Ops-Normal.org

Rwy in Sight wrote:When I was leaving there Brussels National or Zaventem airport departure lounge was the best airport feature on Earth.

Always struck me as a dull featureless place, but it worked and was well stocked in the Duty Free and I could always buy the fancy scents that SWMBO wanted.

The late 60's early 70's was when I used it quite frequently.

The European airport that was always chaotic and one sighed with relief when the undercart came up, was Milano Linate.

For me it was gateway out of Brussels so it was ok but I agree with you. And being too tight on spending money bars and duty free were not important.

I was going through in early 90's. Currently it gives you a good cardio just walking between some gates and the arrivals lounge.

Someone mentioned Manila: I'd forgotten about Manila. I do wish you hadn't reminded me of that dreadful place.

Rwy in Sight wrote:For me it was gateway out of Brussels so it was ok but I agree with you. And being too tight on spending money bars and duty free were not important.

I was going through in early 90's. Currently it gives you a good cardio just walking between some gates and the arrivals lounge.

For a real good cardio workout I would also highly recommend Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta. My word the place seems to go on and on and on....

RGB,

I heard once for the place that when one dies, it has to change place there on the way to heaven.

Rwy in Sight wrote:RGB,

I heard once for the place that when one dies, it has to change place there on the way to heaven.

The saying used to be 'When all them Southern Baptists die and go to Heaven, every last one a them gotta go through Atlanta."

I second Capetonian's nomination of Zürich: unlike some, it hasn't forgotten that it's primarily an airport, and most of the time has the facilities and enough polite and efficient staff to run smoothly without interminable queueing.

I know one German airport had a sex shop can't remember which. Didn't one also have a ladies of the night emporium ?

Unfortunately, I don't have the answer to Ex-Ascot questions. But I was very impressed by LHR Terminal 2 back in the summer of 1983 - on my first international trip. And it was fun because at the age 13 I was put on a tube train alone and asked to find my way to the airport. Terminal 4, 20 years later was good too.

Frankfurt Airport had a porn shop, can't remember which terminal he says hastily.

Ex-Ascot wrote:...Didn't one also have a ladies of the night emporium ?

Not on-site, but from time to time in the last couple of years at ZRH there have been banners promoting "Wellness Clubs" opposite the exit near the taxi pickup point. Billboards advertising such establishments aren't that unusual on busy roads near Zürich, but these were huge.

I was very suprised last year to be pounced on by night fighters outside an airport hotel at DXB. I have been assured that this is common.

There was a sex shop opposite a hotel we were staying at somewhere in Germany. My F/O was late for breakfast. When I asked him where he had been he said, 'the gentleman's reading room'

Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Usually wins the Small Airports prize.
Very pleasant atrium, helpful staff, never had to queue for anything.
Even has an arrivals feed to the Tim's near the airport, so you can wait there for your pax to get into customs without having to pay to park - outrageously sensible.

Friendly place. I needed to get a couple of two-fours of Tenpenny one day a few years ago when we were in there with our Hawker. One of the linemen at the Shell FBO lent me his car for the drive to the grog shop in the mall near the airport.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/trave ... o-land-at/

I have landed at most of the (commercial) fields mentioned here, my favourite approaches are CPT and JER. Christchurch awaits me, Beijing I have zero interest in going to.

I like Dublin approach, usually from the east, with views of Howth and Malahide, and look forward to a warm Irish welcome.

Newcastle approach often gives you good views of the city and Whitley Bay, and even the Farne Islands, and it's a great airport, quick easy and friendly.

Marseille and Nice are pretty too, as you come down the Rhone Valley and then see the mountains. Marseille is an interesting city and not as bad as its reputation. Nice is a dump and nearby Cannes even worse, being the epicentre of the vileness of the French.

Ex-Ascot wrote:I know one German airport had a sex shop can't remember which. Didn't one also have a ladies of the night emporium ?

Quite a few around El Prat, apparently

A huge brothel just on the approach road to Girona Airport. I think it's where the Ryanair crews stay!

Capetonian wrote: Marseille is an interesting city and not as bad as its reputation.

I found it very interesting on Saturday nights as a 20 year old. Especially a little bar on the Place de l'Opera.

Marseilles was also a great place to eat.

Queenstown to Milford Sound is stunning, I'll try and find some of the photos I took.

Seeing as Squires Gate is under threat( again), here's an article about Blackpools other airfield

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/ ... -1-8730969