TRAVEL BLOG
Friday, April 11, 2008
Tiger Airways Terminal - Melbourne Airport
Location: Melbourne - Australia Date: 28 Feb 2008
Tiger Airways Australia has its home base at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. A budget airline like Tiger would seemingly be more suitable for Melbourne's other airport, Avalon, which is operating as a secondary low cost airport on the European model. Tiger have their own budget terminal at Tullamarine (terminal 4), separate from the main 3 terminals.
Tiger Airways Arrivals - Melbourne Airport
The Tiger terminal is set up to save costs rather than to pamper flyers. An airport spokesperson described the terminal as more like a railway station.
There are no aerobridges at this terminal so pasengers have to walk across the tarmac to and from the plane. When my flight landed the plane went to the end of the building then turned around so as the nose was pointing away from the terminal building. I presume they did this to save the cost of having the aircraft towed out from the terminal.
Tiger Airways Tullamarine
The arrivals hall is basically a shed built in a carpark and most of the walls are wire fencing. I don't have a problem with that if it's saving costs, but it does have an air of temporariness about it, which is not the message to be sending when trying to establish a new airline.
The most peculiar feature of the arrivals hall is the baggage carousel. The wall between the carousel and where the bags are unloaded is a wire fence, so you get to see the bags being unloaded from the trolley. There are some things in life you should never see, and seeing your bags being unloaded by baggage handlers is one of them. I prefer the mystery of waiting at the baggage belt, looking at each bag coming out of the hole. Instead here we get to see a couple of guys chucking the bags onto the belt. It is worse if you can actually see that your bag is on the bottom of the pile. I don't mind the budget hall, just please brick up or put a tarpaulin up to cover the baggage unloading.
Tiger Airways Baggage Carousel
Melbourne Airport was recently voted in the world's top five best airports for its size. This voted would not have included the new budget terminal. Other than the baggage carousel, I'm all for this terminal. It is good for Australia to at last have more than two domestic airlines operating on the continent (counting Jetstar and Qantas as one and the same).
Tiger Airways Australia has its home base at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. A budget airline like Tiger would seemingly be more suitable for Melbourne's other airport, Avalon, which is operating as a secondary low cost airport on the European model. Tiger have their own budget terminal at Tullamarine (terminal 4), separate from the main 3 terminals.
Tiger Airways Arrivals - Melbourne Airport
The Tiger terminal is set up to save costs rather than to pamper flyers. An airport spokesperson described the terminal as more like a railway station.
There are no aerobridges at this terminal so pasengers have to walk across the tarmac to and from the plane. When my flight landed the plane went to the end of the building then turned around so as the nose was pointing away from the terminal building. I presume they did this to save the cost of having the aircraft towed out from the terminal.
Tiger Airways Tullamarine
The arrivals hall is basically a shed built in a carpark and most of the walls are wire fencing. I don't have a problem with that if it's saving costs, but it does have an air of temporariness about it, which is not the message to be sending when trying to establish a new airline.
The most peculiar feature of the arrivals hall is the baggage carousel. The wall between the carousel and where the bags are unloaded is a wire fence, so you get to see the bags being unloaded from the trolley. There are some things in life you should never see, and seeing your bags being unloaded by baggage handlers is one of them. I prefer the mystery of waiting at the baggage belt, looking at each bag coming out of the hole. Instead here we get to see a couple of guys chucking the bags onto the belt. It is worse if you can actually see that your bag is on the bottom of the pile. I don't mind the budget hall, just please brick up or put a tarpaulin up to cover the baggage unloading.
Tiger Airways Baggage Carousel
Melbourne Airport was recently voted in the world's top five best airports for its size. This voted would not have included the new budget terminal. Other than the baggage carousel, I'm all for this terminal. It is good for Australia to at last have more than two domestic airlines operating on the continent (counting Jetstar and Qantas as one and the same).
Labels: airport, melbourne, tiger airways
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Saturday, April 05, 2008
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal
Location: Singapore Airport - Singapore Date: 27 Feb 2008
Singapore Changi Airport is world renown for its award winning facilities. It is the home of Singapore Airlines and it is a major air travel hub of Asia.
Budget airlines though are not interested in such facilities that add to the cost of a cheap flight. To cater for the low cost airlines of Asia that might not otherwise consider Changi's gold plated airport, Singapore Airport opened a budget terminal in March 2006 to accommodate budget airlines.
The Budget Terminal is separate from the main terminals (1 to 3) and to get there you need to get a shuttle bus which departs from the basement of Terminal 2.
Singapore Budget Terminal Shuttle
A tip for budget travellers. There is a supermarket in the lower level of Terminal 2. This is the first time I have seen a supermarket at an airport, which is great if you just want to buy some fruits or a snack instead of buying a meal at an airport restaurant.
Singapore Airport Supermarket
Budget Terminal
The budget terminal looks exactly like what a budget terminal should look like - a great big tin shed with every unnecessary expense spared.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal
The check-in area is simple and spacious and there is a cafe inside the departure hall as well. The Budget Terminal is currently being used by Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific, and like other budget terminals around the world there is no transfer facility to other airlines.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal - Departures
Budget Terminal - Airside
The facilities on the airside are surprisingly good considering how sparse the outside looks. There are the usual duty free shops as well as cafes and a 7Eleven. I needn't have worried about getting food at the supermarket as there is also a noodle shop selling cheap bowls of noodles. Cheap like normal prices and not ridiculous airport prices.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal - Airside
Budget Terminal 7Eleven
For the smokers there is a boxed in outdoor section.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Outdoor Smoking
Internet
The Singapore Budget Terminal has internet facilities that puts most other airports to shame. There are computer terminals with free internet access as well as a workbench for laptop users.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Laptop Zone
Each workspace has its own power board with power sockets for most power plug types. There is no wireless but there is a cable provided to plug into your laptop for internet access.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Laptop Zone Powerboard
Singapore Changi Airport is world renown for its award winning facilities. It is the home of Singapore Airlines and it is a major air travel hub of Asia.
Budget airlines though are not interested in such facilities that add to the cost of a cheap flight. To cater for the low cost airlines of Asia that might not otherwise consider Changi's gold plated airport, Singapore Airport opened a budget terminal in March 2006 to accommodate budget airlines.
The Budget Terminal is separate from the main terminals (1 to 3) and to get there you need to get a shuttle bus which departs from the basement of Terminal 2.
Singapore Budget Terminal Shuttle
A tip for budget travellers. There is a supermarket in the lower level of Terminal 2. This is the first time I have seen a supermarket at an airport, which is great if you just want to buy some fruits or a snack instead of buying a meal at an airport restaurant.
Singapore Airport Supermarket
Budget Terminal
The budget terminal looks exactly like what a budget terminal should look like - a great big tin shed with every unnecessary expense spared.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal
The check-in area is simple and spacious and there is a cafe inside the departure hall as well. The Budget Terminal is currently being used by Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific, and like other budget terminals around the world there is no transfer facility to other airlines.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal - Departures
Budget Terminal - Airside
The facilities on the airside are surprisingly good considering how sparse the outside looks. There are the usual duty free shops as well as cafes and a 7Eleven. I needn't have worried about getting food at the supermarket as there is also a noodle shop selling cheap bowls of noodles. Cheap like normal prices and not ridiculous airport prices.
Singapore Airport Budget Terminal - Airside
Budget Terminal 7Eleven
For the smokers there is a boxed in outdoor section.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Outdoor Smoking
Internet
The Singapore Budget Terminal has internet facilities that puts most other airports to shame. There are computer terminals with free internet access as well as a workbench for laptop users.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Laptop Zone
Each workspace has its own power board with power sockets for most power plug types. There is no wireless but there is a cable provided to plug into your laptop for internet access.
Singapore Budget Terminal - Laptop Zone Powerboard
Labels: airport, changi, singapore
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Thursday, March 27, 2008
Koh Samui Airport
Location: Koh Samui - Thailand Date: 24 Feb 2008
Samui Airport (USM) is the airport of Koh Samui, serving domestic and international destinations. Samui Airport is a privately owned airport, built and owned by Bangkok Airways.
Samui Airport
Ticket Office
Bangkok Airways bills itself as a boutique airline and the airport feels more like a tropical hotel resort than an airport. Samui Airport was listed 4th Best Airport in the Smart Travel Asia 2006 online poll.
Departure Lounge
The airport has 2 terminals (Domestic and International) and is opened planned. There are no wall as such, so the tropical air circulates freely in the terminal and you can see the gardens and runway nearby.
The departure lounge features comforts that you would usually associate with alliance lounges at big airports. There is a Courtesy Corner with free coffee and snacks, and complimentary newspaper stand. There is also a free internet corner (but no wireless).
Courtesy Corner
Newspaper Rack
The toilets are great. You have to go in even if you don't need to just to see the tropical fish tanks.
Tropical Fish Tank - Mens Toilet
Boutique Toilet
When your flight is ready you are transferred to your plane via a tropical transfer bus.
Transfer Bus
Samui is a great airport if you have become too accustomed to the drudgery of low cost airline terminals, which are often not much more than a tin shed. It adds a touch of class to flying which was lost, well decades ago. The high landing costs for other airlines though is probably why there aren't as many airlines flying into Samui.
Samui Airport is currently used by Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Berjaya Air and Firefly.
Samui Airport (USM) is the airport of Koh Samui, serving domestic and international destinations. Samui Airport is a privately owned airport, built and owned by Bangkok Airways.
Samui Airport
Ticket Office
Bangkok Airways bills itself as a boutique airline and the airport feels more like a tropical hotel resort than an airport. Samui Airport was listed 4th Best Airport in the Smart Travel Asia 2006 online poll.
Departure Lounge
The airport has 2 terminals (Domestic and International) and is opened planned. There are no wall as such, so the tropical air circulates freely in the terminal and you can see the gardens and runway nearby.
The departure lounge features comforts that you would usually associate with alliance lounges at big airports. There is a Courtesy Corner with free coffee and snacks, and complimentary newspaper stand. There is also a free internet corner (but no wireless).
Courtesy Corner
Newspaper Rack
The toilets are great. You have to go in even if you don't need to just to see the tropical fish tanks.
Tropical Fish Tank - Mens Toilet
Boutique Toilet
When your flight is ready you are transferred to your plane via a tropical transfer bus.
Transfer Bus
Samui is a great airport if you have become too accustomed to the drudgery of low cost airline terminals, which are often not much more than a tin shed. It adds a touch of class to flying which was lost, well decades ago. The high landing costs for other airlines though is probably why there aren't as many airlines flying into Samui.
Samui Airport is currently used by Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Berjaya Air and Firefly.
Labels: airport, bangkok airways, koh samui, thailand
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Friday, January 18, 2008
The World's Best Airport Names
Nepal have announced plans to name an airport after Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay. Lukla airport will become Tenzing-Hillary airport.
It is a common tradition worldwide to name an airport after a local hero. Here is a list of some of the best airport names in the world.
UK
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
An obvious choice for Liverpool, though Paul probably thought he should get the honour. A small consolation prize to John for being the first Beatle to die.
- George Best Belfast City Airport.
A name that wouldn't mean much in the US, but in the rest of the world where football is followed he is known as one of the greats of the game. He was also one of the worlds first celebrity footballers. A man's man, he was just as well known for his off-field antics as a hard drinking playboy.
- Robin Hood Airport Doncaster/Sheffield
This airport name raised controversy as Robin Hood is more often associated with Nottingham. It turns out that Robin Hood was not from Nottinghamshire but from South Yorkshire. Nottingham is served by the prosaically named East Midlands Airport.
Europe
Why is Italy shaped like a shoe? Because there is too much stuff to fit in a shoe. It is also overflowing with famous people to name airports after. The best Italian airport names:
- Rimini Federico Fellini International Airport
- Rome Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport
- Venice Marco Polo International Airport
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
- Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport
- Saint-Exupéry International Airport Lyon France
Saint-Exupéry was best known for his childrens book The Little Prince. He was also, appropriately, an Aviator.
- Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa Albania
Mother Teresa was Albanian. Who knew? I don't think I ever stopped to think about where Mother Teresa was from.
- Franz Josef Strauss International Airport Munich Germany
- Alexander the Great Airport Kavala Greece
- Krakow John Paul II International Airport Poland
- Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport Poland
- WA Mozart Salzburg Airport Austria
- Malaga Airport Spain
Half points to Malaga for their terminal named after Pablo Picasso (terminal 2).
U.S.A
In the USA they love to name things after Presidents, including airports:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport VA
- Houston George Bush Airport TX
- Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Springfield IL
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport Grand Rapids MI
Kennedy has two airports named after him:
- John F Kennedy International (JFK) New York NY
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport Ashland WI
The US also has an interesting selection of airports named after entertainers:
- Bob Hope Airport Burbank CA
- John Wayne Airport Orange County CA
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport LA
- Indiana County-Jimmy Stewart Airport Indiana PA
- Will Rogers World Airport Oklahoma City OK
Airport Name Suggestions
Australia is lacking in good airport names. While Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport is fittingly named after a pioneering aviator (who was actually from Brisbane), the rest of Australia's airports aren't doing their job to showcase Australia's favourite Sons and Daughters. Perhaps Brisbane could get the ball rolling with Steve Irvin Brisbane International Airport.
In Europe Belgium is often mocked for not having any famous people. Brussels is home to Herge, who created one of the worlds most famous cartoon characters - Tintin. Brussels International could become Tintin International, which would be appropriate as he was always trotting around the globe.
America has a good selection of airport names but there are some glaring omissions. Can you believe Memphis International Airport is not named Elvis Presley Memphis International Airport. It would thus become Elvis International for short, a name that rolls off the tongue as smoothly as New York's JFK. And like JFK everyone would know where Elvis International is without having to mention the city name. The only problem might be that Tupelo Regional Airport might have something to say about the name, seeing Elvis was born in Tupelo.
Most people know that Jim Morrison lived in LA and died in Paris, but did you know he was born in Melbourne Florida. A great opportunity for their no name airport.
Seattle has a small airport named after Boeing - Boeing Field - and it would be wrong not to. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport remains nameless. I propose Jimi Hendrix International Airport.
LAX Los Angeles International has no name. Perhaps they have too many names to choose from. Do you have a suggestion for a name for LAX, or any other airport in the world?
It is a common tradition worldwide to name an airport after a local hero. Here is a list of some of the best airport names in the world.
UK
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
An obvious choice for Liverpool, though Paul probably thought he should get the honour. A small consolation prize to John for being the first Beatle to die.
- George Best Belfast City Airport.
A name that wouldn't mean much in the US, but in the rest of the world where football is followed he is known as one of the greats of the game. He was also one of the worlds first celebrity footballers. A man's man, he was just as well known for his off-field antics as a hard drinking playboy.
- Robin Hood Airport Doncaster/Sheffield
This airport name raised controversy as Robin Hood is more often associated with Nottingham. It turns out that Robin Hood was not from Nottinghamshire but from South Yorkshire. Nottingham is served by the prosaically named East Midlands Airport.
Europe
Why is Italy shaped like a shoe? Because there is too much stuff to fit in a shoe. It is also overflowing with famous people to name airports after. The best Italian airport names:
- Rimini Federico Fellini International Airport
- Rome Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport
- Venice Marco Polo International Airport
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
- Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport
- Saint-Exupéry International Airport Lyon France
Saint-Exupéry was best known for his childrens book The Little Prince. He was also, appropriately, an Aviator.
- Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa Albania
Mother Teresa was Albanian. Who knew? I don't think I ever stopped to think about where Mother Teresa was from.
- Franz Josef Strauss International Airport Munich Germany
- Alexander the Great Airport Kavala Greece
- Krakow John Paul II International Airport Poland
- Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport Poland
- WA Mozart Salzburg Airport Austria
- Malaga Airport Spain
Half points to Malaga for their terminal named after Pablo Picasso (terminal 2).
U.S.A
In the USA they love to name things after Presidents, including airports:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport VA
- Houston George Bush Airport TX
- Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Springfield IL
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport Grand Rapids MI
Kennedy has two airports named after him:
- John F Kennedy International (JFK) New York NY
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport Ashland WI
The US also has an interesting selection of airports named after entertainers:
- Bob Hope Airport Burbank CA
- John Wayne Airport Orange County CA
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport LA
- Indiana County-Jimmy Stewart Airport Indiana PA
- Will Rogers World Airport Oklahoma City OK
Airport Name Suggestions
Australia is lacking in good airport names. While Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport is fittingly named after a pioneering aviator (who was actually from Brisbane), the rest of Australia's airports aren't doing their job to showcase Australia's favourite Sons and Daughters. Perhaps Brisbane could get the ball rolling with Steve Irvin Brisbane International Airport.
In Europe Belgium is often mocked for not having any famous people. Brussels is home to Herge, who created one of the worlds most famous cartoon characters - Tintin. Brussels International could become Tintin International, which would be appropriate as he was always trotting around the globe.
America has a good selection of airport names but there are some glaring omissions. Can you believe Memphis International Airport is not named Elvis Presley Memphis International Airport. It would thus become Elvis International for short, a name that rolls off the tongue as smoothly as New York's JFK. And like JFK everyone would know where Elvis International is without having to mention the city name. The only problem might be that Tupelo Regional Airport might have something to say about the name, seeing Elvis was born in Tupelo.
Most people know that Jim Morrison lived in LA and died in Paris, but did you know he was born in Melbourne Florida. A great opportunity for their no name airport.
Seattle has a small airport named after Boeing - Boeing Field - and it would be wrong not to. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport remains nameless. I propose Jimi Hendrix International Airport.
LAX Los Angeles International has no name. Perhaps they have too many names to choose from. Do you have a suggestion for a name for LAX, or any other airport in the world?
Labels: airport
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Last Second Books at Gatwick
Novel Idea book vending machine at a departure gate at London Gatwick, and none of them by Grisham or Brown.
Novel Idea book vending Gatwick
Novel Idea book vending Gatwick
Labels: airport, books, england, gatwick, london
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Monday, November 12, 2007
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
I always feel a sense of shame on behalf of British Airports whenever I pass through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and I'm not even British! Poor old Heathrow. I want it to be the world class airport it should be but it doesn't stand a chance when compared to Schiphol.
Schiphol is a large gateway airport that is modern and relatively easy to find your way around. There is a State Railway station under the airport with regular trains only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Sunrise at Schiphol
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol
If you can't bear the though of leaving Europe then this is your last chance saloon. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol is located in the area behind the passport control between the E and F Pier.
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol
Holland Casino Schiphol
An airport with its own casino.
Holland Casino Schiphol
Wireless Internet
This is the chink in the armour for Schiphol. There is no free wireless here - you have to pay an exorbitant amount. This is a European wide problem though (Shannon Airport in Ireland is the only place that I have used so far that have free wireless).
Wireless internet price list at Amsterdam Schiphol
Schiphol is a large gateway airport that is modern and relatively easy to find your way around. There is a State Railway station under the airport with regular trains only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Sunrise at Schiphol
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol
If you can't bear the though of leaving Europe then this is your last chance saloon. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol is located in the area behind the passport control between the E and F Pier.
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol
Holland Casino Schiphol
An airport with its own casino.
Holland Casino Schiphol
Wireless Internet
This is the chink in the armour for Schiphol. There is no free wireless here - you have to pay an exorbitant amount. This is a European wide problem though (Shannon Airport in Ireland is the only place that I have used so far that have free wireless).
Wireless internet price list at Amsterdam Schiphol
Labels: airport, amsterdam, heathrow, netherlands, schiphol
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Friday, November 02, 2007
Getting to Luxembourg
Luxembourg airport is 6km from the city. It is the home base for Luxair, the national flag carrier airline. There are flights from London by British Airwaysg(17066602)a(392360))
and VLM Airways.
The airport is a small regional airport so I was surprised to see 747's at an airport serving a city with a population of just over 75,000 people. These Jumbo's though are cargo airlines.
Luxembourg has positioned itself as a cargo hub and it is one of the worlds busiest. During the day you will see 747 cargo planes flying over the city.
Luxembourg Airport
Train
Luxembourg has its own state railway, CFL. There are direct international services from Brussels, Paris and Trier in Germany.
Gare Centrale Luxembourg
Bus
Luxembourg has international services by Eurolines.
The airport is a small regional airport so I was surprised to see 747's at an airport serving a city with a population of just over 75,000 people. These Jumbo's though are cargo airlines.
Luxembourg has positioned itself as a cargo hub and it is one of the worlds busiest. During the day you will see 747 cargo planes flying over the city.
Luxembourg Airport
Train
Luxembourg has its own state railway, CFL. There are direct international services from Brussels, Paris and Trier in Germany.
Gare Centrale Luxembourg
Bus
Luxembourg has international services by Eurolines.
Labels: airport, bus, luxembourg, train
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Dubai Airport
Dubai Airport (DXB) was recently named the best airport in the Middle East according to Skytrax. The airport is home to Emirates, which accounts for 50 per cent of all flight movements in and out of the airport.
Dubai Airport Duty Free Shopping
It is a spacious airport and easy to get around, despite all the building work going on outside. There is a metro line being constructed out the front and a terminal expansion (which is out of the way of the current operating area).
Dubai Airport Extension
Dubai Airport Arabian Landscaping
As if it wasn't enough to have one great airport, Dubai is currently building a second airport, the Jebel Ali Airport - Dubai International Airport City. Keeping with Dubai's current construction theme, this will be big! 6 parallel runways, 4.5 km in length, each separated by a distance of 800 metres, and of the 6 runways, 4 can be used simultaneously. The Airport City will cover 140 square kilometres.
Dubai Airport Duty Free Shopping
It is a spacious airport and easy to get around, despite all the building work going on outside. There is a metro line being constructed out the front and a terminal expansion (which is out of the way of the current operating area).
Dubai Airport Extension
Dubai Airport Arabian Landscaping
As if it wasn't enough to have one great airport, Dubai is currently building a second airport, the Jebel Ali Airport - Dubai International Airport City. Keeping with Dubai's current construction theme, this will be big! 6 parallel runways, 4.5 km in length, each separated by a distance of 800 metres, and of the 6 runways, 4 can be used simultaneously. The Airport City will cover 140 square kilometres.
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Saturday, September 29, 2007
Big Foot Massage - Singapore Airport
Long haul travel from Australia often means a short stop at the award winning Singapore Changi Airport. I'm here for an hour flying from Melbourne to Dubai with Emirates
.
Changi Airport now have free mechanical foot massages from Big Foot Massage.
Big Foot Massage - Singapore Airport
Changi Airport now have free mechanical foot massages from Big Foot Massage.
Big Foot Massage - Singapore Airport
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Monday, October 23, 2006
The award winning Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport consistently tops the polls in passenger surveys. Here are some features that I like.
Free Internet Terminals
Free internet terminals, and plenty of them as well.
Laptop Desks
Work desks made for laptops with power supply, so no sitting on the floor next to a powerpoint that is meant for a vacuum cleaner. There was no wireless offered by the airport, but I had my mobile phone with me and I was sent a free access code by one of the local mobile phone services.
Transit Lounge
Very comfortable lounges. Just make sure you set an alarm as the temptation to doze off could be hard to resist if you are half way through a long flight.
Free Internet Terminals
Free internet terminals, and plenty of them as well.
Laptop Desks
Work desks made for laptops with power supply, so no sitting on the floor next to a powerpoint that is meant for a vacuum cleaner. There was no wireless offered by the airport, but I had my mobile phone with me and I was sent a free access code by one of the local mobile phone services.
Transit Lounge
Very comfortable lounges. Just make sure you set an alarm as the temptation to doze off could be hard to resist if you are half way through a long flight.
Labels: airport, changi, internet, laptop, singapore
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok
I arrived at Bangkok's new international airport one week after it had opened. Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces Don Mueang International Airport. Suvarnabhumi is the world's second largest single building and airport terminal (Hong Kong International having the biggest).
I had heard of some major delays and other teething problems that you might expect from a newly opened airport. Fortunately by the time I got there everything went smoothly. It was about 40 minutes from the aircraft reaching the terminal to me exiting the building. In all, it was 10 minutes waiting for the plane door to open, 10 minute walk through the terminal, 10 minute wait at passport control, then 10 minutes to collect my bag.
Getting to and from the airport is another matter. I got the AE2 bus service to Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Rd and that took 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was at 7 in the evening. That was 45 minutes on the expressway, then 1 hour of crawling through Bangkok's legendary traffic congestion. This time might be longer during the day, so if you are going to or from the airport, give your self plenty of time.
There is an express train that is being built to service the airport, but this will not be ready for another 2 years. It was due to be ready when the airport opened, but engineering faults have delayed its construction.
I had heard of some major delays and other teething problems that you might expect from a newly opened airport. Fortunately by the time I got there everything went smoothly. It was about 40 minutes from the aircraft reaching the terminal to me exiting the building. In all, it was 10 minutes waiting for the plane door to open, 10 minute walk through the terminal, 10 minute wait at passport control, then 10 minutes to collect my bag.
Getting to and from the airport is another matter. I got the AE2 bus service to Suvarnabhumi-Khao San Rd and that took 1 hour and 45 minutes. This was at 7 in the evening. That was 45 minutes on the expressway, then 1 hour of crawling through Bangkok's legendary traffic congestion. This time might be longer during the day, so if you are going to or from the airport, give your self plenty of time.
There is an express train that is being built to service the airport, but this will not be ready for another 2 years. It was due to be ready when the airport opened, but engineering faults have delayed its construction.
Labels: airport, bangkok, don mueang, suvarnabhumi, thailand
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Saturday, August 13, 2005
Faro Departure Board
Faro Airport Departure Board
Looking at this departure board at Faro Airport you could be forgiven for thinking that this was a domestic airport in the U.K. Indeed The Algarve in the South of Portugal could be renamed the South of England. Out of the 15 flights shown here, 11 are for the U.K, 2 are for Ireland and 2 for other European locations.
Labels: airport, faro, portugal
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