Hey from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN), as I proceed my assessment journey to South Korea and Japan (okay, I fell slightly behind in publishing this as a result of quantity of reports the previous couple of days, however let’s proceed full steam forward)!
On this submit I needed to speak about Incheon Airport, South Korea’s largest airport. In the event you have a look at lists of the world’s finest airports, Incheon just about at all times ranks, sometimes within the high three (for instance, Skytrax ranks it as quantity three, not that I put a lot weight on these outcomes).
I’m curious — does everybody else love this airport, or am I the one one who thinks it’s form of overrated? Let me first share my ideas on Incheon Airport, after which I additionally need to acknowledge how extremely subjective airport opinions may be.
Why Incheon Airport doesn’t impress me a lot
I don’t need to counsel that Incheon Airport is dangerous. Fairly on the contrary, it’s a stable airport. I simply don’t suppose it’s anyplace near being one of the best on the earth, personally. I don’t thoughts transiting the airport, but it surely’s not an airport I’d voluntarily spend extra time in than I’ve to.
Incheon has two terminals, and so they do supply very totally different experiences. Terminal 1 is the previous terminal, and to me, is completely unremarkable. It’s clear and sterile, however the structure isn’t superb, and I don’t suppose there’s any “wow” issue to it.
In the meantime Terminal 2 is the newer terminal, because it opened in 2018, and it has attractive design and structure. Nevertheless, structure alone sometimes doesn’t give an airport nice scores. I imply, a number of airports in China have superb structure, but don’t make the record of world’s finest airports.
What don’t I like about Incheon Airport?
- It’s not the airport’s fault, however the lounges are fairly awful, and I’d say Korean Air’s are among the many worst hub lounges you’ll discover of any nicely revered airline
- For these with out lounge entry, the food and drinks choices aren’t spectacular, with few sit-down choices; there are some fundamental meals courts and Dunkin’ areas, however not a lot past that
- I’ve persistently skilled lengthy immigration traces at Incheon; this time round, I needed to wait for nearly an hour
- I don’t suppose the terminals are nicely designed by way of passenger circulate, getting between gates, and crowding within the central components of the terminal, because of there not being sufficient “spokes,” particularly in Terminal 2
Once more, let me emphasize that I’m not making an attempt to trash the airport. I feel it’s stable. I simply don’t suppose it’s one of the best, and it’s the very best rated airport that I’m not all for spending extra time in than I’ve to.
Now, to be balanced, let me state some issues I consider the airport does nicely:
- The airport is sort of clear, together with the bogs
- There’s free Wi-Fi that’s simple to hook up with
- Whereas maybe a little bit of a gimmick, it’s cute how there’s a Korean tradition zone, the place you possibly can even strive on clothes and see performances
- There’s “switch lounge,” which has some snug seating, and a room the place you possibly can stretch
For many who do love the airport, I’d love to listen to what I’m lacking, or how your impression differed from mine.
“Finest” airport rankings are extremely subjective
I’ve shared what I think about to be the world’s finest airports. I don’t declare that anybody else ought to agree with me, however these are the airports I most take pleasure in touring by means of. I assume what I’m realizing is that the airports on my record are additionally locations that I actually take pleasure in spending time, no matter whether or not or not I’ve lounge entry.
For instance, at Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG), you possibly can drop me off on the Sky Bridge and depart me… ceaselessly. Simply let my household know the place they will discover me, please. 😉 The airport additionally has lovely structure, a lot pure mild, and a few of the world’s finest lounges, like Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Lounge.
At Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), The Jewel is just on a very totally different stage. Even airside, the airport has every thing from a movie show, to a butterfly backyard. I’ve additionally by no means waited at immigration, there are some world class lounges, and so on.
Doha Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH) has improved so properly in recent times, and might be now my favourite airport. The design is superb (like The Orchard), the lounges are phenomenal, the purchasing is infinite, and the number of sit-down eating places and cafes is mainly unmatched.
Individuals may simply transit any of the above airports and have a vastly totally different expertise or impression. For instance, Doha Hamad is a closely banked hub, and in case you’re passing by means of with a brief connection throughout one of many busiest intervals, and you find yourself arriving at and departing from a distant stand, you’d understandably in all probability not be very impressed.
Equally, in case you’re simply briefly transiting Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, you’d in all probability surprise what all of the fuss is about.
Backside line
I’ve traveled by means of each terminals at Incheon Airport in current months, and whereas they’re nice sufficient, I don’t actually need to spend extra time at both airport than I’ve to. Terminal 2 has a lot nicer structure than Terminal 1, however nonetheless, I discover the airport missing with regards to facilities that basically give it the sting.
What’s your tackle Incheon Airport — do you suppose it deserves to be ranked among the many high three on the earth, or is it a bit overrated?
