I love airports ~:happy waiting for airplane time:~

After coming back from a 2 day trip from Vancouver, it feels like, despite the very short length of time of absence from my town of residence, that I’ve actually gone on a vacation.

I find that one part that makes a vacation really feel like a vacation, or at least makes me feel like I’m going on an adventure, is the gateway known as the airport. In other words, I feel that for most vacations overseas or trips which are long distances away from a hometown, the airport the beginning and the conclusion of a vacation. I love the feeling of stepping into a massive structure with the paging system blaring out passenger names and the hustle and bustle of airport clerks, check-in clerks, security guards, and passengers moving from gate to gate, people meeting each other that they haven’t seen in ages, captains dressed in their flight uniforms briefing the crew, and many other airport-like activities.

I think the only thing that I really don’t like, but yet know it’s a necessity are the security checks

I do have some favorite airports that make the opening part of a vacation feel special, and those include:

Calgary International Airport – Canada (YYC) – a relatively smaller scale but comfortable airport with modern amenities that enhancing my traveling experiences.

Vancouver International Airport – Canada (YVR) – probably my most favorite Canadian airport. Besides YYC, this airport has been my main hub of connecting many flights.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport – USA (ORD) – the world’s busiest airport, yet a very fun place to be during your stopovers.

San Francisco International Airport – USA (SFO) – I liked the tram that encircled the three main terminals (if I remember correctly), and the general layout of the terminals.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport - Malaysia (KUL) – beautiful interior with multiple arching ceilings makes this place feel grand. I love the multiple tram systems that go from terminal to terminal, oooh, so modern.

Narita International Airport – Japan (NRT) – another very busy airport, but makes travel to Tokyo relatively easy by taking the express subway trains which connect to other transit works.

Hong Kong International Airport – Hong Kong SAR (HKG) – I LOVE the super long “people movers” (flat plained escalators that go along the ground) and just stand and relax, checking out the billboard and more airport activity. I find the lighting seemed a bit on the gloomy side, but if I remember correctly, you could see an AWESOME city view of the skyline.

And for some “not so favorite” airports:

Los Angeles International Airport – USA (LAX) – I think I’ve been to this one a few times, but each time I just feel like I’m in a concrete jungle or something, most likely due to its age and it’s been in operation for quite a long time. I do like the “arch-like” structure in the middle of the airport though, which looks like the control tower, or perhaps offices for the airport staff.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport – USA (IAH) – Located in Houston, TX, I found this airport generally pretty bland with its white walls and rather square like floor plans. It felt more like a NASA control center (noted by a statue of an Apollo astronaut) rather than a public airport facility, but on the same note, it serves mainly as a gate way for travel throughout the United States and Canada, and not so much for overseas travel.

Kansai International Airport – Japan (KIX) – Most of the airport was alright, but I found some things that really impeded travel for those with bulky luggage. For example, right in front of each escalator were these giant metal posts that didn’t allow you to use your specialized baggage carts which were designed for escalators up the escalator, meaning that you had to drag up like two 50 lbs bags before you get to the check – in counter to check your luggage/baggage in, amongst other things.

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In this thread, discuss what you think about airports and if possible, discuss which airports you like and why. Don’t concentrate so much on what you think of flying in the airplane (or don’t talk of what phobias you have when in an airplane), but you can talk about the time from entering the airport up to the aircraft taxiing and taking off, and likewise, landing, taxiing in, clearing country customs and immigration, and on your way in your new country.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Sakabadger

Indeed, being in the airport is exciting. Aside from the knowledge that it's a portal that connects people from all around the world, there's also the childhood fascination with airplanes that never went away. From the minute the airport becomes visible from the highway til I'm at the destination, I never stop looking around (sleeping during travel sucks!). Plus, depending on the airport, there's always a bunch of interesting cultural/architectural displays to marvel at.

Sakabadger has basically hit most if not all of my same sentiments regarding my love for airports, it's not even funny.

There's nowhere I can't reach.