked out every shop, ordered food from the touch screens at the gate and blissfully blogged the whole adventure via free lightning fast WiFi. T1 could learn so much from T5’s hallowed halls. The big downside here is that you almost always end up sitting on the runway for 45 minutes waiting for your turn to take off, and the food is pricey. A

SIN – Singapore

Changi Airport is consistently rated as one of the best of the best in the world, and after my recent nine-hour layover, I see why. Free WiFi, comfy seats, easy luggage storage, showers – you name it, Changi’s got it when it comes to traveler comfort. A

ATL – Atlanta, Georgia

Chick-Fil-A. That’s really all you need to know about Atlanta. Oh, and there’s free WiFi, plenty of cozy, armless chairs to stretch out on and amazing private workstations with outlets. Downsides include being the world’s busiest airport and the fact that restaurants aren’t open late enough. Once RaeRae & I were delayed, then rescheduled, then cancelled one night and since there were no hotels left, we were left to sleep in the terminal. Delta gave us $7 vouchers for food since we’d been stuck on the runway for three hours, but at 2 a.m., nothing was open. B+

JAX – Jacksonville, Fla.

I would be a real jerk if I didn’t mention my hometown’s beautiful, bright, shiny airport. Since the Super Bowl a few years ago, the airport has seen quite a few improvements and now has a spa to go along with updated restaurant options. Security lines are never very long and the waiting area is decked out with rocking chairs and beachy colors, which lets me know immediately that I’m home. The only problem – unless you’re coming to Jacksonville on purpose, you probably won’t connect here. A-

BNE – Brisbane, Australia

Brissie’s international terminal was an absolute pleasure to sleep in. Tucked away in a corner and facing floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the runway are fully flat, padded benches, so with earplugs and an eye mask, I slept like a baby. Coffee shops and select restaurants were open late, so I had one last chai tea latte before turning in. Much to Brissie’s detriment – there’s no free WiFi, but they do have little Internet kiosks for brief visits (very handy because I forgot to print out proof of onward travel for my Bali trip). B

CDG – Paris

I’ve flown in and out of CDG several times without incident, but the one time I planned to shack there overnight, I was royally hosed and nearly went home with a random Air France employee. Read about ithere. C+

NAS – Nassau, Bahamas

As many times as I flew through Lynden Pindling International Airport for work trips, I eventually adapted to the yellow lighting, uncomfy chairs, nasty food options and pay WiFi. Suspiciously just after I quit, a gorgeous new terminal opened and it’s getting amazing buzz online. I can’t wait to go back and check it out. All reports indicate NAS will be moving up to the list in no time! C-

PVG – Shanghai, China

Even though Shanghai boasts free WiFi, that does little good when Facebook & Twitter are both blocked and monitored by the government. Food options are pretty limited; I personally couldn’t stomach eel during my 6 a.m. transfer so I had fried chicken wings and fries… a suitable alternative for a Southern girl. On the upside, there are plenty of gift shops where you can buy panda souvenirs for your grandma. D

LHR – London

Heathrow is dated and the security lines are bloody hours long. The upside: it makes me think of Love Actually. C-

MIA – Miami, Florida

When flying to The Bahamas Out Islands for work, I could choose to connect through either Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Guess where I never, ever went if I could help it? MIA.

Miami has lost my luggage more than once and since it’s such a huge gateway to South & Central America, the customs/immigration lines are forever long. I don’t even know if MIA has WiFi… I’m usually too busy crying to customer service to spend time on Facebook. F