SO YOU think Irish airline passengers have it bad? A new survey by Foreign Policy magazine lists the world's five worst airports, and the good news is Ireland doesn't get a look-in.
Included in the list of negatives which contribute to a bad airport are long queues, poor food, lack of internet access and long walks to departure gates.
According to the survey, airports to be avoided are Dakar in Senegal; New Delhi in India; Mineralnye Vody in Russia; Baghdad International in Iraq and Charles De Gaulle in Paris.
The author of the survey, Blake Hounshell, says the list is not intended as a scientific presentation, but more of an overview of some facilities that fall well short of traveller expectations.
At the other end of the spectrum, a good airport is one that gets passengers to where they need to go as efficiently as possible and has a "really good ground game", says Blake Hounshell.
He lists Schiphol in Amsterdam and Heathrow in London as examples of efficient airports. "For anyone using British Airways through terminal four at
Heathrow, it's usually a good experience. Schiphol is a fantastic airport.
It is efficient, clean, has great lighting and a great choice of food," he says.
Schiphol also benefits from a well-planned infrastructure, taking just 19 minutes by train to get into the centre of Amsterdam. According to Hounshell, Frankfurt is also good. "It's pretty ugly to look at but it gets you from A to B efficiently and without fuss. And at the end of the day that's all any of us are looking for."
The Worst Airports
Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, Dakar, Senegal
Makes the list because of overcrowded conditions and the fact that as a regional hub for many west Africans, it falls well short of traveller expectations. There are no seats and guards advise you to stop loitering if you hang around in one spot too long. The survey says that immigration lines can take up to three hours.
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India
The overcrowding doesn't help, while the survey also lists aggressive panhandlers and filthy bathrooms where attendants charge for toilet paper and syringes litter the floor.
Mineralnye Vody Airport, Mineralnye Vody, Russia
This throwback to the Russian communist regime comes complete with a large map of the Soviet Union hanging in the departure hall. The departure lounge wall has a list of local criminals wanted for murder.
Baghdad International Airport, Iraq
Having an airport in a war zone is never all that conducive to a positive flying experience. The nightmare here begins with the landing and a technique known as the corkscrew, used to avoid projectiles such as shoulder-fired missiles.
Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris, France
The survey cites grimy terminals, rude staff, confusing layout, and overpriced food.
