1

notes: In a 2011 survey of 23 major airlines, American Airlines had the oldest fleet of aircraft. The average age of AA planes is 15 years, compared with Japan Airlines' average age of 10.8 years.

no rating

notes: like most US carriers, the quality of  service is very average and unimpressive.

2 - 3

notes: The train systems in Atlanta are not very high quality, and it is common to see cases of drunk people or people using drugs on the trains. For a tourist it may be better to use a taxi.

2

notes: As with most US airports, going through security and immigration is a huge hassle. But Atlanta is a spacious airport with many shops and restaurants. It is a comfortable airport for intercontinental transit passengers. But allow plenty of time for walking to your  transit gate, as it could be very far from your arrivals gate.

2 - 3

notes: city-to-airport metro is frequently stopped for construction/repairs. Metro ticket system is unorganized.

3

notes: the passport control is usually very fast. But there can be long lines at the security check for your luggage. The departure gates are on the second floor of the airport, divided into departure sections A and B. Check your ticket to see which letter is for your gate. Arrivals are on the second floor. There is a small elevator linking the departure and arrival sections, but it is very difficult to find, so you will have to ask someone who works at the airport.

2

notes: Austrian is trying to promote its electronic check-in service at machines in the airport, but the system often has problems and you may have to restart the process on the screen several times. It is perhaps best to just go to the check-in counter and deal with an airline official. The regulations about luggage sizes are not always clear, and sometimes there is confusion between the airline check-in staff and the security staff.

4

notes: There is a super-high speed rail link from the airport to the city.

1

notes: visas are required for Japanese citizens visiting China. This will take several days. Please ask your travel agent before making plans.

2

notes: there are a few shops that sell duty-free items such as cigars, and some shops with traditional Lebanese handicrafts.

1

notes: to get from the airport to the city center, you will have to find a taxi by yourself. For the road going to the airport, there are frequent traffic jams, so make sure you budget a lot of time before your flight.

2

notes: you can either obtain a visa from the embassy, or make a visa application directly at the airport. You will have to pay a fee, so bring some cash, preferably in U.S. dollars.

3

notes: for arriving passengers, once you get your bags you can pass through the airport fairly quickly.

no rating

notes: The airport is new and modern, but the services are not very efficient.

2

5

notes: It took only 15min to get to the center of Boston by taxi. It was very convenient.

2

3

no rating

3

notes: shops have modern clothing for young, athletic people who transit through the airport. along with some brand-name shops and other stores for travel accessories.

no rating

3

3

no rating

notes: the airport is not very large, and doesn't have much that is special. But as it is near the center of Europe, it is a popular transit point.

1

2

notes: You will have to bargain with taxi companies inside the airport or individual taxi drivers outside of the airport. Before the uprising taxi drivers would ask for 100Egyptian pounds, but would accept 50 pounds for a ride from the airport to the city center. But the ride is beautiful with traditional architecture and colors of the desert.

2

notes: Before the uprising, you had to buy a visa stamp and put it on the passport yourself, before proceeding to the immigration control desk. The process can take more than one hour. It is best to carry about 10,000yen/100$US of Egyptian currency (in small bills) with you when arriving at the airport, or small bills in US dollars or Euro.

3

no rating

3

notes: Chicago is mostly a car-based city. Shuttle buses and taxis link you to the main city hotels.

2

3

no rating

notes: there is a fast airport tram that will take you from one terminal to another inside the airport complex. Make sure you remember which terminal is for your airline. And check for cancellations in the winter due to heavy snow.

4

notes: there is an express train on the normal train network that will take you from the lower level of the airport to the downtown Copenhagen area. It usually takes under 30 minutes. You can exchange your cash into Danish Kroner at the airport and buy a train ticket for a reasonable price. Many of the airport signs are in English but not in Japanese.

3

4

no rating

notes: The Copenhagen airport has a fairly efficient immigration and security system, with the lines moving through quickly. You will find the airport clean and well-designed, with wooden walkways and many glass walls that let in the sunlight. A new bridge links Copenhagen with Malmo in Sweden, a common overnight destination.

3

3

3

3

3

3

notes: Cyprus Airways has flights to other Mediterranean cities near the island of Cyprus. Most are very short flights, so passengers do not need to worry too much about the quality of meals or the service.

5

1

3

4

5

3

notes: Delta's aircraft for trans-Pacific flights are very old. On a recent flight we took, it didn't have TV screens even thought the flight was more than 10 hours.

4

notes: there are countless stores selling everything from chocolates to gold, but many of them are overpriced and have little practical value. They are just shops for consumers who have plenty of money and plenty of time to shop. If you think you really need a Ferrari baseball cap, you can buy one in the airport.

3

For transportation to Dubai city, taxis are relatively cheap. There is a Metro, however it may not take you exactly where you want to go. If you catch a taxi from the airport, you have to pay 25AED for the first ride. You should carry cash for the ride. You can only pay for the taxi ride with cash. And remember to carry some small bills. The drivers don't always have change.

3

notes: There are long lines to go through immigration for leaving the airport, but no checks for transit passengers. For passengers exiting the airport for Dubai city, you will have to look into a camera that checks your eyes.

3

5

notes: the transit hotel is expensive but a great way to relax during a long intercontinental flight. The rooms are equipped with a business desk and minibar, along with luxurious bathrooms and room service. Other services include an internet room, a bar, and exercise facilities.

2

4

notes: The planes are very new, but do not have the modern entertainment systems that are normally found on other airlines.

1

notes: there are no meals served on the planes. You have to bring your own food, but with short flights of 2-3 hours within Europe, this is usually not a problem.

2

2

1

notes: EasyJet is a low-cost airline that operates like a bus service. There are no seat reservations. You just buy a ticket, get in line, and try to be the first to get a good seat. You will have to spend a great deal of time waiting in lines at the airport. The advantage is that EasyJet connects smaller cities in Europe with very cheap tickets. The airline is very popular with college students and backpack travelers.

3

note: there are a few good shops for bags and clothing, but all of the restaurants are very expensive.

no rating

4

3

no rating

1

3

notes: It took 40min from airport to the center of Kolkata. Taxi fare was about 500Rp. (First, the taxi drivers may try to charge you more than 1000Rp, so you have to negotiate.)

5

3

no rating

4

notes: The airport is very spacious and modern, with many shops for visitors. Many people however complain that the air conditioning is too strong, and they have to wear jackets inside the airport because the temperature is controlled below 24 degrees.

4

notes: There is a modern express train that takes you to the center of the city. You can see the view of the dense forests, and also plantations with beautiful palm trees.

3

3

3

notes: there is an efficient transit hotel with bed and shower, but it is not as luxurious as the transit hotels in Singapore or Dubai. But it is a chance to relax during an intercontinental journey. For travellers with a larger budget, they can stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel across the elevated walkway from the airport.

3

5

notes: The Paddington Express can take you to the center of London in only 15 minutes.

2

2

no rating

notes: there are a number of pay-per-hour transit lounges as well as airport frequent flyer lounges. You can relax and use WiFi systems, read, and sit back in reclining chairs.

4

notes: many staff on the Japan-Germany flights are Japanese

4

notes: the entertainment systems had Japanese films, subtitles, etc to serve the mostly Japanese staff.

3

4

3

notes: some people complained that the food wasn't so good on the flights

2

3

notes: the planes are fairly new, with good colors and designs, high quality promotional videos. Malev is apparently trying to improve its image from a small airline to a low-cost regional hub carrier.

3

2

3

notes: On the last flight, ground staff were not very clear about which passageway to take to board the plane. They told us to go through a doorway which was locked. It took some time to find the right person to open the door. But most Malev flights in Europe are only 2-3 hours long, so passengers do not need a high level of service.

3

4

notes: MEA has built up a modern fleet over recent years, with many new aircraft.

3

3

3

notes: MEA has mostly short-range flights to nearby cities such as Amman, Larnaca, Cairo and other capitals in the region.

4

notes: plenty of shops for souvenirs as well as normal items. There is also an event stage from special promotions.

bus or taxi, subway

3

3

no rating

1

no rating

2

1

no rating

notes: Newark is probably one of the worst airports in North America. Immigration officers treat passengers like criminals, the baggage claim is unorganized, and the airport does not even have a post office or mail box to send postcards. The restaurants are awful. The only good thing about flying through Newark is that the departure from Newark airport gives passengers a breathtaking view of the nearby Manhattan skyline. So get a window seat on the airplane.

2

2

notes: There are so many trains in NY that it is easy for a tourist to become confused. It might be difficult to go from the airport to the city by yourself.

1

3

no rating

notes: One of my Japanese friends couldn't speak English, and she was taken to a room by immigration officers who asked questions for a long time before letting her go.

3

2

notes: you will need a taxi for the lesser-known hotels. The airport is quite far from the city, so budget plenty of time for traveling between the airport and the city center.

3

3

no rating

notes: do not expect the airport staff to be polite. Claiming your baggage is a hassle because the baggage carousels are not clearly labeled.

no rating

5

notes: RyanAir has one of the most modern fleets in the world, averaging only 3.3 years old.

no rating

no rating

notes: RyanAir offers very low-cost short-range flights in Europe. A short trip from London to Dublin costs almost nothing, but don't expect a high level of service. For short trips of only 30 minutes or so, you don't really need much service anyway.

no rating

4

notes: There is a super-high speed rail link from the airport to the city.

1

notes: visas are required for Japanese citizens visiting China. This will take several days. Please ask your travel agent before making plans.

no rating

no rating

4

5

notes: there is a high-speed luxury train that leaves right from the airport terminal.

3

3

5

notes: Passengers staying at the airport hotel can enjoy a sauna, shower, and even swim in the outdoor pool on the airport's rooftop. In the evening you can swim while seeing night sky above you with the airplane lights passing just over your head.

2

4

2

3

notes: Some crew members don't speak English very well.

4

4-5

3

2

notes: There are no direct flights from Japan to Greece. But if you take an internal flight in Greece, the duration is usually not more than 30 minutes. Trains or boats to the islands may take 4-6 hours.

3-4

4-5

4-5

notes: With only 90 minutes' travel time to Salalah and one hour to Dubai, you needn't worry much about the details. Oman Air will get you to your destination without any major hassle.

3-4

3

notes: buy a taxi voucher for 7-10Rial at the airport entrance and give it to the taxi driver. The person at the ticket booth will instruct you regarding the amount to pay. That way you don't need to worry about language problems, having the right currency or last-minute haggling.

3-4 (expect a line and some waiting time. Perhaps 45 minutes-1 hour in order to leave the airport.)

-
notes: A large new airport is being built with an opening date scheduled for 2012.

3

3

3

notes: For intercontinental flights, meals are served as part of the ticket fees, but for connecting flights within Europe, meals are charged separately and you pay on the plane. It is advisable to bring some extra small bills in Danish Kroner or Euro for such expenses.

4

4

notes: SAS is a good, no frills airline that can be used as a hub for flights coming from Tokyo. The flight time is only about 9 hours (compared to 12 hours Tokyo-London). The meals and in-flight entertainment are not as good as on Emirates or Singapore, but they are enough for a business traveler who needs to get to a European destination without any hassle.

2

2

2

2

2

notes: United Airlines is famous for very average service and unprofessional staff. The staff on the intercontinental flights are a bit better, but never as good as Asian carriers such as JAL or Singapore. It is best to use United only for short flights within the U.S.

3

notes: Many traditional handicrafts such as native American art can be purchased at the airport shops. You can find accessories made of silver and stones, as well as the famous maple syrup items that are famous throughout Canada. It gives the Vancouver airport a distinctive feel that is different from other airports.

no rating

3

3

no rating
notes: The Vancouver airport is very spacious and has many nature-related exhibits and designs to highlight the beautiful nature of the area. Most of the airport is carpeted and very clean.

4

notes: you can find souvenirs of Austria's famous products, from chocolates to classical music CDs.

3

notes: there is a train connection to the city subway network, but parts of it are under construction and the connections can be a bit confusing.

3-4

2

notes: The staff at the airport are inflexible and not very friendly. Security is very tight.

3

notes: There is a transit hotel just outside of the airport, mostly for business travellers. Several small restaurants are available in and around the hotel. The entrance for the train to the city center is nearby.

3

no rating

2

2

notes: as at all U.S. airports, security is very tight, and the security staff are not very polite.

no rating

notes: Dulles airport has a very distinctive building design that is admired by many architects. Be careful when getting transportation to the airport: there are three airports in the Washington D.C. area (Dulles, National and BWI) so make sure that you ask for transport to Dulles and not another airport.