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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Rating Details »
6000 North Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
(800) 897-1910
Atlanta, GA 30320
(800) 897-1910
203 reviews for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
I have mixed feelings about Atlanta's Airport.
On one hand, I can't stand the size and how hectic and disorganized it is. I hate the inconvenience with checking in luggage and I hate-hate-hate the long-long-long lines for security.
On the other hand, I like the few choices for food and alcohol. I like that there are smoking lounges and I like that I can hope on MARTA and go where I need to be...
I'll set it at 3 stars, but if I could I'd give them 3.5...
OH Boy! What a mess of an airport! Parking really sucks, to far, no people movers and a lot of walking. I was in the economy lot and it was raining hard! I was looking for a courtesy Shuttle, but of course they were underneath the parking deck cause it was raining, rather than helping the unsuspecting weary travelers who needed it! How original!
Signage in and out of the airport sucks. The food selection is limited.
Security is the worst I've ever seen other than Cleveland Hopkins Airport!
Busiest Airport in the Country lot's of international travelers a Gateway to our Country and this is the first impression Atlanta has allowed. Somebody needs to pay attention to the little details because they really matter!
Then you wonder why people have a negative opinion of our country and people!
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Hartsfield/ATL is the most traversed hub and the busiest airport in the country. If you read the travel trauma tirades and take away those related to 1. the airline 2. the weather 3. the TSA officials/regulations, you're left with a pretty good airport and amazing when you consider what they're able to do.
I think I've spent more collective hours at Hartsfield than any one place I've ever lived. For every miserable review on here, I have a great memory and for every awful person someone had to deal with, I've met a friend for life. Neither has anything to do with the airport. The only inside tip I can offer is that the best Crown Rooms are in Concourse A.
There's a saying, "You can't get to hell without a layover in Hartsfield." If you fly Delta, you know this is true. Since I am surely inching one step closer to hell every day, it'll be nice to pass through my Hartsfield living room once more on my way out!
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In terms of passenger traffic it's been the busiest airport in the world since 1998, but it sprawls over 5.8 million square feet of space so it rarely feels all that crowded. If I have time when I'm connecting through Hartsfield-Jackson International, one of my favorite things to do is walk the subterranean passage between the terminals. What better way to stretch your legs after a transcontinental flight than taking a stroll through a art-filled corridor (assuming you can't actually go outside, of course)? It is nearly a mile to walk end-to-end through the airport.
There are really just two big challenges with ATL: First, the security wait times can be frustratingly long due to the passenger volume. It's not a bad idea to arrive two hours prior to your flight even for domestic travel. Second, a semi-decent bout of inclement weather can cause system-wide delays, which makes can make getting to your destination a problem, particularly when you're headed to the opposite corner of the country.
Services vary by terminal, ranging from decent shops and restaurants to fast food. If you happen to be stuck in one of the lesser-appointed terminals and you have time, it's not a terrible haul to an adjacent terminal for a wider range of options.
When you take into account that ATL is the primary hub of what is now the world's largest airline, and are anticipating passenger volume in excess of 120 million by the year 2015 (currently closer to 90 million), they appear to be doing a pretty decent job managing for today while setting up for the future.
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ATL. For being the busiest airport in the world, you are in pretty good shape. The layout of the terminals is pretty simple and the underground tram is pretty slick. You can pretty quickly move from one terminal to the other in just a few minutes. The key is leaving yourself enough time to make the transfer, because Delta and Airtran will allow you to book a pretty short layover and if you're not paying close attention or if there's a delay on the first flight, you will miss your connection.
Unlike many modern airports, ATL does not have jetbridges for the regional planes. Odds are you'll be using the aircraft's own stairs and then climbing a flight of tile stairs to get up to the terminal. If it's rainy, those tiles can get mighty slippery. I can't imagine what they do for handicapped people!
One big tip, ATL: you need a cell phone lot! If you're picking someone up, you have to circle and circle and circle until they pop out the doors. Though the last time I was there, I was standing at the curb for 15 minutes and I wasn't confronted by any security to move along. (And that's not a security risk at all, eh?)
Would I fly through here again? It's Delta's biggest hub. If you're flying DL, you don't usually have much choice!
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I still just call it Hartsfield.... old habits die hard, sorry! But this airport is one of my favorites, and that isn't just because I'm a native. It's easy to navigate, and if you do get confused, someone is always willing to help out. There are plenty of great spots to eat, and most of the restaurants are right in the center of each terminal so you don't have to wander far. The prices aren't too terrible for most things, and there are even a wide variety of sit down restaurants to choose from. There's also a lot of art and creative ads, which I appreciate more than blank walls.
Security used to be a pain, but not so much anymore. With over 20 lanes that can be open at the same time, it's never taken me more than 5 minutes even at peak hours. Smaller airports with smaller lines have taken me longer! The TSA staff is also very friendly as of late, which is better than being constantly frisked and yelled at (also experienced at other airports!). Just don't bring big shampoo bottles and play dumb - no one likes a person who claims to have lived under a rock for 9 years!
The only thing I hate is when you're at gate A1 and get moved to gate B42. You have to run from one arm, hop on the train, then run all down the other arm to get to the new gate. That could be more efficient, but generally they're holding the plane for you anyway!
Having the world's busiest airport in your home base city? Priceless.
As a very frequent traveller I go through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport more often than I wish I had to. When making 100+ flights a year it is essential that things are efficient. I have lived in many different cities and experienced many airports. Given that Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world they actually do pretty good (on the average). In comparison to busy airports such as LAX, Chicago, Amsterdam, Heathrow the service at ATL is *very* good.
The new system with many automated check-ins is a big help to move people through the airport quickly. In addition the separation of frequent travellers from in-experienced helps move people efficiently through security.
The food courts both at the main terminal and the different segments are all of decent standard. They are not great restaurants, but OK. It would be great to see one truly good restaurant out there for people that are stranded and still in need of non-fast food (hint hint!)
If there is one thing I cannot stand about Hartsfield Jackson Airport then it is baggage service. It is slow / unreliable and just a pain. If you arrive on an international flight you have to re-check the luggage for the main terminal. This is confusing and in many cases it can take up to an hour to get the luggage. How can it be faster to fly from St Louis to Atlanta than moving a suitcase from Terminal E to the main terminal? This is not rocket science!
Overall the airport is reliable and consistent in service. Yes it has significant delays during thunderstorms! All airports do and when you fly through the busiest airport in the world and they experience bad weather - the end result can be major build ups. The good news is that late arrival typically is easily fixed as there is another flight in a few hours.
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This is the busiest Airport in America. Has been for many years, after it surpassed Chicago O'Hare. It is dominated by Delta Airlines, but has many other carries with smaller footprints. I flew United here, which only has a couple of gates at the end of the T-Terminal. It is diesined like a back bone with ribs coming out. The back bone is the tram, and the ribs are terminals A, B, C, D, E and T, all with about 15 gates. There are also 4, maybe now 5 major runways for flights.
They have remodelled the old terminals, which used to be pretty bad. I came in on the T terminal, which is the last one they remodelled, and it is more up to date with marble floors, clean and convenient, with more food and shopping choices than in the past.
The security gates in T-Terminal are well organized, with the main one with 22 lanes that leads down to the tram for all the other terminal,, and there are two others for either wing for the T-terminal. There is a nice large atrium past securtity for meeting,shopping and eating.
It has MARTA, the transporation system rail line coming right into the Terminals, so it is convenient to come in on public transporation from downtown, the north, east, or west of Atlanta.
They are still doing a little remodelling, mostly to make a new transit center for the Hotel and Parking shuttles.
Terminal T is shared by almost a dozen airlines, and they have plenty of new baggage carousels that make it pretty quick to get your luggage.
HartsField is holding up pretty well, espeically after the facelift, despite the huge growth in arrivals and departures out of here over the past 30 years.
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This is one of the most ridiculous airports I've ever been to. Since I am a Delta frequent flyer, I've reconciled the fact that 80% of the time I fly I will have a layover here since it is their biggest hub, so I try to make the most of it. Anyway, the place is huge, and is the busiest airport in the world, which can make getting around a bitch (especially if you have to get from Terminal A to Terminal C and you only have 30 mins). This airport also has some of the most random, unnecessary shit I've seen. For example, there is a Lacoste store in the A terminal, and an Ermengildo Zegna (s/p?). I'm sorry ATL, but buying an 80 dollar polo shirt isn't going to make me forget that you've delayed my flight 3 times in a 30 minute time frame. Also, the Burger King I went to in the A terminal does not sell chicken products. Anybody that knows anything about the demographic makeup about Atlanta would know why that sounds messed up. To its credit, they have flat screen TVs in the waiting area so you can catch up with the news or the game, and since this place is so busy, it makes for great people watching.
Sucky suck cluster f*ck.
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There are few pleasures greater than holding it down at Hartsfield-Jackson with the Ying-Yang Twins right beside you, seemingly having immense difficulty with the automated check-in kiosks.
They were also flying coach.
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I'd rather walk through Irvington at night waving the Confederate flag.
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Very crowded, small seating areas by the gates, lots of food places to check out.
Wifi didn't work 2nd time i was here.
not enough outlets either for electronics.
They weren't very good about expediting load of the air plane either.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2009
alright better than san diego, but nothing compared to pittsburg.
a few stores, large seating areas,… Read more »
Impressive!!!! Everything is nice at this airport and set up better than most I've seen.
Trams to transport you down to your concourse on both sides, clean, and well organized.
I had to go to the E Concourse and it was easy to find. Well organized again and very clean.
this airport also looks like Delta's main hub.
food courts are in all places, so no need to worry about going too far and not getting decent food.
I really really like this airport. There are big signs and arrows everywhere to guide you towards the right direction. Once you exit the car rental companies are right in front of you. Driving back into the airport there's a specific sign and lane for car rental returns. Inside there's a wide selection of restaurants. It's way cleaner than LAX.
I've had people tell me horror stories about this huge Atlanta airport, comparing it to Chicago and Dallas. So, of course, I was nervous and ready to run to my next flight.
However, I didn't find it too bad. I flew here from D.C., on my way to Puerto Vallarta. Man, the airport was frickin' cold! There must have been something wrong with the a/c system because the staff there were handing out blankets to people.
And...I was already cold. The Delta plane I had just gotten off was cold! I had my overhead a/c shut off but the entire plane was cold...and it was 7 in the morning!
I guess I'd rather be cold than hot...but still!
And then...on the way back...was really my worst experience...but it was really due to the weather. I knew I had a 2 hour wait before my next flight. Of course, when you're coming back home...you just wanna hurry home. Well, no thanks to the stupid thunderstorm...my plane was delayed 6 times...which meant almost another 4 hours of waiting!!!
Other than that, it is a huge airport! The bathroom were impressively clean! There was a nice variety of shops and restaurants.
omg big and busy
herds of people
but always pretty efficient in moving the giant groups of ppl from point A to point B
there are moving walkways and a train thing that goes really fast
the signs are big and easy to read
and seriously, if you can read a sign, you can get to your terminal/gate easily without being late
the security can take forever if you get there at the wrong times
i recommend getting to the airport at least 1 hour before your fight scheduled departure, takes you anywhere from 10-30 minutes to check in and get through security
there are lots of restaurants and newsstands, you wont be bored if you get here way too early or are here on layover. everyone is pretty nice, of course you'll get your tired grumpy airport employee now and then, but i havent had many problems
also, if you are at the arrivals lobby, you see a great stand set up where ppl meet troops returning from deployment, the ladies and gentlemen in that program are wonderfully nice. everyone applause the soldiers and help them get to their destinations, sometimes they hand out care packages too
also, you can see some famous people now and then
yesterday i saw chris brown, he was on my flight. of course im not sure if im a fan or not... but this isnt the place to talk about chris brown
SO, if you are trying to decide where to fly out of or where to stop by for a layover, ATL is great
This is where crack-whores get connecting flights. Luckily I was very tired and didn't really notice the 6 hour layover. Just walked around with my friend looking at the crazy shit this big ass pile of bull-mess had to offer.
2 stars for Chick-fil-A in the terminal.
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ATL is as good as it gets for a domestic passenger airport. If I wrote this review a couple years ago, I'd probably have given them a four just due to the hassles of large passenger transit crush, but lately their routing and management of through-traffic has improved and the airport is really a relatively quiet oasis at the passenger volumes they manage.
This used to be my default airport back in the day when I was schooling in ATL, but I'm looking at it now mostly as a remote connector airport for me. And I don't typically fly Delta anymore, so I'm also looking at this from a non-Delta VIP perspective, which makes it more applicable to the audience here.
1. amount of connections and time between connections. This airport isn't going to keep you around waiting for long time periods, due to the amount of flights per hour here. This is good, but you also want to keep in mind that due to the size you're probably going to need at least 45 mins between flights to allow for late delays and the possible transit if you are changing carriers. ATL rocks in this regard. You can get in and out quickly, but you may want to slow it down a bit to go to the Budweiser Brew Pub or other... ;)
2. modernity of airport. This airport is super modern, has accurate banks of departures/arrivals screens everywhere and is extremely clean and well managed.
3. speed of transit. For one of the largest passenger airports in the US, moving between gates (E all the way to the T lounges) is extremely fast. Take the train, don't walk it. Baggage also arrives fast and is efficient.
4. depth and breadth of passenger services. I'm talking food options galore. I'm talking shopping options (high-scale, low-scale, tourist stuff) abound. In every hall. In every food court.
In short, yes, it's a mega airport. It's a little confusing, very large, very busy all the time. It could be intimidating for your relatives coming to visit, so think about their routing. But it does to a "T" what every airport is designed to do (move you in and out and get you quickly and safely onto a plane), even throwing in a bit of fun and diversion while you wait.
And, as a side note, I recently was seated next to a Delta Jets international mechanic flying out of ATL and he gave me some of the down-low on Delta maintenance and let me tell you, it is impressive. My respect and admiration for the great job Delta mechanics do, not only domestic but on an international level, was greatly heightened.
It's huge and hard to find your way around. There are people who will follow you around asking if you want a ride and will keep harassing you.
It's really dirty.
Okay, on our way back to Seattle it was a completely different story. First off we flew out of concourse 'B'...or was it 'C'.....reagrdless I guess not all concourses at H-J A are created equal. The one we flew out of had more to offer in the way of food and stuff...and smoke friendly areas! I ended up at the Budweiser Cafe/Bar placey thing and smoked until my heart's content...or until boarding. I tried to order a beer, but I guess they can't start serving until 0900 hrs. Bummers...anyhoo, an additional star added so it's all good!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/19/2009
The layout of this airport is pretty simple and easy to navigate, with regard to the concourses… Read more »
I've been a fan of this airport for many years, not just due to the fact that I almost always have to use it to fly anywhere from the Southeast.
That being said the downside is that if you must travel through this airport on a regular basis you will likely experience delays during the long hot summer season. The lightning and thunder storms that are so prevalent from May through October have caused me many headaches travelling through Atlanta. The upside is that the Atlanta airport is well equipped to get you through just about any delay.
I'm going to try to review the airport itself not TSA or the airline, which really isn't fair for the airport.
We flew into ATL and it was super crowded but things were moving, signs were clear and we had no problem finding our way to our pick up. Overall the place was clean. The parking is close too, which is nice. The underground shuttle zips you from your terminal to baggage claim with ease.
You can't fault an airport for being big, and ATL is definitely BIG but they handle it well. The taxi to the gate took about 20 annoyingly long minutes but again, it's a big airport. One complaint is how they make you pay for parking. You check out with your ticket in the garage before you walk back to your car but then when you leave you have to check out again. It seems redundant.
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First time flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a destination airport - I've been to the Airport a number of times - as part of a layover between connecting flights.
Flew in via United - so it was quite a hike from the Gate area all the way over the the United Baggage Claim facility.
Overall, a clean, modern looking Airport - lots of amenities: stores, shopping, restaurants - and such! Way more choices that my home Airport - Dulles - and more modern and nicer from an aesthetics point of view!
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Flying in and out of Atlanta is quite an experience. I don't do well in crowds nor am I the type that has the best luck in crowded airports. I have a tendency to miss connecting flights and overall, I have rotten luck at airports.
But Atlanta didn't prove to be that horrible. There are a lot of cafes in the terminals and check in/security moved rather quickly. However, it's difficult to find departure screens in the terminals and when flying Delta, be expected to run long distances between gates and into different terminals when flying.
The airport staff can be a bit unfriendly at times, but at least the the tram comes regularly and quickly, unlike the tram at SFO.
It's not great, but it gets me where I want to go, and that's what really matters.
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This airport is way too big. If you are not paying attention to your flight attendant's ,gate announcements you'll easily get lost. Thankfully staff is friendly and always ready to guide you.
It's clean, fast paced, with a lot of places to eat/ snack, or shop, between flights.
Still my favorite airport because of its design, but their Wi-Fi makes me a little sad. I can't use it with my work laptop because Boingo requires that you download a program to access the Internet (and my company doesn't allow things like that).
I guess I could go back to using a T-Mobile HotSpot.
I'm happy that now the airport has Chick-fil-A. Other than Paschal's, I can't think of a better way to welcome someone to Atlanta.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/8/2009
How have I neglected writing a review about Hartsfield?!? I should be ashamed of myself because I… Read more »
This is what you call an airport everything is easy to find. Things look nice and in order not complicated or overcrowed and the air train is pretty nice.
More airports should take this one as an example.
A very poorly designed people moving system that makes it pretty darn difficult to move from one terminal to the other. If you are flying Delta and changing planes, chances are you are going to change terminals as well. Don't pack too heavily because you have to go down the hall, down the escalator, take the tram, go up the escalator, and down the hall again. It's a hike no matter how you slice it.
As we were awaiting our flight, the air conditioner in the gate area crapped out, so we melted for an hour before boarding. That plane was reeking by the time the passengers all got on. Not fun.
Face it people, flying today is like taking the bus was 10 years ago.
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Optimus has been to many, many airports. In many countries.
Trust me, whatever problems you've experienced at this airport - I've experienced them all - and they are much less of a hassle here than at most. Very experienced and friendly. Easy to understand. Great trams for reaching terminals quickly. My friend Cruizer is a tram here, actually. He works the day shift. Nice guy... doesn't get out much. Says your sun bothers him, or something. So he just got himself a gig at the airport.
Anyway, international travel is a breeze here, in and out. You want issues? Try the Ninoy Aquino airport in the Philippines. Especially when you're, you know, almost entirely composed of metal. "Emtee yaw poe-ket, Missuh Pe-rime." I don't have pockets, Co-cheese. "You eye-barring me, Champeeon?" Whatever, Death Wish, leave me alone. I'm trying to get to a bridge-opening ceremony.
Optimus OUT.
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It's a huge airport that has trams going to each terminal, though you do have the option of walking - if you do, it'll tell you just how many thousands of meters you have to go until the next terminal. Yes, I said thousands. The trams tells you when it's about to stop and suggests that you hold onto the poles - the tram is not kidding, as it breaks really, really, really hard.
Food choices and amenities are plentiful, and customer service is quick and friendly.
The main reason why I dig this airport though is the SMOKING LOUNGE!!! I'm not exactly proud that I smoke and it's the one habit I regret from my wanton youth, but it's a smoking lounge! How many US airports have those anymore? Don't get me wrong, I can survive just fine not smoking making my way somewhere far-flung (the violent-thought-o-meter goes up slightly but not by much), but the fact that it's there is very nice.
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I will always dread flying through Atlanta now. Delays, Delays, Delays. I was forewarned by some friends who told me about these non-stop delays, I didn't listen. Delays occur, that happens, but what I hated was that their flight monitors never updated on time and at the last moment we'd find out gates would change. I give this place two starts because they have a decent amount of shopping and a nice selection of restaurants. That is a must when you're DELAYED all the time.
Ugh.
Serviceable.
After a cramped American Airline flight (where one of the flight attendants kept knocking my shoulder with her ass every time she walked by) all I wanted to do was hail a cab and get to hotel.
"Cab sign, cab sign -- it must be here somewhere....I'll go outside and find a cab near the baggage claim exit -- SURELY -- wtf???" no cabs.
So I'm walking around outside for 10 minutes just trying to see if I can spy something *remotely* that looks like a cab. Nada -zilch-zippo. I finally see a wop (woman cop -- and I love all things Italian) and ask her if there any cabs. And she replies...
"Go down to the end of the building and turn left..."
Let me put that in comparative DFW terms:
"Walk your ass from Terminal A over to Terminal D and then turn left...."
That's all I'll say about that. Went back inside so I could cut through the building -- the ENTIRE Atlanta International Airport building -- to get to other side where there was... 2 cabs. And would you believe it--ain't nobody there takin' a cab so I got one.
So I now I yelp. And I feel better.
PS: The cab driver never spoke. Not one syllable....
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This is by far the nicest U.S. airport I've ever been to. The setup is nice and streamlined; the air train is nice, but you can also walk between terminals without too much trouble if you want to stretch your legs. At least 2 terminals (E and...B?) have large bookstores with comfy seats to sit and read while you wait. The security people are friendly and efficient. I just wish we had an airport in CA that came close to this. (Sorry SFO--you're a bit of a joke.)
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I really enjoy the artwork and sculptures in this airport. I suppose it has a very southern feel to it.
I enjoy just walking around and looking at the shops and restaurants here as there are many choices. The moving walkways are a plus, and it seems I have to use them often here. Here's an idea: when you're on an escalator or moving walkway, stand to the right--this allows others who wish to pass on the left room to do so. . . just like driving. This would make the lives of many people a lot less frustrating.
Not really digging the "opening fresh day" song to the tune of "shake your groove thang," and the little airport cheesy PSA to help people remember to throw their crap in the trash, but you know, do what you gotta do. And the tune is catchy. . .I mean I remember it enough to yelp about it.
20 minutes between the time I land in Gate A-01 and catch my connecting flight in Gate B-05. This is cake, should be super close.
I stroll to the direction of Gate B, kinda browsing, taking my time. I turn the corner to find that the gates are numbered backwards starting at 40+. FFFUUUUUUDDDDDGGGEEE!!!!
I start running even though I really need to pee. I'm chancing I won't wet my pants. Tummy is growling as I run past all of the yummy greasy eateries. Food, plane, pee...plane, pee, food...pee, food, plane. What to do? Ended up with no choice. Got on the plane, held my pee until the seat belt light went off, and ate salty pretzels to ease my grumbling tummy.
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This is not an airport review. This is another story about my kids. I have decided I'm going to do that every 100 reviews or so.
Fall 2000. Boys have just turned 3, we have moved into a new house. We are trying to get the boys out of their cribs and into the Big Boy Beds. It's not going well. I am traveling every Monday thru Friday, the Honey is alone in the big bed - at about 2.00am they sneak in and sleep with her. She's on her own. She loves it, all cute and happy and cuddly pleasure.
Then the Evil One returns from his business trips. After a bottle or two of wine and the earnest sleep of the good having a couple of 40 pound toddlers in the bed is not much fun.
This is where Atlanta airport comes in. I need to go to Germany for two weeks. It's not a bad gig, and I'll get to spend the weekend in the middle in Prague - but it will be tough for the boys and the Honey and I will miss them too.
But we have to solve this sleeping arrangement problem.
"Honey - ya gotta do this when I am gone - you can't make me the bad guy who doesn't let the kids sleep with us - they have to learn to sleep in their own bed or we are fecked for years."
Then I sit down with each of the boys for our man-to-man chat:
"Boys - ya gotta be big, ya gotta be strong - ya gotta stay in your own beds all night -when you wake up in the morning go cuddle with Mommie, but stay in your own bed all night - OK"
"OK Dad, we'll do it."
So off I go to Germany. Every day I'm on the phone, every day I hear the good news, they stayed in their own beds. This goes on for about 12 days - some hard work punctuated by some R&R in Prague. We have gone two full weeks without the kids getting out of their beds - all because I asked them to stay put. I award myself the father-of-the-year prize. Kids are easy - you just have to look them in the eye and tell them what you want. Be firm be direct. That will get it done.
So finally, my last day of work in Germany and I am on the plane back to the ATL.
Honey says - " hey - how about me and the boys come out to the airport and meet you at the gate?"
Whoever said 'to travel hopefully is better than to arrive' did not know what it is like to be gone from the family for a fortnight. I was foaming at the mouth. I transferred at JFK and then got a flight to ATL. I was upgraded to first class. The Shakespeare seat they call it. 2B. The plane comes into the gate.
Remember this is Fall 2000 when anyone could saunter in right up to the gate. I am first off the plane, everyone comes up behind me - lots of people there at the gate to meet their friends and loved ones. I see my two boys - they run up to me screaming with joy - they cannot wait to tell me the good news and in front of all the dozens of people coming and going at the gate they yell:
"Daddy, Daddy, guess what - nobody slept with Mommie this week"
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Wow, this airport is busy! Even when we first landed there from our red-eye, it was still bustling. Thankfully, it's also pretty well organized with trams that are easy to use and signs to guide you in the right direction. The terminals that house Deltas domestic flights, I think Terminals A and B were crazy. The first time we passed through it was a Monday morning and the second time was a Sunday evening, so maybe there were a lot of business travelers, but I was just overwhelmed by how many people were in the terminals. It was just packed with people with almost every seat occupied and added to what can be a stressful time for some people.
Fortunately, as you move towards the international terminal, things get a little quieter and you can actually find a place to rest. I thought I had read that they had free wi-fi at this airport, but that's not true. Big bummer especially since we had a 5 hours layover each way. They do have a lot of shops and restaurants to kill time which is nice so we could keep ourselves occupied.
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The airport is pretty good. I haven't really had any problems flying in or out of here. They actually do a really good job of getting people through security quickly. The news always makes a huge deal of getting to the airport super early because the lines are forever long, but I have never waited more than 20 minutes in the security line, even right after Christmas. Even when the lines look long, they move pretty fast.
I'm not a fan of the train you have to get on to get to the terminals. It usually sucks because I always manage to get to the train right as everyone is trying to cram into it and you have to push your way in or people will just stand by the door and not move into the train. It's also sometimes hard to get out, because people fail to realize that just because they are not getting off at that stop that other people might be, so they don't move out of your way and you have to push your way through to get out before the doors close on you.
Overall it's a pretty good airport, but I'm not really a big fan of being in airports.
This airport aint half bad!
I hit it twice recently for connections to and from Seattle and Jamaica. Both times I was fairly worn down with travel and irritable, but they did a fairly good job making things run smoothly. Did not take long to clear international check in. Fair food selection. Clean bathrooms. Enough seating while waiting for flight. This is not a bad airport for a connection. I am not sure how they run the front of house stuff (security, ticketing, etc)
