The latest consumer survey reveals the main culprits of abominable stopovers and dreadful experiences among the world’s airports.
Low on security, inhumane temperatures, crowded terminals and lack of comfort. We know that a stopover can be unpleasant at best but these airports really take the cake.
The latest survey, conducted by sleepinginairports.net, reveals the ten worst airports on the planet.
The survey asked travellers to review airports based on the four Cs – comfort, conveniences, cleanliness and customer service.
The 2014 Guide to Sleeping at Airports named Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport as world’s worst.
Topping the list is Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Pakistan (ISB). It was described by reviewers as “a central prison.” ISB was also criticised for strong crowds and a lack of crowd control, the pervasive corruption, the aggressive-yet-inconsistent security checks, and the overall lack of cleanliness and technology.
The second on the list is Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia (JED). JED was criticised for being lacklustre and not overly clean, extremely crowded and uncomfortable. The main concern of travellers was the treatment received by security officers who “create lengthy cues and do little to improve the traveller experience.”
Third on the list is Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal (KTM). Nepal’s only international airport was eloquently described to resemble a “bus station in an impoverished neighbourhood”. Cleanliness was the greatest concern among travellers, followed by a lack of air-conditioning and the unhygienic state of the airport’s bathrooms and smoking rooms.
The entire list includes:
1.Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Pakistan
2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia
3. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal
4. Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines
5. Tashkent International Airport, Uzbekistan
6. Paris Beauvais-Tille International Airport, France
7. Frankfurt Hahn International Airport, Germany
8. Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport, Italy
9. Berlin Tegel International Airport, Germany
10. New York City LaGuardia International Airport, USA
The list is in stark contrast to the world’s best airports, which were also surveyed by the travel site. For the eighteenth year in a row, Singapore Changi was voted the best airport in the world with travellers commending the venue’s overall soothing ambiance, its intuitive layout and friendly staff, the sheer volume of activities and amenities and its overall resort-like feel.
World’s best: Changi Airport.
Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN) came in second place which was also given praises for its impeccable cleanliness, its superior customer service, and the volume of comfortable sitting and nap locations.
If you get stuck in an incredibly boring airport you can always make your own music video: