In an ideal world, flights are always direct, on time and free of drama. As frequent travelers know; however, layovers are an all-too-common part of travel.
Some airports make the process more enjoyable than others. We talked to our well-traveled Globility Board, and they weighed in on some of the best airports for layovers — from best food and hotel accommodations to ease of terminal maneuvering and entertainment.
For frequent traveler Eric Ludwig it depends on the lounge. “Domestically, the American Airlines Admiral’s Club lounges in Dallas are top notch,” said Ludwig. For international, it’s Istanbul (IST) or Singapore Changi’s (SIN) Star Alliance lounges.
“Open-air observation decks like Delta is adding at key Sky Clubs add a great element to the travel experience for me,” said board member Mike Russo.
Iris R. Childress prefers Detroit (DTW), Chicago (ORD) and Boston (BOS). “All three have hotels connected to the airport. At Detroit Metropolitan, you simply ‘exit left’ and there you are in the Westin! Chicago and Boston require some walking to get to their Hilton properties within the airport facility, however, it is a short walk inside the airport or the parking garage — no bus, no shuttle,” said Childress.
These airports are also home to great restaurants, including Goose Island Bar in Chicago; Bigalora in Detroit; and Harpoon Tap Room and Legal Test Kitchen in Boston.
Amsterdam Schiphol offers two convenient hotels located within the airport, Mercure and Yotel, in addition to an art gallery and quick, easy transportation into the heart of Amsterdam if your layover is long enough.
Globetrotter Eric Chiang explains, “As a general rule, the best airports for layovers are those in which the terminals are fully interconnected, so that one does not need to leave security. For example, I don’t like LAX or JFK, because most of their terminals are separated, which significantly limits your dining and shopping opportunities. ATL or DEN, meanwhile, allow you to explore the entire airport with ease.”
Chiang’s all-time favorite airports for long layovers? Dubai (DXB), Singapore (ICN) and Tokyo (NRT). “I always seek flights with longer layovers through these cities,” he said. Dubai International offers some of the best shopping in the world; Incheon offers a golf course, spa, ice-skating rink and a casino; and Tokyo Narita is home to Narita 5th Avenue, the largest duty-free mall in Japan.
Singapore’s Changi Airport also offers sleeping pods, a movie theater and a swimming pool, and in terms of atmosphere, Vancouver’s (YVR) design features natural materials and an abundance of natural light, which helps with jetlag.
What are your favorite airports for layovers? Email us at [email protected].
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