Best Airports in the world, 2009

Every year, sleepinginairports (http://www.sleepinginairports.net/bestof.htm) does a review of airports to determine the best and worse airports. Here are the chart toppers for 2009:

1. Singapore

2. Seoul Incheon

3 Hong Kong

4. Amstedam Schipol

5. Dubai

6. Munich

7. Kuala Lumpur

8. Frankfurt Main

9. Zurich

10. Copenhagen

I am really excited to see Dubai and Kuala Lumpur (KL) on the list. I love both these airports. They are, in my opinion, very beautifully designed and welcoming after a long flight. Dubai specifically has spent alot of money on the interior decor - I just love it.

There are adequate seats and shopping outlets as well as WIFI to keep you busy. In the only criticism for Dubai International, it would be nice to see them work on an internal transport system as the airport stretches out quiet far in length. It can take you anywhere between 15-30 minutes walking to get to the other end. I have seen little buggies riding around but in my opinion, far too few and seems more reserved for the elder generation.:)

KL on the other hand has an efficient transport relay system between the gates and the airport. All operated by a train system and even an external train system that takes you into the city (as an option, available on exit only ofcourse:)). Only criticism of this airport, is you have to becareful for cheats who try to taxi you or sell you cellphone cards at higher prices (at the airport itself). Other than that, loved it:)

Mental note: Visit Hong Kong and Singapore soon:)

I was rather delighted to see that even though Johannesburg International (OR Tambo) did not make the top 10, it certainly ranked up as No.1 best airport in Africa. Well done OR; it seems all the money going into the improvement of the airport for 2010 has paid off however I have to say OR still has a long way to go. Critically, getting off international carriers that are not South African Airways means you get off further away from passport control/exit and have to walk a marathon (with uphills even) which is a disaster. Airports are meant to be easily accessible - after a long trip you really tired and dont want to have to walk a far distance to get out of the airport. Again, like Dubai's departures, OR needs to look at more efficient transport logistics on its arrivals even though they have tried to accommodate with travelators (flat escalators). Commendably on my last two trips to SA, I noticed Passport control got a face lift and moved up a little closer however the walk between passport control and exit seemed to have grown...I hope by June 2010, we will see a difference. To its advantage however, it has really cool interior decorating...Take a look at these photos