5 airports that make flying fun
Stopovers provide plenty of pleasing options for travellers
If you’re on a long haul flight, check out connecting airports to see what they offer for passengers in transit. From building design to customer service, the following airports offer passengers a sense of calm, ease — and fun.
1. Hong Kong Airport
I could dash to catch my connecting flight from Vancouver to Phnom Penh, or relax for five hours in Hong Kong Airport. I chose the latter.
Making the most of my business class ticket, I slurped made-to-order noodles from The Wing Lounge’s famous Noodle Bar.
When it was time to freshen up, The Wing has 24 shower suites.
Next, I strolled over to Gate 36 and The Bridge lounge, sidled up to the Long Bar, sipped a G&T and snacked on canapés.
I checked out the ultra-modern Cabin lounge that includes a Health Bar stocked with a huge variety of fruits for smoothies, and hot or cold Chinese herbal teas.
You can also catch a flick in Imax, play a round of golf near Terminal 2, or land a plane (it’s simulated!) at the Aviation Discovery Centre.
2. Seoul: Incheon International Airport
Seoul’s Incheon airport exudes calm, thanks to its architecture, ease of security and immigration and multi-lingual info desks.
This Airport City’s amenities include free showers, luggage storage and excursions into Incheon City. You can get to downtown Seoul on the airport’s rail in under an hour.
It has a cultural centre, museum and hotel, and there’s even more in the works.
3. Singapore Changi Airport
It has won over 500 “world’s best airport” awards since opening. Its five gardens (including a butterfly garden) brings the outside inside.
Kids can play in three playgrounds, while adults and kids alike can glide down a 12-metre high slide.
Take a dip in the rooftop pool, shop more than 80 outlets, watch a movie and check out interactive “flip dot selfie” fun.
And if that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, take a free guided tour of Singapore.
4. Vancouver International Airport
YVR excels in making the customer’s journey easier and friendlier, thanks mainly to YVR Green Coat volunteers.
“When we aren’t travelling, my wife and I meet people from all over the world,” says Larry Ho, one of almost 500 Green Coats.
The Green Coats can converse in 30 languages. Larry speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin, so he’s usually stationed at International Arrivals.
“New immigrants are often bewildered, so I sometimes escort them to the immigration office one floor down,” says Larry.
“About 24,000 people work at our airport, from customs officials to cleaners to food and beverage staff,” says Craig Richmond, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority, “and YVR is constantly improving.
“A yoga relaxation area and a doggie washroom post-security is in the works, and it will soon be completely accessible to people with disabilities.”
Of course, access to downtown has made YVR world-class.
“We spent $300 million on the Canada Line. About 20 per cent of passengers and workers use it, so that takes lots of cars off the road, but we lost a lot of parking revenue,” says Richmond, laughing.
And there are details we likely don’t notice that evoke calm.
“We try to de-stress people by using colours and textures, humorous and whimsical art, and purposely minimize the number of announcements.”
5. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
As I looked blankly at the ticket kiosk, wondering how to get from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Central, a customer service rep asked if she could help. She promptly supplied me with a €4 ticket into the city.
Helpful staff abound: there’s even an airport librarian on Twitter. Schiphol’s library contains art and photo books and videos on Dutch culture (they don’t intend that you stay a few days to finish a thriller).
And a Christmas service is held at the Meditation Centre. In true Dutch spirit, “It makes no difference what religion you belong to, or if you aren’t religious at all,” said the airport chaplain.
With airports like these five, arriving three hours before an international flight isn’t so bad.
Sometimes it’s the journey, not just the destination. It makes sense to make an airport part of a memorable experience.