Atlanta - ATL

The busiest airport in the world.

At a natural crossroads for the 19th-century railways, the highways that followed, and the airways that arose after that, Atlanta’s natural resources and people were brought together by transportation to create a manufacturing, finance, education, and media center. Atlanta’s diversity is reflected in its hometown companies, such as Coca-Cola, UPS, CNN/Turner Broadcasting, and The Home Depot.

Pioneer airlines Delta and Eastern developed ATL into the first true “hub” as they learned how to balance business and leisure traffic flows among the Northeast, Midwest, Florida, and the South. Short-haul and long-haul services were both within economical reach of common 20th-century aircraft thanks to Atlanta’s excellent geography.

After Eastern’s collapse, Delta rapidly expanded both in the USA and overseas, finding Atlanta again to be placed ideally to balance West Coast, Transatlantic and Latin American traffic flows. Today ATL is not just a true global hub, it is the busiest airport in the world by passenger count (although Beijing is catching up quickly!) Flights to major cities are now so frequent that there is no longer “slack time” between banks of connecting flights.

Low-cost carriers Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit offer substantial competition to key business and vacation centers across the US, and the major network carriers link ATL to every US hub.  

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Service to Asia has been slow to develop, however, as Delta has better-positioned hubs to carry traffic in that direction (such as Detroit and Seattle). There are several flights: Delta’s focus city at Tokyo-Narita is served daily, and Seoul-Incheon is now served with two daily nonstops, one from Delta and the other with their joint-venture partner Korean Air. These flights allow for convenient same-day inbound connections from all across East and Southeast Asia and most major cities in China.

More options from Atlanta to East Asia have opened through the Middle East with the arrival of Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines in 2016. These carriers have been aggressively expanding their route networks and building new airports specifically for global connecting passengers.

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Customs Arrival

With the completion of the new International Terminal in 2012, the arrival procedure has been streamlined significantly. Overseas flights dock at concourses E and F and passengers from those aircraft are directed through secure hallways to the new Customs facility beneath the International Terminal. Flights from Asia tend to use Concourse F (which is attached directly to the International Terminal.)

The walk from gates on Concourse F to passport control takes less than 5 minutes, but from Concourse E you should be prepared for 15-20 minutes (although there are moving sidewalks in the tunnel to help you along.) With 20 passport-check counters, waiting time for this step should be under 10 minutes - and baggage should be arriving at the carrousels at about the same time you do. 

If you have items to declare in your luggage, stop at the USCIS counter. If connecting to another flight turn left outside the baggage claim and re-check your bags at the airline counters - then proceed through the security check. Once through security, you can head up one level to Concourse F, go forward through the underground tunnel to Concourse E, or down to the tram station to ride to the other concourses. Check the row of departure information screens to figure out which direction to take.

Total time from getting off your aircraft to getting back into the gate area runs 30-60 minutes, depending on which concourse you arrive at and how many other overseas flights are being processed at the same time. 

If you’re not flying somewhere else, turn right outside the baggage claim and follow the hallway to the lower level of the International Terminal. If people are waiting for you this is where they’ll be, and the parking ramps are directly outside. If you are planning on using Atlanta’s MARTA system, catch the shuttle bus to the Domestic Terminal where the train station is located.

Navigating the Airport

Click the graphic to open terminal and concourse maps (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Click the graphic to open terminal and concourse maps (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

ATL’s gates are arranged in six long parallel concourses. Starting from the Domestic Terminal:

  • Concourse T (United and American, some Delta long-haul flights)
  • Concourse A (Delta mainline, usually the biggest jets)
  • Concourse B (Delta mainline)
  • Concourse C (Delta mainline and regional services, plus Southwest)
  • Concourse D (Delta regional, Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue, other domestic)
  • Concourse E (International services and some domestic)
  • Concourse F (International services and some domestic) 
  • the International Terminal

The concourses are linked together by an underground automated tram (the "PlaneTrain"), and all gates are in the same security zone. Tram stations are located at the middle of each concourse. It takes just over a minute to travel from one concourse to the next; figure about 10 minutes from concourse A to concourse F. The tram tunnel also includes a pedestrian walkway; this is the best way to grab extra steps if you have the time or desire.

Walking from one end to the other of any concourse takes up to 15 minutes; be prepared for heavy crowds, especially in the middle sections and in front of restrooms and fast food places. Concourses A, B, C, and D get very congested (with D being the worst.)

The hallways are too narrow for moving sidewalks, and there aren’t enough escalators to quickly handle the crowds at tram stations. The tram can get very tightly-packed, especially at peak times of the day. You’ll need to carry along extra patience when traveling through ATL.

Having said that, the new Concourse F is better-designed all around, with a wider hallway, bigger gate areas, plenty of natural light, and comfier places to rest. If you have 2 or more hours between flights, this is the place to settle down.

Family-friendly Amenities and Hidden Gems

Compared to other major airports, ATL is sorely lacking in features to make travel less stressful for parents and more enjoyable for kids.

At present, there are no play areas in the concourses. (There used to be a few, but all were removed as of May 2011.) 

Some of the gift shops have toys, and Panda Veranda near gate B9 has a nice selection of stuffed animals and Atlanta Zoo merchandise, but there’s no other retail in any of the concourses specifically aimed at families.

ATL does feature an extensive collection of artwork of many varieties- from puppets to mosaics to sculptures, kid-created to professional - and pieces can be found throughout the complex, but especially on concourse E. If your children are old enough to enjoy the arts, this may be a good use of time.

Quiet, open space can be a challenge to find, and a place for kids to run around to burn off steam is even more difficult to come by. There are no designated relaxation areas, and considering how crowded the aisles get at peak connecting times, you’ll want to keep your kids very close.

As mentioned above, Concourse F is the best spot to find quiet, comfortable space if you have extended time between flights. We’ve also had good luck on Concourse E in finding empty gate areas where kids can nap or play on the carpet without getting underfoot.

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If you are passing between the A and B concourses underground, as part of the remodeling of the airport, a virtual "forest" has sprouted in the pedestrian tunnel connecting the two tram stops, complete with bird calls and forest noises. It's really charming!

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Watching the takeoffs and landings is especially enjoyable in Atlanta, for the variety of airplanes you’ll see and the constant activity - the best spots for this are at the far end of any of the concourses.

Restrooms

There are 13 “family restrooms” in the secure gate area - 3 on concourse T; 2 on concourse A; 3 on B; 2 on C; and 2 on D. No dedicated family restrooms are located on the international concourse E, but one is on Concourse F by gate F6.

The facilities have the basics - a changing table, electric outlets, a wide space around the toilet - but are on the small size compared to other airports (except for F6) and don’t have a privacy wall around the toilet. They appear to get a lot of use, so cleanliness may be an issue.

Conventional restrooms are also heavily used, keeping the maintenance staff continually busy. The fixtures have recently been updated, but stall space is not big enough to hold your luggage and a child, and there is no shelving over the toilets or urinals to keep your bags up and out of the way. Both men’s and women’s restrooms do have changing tables near the sinks.

Food and Shopping

ATL does manage to pack a good number and variety of food options into the gate areas. Larger food courts can be found in the central areas of concourses A, B, E and F, just outside the tram escalators. The court on E has the most variety; the seating area on B has the best close-up view of the airplanes; and F has the most space to park your family comfortably.

Sit-down restaurants, fast food and coffee stands (with all the usual chains represented), and small carts are distributed evenly around the concourses.

Shopping options tend to be more of the newsstand / travel goods / electronics variety, with a few cosmetics shops and bookstores. Look for Atlanta-specific gift shops if you still need to pick up some locally-sourced items for presents.

Connectivity

ATL now has free WiFi available throughout the complex, including the PlaneTrain. Charging stations are widely available and easily spotted.

MARTA’s Red and Gold lines connect ATL with several neighborhoods, including College Park, West End, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Lenox, Chamblee, Dunwoody, and North Springs. Connections downtown at Five Points to the Blue and Green lines give access to the east and west halves of the city as well.

Where to Stay

If your inbound or outbound connection requires you to stay overnight, or if you're driving in and want to be rested before or after your trip, some nearby family-friendly hotels with free shuttles to ATL include:

  • Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport
  • Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Airport
  • Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North, and the Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South
  • Country Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport South
  • Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North
  • Drury Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport North
  • Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Airport West
  • Hilton Atlanta Airport
  • Residence Inn Atlanta Airport North
  • Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Airport North

Ontario - ONT

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Photo by ERIC SALARD via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

The Inland Empire lands its first Asian flight

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the airport at Ontario, California was a busy alternative to crowded Los Angeles International, and carriers like United, American, Western, and Continental ran mainline services to their national hubs, while regional carriers like PSA, AirCal, Hughes Airwest, and Alaska covered the West Coast.

ONT was managed by the same authority as LAX, and concentrated their investment on the latter airport, first to handle the surge of traffic for the 1984 Olympics and then to manage the consolidation of the airline industry: American, United, and Delta all wanted to establish hubs there. Ontario was assigned ever-higher cost burdens to help finance development at LAX, which drove traffic away. It took until the late 1990s for ONT to get a replacement for its 1960s-era terminal, and arguments about costs and local control continued into the 2010s, when the airport authority was devolved to Ontario and San Bernardino.

Image by jennifer via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

Image by jennifer via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

Since its independence from LAX at the end of 2016, Ontario Airport has been working to lower its costs and attract new flights. The “Inland Empire” was hit hard by the 2008 Great Recession, but its recovery has been strong, and its location outside the road and rail snarls of Los Angeles proper – yet on the mainline interstates and railroads - has made it an important logistics hub: both UPS and FedEx have made ONT into key facilities for all Southern California.

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Click to open the fascinating University of Virginia Cooper Center Map Project to visualize ethnic patterns from the 2010 Census. 

Asian-American communities have steadily grown on the eastern side of Los Angeles, in Orange County, and on the northern side of San Diego. These communities would like (and are willing to pay for) convenient flight options to East and Southeast Asia, but Santa Ana’s airport is locked in to a short runway and limited hours which prevents long-range flights, and San Diego’s configuration is adequate only for Japan Airlines’ 787 nonstop to Tokyo – nothing bigger or with longer range. Up until this point, that meant travelers would have to endure long highway journeys to LAX. ONT, however, is convenient to the I-15 and Cal-91/Cal-60 corridors, has a very long runway, and is not subject to noise or frequency restrictions. While it may be similar road mileage from these communities versus LAX, the driving time can be literally hours better.

ONT management has been touting these advantages to Asian carriers, and in September 2017 they reached agreement with Taiwan’s China Airlines to begin nonstop service to Taipei:

Beginning March 25, 2018, with four flights per week:

  • Flight CI 24 – Departs Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) 4:10 pm, arrives ONT 1:20 pm same day
  • Flight CI 25 – Departs ONT 3:45 pm, arrives TPE 8:55 pm next day

The arrival time at Taipei will allow same-evening connections to Bangkok and Hong Kong, while the afternoon departure from TPE connects in from those two cities as well as many more from Southeast Asia and mainland China.

It is expected frequency will eventually become daily on this service. China Airlines will use its Boeing 777-300 on the route.

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Photo by joolsgriff via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

China Airlines’ SkyTeam partner, Delta, only flies to ONT from its hub in Salt Lake City, and the arrival/departure times for those flights would be terribly inconvenient to make connections (5-6 hour waits). So this flight is truly dedicated to serving local passenger and cargo customers for eastern L.A. and San Diego.

International Arrivals building. Image via Google Street View.

International Arrivals building. Image via Google Street View.

Customs Arrival

Ontario uses a dedicated, separate building for international arrivals needing Customs clearance. After landing, passengers will exit the airplane via stairs and walk outside on the apron to an enclosed walkway. Passport control is immediately inside, and then baggage claim. Passengers not needing to declare items at Customs may exit directly.

Average times to clear Customs at ONT currently run 15-30 minutes; on the lower end of the range for US citizens and the higher end for non-citizens. This is based off arrivals data for Aeromexico and Volaris flights coming in from Mexican cities – with the important note that those flights are on smaller 737 and A320 aircraft. China Airlines’ 777-300 will carry about twice as many passengers, so longer processing times should be expected. No other international arrivals will be taking place when the Taipei flight comes in, so this will help; we will need to see how US CBP staffs to serve this time of day to get a real sense of processing time.

There are no baggage recheck counters at the international arrivals building, or shops, just restrooms and doors outside to catch a shuttle bus to the other terminals, parking lots, and ground transportation center. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes, 24 hours per day.

Image via Google Maps. Click to expand view.

Terminal 2 entrance. Also via Google Maps Street View.
Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Navigating the airport

International departures from Ontario leave from Terminal 2, and SkyTeam partners Delta and Aeromexico are also housed there. Check-in is on ground level, with the security checkpoint upstairs and gates just beyond.

ONT’s terminals are laid out in a straight line, with gates on the air-side and services on the land-side. Terminal 2 at present has only 12 gates so walking distance is minimal. (Click here for a terminal map.)

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Family-friendly amenities and hidden gems

The terminal was built with the intention of quickly moving passengers between the airplanes and parking lot – not for spending extended time there, or for making connections – so it’s a stripped-down building with just the basics. There aren’t any play facilities or kid-oriented artworks. There is a nursing area tucked in between the women’s restroom entrance and the vending machine complex across from Gate 207.

If your kids enjoy watching aircraft on the ramp and runways, the big windows do afford a good view of the action. The space just outside security gives the best panorama in Terminal 2.

Image by Zhao Shouren via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

Image by Zhao Shouren via Flickr, CC 2.0 license

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Restrooms

Terminal 2 was opened in 1998 so restrooms are up to ADA standards. There is one family-size restroom directly across from Gate 206, between the ATM and the men’s restroom entrance.

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Image by Vmzp85 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

Food and Shopping

At present there are only two prepared food outlets in Terminal 2 (one Mexican and one sandwich shop), plus an array of packaged-food vending machines. Likewise there is only one newsstand and one general-merchandise shop: nothing in particular oriented toward children, but more along the lines of last-minute needs, reading material, and gifts.

There is space in the concourse for additional food and retail, but traffic through the building needs to dramatically increase to attract and keep more tenants.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is free and strong throughout the airport.

ONT is situated between Metrolink’s Riverside And San Bernardino lines, but neither has a station at the airport. The local bus system, Omnitrans, offers service every 15 minutes from Terminals 2 and 4 along their route #61, which links the Pomona station on the Riverside line, and the Fontana station on the San Bernardino line. Bus route #80 with hourly service, reaches the Ontario Convention Center, Alta Loma, and Rancho Cucamonga.

Lodging

There are several family-friendly hotel chains nearby with free shuttle service to ONT, if you were going to drive in the night before your flight:

  • Holiday Inn Ontario Airport
  • Azure Hotel & Suites Ontario Airport
  • Best Western Plus Ontario Airport
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport
  • Residence Inn by Marriott Ontario Airport
  • Sheraton Ontario Airport
  • Embassy Suites Ontario Airport

See also…

ONT Wikipedia entry

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ontario-airport-20161101-story.html

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2017/09/29/china-airlines-announces-nonstop-weekly-flights-to-ontario-airport-in-spring-2018/

 

Houston - IAH

Image courtesy Visit Houston

Image courtesy Visit Houston

New flights power Asian connections through the Energy City

Houston’s historic importance as a center of energy production and logistics quickly put it on the post-World War II map of long-range flights from Europe and Latin America. Companies like Phillips 66, Conoco, Halliburton, and Occidental – and the contractors and suppliers who support them – send their people all over their world, often on short notice: they require frequent international service and are willing to pay well for it.

The city’s seaport and distribution infrastructure – and closeness to Mexico and the Caribbean – also gave it more of a global outlook, cuisine, and population. Yet it was not until after the Vietnam War and the emergence of the Four Tigers economies in the 1970s-80s when Houston started to pick up Asian influences and migration, and vibrant Vietnamese and Taiwanese communities developed in the southwest quarter of the metro area in the 1980s-90s.

Continental 777-200 at Narita Airport, preparing to depart for Houston

Continental 777-200 at Narita Airport, preparing to depart for Houston

It took until 1998 for Houston-headquartered Continental Airlines to start nonstop service to Tokyo, the city’s first air link of any kind to Asia.

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United and Continental merged, moving their headquarters to Chicago but keeping Houston as a mega hub. While United has not added any more nonstop flights to East Asia, they have encouraged their Star Alliance partners to come to Houston, so today IAH has daily or near-daily service to:

  • Tokyo Narita – on United and also ANA-All Nippon Airways
  • Beijing – with Air China
  • Taipei – on EVA Air
  • Singapore – with Singapore Airlines (this flight stops in Manchester, England on the way)

From these four hub cities, nearly any point in East and Southeast Asia can be reached in just one stop.

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Domestically, United covers all major US cities from IAH and regional destinations in Texas, the Southwest, and the Gulf Coast. These areas, and Florida, are best-positioned to use Houston as a connecting point for flights to Asia.

Delta, American, and Spirit also send numerous flights into IAH, but don’t have international partners flying there to take you to Asia via Houston. Finally, Southwest doesn’t fly to IAH at all, as they have a significant base at Hobby Airport on the south side of the city.

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Customs Arrival

International arrivals for the Asian carriers pull up to gates in Terminal D, where mid-level walkways and bridges direct passengers through the building, across the street, and into the central Customs checkpoint.

Image of Terminal E courtesy Visit Houston

Image of Terminal E courtesy Visit Houston

Passengers arriving on United’s flight dock at Terminal E, where they ascend a level and walk above that concourse to get to the same central Customs area.

Passport checks take place on the upper level, and then passengers go down a floor to the baggage claim and Customs inspection area. For travelers not flying onward, there are exits from this point to the arrivals area on the ground floor of Terminal E. For people connecting to other flights, turn right after Customs for baggage re-check stations and then security screening. Once through TSA screening, you will come out into a corridor linking the D and E gates, with the Skyway train station just around the corner.

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Click this map to open a new window for detailed maps on the airport's official site.

Click this map to open a new window for detailed maps on the airport's official site.

Navigating the airport

One thing is certain when flying from or connecting through IAH: there’s almost always going to be a lot of walking.

The airport opened in 1969, before the days of security checks or massive airline hub operations, so the original Terminals A and B were small, separate buildings each with four “banjo” concourses tucked in close.  By the early 1980s this arrangement was clearly impossible to manage for Continental’s growing hub, so they built Terminal C further east.  Terminal D opened in 1990, then Terminal E in 2002.

In 2018, only two "banjos" remain, on the north side of Terminal B. These will get torn down in the early 2020s and replaced with more-conventional concourses.

In 2018, only two "banjos" remain, on the north side of Terminal B. These will get torn down in the early 2020s and replaced with more-conventional concourses.

The terminals are spread so far apart because they are sitting between the airport’s east-west runways, and concourses can only extend outward by a few airplanes’ wingspans before blocking taxiways. Likewise, creating one central terminal is impossible because of how the roadways and tunnels were laid out in the 1960s. In fact, the airport has run out of room and cannot add any more terminal buildings to the east – so they have been progressively re-constructing the terminals and gate areas to become more efficient.  IAH is about halfway through that process, and it will take well into the 2020s for all its parts to be rebuilt.

The C-North gates have breathtaking design with lots of open space - the model for what the B-North and D gates will look like in about ten years...

The C-North gates have breathtaking design with lots of open space - the model for what the B-North and D gates will look like in about ten years...

United’s operation in Houston is so large that it now uses all the B, C, and E gates, and many of the northern A gates as well. Delta, American, Spirit, Air Canada, Alaska, Frontier, and other US and Canadian carriers use gates in the A complex, while all the overseas and Mexican carriers use the D gates.

So even for a United-United connection it is entirely possible you may arrive at gate A1 and depart from gate E19. Thankfully, all gates can be reached without having to leave the secure area.

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Skyway shuttle trains run along the north side of the complex, with one station in Terminal A, B, and C, and a station between Terminals D and E. These trains are quick and frequent and afford a pretty good view of the runways and ramp on the north half of the airport. From one end to the other is about a 5-minute ride.

Corridor connecting the E-gate concourses

Corridor connecting the E-gate concourses

However, even using the Skyway train, there is still considerable walking needed along the C and E gates. And if you are using United Express service leaving from the B gates (especially B1-B31), those are also a long walk from the Skyway station. For domestic-domestic, or domestic-international connections, we would advise using no less than a full hour and preferably 90 minutes between flights.

The one case where you won’t have too far to walk is if you are being dropped off on the ground floor of Terminal D to check in for your flight – in that case the gates are immediately above the ticket counters and security checkpoint.

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Family-friendly amenities and hidden gems

IAH has no children’s play areas and no consistent safe stretches of space where kids can run around to burn off steam while waiting for boarding. Even open gate areas in the C14-C15 or D1-2-3 stretches will see a steady stream of cart traffic and just enough people trying to sleep to keep them “no fly zones” for children.

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The international gates east of the small food court, D7 – D12, have several interesting child-height art installations and occasionally someone playing the grand piano.

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Over in Terminal A, the Skyway train station is full of eye-catching star sculptures, and the walkway between the north and south gate areas holds many sculptures under Plexiglas at kids’ eye level.  There are also musical performances scheduled in the north-side food court. (And here is a link to the full portfolio of artwork)

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Mindworks, near gate E9, is a small but well-stocked kids’ shop with toys and aerospace / NASA gear; well worth a visit if you are in the E gates or even the C30-C40 area.

Surprisingly missing is any exhibit from NASA/Johnson Space Center – in contrast to the two locations Kennedy Space Center has in the Orlando terminal. There is plenty of open-air space in the E gates, the C-North gates, and the ticket hall of Terminal D for them to mount full-sized spacecraft replicas!

 

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Restrooms

Just as the gate areas are being progressively torn down and rebuilt, so are the restrooms. The newest parts of the complex (A-gates, E-gates, B1-B31 United Express holdroom, and the C-North gates) have been built with conveniently-located family restrooms.

The C-North / E / new B mens’ and womens’ lavatories also have more stalls and more room in each stall for stowing carry-on bags up off the floor (or for managing children if need be.)

D-gate restroom entrance

D-gate restroom entrance

The restrooms in the international D-gate areas are adequate in periods of average traffic, but starting to show their age and not up to the same standard as the ones in the E-gates, plus there are no family facilities in that stretch. This could lead to long waits if several flights are leaving around the same time.

Typical stall in the E-gates; note the small shelf above the toilet for storage.

Typical stall in the E-gates; note the small shelf above the toilet for storage.

Restroom repair and cleanliness is also uneven across the terminals – the newest are simply built better for the traffic they get, so they are easier to maintain.

 

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Food and Shopping

Thankfully, great food options for any palate or food requirement are available throughout the complex, and since you’ll be walking anyway, you’ll get to see a wide spectrum of choices. The local cuisines of East Texas and the Gulf are well-represented, from steakhouse to Tex-Mex, Cajun/Creole, Vietnamese, and seafood.

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National chains are well-represented, and the airport is rolling out many sit-down restaurants that use the popular order-from-iPad service format. There are also several shops to pick up fresh fruit and deli sandwiches.

Shopping options include the usual newsstand, electronics, cosmetics, sunglasses, and luxury-goods choices, but you’ll also find more than the usual number of clothing stores.

IAH is piloting an interesting twist to shopping: certain merchants will let you use your MileagePlus points toward payment!

IAH is piloting an interesting twist to shopping: certain merchants will let you use your MileagePlus points toward payment!

 

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is free and strong throughout the airport.

Houston has a metro rail system, but has not extended it out to IAH – it might get there by 2035, according to the latest long-range plan. There is a bus route to downtown, but it does not go near the Convention Center or main bank of hotels. SuperShuttle, taxi, or private car are the only realistic options for fast ground transport.

 

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Lodging

If you need to stay overnight before or after your trip, the Houston Airport Marriott is located between Terminals B and C, and can be reached from any terminal via underground Subway (catch it on level LL below baggage-claim). Many rooms have a good view of the ramp! For its convenient location, it does claim a premium price.

Lower-priced national chain locations with family-friendly amenities and free shuttles to IAH would include the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Country Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inn, Hampton Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott.

 

See also…

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport official website

IAH Wikipedia entry

Seattle/Tacoma - SEA

This traditional Pacific port of entry is easy to use.

Seattle’s historic ties of trade with and immigration from Asia, its many technology and service companies, and its relatively short flying times have attracted many airlines to start Transpacific service here.

Delta Airlines has built up a strong Asian operation out of Seattle with nonstops to Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, and Tokyo-Narita. 

Fellow SkyTeam carrier Xiamen Air has started a 3-per-week service from Seattle nonstop to Shenzhen in the Pearl River Valley, continuing on to Xiamen on China's southeast coast.

Korean Air offers 5-per-week nonstop service to their massive hub at Seoul-Incheon. Some same-day connections are available to interior Chinese cities and other Southeast Asian destinations; many more can be reached with an overnight stay (Incheon has a hotel inside the terminal for just this reason.) 

ANA - All Nippon Airways, in the Star Alliance with United, has a daily nonstop to their big Tokyo-Narita hub; many Southeast Asian cities can be reached same-day.

Asiana Airlines - in the Star Alliance with United - runs a 5-per-week nonstop to Seoul-Incheon. A few interior Chinese cities can be reached same-day; otherwise an overnight stay is needed. 

Hainan Airlines, an independent Chinese carrier, flies nonstop 5 times a week to Beijing, where they offer excellent same-day connections to many interior cities. They have also started a 3-per-week nonstop to Shanghai-Pudong.

EVA Airways flies daily nonstop to Taipei. Airlines from Taiwan have only recently been allowed to fly into mainland China; your best connections on EVA are to Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The return flight into Seattle arrives too late in the evening to make same-day onward flights, and the departure from Seattle leaves well after midnight.

Domestically, Seattle is the headquarters and main hub for Alaska Airlines and their commuter arm, Alaska Horizon, as well as a major base for Delta, who has its own commuter services too. Sea-Tac is also an important focus city for United. These networks link Seattle to every major city in the Pacific and Alaska time zones, and every second-tier city in the Pacific Northwest.

Every major US airline serves SEA, including the low-cost carriers Southwest, JetBlue, and Spirit. No matter which frequent-flyer program you’re on, or part of the country you’re from, you’ll have numerous options.

Customs Arrival

All international flights arrive at the South Satellite. As you deplane, you’ll be directed along ramps to the level below the gate area. Even though many overseas flights arrive midday, waiting time for passport checks and luggage retrieval usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes. (Even on domestic flights, Sea-Tac’s baggage delivery is super-speedy; your suitcases will be at the carrousel before you can get there.)

After clearing Customs, if you have an onward flight, stop at the baggage re-check counters, then go through security screening, and walk over to the underground tram stop (for Delta flights, head upstairs; for all other carriers, take the tram to the main terminal, where you can access all other gates.)

If Seattle is your final destination, after you’ve picked up your bags and gone through the declaration line, you’ll set your bags back down on a high-speed conveyor belt which will zip them over to Baggage Claim carrousel #1 in the main terminal. Meanwhile, you and your family will bypass security and get on an isolated tram car which will take you to the Baggage Claim exit. (You don’t want to cram that car full of everybody’s bags...)

Navigating the Airport

Click on image to access airport maps (Port of Seattle)

Click on image to access airport maps (Port of Seattle)

The Sea-Tac complex uses an X-shaped layout: Concourses A and B extend south of the central terminal, while Concourses C and D run north. There are two satellite gate areas, South and North.

Image courtesy Port of Seattle. Click on image to see more about the expansion project.

Image courtesy Port of Seattle. Click on image to see more about the expansion project.

Thanks to robust growth of international service, Concourse A and the South Satellite are being linked by a skybridge, and a number of A-gates will be able to handle overseas arrivals.

The North Satellite is also being expanded to handle Alaska Airlines' hearty growth.

Concourse A houses United, Air Canada, and Sun Country, as well as many Delta flights. On Concourse B you’ll find Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier, and also Delta. Concourses C and D are the heart of Alaska’s hub operation, as well as the North Satellite. American and JetBlue also run out of Concourse D. The South Satellite is Delta territory.

While Sea-Tac is spread out, walking times are quite short thanks to three underground tram lines, all inside the security zone. Using the trams, you can move from the South Satellite to the North Satellite in less than 15 minutes. Concourse A is the longest, but has been equipped with moving sidewalks for speedy transit.

The entire complex has been freshly renovated with wide corridors, expansive windows, and engaging art. On clear days you can see the Cascade Mountains and islands in Puget Sound. Even on overcast days the terminal is filled with natural light.

Family-friendly Amenities and Hidden Gems

A large play area is located between the central food court and the beginning of the A-Concourse. There’s also plenty of seating for parents, too.

If you have several hours between flights, and children who want to stretch their legs, the far end of the A-Concourse (gates A11-A14) has great views on a sunny day, and you can often have the entire area to yourselves.

Local artwork permeates the terminal, often with an aviation or Native American theme, giving great opportunities for kids to ask questions, look for patterns, and inspire their own creativity.

The Pacific Northwest music scene also resonates at Sea-Tac as they have created an ambient music stream for the terminal featuring local artists.

Another semi-secret gem is the Atrium at the south end of the ticketing counters. This area is outside security (so you’ll need to be screened again to get to your flight), but the open space, rocks to clamber over, and seating outside for fresh air are worth a visit if you have time.

Restrooms

Several family restrooms are available on every concourse and satellite. In addition, the stalls in regular restrooms incorporate several sturdy coathooks, plus a shelf above the toilet, making it much easier to manage your cargo and children. Cleanliness is very good, and the facilities are uniformly in excellent condition.

Food and Shopping

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Sea-Tac offers some gift/newsstand options on each concourse and satellite, at least one sit-down restaurant and several fast-food counters; often one will feature Asian cuisine. And coffeeshops, lots and lots of coffeeshops (and not just Starbucks.)

For the most diverse selection of gifts, a good-sized bookshop, numerous sit-down restaurants, and additional fast-food options, go to the central food court, where all four concourses converge and the view is amazing. There are several shops here with kids’ sections, as well, including the awesome Planewear - gear, gadgets, and gifts all about aviation!

Connectivity

WiFi is available throughout the terminal and gate areas at no charge!

Seattle’s light rail line allows access north to Chinatown / International District (about 25 minutes) and the central Downtown corridor (about 30 minutes.)

Also see:

Our Pinterest board on Seattle

Las Vegas - LAS

Locals flying to Asia have hit the jackpot; for connections it's snake eyes

Las Vegas has become a global destination for entertainment and gambling, and while there is a small pan-Asian "Chinatown" about 2 miles west of the Strip, the primary reason you'll see a prominent and growing Asian influence in design, dining, and performances is because of high-income travelers from East Asia.

Well over a half-million travelers from Japan, Korea, and China visit Las Vegas each year - China alone sends over 200,000 - and international visitors spend 73% more per person than domestic guests, per the city's convention authority. So the city and its casino complexes are putting down a lot of chips to cater to these high rollers...

Of course, every airplane landing has a takeoff too, and that means growing outbound Transpacific flying opportunities for residents of the Desert Southwest.

While most trips to Asia from Las Vegas presently involve a connection at a West Coast hub like Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, new-generation aircraft and more-liberal US travel visa rules are spurring direct flights:

Currently, Korean Air flies nonstop to Seoul-Incheon 4 times per week with their Boeing 777-300, and from that impressive hub a great deal of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia can be reached with just one connection.

Hainan Airlines has received authority to begin nonstop service to Beijing with a 3-per-week schedule with 787 Dreamliner equipment, starting in December 2016.

The city is courting carriers from all sides of the Pacific Rim, so we should expect even more nonstop service within the next few years.

Customs Arrival

The historic Terminal 1 building at McCarran International was simply never designed to handle jumbo jets or any serious crowds needing Customs services. The airport limped along for years with a makeshift Terminal 2 just north of Terminal 1, but it took until 2012 for a world-class international facility to get built. (Terminal 2 was immediately closed, and finally torn down in 2016.)

All international arrivals that require Customs clearance now happen at the E-concourse gates attached to Terminal 3. After exiting the aircraft, follow the enclosed walkway down to ground level for passport control, baggage claim, and Customs declarations. Time to clear Customs averages 15-30 minutes and seldom exceeds an hour. Exiting the arrivals facility sends travelers past the domestic baggage-claim belts and then out into the massive main ground-floor arrivals hall.

Local residents (or anyone from farther out who drove to LAS) will find the Terminal 3 parking lot directly across the ground-level access drive. Taxicabs and shuttle buses also are right there.

People who are connecting to another flight will have their bags with them, and will need to check in with their onward airline, since Korean Air is not directly connecting with any other carrier at LAS, and there aren't bag re-check counters in the arrivals facility.

While that sounds straightforward, it all depends on what carrier you are using - an inter-terminal connection may be necessary, and if so, you'll need to carry your bags with you on the shuttle bus to Terminal 1. Passengers flying out on Alaska - Virgin America, United, JetBlue, Sun Country, Hawaiian, or Frontier can simply go upstairs in Terminal 3 to the check-in counters.  Passengers taking American, Delta, Southwest, Allegiant, or Spirit will have to take the bus to Terminal 1.

 

Navigating the Airport

The map above only begins to show how confusing McCarran's layout is. Terminal 1 has been added onto countless times, leaving no clear sightlines for a traveler to follow either outbound or inbound. Pickup and drop-off roadways run on both sides of the building, and it is not obvious where to catch the shuttle from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 (it's under the parking ramp). Likewise, there are two security screening areas in Terminal 1, but travelers only see the one for Allegiant and Spirit gates when they ascend from the ticketing area.

From Terminal 1, passengers on Spirit and Allegiant use the A and B gates; flyers taking Southwest use the C gates, and people using Delta and American trek out to the D gates.

Terminal 3 is - in contrast - a logically laid-out building with a clear flow from the roadway to the ticket counters to security and then out to the aircraft gates. The E gates for Alaska - Virgin America and JetBlue (as well as Korean Air) are immediately through security. The tram stop is also right through security and down - that train runs to the D gates for United, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Sun Country passengers.

It is actually possible to use the trams to stay in the secure zone and travel from the E gates, to the D gates, and then over to the C, B, and A gates (and the other way around). But in the case of a connection to a Korean Air flight, that would only make sense if the traveler only had a carry-on bag. In reality, only aviation enthusiasts with plenty of time before a flight would ever bother.

For a traveler with checked bags trying to connect to the Korean Air flight, that person would need to retrieve their luggage, take the shuttle to Terminal 3 (unless they arrived at T3), go to the Korean Air check-in desk to drop their bags, and then go through security again to get to their gate.

The A, B, and C gate areas and walkways are undeniably crowded (Allegiant, Spirit, and Southwest) and get uncomfortably warm from both the mass of people as well as the desert sun pouring through the windows - the D and E gates have much more space both for seating and also in the hallways, and were designed to bring natural light in but not direct sunlight, so they're better air-conditioned.

Family-friendly amenities and hidden gems

LAS has well-curated history museum exhibits pre-security in the Esplanade area of Terminal 1, post-security in the connector bridge from the Esplanade out to the C gates, and in the central hub of the D gates. They tell the stories of the people who built the airport operation and managed the carriers who used it, the glamour and celebrity associated with the place, wartime service, and the many colorful aircraft which flew through. Plenty to read, many historic artifacts, and even exhibits that kids would enjoy.

Artwork abounds in both terminals and in all the gate areas; some is conceptual but there is much to delight children, like the super-sized sculptures of desert animals in the core areas of the D gates. Massive - and massively fun - triptych paintings of Las Vegas' celebrities and folklore wrap around the gates at the outer ends of the D gates.

A big airport-themed play area has been set up in the central hub of the D gates, just above the tram stops and behind the food court. Full-height windows and a telescope look over the ramp, steps and slides are available to work off energy, and there's seating for families to rest.

Excellent views of the Strip and its attractions can be had from many vantage points, and the mountains offer an ever-changing backdrop as the sun paints them. Flights from Central America and Europe are frequent so there's a constant parade of aircraft in unique color schemes - and you'll also likely see a stream of executive aircraft ranging from small jets all the way up to private 747s. Also look for the white 737s with the big red stripe: those work for a high-security operation called JANET and are used to shuttle staff back and forth to the secret Area 51!

Restrooms

Clean and functional, with adequate lighting but no place to set bags down except the floor or a hook on a stall door. Stalls are a bit tight and not long enough to manage yourself and a child. "Companion Care" restrooms, however, are available throughout the complex, and these are amply-sized for taking care of several children.

Food and Shopping

The A and B gates have only the bare minimum of retail (basically Hudson News and vending machines), but there are a reasonable number of coffee shops and fast-casual dining options. A greater variety of shops open up once you get into the C gates, plus a proper food court at the very end of the C concourse including restaurant-style dining.

The D gates, in contrast, could be described as a shopping mall with aircraft docking all around it. Travel basics, books, candy, t-shirts and toys are all represented, but also luxury brands, cosmetics, luggage, and men's and women's fashion. The usual mix of coffee, fast-food, and sit-down restaurants is also blended through the D complex.

The E gates have a higher proportion of space devoted to duty-free shopping and high-end goods, which makes sense for all the international flights, but not as much variety for the family-travel crowd. There are two mini-food-courts on either end of the concourse. Since the D gates are so conveniently-accessible via the underground tram, it's a solid option if you have time before your overseas flight.

Connectivity

McCarran has free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and gate areas, and the signal is strong enough to support watching video. Availability of power ports at the gate varies by airline, but there are numerous charging stations on the concourses, and also in the food courts. 

As of 2016 there is still no mass-transit onto the Strip or the rest of the city, but the local council has finally begun talking about it after vehicle-traffic problems became ludicrous year-round - that still means relief is still not going to happen until the 2020s, however.

Portland - PDX

Header photo via Pixabay; CC0 license.

Fly over the blue ocean to the Rose City’s “green” terminal!

Despite being one of the smaller cities on the West Coast, there’s always been a consistent demand for good Transpacific service from Portland, driven by its strong corporate presence, medical and educational assets, tourism, and historic Asian immigrant community.

In the 1980s and 1990s, United and Delta pioneered various routes from PDX to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, but the aircraft of the time were too big and expensive to operate, and the carriers couldn’t put enough connecting traffic together to keep the services viable.

In 2004, Northwest connected Portland to its Tokyo-Narita hub using new, more-efficient twin-engine aircraft, and this time the route proved sustainable. After the merger with Delta, the combined carrier now runs the route with 767-300ER equipment, just the right size for the job.

Sustainability is a keyword for the Portland airport, which like the Tokyo service, has prospered by employing its resources smartly. You’ll notice the solar panels, natural-gas-powered buses, light-rail-line, and water-saving toilet handles. You might not see the recycling / composting programs, stormwater management, or wildlife protection efforts. Portland’s “green” reputation is upheld at PDX.

Delta’s link to Tokyo allows for same-day connections on to Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong.

Coming home, Delta interlines with Alaska Airlines for domestic connections to the Cascades and California, plus Delta’s own services to the East, South, and Midwest.  Alaska Air is by far the largest carrier at PDX; Delta, United, and Southwest are the other dominant carriers. American, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, and Hawaiian offer more-limited services.

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Customs Arrival

The Narita flight arrives at the end of Concourse D, where you'll be directed downstairs for passport control, baggage retrieval, and inspection. Your flight will be the only one unloading at that time.

If Portland is where you stop flying, you'll walk outside and board a shuttle bus which will take you securely around to the other side of the concourse and drop you off at the downstairs baggage claim area of the main terminal.

If you have connecting flights, check your bags at the airline counter and head back upstairs to Concourse D, where you'll clear security and be able to reach all gates.

Total time to clear Customs, including the shuttle bus ride to the terminal, can take 30-90 minutes. For connecting passengers, this should be ample, since the Narita flight arrives at 9:45 am (Winter 2016 schedule) and its domestic connections mostly departing in the 12:30 - 1:30 pm range.

Navigating the Airport

PDX uses a sideways-H shaped building, with the main terminal and parking areas in the middle and east side. On the south side are Concourses A (Alaska-Horizon's commuter gates), B (for Alaska Airlines), and the long Concourse C (Alaska, American, Frontier, Southwest, and JetBlue.)

On the north side are Concourses D (Delta, Hawaiian, Spirit, and Virgin America) and E (United and Air Canada.)

There is a connector passageway between the north and south sides so that you do not have to leave the secure zone to make connections. This passageway has moving sidewalks, as do stretches of the C, D, and E concourses. These concourses are noticeably wider than at most airports, so even during busy times you don't feel crushed by the crowd.

The A-gates for Alaska-Horizon are located on the ground level, which you can access by elevator or escalator. These are used by the commuter and regional aircraft heading to places like Medford, Boise, and Spokane. This part of the airport is busy and often crowded, although food and restrooms are convenient. If you’re connecting home on Horizon, finding private space to hold your family and bags will be a challenge.

Family-friendly Amenities and Hidden Gems

Portland offers two different kids' play areas. The larger one, with active-play elements such as a jungle gym, slides, and a lookout tower (with a telescope to view the tarmac), is in the main terminal just outside the security checkpoint for Concourses D-E. There’s a general seating area between it and the main walkway, so you’ll need to watch closely for it.

At the end of Concourse C, there's another, smaller, play area with games, puzzles, video, and plenty of space to relax. It’s conveniently located next to a food court, too, so the parents can have a bite to eat while the kids burn off some energy. Creative Kidstuff has a shop near gate C8 if you need to pick up a few more toys or surprises, and there are several outlets of hometown bookstore Powell’s around the complex, well-stocked with kids’ books and activity materials.

PDX features live music performances year-round and rotating art exhibitions. Portland loves its public sculptures, and there are several here as well that kids are magnetically drawn to. The airport will be opening a free mini-movie theater in Spring 2016 to show short films by local artists and about the region!

If you’re looking for a quiet spot, head for the halfway point on the concourse connector, where there are cushy seats, a great view of the tarmac and mountains, some open space and not that much foot traffic.

Restrooms

Airports in the Pacific Northwest have good-quality restrooms, and Portland is no exception. Stalls in men’s and women’s restrooms are ample and include a fold-down shelf to set a small bag on. Lighting is adequate and the toilets and sinks are in very good condition. The toilets are equipped with dual-flush handles (up for #1, down for #2.)  Restrooms are cleaned frequently and are well-maintained.

Specific family restrooms are located near gates A2, C3, and D1 (especially good for maneuvering strollers); however, general restrooms are located every few gates.

Food and Shopping

PDX presents an abundance of food and shopping choices both inside and outside the security zone. In the central building (outside security) the Oregon Market houses 25 food and merchandise vendors, including an outpost of hometown brand Nike. Inside the secure zone, there is a smaller court halfway along Concourse D, and two courts along Concourse C, incorporating a creative mix of national and local brands, so while you can get your fix of Starbucks or Wendy’s, you can also try something from the Flying Elephants Deli, Pizza Schmizza, or the Coffee People. Finally, additional shops and restaurants are scattered among the concourses outside of the food courts.

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Connectivity

WiFi is available in all the gate areas and is free.

Portland's MAX light rail serves PDX with the Red Line, linking it southwest to Chinatown in less than 35 minutes and Downtown in under 40. Connections to the Blue and Green Lines are available at the Gateway transit center, less than 15 minutes from the terminal, allowing fast access to neighborhoods to the south and east of the airport.

Also see:

Our Pinterest board on Portland