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Eight Airports That Deserve a Stopover

Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China

Photo source: Wikipedia

I’ve seen so many engineering shows dedicated to the engineering marvel that is Hong Kong International Airport—known locally Chek Lap Kok International Airport—that I can actually imagine myself planning a visit to Hong Kong just so I can see it. It was built on an island of reclaimed land, sixteen miles out to sea, and with a whopping $20 billion price tag.

New Terminal 5 at JFK Airport, New York, USA

Photo source: JetBlue

JetBlue’s new, efficient, and customer-friendly Terminal 5 rises behind the historic Eero Saarinen terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Terminal 4, Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain

Photo source: Giramondo1 (cc)

If the words “light” and “color” do not remind you of your last airport experience, I can tell you were not in Madrid. Designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership in association with Antonio Lamela, the new Terminal 4 (inaugurated in 2006) at Barajas Airport in Madrid uses natural light streaming through the undulating wing-like roof and glass walls to give passengers a stress-free start to their journey. Color is also used to ease the traveler’s mind: giant color-coded steel beams support the bamboo-lined roof and gates are color coded for easy reference. (Deep blue for north and deep red for farthest south.)

Gibraltar Airport, Gibraltor

Photo source: Wikipedia

I like the idea of doing a little window-shopping while my plane lands, so I know I’ll love Gibraltar Airport. It has the distinction of being the closest airport to the city that it serves, being only 500 meters from Gibraltar’s city center. An active road crosses the runway connecting Gibraltar to Spain so it’s not unusual to see a truck waiting for your plane to land so that it can continue along with its journey.

The joy of travel is that the journey itself can be as interesting as the final destination. Next time I travel, instead of focusing on how getting from A to B brings out the ugly in everyone (okay, me), I’ll stop and notice what a beautiful structure I’m rushing about in.

First published October 2008

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Key terms (tags) for this article:
travel, architecture, airport, airport terminals, layovers, new terminals (view other popular tags)

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Comments

While Madrid terminal 4 is bright, modern, appealing, for the foreign visitor it can be tough. We arrived at one end of the terminal, climbed 3 flights of stairs, walked the entire length and width of the terminal, took the elevator back down to the basement before we got to customs. It was much nicer when leaving, we could stand on the main concourse and watch people repeating that long walk to arrive.

Dear Jacinta, You have a funny introduction to this article. I have seen many people at airports and other places where lines naturally occur (like everywhere) who, like you, are unhappy when a pregnant woman or a senior citizen jump ahead of the line or take too long to complete something. Even though I was raised to naturally give my place in line for those very people you are not very patient with, I now see the value of a law in my country that gives them the right to jump ahead of the whole line, anywhere and anytime. I've never liked civility by decree, but at least these laws protect people with special needs from others who may be too selfish to be aware of the world around them. Too sad to think we live in a world that needs laws to teach respect.