On air: the best and worst airports by far

Every six months I pack my bags yet again to sit through a two day journey- the majority of which is spent clutching steel chairs as I struggle  not to fall asleep waiting for my next flight. It is rare that I get away with travelling anywhere without taking at least one connection. so an airport is- to me- the equivalent of a Bed and Breakfast- minus the bed and the breakfast of course. 



As airports form such a crucial and large part of any journey overseas I thought I should tell you about the 11 airports I have witnessed: the good, the bad and the tourist infested. Hopefully next time you book a flight with a nine hour layover in Dubai International Airport you will know exactly what you are getting into. 

Runway at Berlin Schönefeld Airport

11. Berlin Schönefeld Airport, Berlin, Germany
2 stars
This immaculate airport owned the bottom spot purely because catching a connection there is an inconvenient, inefficient process. This airport is not as large as some others which makes it time consuming to get onto another flight. You have to re-check in before you can reach security. At the check-in counter there are only two people available to help causing many snaking lines around the terminal. As a result- you wait in an hour long line for a flight you are already checked in for onl to join another line as you pass through security leaving you no time to grab a coffee before your flight. This all happened when I was four hours early for my next flight. 

10. John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, USA
3 stars
New Yorkers have been blessed with the Hudson River accompanied with excellent options to travel at sea. This can be the only explanation for their airport containing a mere skeleton of restaurants and coffee shops. Add a forty five minute routine check by customs in the mix and my first footsteps in the Big Apple are way less glamorous than the way I imagined it.

9. Dubai International Airport
3 and a half stars
A sweltering walk through the lengthy corridors as I run to grab my next connection is the best way to remember Dubai airport. Its hot, sweaty and not the best place to be after an 18 hour flight when your deodorant has been confiscated. On the plus side it is easy to get around, the duty free shopping is unbelievable and they have charging stations by the gates so you can keep your phone juiced up while you wait to board.

8. Miami International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
3 and a half stars
These two tie in equally for me. It is easy to find your way in both. They both have an excellent selection of restaurants.

7. Frankfurt Airport
4 stars
If your German is fluent or your weird hand signals are on point than this is a quiet, efficient airport with a state of the art airtrain transporting you between terminals. 

6. Cape Town International Airport
4 stars
Cape Town brings a warm welcome to South Africa. Their complimentary luggage carts are a nice luxury after dragging your luggage around yourself or paying a fee in the States. The airport does not have as many shops as I would like. 

5. King Shaka International Airport
4 stars
A chorus of singers sing African hymns as you browse through the shops available. The only fault is it remains to be a bit crowded. 

4. O.R. Tambo International Airport
4 stars
Despite the sometimes unpleasant attitude of the workers at passport control this airport still makes me happy as it is my home. Did I mention you can use luggage trolleys/carts for free?

3. Heathrow Airport
 Four and a half stars

Going crazy while waiting for a connection at Heathrow Airport

As one of the most central airports in the world, Heathrow makes the connection process quick, easy and organized. Despite their disgust at all forms of liquids or gels. ( i have had many teaspoons of contact lens solution confiscated), you will find getting to the gates of your next flight relatively painless. Only problem? The restaurants and shops are overrun with travellers.

2. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Five stars
Excellent selection of restaurants, outstanding duty free and never has checking or connecting been so painless and efficient. My experiences roaming this airport has been nothing but positive. Only problem? I really hate paying for luggage carts. 

And the gold medal goes to....

Celebrating at Villa Italian Kitchen, Orlando Airport.

1. Orlando International Airport
Five and a half stars
The Disney fanatic in me adores Orlando airport. They have an awesome food court with a number of different cuisines to choose from. If a food court is not your cup of tea than a number of restaurants give you awesome options. My personal favourite is the Villa Italian Kitchen. They serve homemade bread and mouthwatering pizza. I think the pizza made the whole airport.