5.13 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Top-10 airports for long layover: Dubai in the list... which others?

Passenger traffic in November 2014 totalled 5.565 million. (File)

Published

With Eid holidays round the corner and the year-end holidays not far behind, it’s time to make travel plans for the festive season.

Apart from the destinations, if you wish to enjoy the experience of long hauls, check out these well-managed airports, which are renowned for their unrivalled services.

Dubai’s International Airport ups the ante boasting the world’s largest duty-free shop at 58,000 sqft, open-air gardens and shopping outlets where travellers can buy even gold bars, says ExecutiveTravel, in its report.

The Middle East's largest airport is only expanding more. Concourse A, built for the superjumbo, debuted in January 2013, and Concourse D is being constructed with a capacity for 18 million passengers. It also houses the round-the-clock G-Force gym and the Al Majlis VIP service among several other unrivalled services.

London Heathrow:

This is created with business travellers in mind, where you can have your suits ironed and carry them in a flight-ready package. The 11,000-sqft Harrods for shopping freaks and a gallery for the culture-minded. If you want to taste gourmet dishes, then do not forget to make advance bookings at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food. The Queen's Terminal (2) debuts next June with 52 shops and 17 restaurants.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:

(AFP)

This is the only airport that has been in the same location for about 100 years. It houses the world's only museum to be annexed in an airport, showcasing masters. It also houses the world’s first airport library, stocked with print and e-tomes available in 29 languages, among other commendable services. Or, if you wish to stay out on, Sheraton is nearby.

Munich International Airport


(SHUTTERSTOCK)

This airport has individual hi-tech sleeping pods, comfortable VIP wings, office and conference rooms apart from the traditional tavern that houses a beer garden shaded by chestnut trees playing live music. Kempinski Hotel Airport is at a one-minute from Terminal 2 and a five-minute walk from Terminal 1, if you wish to use the conference rooms. It will open an $862 million satellite location, Terminal 2, in 2015.

Zurich Airport

 

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

The extensive renovation now includes two rooftop terraces, a kids zone and more. There are 16 locker-style cell phone charging stations, rooms for showering and sleeping, shops and restaurants. You can also hire bikes and in-line skates. There’s the Skymetro rail between Terminals A and E.

Changi International Airport, Singapore

 

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

This airport boasts a butterfly garden, free movie theaters, a 40-foot slide and a Balinese-themed rooftop pool, too, at Terminal 1. The Kinetic Rain sculpture is awe-inspiring, while Terminal 2 has play area.  For business travellers there are 200 iPad-wielding agents; 550 free Internet terminals, plus airport-wide free Wi-Fi; 856 free USB ports and power sockets; multiple business centers, among others. A fourth terminal is scheduled to open in 2017.

Hong Kong International Airport

 

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

This airport packs a serious punch. It boasts the outdoor nine-hole regulation golf course, the world's first airport IMAX theater and the iSports simulator for car racing and basketball. Themed restaurants and sleek traveller’s lounge add to the glitz. The Regal Airport Hotel, connected to T1, has been named world's best airport hotel two years running by Skytrax.

Incheon International Airport, Seoul

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

Incheon has two movie theaters playing Korean and Hollywood hits, an ice skating rink and an 18-hole putting course. It also houses seven gardens, were you can relax. The airport is directly connected to Seoul's subway system, so it takes less than a half hour to get downtown.

San Francisco International Airport

 

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

This airport grabs headlines for all encompassing services such as an airport museum, an aquarium and selected seasonally delicacies. The new 150-square-foot yoga room in T2 helps you relax.

Vancouver International Airport

 

(SHUTTERSTOCK)

The bright and airy airport houses works of native artists such as Bill Reid's sculpted Jade Canoe and Joe David's traditional 11-foot-high Clayoquot Welcome Figures among others. A 30,000-gallon tank houses over 5,000 sea creatures such as sea stars and giant kelp, and another devoted to jellyfish. An Automated Passport Control programme is also being planned as part of the business-friendly amenities.

All these airports apart from the facilities that they offer to calm your nerves and ease you into your journey also ensure mundane services such as robust Wi-Fi connections, clean and well-laid carpets that help the trolleys slide over, comfortable seating, etc.

And, yes, lounge attendants who will ensure you do not miss the flight by dozing off in the comfort.