http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-24/a-survival-guide-to-the-10-worst-airports-in-north-america#p2
Los Angeles is a city of jammed freeways, and this carries over to the main airport. LAX is very crowded, and you almost certainly will be driving there. On a crowded freeway. This means a lot of people and cars converging on the terminals. The age-old airport hack is especially appropriate here: get dropped off at the arrivals area—not departures—especially for morning flights. If you’re arriving into Los Angeles at night, do the reverse: Avoid traffic by using the upper-level departure area to meet your ride. Another tip: “Charge your electronics before you leave for the airport,” one traveler suggests, citing the “serious lack of outlets” at LAX.
The sole Canadian airport renowned for its frustration quotient,Toronto’s Pearson International is known for its queues. A line for baggage, a line at security—pretty soon you’re growing impatient. An American Express (AXP) card can get you a discount on some valet parking services and into the priority lane at security checkpoints, survey respondents noted. There is also the issue of the 17-mile commute to central Toronto. “Allow LOTS of travel time when driving,” says one survey commenter. Another notes that, from Toronto, a limousine is actually cheaper than a taxi.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that applies to the behemothDFW International Airport. The Dallas airport—the largest hub for American, the world’s largest airline—covers almost 27 square miles, and that can make for some long hikes from the gate to the baggage claim or to catch a connection. To manage the vast distances, leave extra time between connections, especially if you’re changing switching from one airline to another. If you’re flying American, “Always be on your toes ready for gate changes,” says one Texas traveler. “[American] are chronic gate changers.” On the other hand, if you have lots of time (or are flying internationally), Terminal D gets the best marks for dining options.
The U.S. gateway to Latin America, Miami International wins travelers’ opprobrium for its nightmarish terminal layout and interminable walks to gates and baggage claim. The airport does have numerous electric carts, which flyers can request or, often, flag down. “Sooner or later the airport may have to provide more of them,” says one traveler who requests a cart at the arrival gate. “If offered a ride, take it,” says one commenter. “It usually means there is at least a mile of walking ahead.” As for parking, others warn of expensive rates. An MIA regular offers another fine tip: During those long walks, stop periodically for a drink at the bars. Another traveler says American’s lounge is the way to go: “Spend $50 and use the AA lounge if you’ve got a long layover and aren’t an AA member. It’s worth it to leave the terminal behind.”
Travelers at Philadelphia International try to avoid the restrooms, a necessity that draws low marks in an airport that is also tagged as being old, ugly and cramped. Others say that it’s best to skip the shuttle buses and walk between Philly’s six terminals and to pick the short-term parking lot over the cheaper economy lot. “It’s worth $9/day to not be a sardine for 45 minutes on the trip out to the lot,” says one Philadelphia traveler. One other tip to help ignore both the loos and the masses: The Crabfries at local chain Chickie’s and Pete’s win raves.
Los Angeles is a city of jammed freeways, and this carries over to the main airport. LAX is very crowded, and you almost certainly will be driving there. On a crowded freeway. This means a lot of people and cars converging on the terminals. The age-old airport hack is especially appropriate here: get dropped off at the arrivals area—not departures—especially for morning flights. If you’re arriving into Los Angeles at night, do the reverse: Avoid traffic by using the upper-level departure area to meet your ride. Another tip: “Charge your electronics before you leave for the airport,” one traveler suggests, citing the “serious lack of outlets” at LAX.
The sole Canadian airport renowned for its frustration quotient,Toronto’s Pearson International is known for its queues. A line for baggage, a line at security—pretty soon you’re growing impatient. An American Express (AXP) card can get you a discount on some valet parking services and into the priority lane at security checkpoints, survey respondents noted. There is also the issue of the 17-mile commute to central Toronto. “Allow LOTS of travel time when driving,” says one survey commenter. Another notes that, from Toronto, a limousine is actually cheaper than a taxi.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that applies to the behemothDFW International Airport. The Dallas airport—the largest hub for American, the world’s largest airline—covers almost 27 square miles, and that can make for some long hikes from the gate to the baggage claim or to catch a connection. To manage the vast distances, leave extra time between connections, especially if you’re changing switching from one airline to another. If you’re flying American, “Always be on your toes ready for gate changes,” says one Texas traveler. “[American] are chronic gate changers.” On the other hand, if you have lots of time (or are flying internationally), Terminal D gets the best marks for dining options.
The U.S. gateway to Latin America, Miami International wins travelers’ opprobrium for its nightmarish terminal layout and interminable walks to gates and baggage claim. The airport does have numerous electric carts, which flyers can request or, often, flag down. “Sooner or later the airport may have to provide more of them,” says one traveler who requests a cart at the arrival gate. “If offered a ride, take it,” says one commenter. “It usually means there is at least a mile of walking ahead.” As for parking, others warn of expensive rates. An MIA regular offers another fine tip: During those long walks, stop periodically for a drink at the bars. Another traveler says American’s lounge is the way to go: “Spend $50 and use the AA lounge if you’ve got a long layover and aren’t an AA member. It’s worth it to leave the terminal behind.”
Travelers at Philadelphia International try to avoid the restrooms, a necessity that draws low marks in an airport that is also tagged as being old, ugly and cramped. Others say that it’s best to skip the shuttle buses and walk between Philly’s six terminals and to pick the short-term parking lot over the cheaper economy lot. “It’s worth $9/day to not be a sardine for 45 minutes on the trip out to the lot,” says one Philadelphia traveler. One other tip to help ignore both the loos and the masses: The Crabfries at local chain Chickie’s and Pete’s win raves.
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