Travel Writers Pick Their Favorite Airports

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  09.27.06 | 2:09 PM ET

USA Today’s Jayne Clark asks a handful of travel writers about their favorite airports in today’s edition. Among them: The Naked Tourist author Lawrence Osborne, who notes about his favorite, Wamena, Irian Jaya, on the island of New Guinea, “It’s the anti-airport. It has almost no staff. There is no glass in the windows, just naked men in pig fat jumping up and down.” Hmmm. Could be worth a trip just to see that.

Pico Iyer goes with Hong Kong. He writes: “Setting foot in Hong Kong’s new airport was the first time I felt I was stepping into the 21st century: The whole building is so airy and full of light, shaped like a vessel about to take off, that it speaks to me of the modern moment and the idea that a city itself can almost be a plane, made for people from everywhere on their way to everywhere else.”

The others surveyed are Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler, Donna McSherry of Sleeping in Airports fame and Greg Lindsay, who last year spent the better part of a month living in airports for an Advertising Age story.

Nobody picked Dubai, but USA Today also has an interesting story about its airport and how its built to be a destination unto itself. Terry Carter and Lara Dunston write: “Dubai Airport’s terminal area is the kind of oasis Versace might have imagined: Marble floors, towering live palm trees, gold decoration and beautiful mosaics make the airport an enormous, light-filled atrium.”



10 Comments for Travel Writers Pick Their Favorite Airports

Tim 09.28.06 | 12:34 AM ET

I’d still go with the perennial winner in Singapore. They actually make it pleasant to have a long layover. Plus easy public transportation into the city—all too rare around the world. Looking forward to seeing that new Bangkok one opening this week though…

Hunter Cashdollar 09.28.06 | 11:03 AM ET

I agree with Tim - Singapore’s great.  But I don’t like the choice of food there - subway, popeye’s.  Hunter Cashdollar

Jamal Panhwar 09.28.06 | 5:22 PM ET

Dubai Airport probably was not picked because the general travellers to Dubai are usually not mainly looking forward to an airport secondly It is a Muslim country so a lot is different or unexpected.

Flower 09.29.06 | 3:37 AM ET

Also, Dubai is one of the richest places in the world, and an airport that is so opulent is impressive, but never feels like home, not even close, that’s why i think people didn’t vote for it.

Lara Dunston 11.18.06 | 8:29 PM ET

As a travel writer who continually passes through the world’s best airports, I was astounded Dubai wasn’t chosen as a favorite. It’s certainly one of my faves; it now leaves Singapore and Hong Kong for dead (although Hong Kong’s food is better!). Dubai airport has fabulous 24 hour shopping (unlike Singapore) and lots of bargains; great coffee shops and a good range of eateries and bars; very comfortable airport lounges; and lots of beds to lie back on in between flights. Admittedly it’s now very crowded most of the time - we’re all looking forward to the opening of the new Dubai terminal, and the new airport at Jebel Ali.

shopsflower 06.10.07 | 4:54 AM ET

Agree with you about Dubai. With so much to see there if only we could have seen the place without the crowds. Wonderful.

Flowers 08.09.07 | 1:11 PM ET

As a londoner I’m shocked!  Where are the great Heathrow and Gatwick mentioned? :-)

He he, with all this news lately about Heathrow being so bad it’s actually affecting tourism I had no idea an airport could be a destination in itself.  I’m getting me to Dubai to check this out.  Now, to see about that 7 star hotel while I’m at it too…

Wedding Photographer Cambridge 11.11.07 | 3:50 AM ET

Stanstead for me. Its where I go and its local. A lovely airport. So much glass.

GREETING CARD ENVELOPES 03.21.08 | 3:15 PM ET

Luton, just because you can be outside very quickly after landing!

baby t shirt 05.15.08 | 5:55 PM ET

Stanstead, modern shape and of course they are getting a new runway soon!

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