Each year a number of organizations, publications and authorities publish their listings and awards for the best international airports in the world. The criteria they often use in the judging are a combination of customer satisfaction, amenities, information services, signage, transport, baggage services, delays etc.
But if you happen to be stuck at an airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or some other annoying stumbling block, then other things may be more important to you. For example, you're stranded at an airport for 12 hours during a strike and you've already been flying all day. You don't care about transport or picking up your baggage, but you do want to take a shower, eat a decent meal, take a nap, see a movie, go online, get a massage or have a swim. All these things and more are possible at some of the best airports in the world.
In general, major Asian airports always rate well. Most are relatively new and modern with sleek architectural design, massive shopping centers, a variety of food outlets and some extra special services that make long stays a bit more tolerable. Most also have smoking rooms or outdoor smoking areas for those who cannot possibly last without a cigarette for an extended period.
In 2004, Hong Kong Airport (www.hkairport.com) received the most accolades and awards. The airport features a beauty salon, a shower and relaxation lounge, napping rooms, massage chairs, foot massage facilities, a business center, children's play area, TVs at almost every gate and of course enough duty free stores and boutiques to keep both you and your credit card busy for hours. Some amenities are free, whilst others are pay for use. Day use of the Travelers' Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge is $19 for adults and children over six (children under six are free) for two hours and $32 for up to ten hours. This includes food and beverages, showers, Internet access, international television, newspapers and magazines in a comfortable seating area. Showers are $8, gym usage with showers is $19 and a shower and nap package, including a shower, a two-hour nap in a semi-private room, shower gel, towel, hair dryer and amenities is $25 for adults and $10 for children six to twelve.
Besides Hong Kong Airport, The Travelers' Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge (www.plaza-ppl.com) also manage similar facilities at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Vancouver International Airport.
Don Muang Bangkok Airport (www.bangkok-bkk.com) may not be as visually pleasing or as modern but it does have a number of massage centers, which certainly makes up for the less than average food facilities and shopping options. At the larger massage places, you can even sleep (albeit on mats on the ground for around $18 for four hours. Wireless LAN Internet access is available from hotspots almost anywhere in the airport for a nominal fee of $6 for one hour's access time. There is also a 24-hour Internet caf¿, 24-hours snack bar, games room, beauty salon, sauna, children's play area, a video games room, smoking rooms, and strangely, laundry services. Tropical fruit shops also ensure that you won't be stuck with fast-food alone. The 110 room Louis Tavern Dayrooms Transit Hotel, which is inside the international transit lounge offers rooms for $40 for six hours, which are clean and comfortable with good facilities. You can get a 50% discount if you can show them a Thai Airways ticket.
My personal favorite is still Singapore Changi Airport (www.changi.airport.com.sg), which was for many years the international standard. Among the facilities to be found in its terminals are a supermarket, sports lounge, smoking terrace, a free 24-hour movie theater, massage center, indoor gardens, jacuzzis, and a rooftop swimming pool with sunbaking deck. Massage services and even oxygen therapy start at low rates of $14 and $9 respectively. Napping rooms are $18 for two hours and gym usage with sports attire is priced at $9 (without sports attire it is $6). There are more than 200 free Internet PCs located throughout the two terminals, allowing travelers to surf the Internet and check their e-mails at no cost. Transit/transfer travelers with at least five hours to spare can go on a two and a half hour free sightseeing bus tour of Singapore. Unfortunately Changi does not always have the best selection of food available, especially in the wee hours.
An honorable mention must go to Tokyo Narita Airport (www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/index.html) for its vast array and quality of food. Narita airport's restaurants feature Japanese, Western and Chinese cuisine offering everything from light meals to full-course menus. Other useful amenities include audio/video screening rooms (you can bring your own DVDs or they can supply them), reflexology, massage, hair and nail salons, all at reasonable rates.
Three European airports are worthy of a mention in the context of excellent facilities, albeit often at inflated Euro-inspired prices. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (www.schiphol.nl) has long been regarded as Europe's finest. Some of its more unique features include art exhibits, an oxygen spa, a casino, and free Nintendo games. A shower here though will set you back almost $20 and, as it isn't a 24 hour airport, almost everything closes down by midnight, including food outlets and TV's.
Copenhagen Kastrup Airport has an enormous play area for children in the transit area featuring a play-on airplane where children can crawl on the wings and wiggle through the cabin, giant mural of the international icons, and a fire pole - perfect for keeping the smallest travelers occupied during long transits and unexpected delays. The giant M&M store may be another distraction for adults and children alike.
London Heathrow (www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow) is always an entertaining airport despite the high cost of almost everything and its massive, almost intimidating size. You have to pay for your wireless computer signal here ($12 per hour or $30 for up to 24-hours) as any free transmission is blocked. The shops are excellent and varied and the food outlets offer some surprisingly delicious and healthy alternatives to the fast food nightmare of other airports. Showers are free if you have your own towel, otherwise they are $6.
For US and Canadian airports, www.skyguide.net/reference/amenities.html provides a comprehensive reference website outlining, which airports have spa and massage services, gyms, hair salons, medical clinics, DVD movie and player rentals and even spiritual centers.
Although in theory you cannot realistically plan for delays at airports, if you do have a long lay-over at a particular airport or you are nervous about making connections, you may want to do a little research by visiting individual airports' websites prior to your departure. Sometimes just being in the know can make the difference between a pleasant trip and getting stuck in an airport from hell.
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