Guarantee Luggage

Seriously?! Can’t we all just check our bags and have them arrive when we do? In this age of massive inflation and stress, airlines have a great moment to make friends with everyone by alleviating this baggage mess!

Normalize Gate Checking Bags

I’ll double down and say that if you are willing to bring your bag to the gate, you should get the wifi code for free! It’s an easy chance to make it a coupon and let people feel better about the massive price tag it takes to travel.

Fast Pass Boarding Procedures

Dear everyone who does not travel regularly, I would like to explain my biggest stress at an airport. People who do not know what they are doing. I would like to be invited to a new club of people who travel often. The club is free, and you only get membership when you can prove that you can get on a plane without breaking the airplane etiquette rules, which include (but are not limited to) gate rushing, bringing too many carry-on items, not knowing what a boarding zone is, and not scanning your ticket correctly!

Get Rid Of The Center Seat Once and For All!

2-2-2! 2-4-2! 2-4! For heaven’s sake! Suck it up and configure the plane correctly! No excuses! I was in the Navy, and I moved around seats. It can be done if you truly care!

Mind The Gap!

Dear airplane people, all I want to do is sleep on your plane, so how about filling in the gap between the germ-slimed wall and the uncomfortable seat so I can at least lean my head back? It’s simple physics.

Family Seating

All the little children should sit together. There. I said it! Let me also add that having seats facing each other, like on a train, would be such a huge help to families with young ones. It’s not going to take up more space and it’s just as safe.

Install those lay-down seats! I want the top bunk!

Again. All I want to do is sleep!!!!

Money, Money, Money

I know! All of my brilliant ideas cost money. Well, airlines, you’ve charged me for my seat, my bag, my drink, my takes to pay for the terminal, early check-in, some premium stuff, and I was overcharged for my mocha latte in the terminal. There are no excuses here. It’s time for stockholders to realize that they must reinvest in things that airlines could do better.

Step Up The Waiting Game

Boring airports are boring and tedious. Who wants to wait while staring at a wall?! Boring airports need to take note of some of the amazing airports that bring it to a new level. Check out our picks and pans below!

Airport Awards!

One of the biggest questions we get when we talk to our fellow adventurers is what airports we love and which airports we avoid when we are across the pond. Fear not, dear traveler! We’ve got you covered! Here is our breakdown of the best, the worst, and the biggest surprises.

Before we get to our picks, it’s helpful to take a moment to remember that flying domestically and flying internationally are very different things. This mostly effects delays and cancellations. European flights all come with a passenger’s bill of rights and if anything happens with your flight, be sure to put your hands on a copy so you know exactly what to expect.

Weather is the number one issue that affects flights especially around airlines like EasyJet and RyanAir. Unlike in the US, these cancellations are handled in a very systemized way and are often more solvable on the airline’s app than trying to accomplish anything in person as airlines do not have dedicated service desks at airports in Europe. Long story short- download the app!!!!!

That said, statistics show that Malta wins with the most on-time flight departures. Brussels loses with the most cancellations, and Frankfurt suffers the most delays.

So, what are our picks and pans? Our informal list is based on our experiences. We look at the full airport experience, including layover restaurants, waiting areas, the check-in procedure, and the VAT and customs experience. Let’s dig in!

Picks:

• Zurich: Hands down the easiest and most pleasant airport, technology makes things easier instead of harder and there is plenty of shopping and food all along the terminals after an easy security. With so many international flights, travelers don’t run into too many customs or passport control issues.
• Munich: best layover, with great shopping and great restaurants
• Rome: best high end shopping but be sure to understand that you won’t get a gate assignment until 20 minutes before boarding starts, check in can be a bit overwhelming but security is a breeze. 
• All 3 Polish airports: Just don’t expect a ton of shops, restaurants, or pre-trip waiting areas. Baggage and customs are simple and small.

Surprises:

• Venice: by far the best trip to the airport there is and Vat Tax is easy to find and complete. But Venice is crowded, really crowded. 
• Lisbon: Home of TAP airlines, the Passport control area was out of control, and there was a ton of security for US-bound flights, but the Airline was actually really reasonable!
• Dublin: Far from the city center with no good public transport to get you there, Dublin has one really great thing going for it: travelers who are US-bound to clear all passport control and customs before flights. That means you get to just walk off your flight at touchdown. That’s a really great perk! 

Pans:

• CDG- We have never had to walk so far from a plane to passport control! CDG also lacks air in most areas and seems to just accept the chaos surrounding them rather than look for solutions like we see in other airports (Athens is a great example of an airport that was once a mess and now has their act put together)
• Frankfurt- Most delays statistically and some of the longest passageways to make connections. We’ve never been in this airport without the need to run.
• Amsterdam- Delays, VAT taxes take a really long time,  and it seems like they can’t keep up with keeping things clean with the amount of people passing through