My Worst Airport - Tullamarine, Melbourne. What's Yours?

[Renato1]

I've travelled to Europe quite a lot, and to Asian countries along the way, and when I arrive back in Melbourne the contrast is pretty stark - they built it in the sixties, and it shows. Every other airport I've been too looks better than Melbourne does.

Be it leaving or arriving there, there are always far more queues to get through than anything I experience overseas. Last time I left the country, I was in agony from an ultra aching foot when I finally got into the plane, caused by an hour and a half (or more) of queuing. This never happens to me overseas.

And if one is a smoker, unlike the civilized Sydney airport, tough luck - there is no smoking lounge (which would drive international transit smokers nuts). Let's face it, Macquarie run Sydney airport and they have some class about them and some semblance of customer service (smokers are customer too).

Curiously, Melbourne may be one of the better known in the world. The program "Border Control Australia" was a huge hit in Italy, and everyone there knows about Melbourne airport.

What do you think? Are there any worse than Melbourne in affluent parts of the world?
What do you feel about your home airport when you come home from overseas?
Cheers,
Renato

 

[JessicaTam]

I like MEL with it's connected terminals. No standing around waiting for a bus or train to transfer.

I don't have a lot of sympathy for smokers.

 

[ReLoad]

There is loads of large airports worse than MEL, been to JFK lately? Or even FCO?

The whole queues thing realistically has more to do with the govt services that run various functions than the airport itself.

No question MEL isn't one of the best, but it's not the worst either.

 

[footy99]

I'd rate pretty much every airport in the USA below MEL.

The funniest thing about coming home to an Aussie airport is noticing the Aussie accent. Hits you like a ton of bricks from all angles. Then a day or two later it seems perfectly normal again.

 

[breakNegg]

Perth is a train wreck, Domestic and International, Also Denpasar Bali new airport was designed and implicated by a 6 year old.

 

[blackcat20]

Melbourne airport is one of the best around. Connected terminals, no curfew etc etc.

Worst I've been to is FCO; long lines everywhere from check-in to security....

 

[Renato1]

I was wondering where this FCO is that keeps being mentioned. I looked it up and it's Rome Fumicino!

I've flown there twice in 2005, and twice in 2009 - never had a problem - friendly staff, good service, quickly got through the queues, caught the fast train into Rome station.

It didn't have a Smoker's lounge in 2005, but in 2009 it had probably the best Smoker's lounge in the world - huge space, luxurious seats, with great views of the airport (much better than the lounges in Dubai) and all courtesy of British Tobacco.

I'm sorry, but I don't think tired old Melbourne airport really rates against Fumicino.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[smit0847]

MNL.

End thread.

 

[slc767338]

MEL is one of the best IMO. Interconnected Terminals, Simple design, Relatively quick taxi time from Gate to Runway and v.v.
One fault I do have is the lack of a rail link but I, as have many Melburnians, have given up hope of this being completed within the next 20 years.

Try switching the 'E' in MEL to an 'N' and you will see the worst airport by far.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Has SYD Int got a smokers lounge now, where is it?

 

[kpc]

Lhr is not my favourite

 

[slc767338]

Lhr is not my favourite

LHR Terminals 3+4 are a train wreck.
T5 and the new T2 aren't too bad

 

[snabbu]

Wow amazing OP.

I could think of 20 airports worse than MEL, and that's purely in LOTFAP.

 

[ReLoad]

If an airport is rated solely by the quality of its smoking lounge and the length of its queues then I reckon I'm the poorest judge in the world.

Seriously FCO is a shambles at best, saying its better than MEL is a long bow to draw.

 

[robd]

The worst thing about Melbourne airport is getting there (from the Eastern Suburbs at least). Now that they have expanded the parking areas, the fees are quite reasonable, but the lack of direct rail transportation and getting in/through/over the city is an absolute nightmare. One minor accident and it's panic stations. Apart from that, I think Melbourne is quite good.

Agree FCO is terrible.

 

[Renato1]

Wow amazing OP.

I could think of 20 airports worse than MEL, and that's purely in LOTFAP.

As I said in the original post - I can only judge Melbourne against the airports I've visited. Maybe I just go to higher class destinations - or where the nations try to put their best face forward where visiting travellers arrive.

Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

If an airport is rated solely by the quality of its smoking lounge and the length of its queues then I reckon I'm the poorest judge in the world.

Seriously FCO is a shambles at best, saying its better than MEL is a long bow to draw.

If you read my original post, you'll see that I rate it as looking tired, and poor looking in comparison to other airports I've visited. When one arrives, it reminds me of arriving into a school shelter shed - of the 1960s vintage, like the airport.

As for smoking lounges, what's better to a certain type of traveller,
"Welcome friend!" or "Welcome Leper!"?
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

Has SYD Int got a smokers lounge now, where is it?

Well, I hope it's still there. I just asked staff - it was a bit of a walk to a barren little room.
At least it wasn't as bad as Bangkok smoking rooms.

The best smoking airport now is Dubai. You can either go to the smoking rooms, or go into smoking bars in the airport (prices for the drinks were quite reasonable).
Regards,
Renato

 

[robd]

As I said in the original post - I can only judge Melbourne against the airports I've visited. Maybe I just go to higher class destinations - or where the nations try to put their best face forward where visiting travellers arrive.

Regards,
Renato

I agree it's not the best looking, but practically, it's a very easy airport to get around.

 

[seanpodge]

MEL is a perfectly good airport in my opinion. Much better than SYD, who of course charge $5.50 for its own terminal transfer bus! :evil:


In my opinion, the arrivals hall and baggage claim in international probably could do with a bit of a touch up. Seems a bit dark and spartan. There does seem to be some works going on in that area though so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt in that area. Could also do with some more staff in security and borders. And of course an airport line to the city would be great. But really, I've never had any major problems at MEL. They've even started offering free wifi (could do with more power points though).

For the worst I've been too, I'd have to vote for LAX. A shambles at immigration and a near unnavigable labyrinth when having to transfer terminals. LHR not shedloads better. My humble hometown airport HRB doesn't have much in the way of bells and whistles but it does have a simple, clear layout and adequate facilities at the moment. Also being expanded at the moment so should get better in the next couple of years.