The top 10 airports in the world – United States still missing from the lineup

by Scott Carmichael on

Skytrax just released the 2009 winners of their annual “best airport in the world” survey. In total, 8.9 million passengers participated in the 10 month survey.

Incheon Airport in South Korea took the top spot, knocking Hong Kong to second. Hong Kong had dominated the lineup for the past seven years.

As usual, no North American airports made the top 10 list, and anyone who has compared US airports with airports in the rest of the world will understand why.

Later this week, I’ll take a closer look at the state of US airports, and try to determine why North American airport operators are so bad at operating decent facilities.

After the jump, you’ll see the ten airports worthy of being included in the lineup, along with their 2008 ranking.

1

Incheon International Airport

3

2

Hong Kong International Airport

1

3

Singapore Changi

2

4

Zurich

8

5

Munich

4

6

Kansai

6

7

Kuala Lumpur

7

8

Amsterdam

11

9

Centrair Nagoya

12

10

Auckland

20

Click the photos to read about airport checkpoint horrors.

Photo of the Day (6.2.09)

by Grant Martin on

Since we have a new blogger coming onto the team soon, my mind has been on Hong Kong a lot (guess where he’s from?). I’ve often referred to the former British colony as “Southeast Asia on training wheels,” where you can experience all of the virtues of the far east yet still enjoy the comforts of the west. Signs in English, easy public transportation, horse racing and plush hotels all contrast with night markets, street food and a strong dollar. What’s not to love?

lecerle snapped this photo at Happy Valley in the north of Hong Kong Island and it makes me miss the country dearly.

Got any cool photos that you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day. Make sure you save them under Creative Commons though, otherwise we can’t use them!

Qantas cuts first class service, only you can bring it back

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Does two make it a trend? Along with British Airways, Qantas will get rid of some first class seating. While BA is doing it on new flights, Qantas is starting with three of its long-haul routes, because demand for the expensive seats is falling.

If you’re rich and have plans to fly from Sydney to Buenos Aires, Sydney to San Francisco or Melbourne to Hong Kong to London will be affected. This first class ban is scheduled to last from July 6 to October 31.

Since there’s no such thing as a straightforward airline decision, paying for business class – which will still be around – may get you a first class seat. But, you won’t get first class service.

Ultimately, the return of first class will be up to the Qantas passengers. If demand increases – i.e., if people start paying for first class seats again – Qantas will bring back the service.

Galley Gossip: Passenger of the month: Adam Schaffer

by Heather Poole on

Name: Adam Schaffer

Occupation: Media and publishing executive. I am in the magazine business, but had the honor of being on the editorial advisory board of Inside Flyer magazine a few years back

Which is exactly why I picked you as my passenger of the month. Tell me something interesting you learned while working for Inside Flyer: Airline club memberships are huge. Not only is the lounge access terrific, but the agents there can often “get things done” that agents elsewhere in the airport cannot such as upgrades, special sitting, moving flights, etc.

Recently I wrote a post, The passenger didn’t ask for much, about a demanding passenger on board the very same flight you were on. A Gadling reader commented by saying, “I fly all the time and I’ve never seen anything like that ever happen on a flight!” If I hadn’t told you what was happening would you have known what was going on nine rows behind you? I had no idea the incident was as prolonged as it turned out to be. I have a good sense and can tell when “something is up” somewhere on the airplane, but you and the crew handled that situation very well.

Thank you! So how many miles have you flow this year? 20,728 thru march 31st.

Last flight? JFk-LAX

That was my flight, the crazy flight! Check it or carry on? Carry on! I once went to Moscow and St. Petersberg for eight days with a carry on!

It can be done, because I went to Italy for 10 days (Venice, Rome & Positano) with only a rollaboard and a tote bag. Window or aisle seat? Aisle. I do not like to be confined.

Something to drink? Water. I fainted on a flight to Spain on my honeymoon due to dehydration. The next thing I know I am laying in the aisle and the flight attendants are shaking me awake and asking if I’m okay. Apparently I fained and fell against my wife on the way down. My wife tried to wake me and I didn’t move! So she ran to the forward galley yelling, “I haven’t been married 24 hours and I think my husband is dead!”

Wow – I hope you buy a really big bottle of water before each and every flight, especially when you’re traveling on my flight! What type if luggage do you carry? Sturdy and inexpensive. I had a nice Tumi bag I had to check once…and it was ruined. The baggage handling system will eat your luggage!

Sorry to hear that. Any packing tips or tricks? Mix and match. Take as little as possible.

Best shoes to wear through security? Crocs are great, but then your feet get all grimey, so I suggest socks. The TSA does need to find a way to make the whole shoe thing better.

I agree. Any airport routines? I always check to see if the inbound flight is on time and where it is coming from. Sadly airlines will hedge their bets on announcing delays. Then I buy a lot of water.

You sound like a flight attendant – checking the inbound flight for delays! Smart. Best airline experience? Recently I flew on American Airlines from New Delhi, India to Chicago. 15 hours and 40 minutes en route. The new AA business class cabins on the 777 are really nice and the service was amazing. Many meal opportunities and options (and great Indian food) and a terrific choice of on demand entertainment. I was dreading the flight and was actually a bit bummed when it was over.

Nicest airport? Shanghai Pudong, best damn gift shops anywhere.

Favorite airport restaurant? One world lounge in Hong Kong. Get the “Dan Dan Noodles”

That’s all my husband talked about when he came back from Hong Kong, how amazing the lounge was and how great those Dan Dan noodles were. Hotel away from home? Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

Too funny! I’m pretty lucky on the $1 slots over there. Favorite in-flight announcement? “In preparation for landing..”

Book last read on a flight? We are like that only, understanding the logic of consumer India, by Rama Bijapurkar

Now finish the following sentences…

I can’t fly without my…Ipod and noise canceling headsets

On my last flight…I actually watched a movie and didn’t work. Saw “Yes Man” with Jim Carey

This passenger I sat next to…Got me my current job! (Be friendly to those around you)

I had this one flight…Where the flight attendant actually threw my food at me! (And, for the record, I was just sitting quietly) It was an Atlanta to LA flight, so you can guess the carrier.

If I could be anywhere in the world, I’d…Be in Fiji and nowhere else.

When it comes to traveling I wish…A supersonic plane was in the pipeline somewhere. Would love to do LA to Hong Kong in five hours.

Why do flight attendants…Put up with crap from passengers? I know it’s a customer service thing, but some folks need a good bop on the head!

Next flight: Lax – JFK God willing in business class.

Photos courtesy of (water) Moussefromsacto, (dan dan noodles) Avlxyz, (Fiji) Muzzman

Tough year ahead for Asia travel

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Hotels, airlines and other hospitality companies in Asia are moving into the “brace” position. With tough economic conditions hitting every corner of the map, fewer visitors are likely to make the long trip to destinations such as Hong Kong. According to a report on MSNBC.com, some expect drops of at least 30 percent. A continent of diverse cultures, it seems, is facing a consistent challenge.

Hong Kong, for example, had 29.5 million visitors last year. This year, the city is expecting a slip of 1.6 percent, with visits by non-Chinese tourists likely to drop 9.2 percent. Singapore is down 2 percent with nothing but pessimism in sight, and Thailand and Malaysia are readying themselves for 9 percent declines. Overall, hotel occupancy rates in Asian fell to 66.7 percent in November – from 76.4 percent for the same period a year earlier (STR Global).

According to the U.N.’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Asia-Pacific region’s financial performance (for tourism) is “deteriorated most rapidly” compared to the rest of the world. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that airlines around the world are staring down the worst crisis they’ve seen in 50 years. Many are at risk of collapse. IATA’s director-general puts the number of travel and tourism jobs at risk at 300,000 to 400,000 worldwide, out of a total job market of 32 million.

Even with all the doom and gloom, plenty of people will touch Asian ground this year, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Even with a difficult 2009, the organization expects the regions arrivals to grow by 4 percent to 5 percent over the next three years, putting the region well ahead of its 2008 baseline of 280 million arrivals.

[Via MSNBC]