Terminal high fives
British Airways cabin crew choose their favourite airports
The cabin crew for the UK’S flag carrier fly across the globe from their home at Heathrow’s Terminals 3 and 5, Gatwick South Terminal and London City. So, of course, they see an awful lot of airports overseas. But which are their favourites?
We asked members of BA crew to name their top long-haul terminals…
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bangalore (Bengaluru), India
Justine Goodchild, Inflight Lead: “Kempegowda is my favourite. It brings the outside in – lots of the walls are ‘living’, covered in more than 3,000 species of plants, there are small waterfalls scattered around the airport and the ceilings are finished with bamboo.
“It’s quiet and clean with lovely staff. The whole airport has a serene and calming atmosphere which is relaxing before a long flight. It’s such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city outside.”
Kempegowda flying facts:
■ Achieved global recognition at the 2023 Prix Versailles, with its Terminal 2 (T2) earning the prestigious Special Prize for an Interior and being hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful airports.
■ Recorded 37.2 million passengers in 2023.
BA return flights to Bangalore from £505.
Tampa International Airport (TPA), Florida, USA
Zachary Starr, Customer Service Manager: “Tampa has always been my favourite. It’s nostalgic for me personally, but now the highlight is Phoebe the Flamingo.
“Phoebe is a 21ft-tall sculpture attracting travellers to pose under its giant legs – it’s such a warm welcome to the Sunshine State and never fails to impress.
“I flew a lot from Tampa as a child, and have happy memories of having dinner with my auntie before the journey home. The number of shops and restaurants available before security is quite unusual.”
Tampa flying facts:
■ Named the best large airport in the
US, according to a recent ranking from JD Power.
■ Recorded 21,527,863 passengers in 2023.
BA return flights to Tampa from £385.
Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore
Rebecca Whiting, Cabin Crew : “If I had to pick a favourite airport, it would be Changi in Singapore.
“It feels as though you are outside – there’s an indoor waterfall and a diverse plant selection, but the highlight is the Butterfly Garden housed in Terminal 3 – it’s a hidden paradise with a calming atmosphere, which is muchneeded before a long flight back to London.”
Changi flying facts:
■ Reclaimed its crown as the World’s Best Airport at the 2023 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
■ Between Changi’s four terminals and the Jewel complex, there’s a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, shower facilities, a poolside bar, movie theatres and multiple theme parks for kids, nature enthusiasts and aviation aficionados.
BA return flights to Singapore from £565.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Pennsylvania, USA
William Hammond-blake, Cabin Crew: “The giant 20ft transformer robot on display at Pittsburgh airport makes it one of my favourite destinations.
“It’s called Arch, and it’s made of pieces that look like Pittsburgh bridges, built to celebrate the city’s 250th anniversary.
“It’s always an interesting sight to behold before going through security and flying home.”
Pittsburgh flying facts:
■ Currently undergoing a $1billion renovation set to be completed in
2025.
■ Helen Richey of Mckeesport, a suburb of Pittsburgh, was the first female commercial airline pilot and flew for Central Airlines in the 1930s.
BA return flights to Pittsburgh from £478.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), British Columbia, Canada
Tony Stanley, Inflight Lead: “Vancouver is one of my favourites. Not only is it home to fantastic art and architecture celebrating British Columbia, but it also has a beautiful aquarium on the third level of the International Terminal.
“The aquarium is home to more than 5,000 creatures from eels to starfish – both adults and children are mesmerised by the marine life native to the Canadian province.”
Vancouver flying facts:
■ Welcomed more than 7.1 million passengers from July to September 2023, a 21.7% year-on-year rise and on par with 2019, pre-pandemic.
■ Won the Skytrax Best North
American Airport award in 2007 and 2010 through to 2022, for a record of 12 consecutive years.
BA return flights to Vancouver from £504.
Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado, USA
Nicki Bland, Cabin Crew: “The most fascinating airport has to be Denver.
“My colleagues regaled me with tales as we walked through, and I’ve since done my own research to uncover countless myths and legends connected to the airport.
“There are gargoyles overlooking the baggage claim area and a 32ft blue Mustang with red glowing eyes named Blucifer. It’s certainly an airport like no other!”
Denver flying facts:
■ Four new walkable concourses with 100 total gates due to be added by 2045 to accommodate double the number of passengers passing through the airport compared to today.
■ Now the third busiest in the USA, last June it logged a record 6.7 million passengers.
BA return flights to Denver from £468.
MORE INFO
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BY NIGEL THOMPSON