My vote for dumbest airport in the world goes to Atlanta International. On 21 May I flew to Atlanta from London Heathrow with British Airways. I spend a great deal of my life travelling and have seen some dumb airports, Heathrow included. But arriving at Atlanta changed my views.
The flight made good time, we were 5min late after a journey lasting for over 9h and the pilot even apologised for the delay. Yet it took another 3h to leave the airport.
First, our ramp was blocked by another aircraft late in leaving. We had to wait 20min for that to be sorted out. Then we had to queue for half an hour at immigration as there was not enough staff to handle the volume of passengers. After that came the usual fight to claim the luggage and pass customs and then the luggage was sent to an unknown destination on the other side of the airport with no explanation.
There were no signs and no one to ask as the staff spoke only Spanish.
Eventually I found a BA carousel a long way away. After 2h I found my luggage and left.
I won't go there again, I'd rather walk. My advice to anyone contemplating going there is don't.
Colin Smith
Slaugham, UK
Source: Flight International