I’m a fan of IND, but having a Chick Fil A pre-security is not a check mark in the pro’s column
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I used to manage revenue for a couple of select service hotels at PIT. Fascinating airport - they got boned so hard by USAir and later by AA and even UA (some parallels with CVG and DL). The retail element of that airport is also very interesting, with the mall that non-fliers can access. The amount of business we did with oil and gas folks, youth soccer tournaments (I guess there’s a nearby complex), and Steelers Sun/Mon night games was staggering.
I had a couple other airport hotels, namely the Courtyard at JFK (complete shithole) - when UA pulled completely out of there it messed up our strategy so badly Was sick! 1/4-1/2 the hotel on most nights was UA flight crews and it evaporated overnight.
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A standard SkyClub yes, but the “Flagship” ATL F and JFK lounges no. Those lounges handle a ton of premium cabin passengers and the food & beverage is way behind what United and American offer to passengers on similar tickets.
A new airport I flew into this year was the Yellowstone airport. It was a cool experience - there’s basically a waiting hall (more like a room) for 50 people, 2 rental car counters, and a restaurant that had surprisingly good reviews (did not try it because it wasn’t open on our way out). All boarding is done on the tarmac. It’s about an hour drive to old faithful from the airport, which is cool. Baggage claim is a cart that they drive from the tarmac to the front of the airport. Unique experience, and I would do it again. You can’t beat it for convenience for going to Yellowstone. And I think I paid like $200 RT for the tickets, so it wasn’t super expensive. That might change next summer though.
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Also my wife was transiting CLT yesterday just as I finished the pod. Her on the phone, paraphrasing:
“Ugh, I have a 20-minute walk. This people mover is narrow. Geez this airport is crowded.”
That’s interesting perspective on PIT. It’s definitely been rejuvenated inside over the last couple of years and is in much better shape which is nice and it’s generally easy to navigate so no complaints at all, just getting a bit dated so the restore is nicely timed.
They’re getting rid of the landslide terminal completely, taking out the tram and expanding the airside terminal to nearly 3x its current size. Should help immensely with parking and navigating your way around the airport itself, and give TSA some room to breath as you currently see the line out to the parking lot at peak travel times.
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Loved my one experience flying to IND, but this was my one grip. I flew there in June of this year, and was waiting for another person to land, so tried to get something to eat. It was around 8:00 at night, and everything was shut down! All I could find open was a Chili’s (shoutout CPG?)
Love SMF. My local airport hits all my needs. Easy TSA, lots of parking, and generally short lines and good food.
I fly mainly Alaska now due to status and I can hit all my West Coast needs via SMF.
Special shout-out to HLN. Been flying to Helena, MT lately every few months for work and that airport is awesome for a small regional.
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You are in marketing, right?
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Tough, but fair
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Has anyone been through PRG recently? (Václav Havel Airport Prague)
As of 2019, they had the security checkpoints at each gate. So you just walk in to your gate, then go through security with just the people that are on that flight. Each gate is it’s own room.
Maybe this is more common than I realize, but that was the only place I’ve seen it. Worked well.
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I’d put the SEA and new MSP lounges up against Polaris any day of the week and they would be better.
I think the only thing United has going for it is OneWorld alliance - otherwise it is outclassed on every front. Coming from a former United plat and now delta plat, who does Asia 3-5 times per year
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Location, Location Location
It’s 20 minutes from mine on E-470. You get the nice foothill views way over there, I get easy access to DIA over here.
Right now, it’s a bit of a mess with the never ending upgrade boondoggle. But I love DIA.
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Back before SWA went to BOS or PWM I would take the direct PHX-MHT flight with my fam to either go back to Maine to see relatives or stop by Boston first, such an underrated airport for its location and how easy it was to get in and out, great memories of MHT!
Would love to hear the takes on this, for me it is hard to beat DUB and AerLingus. The economy seats on the A330 felt like economy plus on most domestic flights.
The COPA Club at PTY was sneaky good, especially for a 6HR layover after a redeye from SFO.
Sounds very similar to PPT except we were de-planing from a 787 to the tarmac which was WILD
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popping in to say fuck ohare. got stuck on the tarmac for two hours after landing, and another two waiting for bags after the F1 race in october.
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20 minutes is almost the closest you can be to DIA in the Denver area though. And it still doesn’t fix the parking situation, which is bad normally, but fucking dire recently.
Pod was great, allegiance banter is always funny. After listening, I bet a totally separate episode where @Cody gives us stories of non-euro international airports would be top notch. I had run ins over a drone in Ulaanbaatar and some ammo in Harare that have ensured I will always be grateful of our situation in the US, no matter how ridiculous certain hubs feel. I’d also like to hear what his worst in-flight meal was on a local airline overseas.
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Not sure where you park but I use Park DIA, it’s about $5-7 a day and the shuttles are pretty timely. I haven’t had too many issues with parking.
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Oh I agree, especially when they seemingly decided to do a lot more construction just as passenger numbers started increasing
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@Tron im sure these are fairly “new guy” questions, but after listening to both airport eps in the last 6 months, I’ve got a pair of inquiries I was hoping to get your and the greater Refuge’s take on:
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what’s the general opinion/consensus on IND? I know I’m a homer on this one but leaving from and coming home to this airport is a true delight in my experience and wondered if you or anyone else agreed… I seem to recall a small mention of it but nothing elaborate (lack of experience certainly could be a factor there)
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why is southwest seemingly absent from the conversation? That’s been my go-to for years but it seems to get no attention or love from the gang… (note: this coming from an almost exclusively non-business traveler)
Interested to hear your (and anyone’s) thoughts here!