LAX is in sad shape. I was waiting for my flight last Thursday night for three hours and hated every moment. There's nowhere to hang out before security checks so if you get dropped off by a friend you can't even sit with them and have a cocktail. Pfft. What cocktail? Even when I got to my Gate, I never saw any bar or lounge. I saw a sign for "Cocktails and Food Court" but around the corner was...wait for it...A Starbucks and a Burger King. There was a sandwich stand that sold Budweiser in plastic bottles. Give me a break.
I took the FlyAway bus from Union Station. For $4 you get a ride to LAX (or back) in a comfy air conditioned bus. It's a bargain and the service works well. I highly recommend. I was wondering why a girl on the same bus would go through the trouble of hitting up In-N-Out Burger and loading up. She had 2 boxes of food. If I knew I'd be spending TEN DOLLARS for a combo at that LAX Burger King, I might have put more effort into a picnic as well.
This is what $9 and change buys at Los Angeles International Airport
There was a soda too but it didn't make it into the photo. You can imagine that even by BK's standards, this was pretty bad. If you can't read the text on my phone, it was to a friend in NYC and says, "How many refills will make up for this indignity?"
It's time to invest some money in our airport. There's no way we can attract tourists and their money. You can get Starbucks anywhere in the world, why would you come to this dump? Even Ontario Airport has better.
Add some shops. A bar. A sit down restaurant. While we're at it, let's buy some signs. I remembered where baggage claim and restrooms are, but I kept seeing people looking lost. Wandering around wondering if they are really supposed to walk down this long unmarked hallway to get their suitcases. Embarrassing.
Update: Oh and another thing, there is always some sort of very interesting art display up at Ontario Airport. They make good use of long hallways by using them as gallery space. During my NY trip earlier this year there was a collection of old robot toys. Another time there was a fascinating one on book arts. The Inland Empire wins.
8 comments:
Well, you can't sit around with your friends in ONT either, but you can get better food to eat alone.
It's a little more comfortable and airy at Ontario before check ins. Compared to LAX! How sad is that?
Even John Wayne Airport in Orange County is nicer. You can have a cup of coffee at least and the huge bronze statue of Duke has some kitsch appeal.
what terminal were you in?
No shops in LAX? You're kidding?
Guys, thanks for commenting.
@rain LAX, Terminal 3, I think. I flew Horizon/Alaska Air.
@Simon There was a See's Candy and a small bookstore/newsstand. For some reason there was a money exchange counter--in a domestic flights terminal? Never figured that one out. Situation might be better for International flights, but I haven't heard good things.
from what i remember continenal and southwest terminals are good. i know there's actual bars in there and some shops. i know the international terminals have duty free and possibly some other high end shops.
i will say that bush international in houston is high class (sitdown restaurants, lots of shops - it's almost like a mall) and from what i remember so was the airport in salt lake!
I liked JFK's offerings. They have this thing figured out. Tourists walking around with wallet full of credit cards for hours waiting on a flight delay. Suddenly that cocktail and $12 sandwich isn't looking so bad.
There's an even better take on JFK CLICK HERE
i can't remember jfk, i was there in 2002 and there was a lot of construction going on. i will check the article out, thanks!
funny we're talking about airports because i was reading about them last year and there were a couple with VIP lounges provided by certain airlines for their members...
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