Airports Information

USA

John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy Airport, commonly known as JFK, is an airport people love to hate. As New York City’s largest international airport, it is big, busy and difficult to navigate. However, slowly but surely JFK is improving through extensive improvements to terminals, roadways and inter-terminal transportation. JFK has recently replaced its slow-poke inter-terminal buses with AirTran, a new light rail transit system. In addition to connecting all nine terminals, AirTran connects passengers to New York City subways and buses and the Long Island Rail Road – a great option for travelers wishing to avoid the congested roads leading to and from JFK, which is located 15 miles from midtown Manhattan in the southeastern section of Queens. All major airlines operate out of the airport offering flights around the country and the world. The bigger players have their own terminals: you’ll find Delta in terminals 1 and 2; American in terminals 8 and 9, which will soon be replaced by a new terminal; British Airways in the expanded terminal 7; and low-fare airline, JetBlue recently announced that they will build a new terminal and utilize the currently unoccupied TWA Flight Center (terminal 5), which was originally designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen.
www.ifly.com/ifly/john-f-kennedy-international-airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., rivals Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the busiest airport in the world. It is an important hub for United Airlines and American Airlines in addition to offering service from dozens of other major domestic and international airlines. From the airport, you can fly nonstop to hundreds of U.S. destinations and more than 60 international destinations. Despite the airport’s constant bustle, it was named “ Best Airport in North America” for the sixth consecutive year in 2003 by the readers of the U.S. edition of Business Traveler Magazine. However, O’Hare is also prone to flight cancellations and long delays due to inclement weather and its chronically overcrowded flight schedule. Given its role as a primary connections hub, these delays have a ripple effect throughout the nation’s aviation system. In an attempt to minimize delays, American and United reduced their 2004 summer schedules by 7.5 percent. In addition, the O’Hare Modernization Project will expand the airport’s terminal capacity and replace the airport’s intersecting runways with a more efficient parallel configuration. If you are delayed and you’re with kids, check out the “Kids on the Fly” exhibit in Terminal Two through security. The exhibit’s interactive displays include an air traffic control tower, a fantasy helicopter, a cargo plane and more fun gizmos.
www.ifly.com/ifly/chicago-ohare-international-airport

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located on the Pacific coast about 15 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, is ranked fifth in the world for the number of passengers it serves each year. Almost every major domestic and international airline operates out of the airport providing flights across the U.S. and around the world. In particular, it is major gateway for long-haul flights to and from Asia, Australasia and Latin America. The airport consists of 10 separate terminals to handle all of those passengers including the always bustling Tom Bradley International Terminal. If you need to switch terminals to catch a connecting flight, you have two options: walk (check distances before you embark on this with luggage) or take the free Airline Connections shuttle bus that runs every 12 to 15 minutes. If you have time between flights, live out your Jetson’s fantasies at the retro Encounter Restaurant located 70 feet above the ground in a historic building that looks like a flying saucer that sprouted legs. Back on earth, LAX has a reputation for being difficult to navigate and prone to delays, especially in the immigration lines for international arrivals, so be sure to plan accordingly.
www.ifly.com/ifly/los-angeles-international-airport

San Francisco International (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport, located 13 miles south of San Francisco, Calif., has seemingly been undergoing rennovations for decades. Those efforts, and the inconveniences associated with them, have begun to pay off with an impressive new international terminal, an extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system that connects the airport with San Francisco and beyond, and a people-mover train that allows passengers to efficiently move between the terminals, parking garages and the rental car center. The airport consists of three domestic terminals grouped around a central parking garage plus the new international terminal. Terminal 2 is currently closed for renovation. Over 35 domestic and international airlines service the airport offering nonstop flights to numerous destinations in the U.S. as well as Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. SFO is also the first airport in the country to feature a museum that is accredited by the American Association of Museums and its innovative exhibits have long received rave reviews from passengers. You might have an opportunity to check out the exhibits as flights out of SFO are often delayed when the infamous San Francisco fog rolls in.
www.ifly.com/ifly/san-francisco-international

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which is located 18 miles from downtown Dallas and 24 miles from downtown Fort Worth, is a large American Airlines hub that is also served by more than 20 other airlines. The airport consists of four narrow and crescent shaped terminal buildings that are linked by terminal buses. This configuration is convenient for departing and arriving passengers as there is a short distance from curb to plane. However, the long concourses and the distance between the terminals sometimes leave transit passengers to sprint to their connecting gate. The airport is hoping to alleviate this problem with Skylink, the world’s largest high-speed airport train, which will link the existing terminals and a new international terminal in 2005.
www.ifly.com/ifly/dallas-fort-worth-international-airport

Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest passenger airport with the world’s largest terminal complex spread out over one international and six domestic concourses. More than 11 Astrodome playing fields would fit into the North and South Terminals. The airport’s underground train keeps passengers moving efficiently between the concourses and the terminals. If you decide to hoof it instead of taking the train you’re in for a long walk through drab underground corridors. Not as efficient are the security checkpoint lines, which are straining under the requirements of post-9/11 screenings. Veteran Atlanta passengers recommend arriving at the airport more than two hours before your flight time on busy travel days to accommodate likely security delays. These issues and the airports overall out-dated appearance will hopefully be addressed by a $5.4 billion, 10-year development program that will modernize and expand airport facilities.
www.ifly.com/ifly/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport was groundbreaking when it opened in 1962, but it feels inefficient and dated by today’s airport standards. Built on farmland 26 miles west of Washington, D.C. in northern Virginia, Dulles was the first U.S. airport specifically built for commercial jet aircraft. Its distinctive terminal is a sweeping structure of glass and concrete, yet the drab and awkward interior doesn’t live up to its striking exterior. Passengers connect from the main terminal to the concourses on the euphemistically named “mobile lounges,” which are actually elevated and extra-wide buses. The mobile lounges will be replaced by a much-anticipated automated airport train system in the near future. The airport is a major international and domestic gateway served by 15 major domestic airlines, 8 regional airlines and 20 major international airlines. Travelers can easily reach over 35 foreign destinations and 68 U.S. cities from the airport. The airport itself is not as easy to reach given the limited public transportation options – most travelers without cars have to opt for an expensive cab ride to downtown D.C.
www.ifly.com/ifly/washington-dulles-international-airport

UK

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The second largest airport in the United Kingdom, Gatwick is also the busiest single runway airport in the world. It is located 28 miles south of London and has fast and convenient railroad and road links. Built in the 1930’s, it has grown steadily and over 200 destinations worldwide are served by 80 different airlines. Gatwick has two terminals, the North terminal and the South terminal, connected by a free automated rail transfer system which runs every 3 to 4 minutes from each terminal. Check-in is located on the 2nd floor of each terminal and luggage trolleys are both free and plentiful. Facilities in both terminals are known as some of the best, especially for those who count shopping as an important part of the travel experience.
www.ifly.com/ifly/London-Gatwick-Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Located to the west of London, London Heathrow is the world’s busiest international airport and serves 90 different airlines to approximately 170 locations worldwide. It has 4 terminals, 2 main runways, plus a new crosswind runway. Although it has some navigational problems because of its large size and huge amount of travelers, Heathrow is reasonably efficient and unarguably very successful. London Heathrow Airport offers a wide variety of shops and services at all four terminals and passengers using the sophisticated facilities of today's Terminal 4 will find interesting photographs and murals of the way the airport appeared 50 years ago, when Heathrow's only terminal was an army surplus tent situated a short walk from the aircraft.
www.ifly.com/ifly/london-heathrow-airport

Germany

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
One of the most architecturally superior airports, Frankfurt Airport in Germany is so proud of its long European history and success that it offers very popular tours that travelers can take to familiarize themselves with the airport as they travel through. Built in 1936, the modern airport now offers two terminals connected by the state of the art Sky Line people mover. Frankfurt Airport is one of the best-equipped airports in the world, offering even a casino, as well as the usual restaurants, bars, shopping, internet, fax and secretarial facilities. Other facilities include a hairdresser, chapel and children's play areas.
www.ifly.com/ifly/frankfurt-airport

Munich International Airport (MUC)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the following tips to help air travelers accommodate and assist the heightened security measures implemented since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Travelers should note that they will now be limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item on all flights. Allow extra time: The heightened measures require more time to properly screen travelers. Travelers should contact their airline to find out how early they should arrive at the airport. Take public transportation to the airport if possible. Parking and curbside access is likely to be controlled and limited. Curbside check-in is available on an airline-by-airline basis. Travelers should contact their airline to see if it is in place at their airport. Check-in: A government-issued ID (federal, state or local) is required. Travelers may be asked to show this ID at subsequent points, such as at the gate, along with their boarding passes. Automated check-in kiosks are available for airlines that have appropriate security measures in place. Travelers interested in this option should check with their airline. E-ticket travelers should check with their airline to make sure they have proper documentation.
www.ifly.com/ifly/munich-international-airport

Holland

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Known for having the best viewing terrace for aircraft enthusiasts at any major European hub airport, Amsterdam Schiphol considers itself a small city as opposed to just an airport.  Among Schiphol's attractions are a casino, a sauna, a nursery for those traveling with young children and a massage service.  Since everything is housed under one roof, there is none of the terminal hopping that can be so confusing to travelers.
http://www.ifly.com/ifly/amsterdam-schiphol

Swissland:

Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the following tips to help air travelers accommodate and assist the heightened security measures implemented since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Travelers should note that they will now be limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item on all flights. Allow extra time: The heightened measures require more time to properly screen travelers. Travelers should contact their airline to find out how early they should arrive at the airport. Take public transportation to the airport if possible. Parking and curbside access is likely to be controlled and limited. Curbside check-in is available on an airline-by-airline basis. Travelers should contact their airline to see if it is in place at their airport. Check-in: A government-issued ID (federal, state or local) is required. Travelers may be asked to show this ID at subsequent points, such as at the gate, along with their boarding passes. Automated check-in kiosks are available for airlines that have appropriate security measures in place. Travelers interested in this option should check with their airline. E-ticket travelers should check with their airline to make sure they have proper documentation.
http://www.ifly.com/ifly/zurich-airport

France

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located 14 miles Northeast of Paris, Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport is the city's largest airport and was one of the first in Europe to have an integrated train system serving it. Even if you have no intention of taking a train the eye-popping architecture of the new TGV rail station is worth a visit as the modern world is reflected in the unique glass and steel construction. The airport itself has three terminals that are connected by free shuttle buses and handle over 200,000 passengers daily. One major convenience when traveling through CDG is signage in both French and English and information available in fourmajor European languages including German and Spanish. There is not a huge selection of restaurants and the prices are known to be high but after all, this is France.
http://www.ifly.com/ifly/paris-charles-de-gaulle-airport