Mozart From Luxembourg, joined Aug 2003, 2035 posts, RR: 14 Posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 2477 times:
A report has been published yesterday that shows that passengers are not happy with PAris airports. Surprise surprise, ORY comes out best (or least bad), CDG1 is the worst.
GothamSpotter From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 586 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 2445 times:
I'll bet if some organization did a study on what types of places people dislike the most, airports in general would probably get a worse rating than hospitals, especially large ones like CDG, JFK and LHR. No amount of cutting edge architecture, neat shops, and "gourmet" food stands can compensate for the fact that passengers are often worried about getting to their flight and the safety of the flight itself, and they might have to walk 1/2 a mile or more through poorly-signed twisting and confusing corridors to get to their gate.
Jetdeltamsy From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 2984 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 2437 times:
You have to walk too far and fast for connections at CDG. I hate it.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7713 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2427 times:
The big problem with CDG is that the terminal design is not conducive for connecting flights due to its multiple terminal design. This is unlike newer airports like HKG, SIN and ICN, where the terminal design is designed to better support connecting passengers.
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 757 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2422 times:
I think CDG is one fo the most stunning airports from the EXTERIOR. Perhaps it's design is not user friendly, but it sure looks good. (kinda like the French!)
SFOMEX From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2409 times:
Only in France could a whole international terminal (CDG1) have only one elevator to get you down to catch the shuttle to the train station. Only one!!!
It was a nightmare to get a space in the elevator when dozens trying to do the same surrounded me.
That, and terminal itself sucks. To say that it's not user friendly is an understatement.
Carpethead From Japan, joined Aug 2004, 2779 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 2363 times:
Not to mention reliability, as there are numerous throughout the calendar year.
From a design perspective, CDG is unique and ORY doesn't have very many int'l flights.
CDG is great as an end destination but I will never use it for connection, it appears to be a nightmare. T2 was an extremely short walk from the curb to the ticket counter and to the gate.
All large airports have vast distances to cover. It's just scale of mass: more flights, larger the airports needs to be. It's just how the vast distances within the airport can be easily reached. (eg. frequently running trams, moving walkways, etc.)
Concorde001 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 1230 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 2358 times:
CDG looks stunning, apart from 2A and T1!
But, I think for connections, I dislike it! AF really need something like LHR T5, which will be solely for BA - All operations under one roof, which not only reduces cost, but is easier for passengers.
Mozart From Luxembourg, joined Aug 2003, 2035 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2308 times:
Design and size are one thing, I do have some understanding for the fact that it is large. BUT: being big does not justify being filthy, dysfunctional and poorly maintained, having insufficient signposts, and being considered "not welcoming for people visiting France". All of these things can be relieved without changing the architecture. It's a matter of ADP running CDG like a dumpsite, not an international airport of the capital of the world's fourth largest economy.
FlySSC From France, joined Aug 2003, 7313 posts, RR: 60 Reply 12, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2291 times:
"The grass looks always greener in your neighbor's field" ...
I don't know if you say that en English too... anyway !
CDG is not worse than LHR or JFK... and ORY (ouest) is certainly one of the most efficient terminal in service in Europe for short conections and point to point services.
Quoting Jetdeltamsy (Reply 4): You have to walk too far and fast for connections at CDG. I hate it.
Sure ! while in LHR, AMS or FRA, JFK you never have to walk !
Of course CDG can be a mess, not more and not less than any other gigantic HUB in the world.
Mozart From Luxembourg, joined Aug 2003, 2035 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2284 times:
FlySSC,
you are right, but you are missing one point: for instance, LHR is not as dirty, its buildings are better maintained, information screens work, and shopping and catering facilities are better. As I said, any big airport involves walking a lot (size=distance), but that is no excuse for looking like a dump.
We must not have been in the same Terminal, or at the same time of the day !!!
I agree that CDG1 is sometimes not so clean... but really CDG2 is not more or less dirty than any other Airport (well, except CDG2A at certain times of the day when some flights of some particular airlines to certain destinations are checking-in )...
Wait to see the new interior of CDG1 in a few months (or should I say years... with ADP, noone knows...); The project and the mockup is really nice !
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks ago) and read 2152 times:
CDG, the only time I connected through it, was disorganised, rude, and the driver told us that we were at 2B when we were at 2A. Never again will we fly through CDG, and my relatives have had similar experiences.
PA110 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1952 posts, RR: 26 Reply 17, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2104 times:
Yeah, CDG1 is pretty much a dump, and the lack of better access to the airport shuttle bus for destination passengers is extremely annoying, but as a transit hub, it functions really well. Transferring between flights at CDG1 is quick and painless. I would take CDG1 over LHR T3 anyday.
Bohica From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2430 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1990 times:
Quoting GothamSpotter (Reply 3): No amount of cutting edge architecture, neat shops, and "gourmet" food stands can compensate for the fact that passengers are often worried about getting to their flight and the safety of the flight itself, and they might have to walk 1/2 a mile or more through poorly-signed twisting and confusing corridors to get to their gate.
Let me add that you have to sometimes wait over an hour in the security line.
OzGlobal From France, joined Nov 2004, 2614 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1961 times:
From an earlier post of mine:
Ah, CDG....
What a paradox: a horribly run, yet very well designed airport.. It COULD be so good!
I don't think AF is really to blame here, or even their patchy ground staff. How would you like to work under the tyranny of 8 different fiefdoms, all in mortal combat for heaven knows what political supremacy...AKA: ADP "The Beast that does the will of the Beast" If you want a case study in diabolical buracracy, look know futher. I think if we were in the 14th century, Dante would have cited CDG as one his chambers of hell, or at least purgatory!!
The thing is, it needn't be that way. There's nothing wrong with the DESIGN of the airport. It's just run like a third world city (but then so is LHR).
When all's said and done, there'll be more said than done.
Aither From South Korea, joined Oct 2004, 797 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
I worked 2 years for Paris Airport... in the passengers terminal at Roissy CDG1 & 2.
I recently went back for a connecting flight and i get... lost
The management is terrible, no one is responsible, lots of government "friends". Also they have to hire "local" people from the North East of Paris... who are not professional at all.
One of my best decision was to leave.
It is a big contrast compared to Air France : very good management, very professional and efficient.
Making the airport private is the only solution IMO and the airport staff could only blame themselves when it will happen.
Schipholjfk From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 579 posts, RR: 6 Reply 22, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1885 times:
Quoting FLYYUL (Reply 2): As a rule of thumb, people dont like airports. They are chaotic, time consuming, and the source of many an exhausting experience.
Speak for yourself. A greatly designed airport is a pleasure to be - HKG, SIN, AMS, KUL - all great airports and fun to be at.
Sllevin From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 3376 posts, RR: 6 Reply 23, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1867 times:
Quoting Schipholjfk (Reply 22): Speak for yourself. A greatly designed airport is a pleasure to be - HKG, SIN, AMS, KUL - all great airports and fun to be at.
Exactly! The difference between those airports and CDG is night and day.
I have gotten "lost" in precisely one airport in my life. You guessed it, CDG. Admittedly, my first time there, but I've been to other airports for the first time and not found myself lost.
ContnlEliteCMH From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1436 posts, RR: 50 Reply 24, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1852 times:
Quoting FlySSC (Reply 12): "The grass looks always greener in your neighbor's field" ...
I don't know if you say that en English too... anyway !
Ha! We say that, but it goes like this:
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Christianity. Islam. Hinduism. Anthropogenic Global Warming. All are matters of faith!
25 Flpuck6: I have just come to accept that the terminals at T2 will always be as they are ... grungy and dirty, people not respecting the no-smoking law ... I ha
26 FlySSC: The problem of CDG2 is that it was not conceived, in the 60's, to work as a "HUB", but to be as efficient as possible for point to point service, whic
27 WunalaYann: I second that 100%! Except for the "fourth largest economy"... Are you sure? I would not think France ranks higher than the UK... Quite the opposite.
28 FlySSC: In my opinion, that's the "weakest link" of CDG !!! CDG has TGV connections with BRU and most of the French cities, but though it has improved recent
29 Pipo777: I don't mind CDG at all. I wasn't too impressed with ORY, but it wasn't bad either...Honestly, I can think of many airports that are worse than this t
30 WunalaYann: Hmm, I think you have a good point, but the matter is a lot more complex than it appears to be. I would gladly read your thoughts on it, but I am not
31 Sebolino: Actually you are saying it at least once a week. I guess you have something personal against them.
32 DL021: The reason people don't like the Paris airports has more to do with surly staff who act as if we are lucky to have them and they don't have time for u
33 ZRH: The worst thing that can happen at Paris' airports is when you have to change from CDG to ORY or vice versa. It takes you by bus at least two hours. I
34 WunalaYann: Er, Ian, sorry, I did not express myself clearly. For now, there are projects. Decisions are still to be made, for public money is scarce, if not non
35 Lobster: Well, I've been to both CDG and ORY. I had to catch a flight to LHR from CDG and just getting to the damn place was a pain. The SNCF was no help getti
36 Btblue: I actually like the dated look of Orly and I love CDG especially the new Terminal(s). What I don't like is that once you have checked in and you head
37 Tomys: I am not surprised by that, CDG is the worst airport right after Atlanta. I like PRG and Amsterodam, it's quite good.
38 Lfutia: Amsterdam is high up in the ranks because of its simplicity. If Paris became like Amsterdam and actually had friendly people and didnt have rude, arro
39 Amhilde: I dont remember who helped me a month back when i was worrying about a CDG connection, but thank you whoever you were. Your advice was most helpful! M
40 Aerofan: CDG sucks! And the people who work there there don't help to make the experience any better either. I would go so far to say that they are in actualit
41 WunalaYann: Hmmm. If they cared (don't worry, guys, they don't), the people from ADP would find your criticism very harsh. I personally think your remarks are rig
42 Doona: Do you really need a poll to show this? I had a 2.5 hr layover in CDG, coming in from CPH on AF and going to CVG on DL. Due to the ridiculous lines at
43 SQ325: Well one point not mentiones so far is that the staff in CDG is maybe the worst airport staff worldwide especialy if you don't speak french! And by th
44 WunalaYann: Yeah, but like the Strokes say, sometimes "the end has no end"... More seriously, sorry about the total screw-up, Mats. Then again, everyone, avoid c
45 SQ325: Usualy it is in english but in France and sometimes in Italy controllers are not willing "able" to speak proper english. Last time approaching CDG the
46 DBCooper: Well, I might be in the minority, but a couple of years ago when I was on a team doing work in Cyprus, we ended up shifting our Americas->Cyprus conne
47 WunalaYann: I will never look up at the sky in Paris the same way again... DBCooper, you are right. Most of the time, the system works, at CDG. What people compl
48 Orion737: What about Beauvais? according to Ryanair thats a Paris airport
49 WunalaYann: Sure. 150€ for a taxi ride up there...
50 FlySSC: Italian ATC often talks Italian with Italian pilots in Italy... Spanish ATC often talks Spanish with Spanish pilots in Spain Portuguese ATC often tal
51 Mats: I've never had a problem with Roissy/Charles de Gaulle. I've never connected there and I've always managed to avoid Terminal 1. I've always walked fro
52 SQ325: In Frankfurt or Munich ATC never speaks german if the message has to do something with safety, seperation and instructions! Even in BCN and MXP most c
53 Mozart: Wow, a lot to respond here since I first posted this. First, to clarify this one: Sebolino, I didn't pay attention, maybe you are right and I am posti
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We must not have been in the same Terminal, or at the same time of the day !!!
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