TIME'S Guide to Airports: Jet Lag on the Ground

In the Age of Steam, city railroad stations in the U.S. developed as the natural complement to the trains they served. They were convenient, spacious and well planned--temples to progress. In the Jet Age, by contrast, many airports are monuments of muddle, rapacity and discomfort. Despite $1.2 billion in federal aid to U.S. airports in the past ten years, the gap between ground technology and flight technology is vast, and apparently widening.

Though it takes only one-third the time today to fly between major cities that it did in 1948, it takes twice as long to get from city to airport. Once arrived, passengers must be prepared to wait too long and walk too far in overcrowded terminals. Airports are heavily supported by concessions, from eating facilities to shops, and these are at best inordinately priced, at worst incredibly bad. Worst served are the elderly, the infirm and families with small children.

To help prepare air travelers for their ordeal on the ground, TIME, with the aid of correspondents around the world, has compiled the following rating guide,* taking into account such matters as accessibility and services, though not safety. Following are our assessments of the ten busiest U.S. airports (in order of busyness), four in Europe and six in the Far East:

The top ten (U.S.)

O'HARE. World's busiest: 41.7 million passengers last year. Averages 1,968 landings and takeoffs daily. Thirteen runways, 26 scheduled airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 9,318. Accessibility: fair. Allow 25 to 50 min. for 20-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($12). Buses ($3.50) go downtown every 15 min. (daytime), sporadically at night. Buses also serve suburban areas every one or two hours (daytime). Eight commuter airlines, charter helicopter service to Midway Airport and Meigs Field. Parking: easy. New close-in facility with 9,200 spaces. Flow Through: smooth. Sidewalk checkin. Insufficient baggage carts. Three terminals linked by five underground pedestrian tunnels (two longest have 255-ft. moving sidewalks), also by shuttle buses. Longest walk between entrance and plane: 1,800 ft. Baggage checkout: fast. Hotels/Motels: sufficient. At least twelve hotels within 10 min. of airport, the O'Hare Hilton reached by moving sidewalk. Amenities: ordinary. Comfortable boarding lounges. Adequate snack bars and coffee shops, some open 24 hr. Best restaurant: Seven Continents and good eating at O'Hare Hilton. Ten bars, closing at midnight, cocktail lounges at 1 a.m., beer available 24 hr. in the cafeteria. Shopping facilities: minimal, but excellent boutiques at O'Hare Hilton and International Tower hotels. Two barbershops. Two first-aid stations, one open 24 hr. Overall: huge, well organized.

HARTSFIELD. 27.3 million passengers last year. Averages 1,342 landings and take-offs daily. Three parallel runways, nine airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 1,339. Accessibility: good. Allow 15 to 45 min. for nine-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($7.50). Half-hourly limousines downtown ($3.50). Two commuter airlines. Parking: ample. Far-out lots served by shuttle bus. Flow Through: well planned. Sidewalk check-ins, baggage carts for rent (75-c-). One big central terminal with fingers leading to boarding areas. Longest walk: 2,680 ft. Baggage checkout: good. Hotels/Motels: plentiful. Nineteen near airport. Amenities: unambitious. Adequate lounges, but main terminal has only two benches. Coffee shop, cafeteria, snack bars open 24 hr. One restaurant, Dobbs House. Six bars open 24 hr., except Sunday a.m. Shopping facilities: minimal. Well-stocked toy shop. Country store with Southern specialties. One barbershop. Emergencies handled by medical technicians with ambulance. They can respond in 2 min. anywhere in airport. Overall: Southern discomfort.

LOS ANGELES. 26 million passengers last year. Averages 1,322 landings and take-offs daily. Four runways, 33 airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 842. Accessibility: poor. Allow 30 min. to an hour for 20-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($16 minimum). Buses to downtown locations every 15 to 30 min. from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., every hour from midnight to 6 a.m. ($2). Three commuter airlines. Parking: adequate except at peak hours. Far-out lots served by circulating bus 24 hr. Drivers advised to tune to 530 on their AM dials for up-to-the-minute parking reports. Flow Through: good. Curbside checkin. Plentiful baggage carts. Seven near-identical, two-story terminals connected by buses (25-c-). Longest walk: 1,320 ft. Baggage checkout: good. Hotels/Motels: good. Hyatt House adjoins airport, at least eleven hotels or motels within 5 min. Amenities: dismal, though waiting lounges are spacious and airy. One coffee shop in each terminal. Cafeterias offer prewrapped food on Styrofoam dishes. Only one sitdown restaurant, attractive Host International. Two bars each terminal, open 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Shopping facilities: minimal. One barbershop. Emergency treatment center attended by paramedics (24 hr.), but 13 hospitals are within 5 min. Overall: uninspired but adequate.

KENNEDY. 21.2 million passengers last year.

Averages 835 landings and takeoffs daily. Two pairs of parallel runways, 49 airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 7,092. Accessibility: poor. Allow 45 min. to an hour for 20-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($18.50, including toll). Buses downtown ($4) every 20 min., 6 a.m. to 1:05 a.m., then sporadically. Irregular limousine service to the suburbs. Buses to La Guardia Airport ($3) every half-hour. Helicopters to La Guardia ($23.15), Newark Airport ($29.63), daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; flights cost less when making certain connections. Five commuter airlines. Parking: adequate. Far-out areas served by shuttle bus 24 hr. Flow Through: good. Curbside checkin. Baggage carts. Eleven architecturally dissimilar terminals, connected by shuttle bus 24 hr. Longest walk: 1,500 ft. Baggage checkout: fast. Hotels/Motels: good. International Hotel within airport. Five others close by. Amenities: adequate. Well-decorated but deteriorating terminals and lounges. Standard fast-food cafeterias. Best restaurant: Terrace Restaurant. Twenty bars, most close 10:30 p.m. Barbershops and beauty shops. In Pan Am and TWA buildings, circulating carts exchange foreign currency. Animal shelter. Hospital open 24 hr. Overall: easier on the eye than on the nerves.

SAN FRANCISCO. 18.8 million passengers in 1976. Averages 938 landings and take-offs daily. Four runways, 19 scheduled airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 967. Accessibility: fair. Allow 25 to 40 min. for 16-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($15). Buses every 15 min. until 10 p.m., every half-hour until midnight, then according to flight arrivals. Airport and Greyhound coaches three times daily to Oakland ($1.50) and to San Jose ($3.50). Four commuter airlines. Parking: inadequate. Close-in covered garage with valet service, two far-out lots with frequent shuttle-bus service. Flow Through: fair. Curbside checkin. No baggage carts. Two terminals linked by shuttle buses, one 500-ft. moving sidewalk leading to concourse area. Longest walk: 1,500 ft. Baggage checkout: sluggish. Hotels/Motels: sufficient. Hilton Inn right next to airport. Ten within 10 min. Amenities: middling. Standard lounges. Snack bars and coffee shops, two open 24 hr. Excellent Omelette Parlor (omelettes from $2.25). Best restaurant: International Room, attractive, expensive. Eight bars, largest open 7:15 a.m. to 1 a.m. Run-of-the-mill shopping, except for well-stocked bookstore, sourdough-bread booths and flower store that ships California-grown daisies anywhere. Beauty salon (wash and cut, $12), two barbershops with showers ($2.25), saunas ($3.50), clothes pressing ($2 a suit). Animal shelter. Clinic with seven doctors open 24 hr., two fully equipped mini-ambulances, 250-bed hospital, morgue and pressroom ready for use in disaster. Overall: designed with people in mind.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH. 17.4 million passengers last year. Averages 1,000 landings and takeoffs daily. Three runways, eleven airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 176. Accessibility: good. Dallas, from 20 to 35 min. by cab ($13.50); Fort Worth, from 30 to 45 min. ($16.50). Buses ($4) to downtown Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, every 30 min., 24 hr. a day. Three commuter airlines, helicopter service. Parking: no strain. Flow Through: good. Sidewalk checkin. Baggage carts only for foreign flights. Four terminals linked by Airtrans (25-c-), small automatic trains that circle the airport on five separate computerized routes. Minimum walking. Longest walk: 375 ft. Baggage checkout: fast. Hotels/Motels: fair. Luxury hotel Port Marina at airport, five within five miles. Amenities: improving. Comfortable, attractive lounges. Each terminal has four snack bars, one open 24 hr. Best restaurant: the Seafood Bar in American terminal (Gulf oysters, $2.50). Airport has 17 bars open until 2 a.m. Shopping: Texas souvenirs, apparel and toy shops. Beauty salons, barbershops. Airport clinic open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; after that, emergencies handled by ambulance service. Overall: gargantuan, but less awesome when you learn your way around.

LA GUARDIA. 14.3 million passengers last year. Averages 857 landings and takeoffs daily. Two perpendicular runways, 15 airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 5,803. Accessibility: good. Allow 20 to 35 min. for ten-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($8, plus 750 toll). Buses downtown ($3) every 20 min., from 6:50 a.m. to 1:50 a.m. Irregular limousine service to the suburbs. Helicopters to Kennedy ($23.15) and Newark ($29.63); flights cost less when making certain connections. Parking: sufficient. New, covered, metered parking area convenient for meeting incoming flights. Far-out lots served by shuttle bus. Flow Through: good, except for crowded Eastern shuttle, where passengers may have to walk more than 600 ft. along grubby corridors. Curbside checkin. Baggage carts. One big central terminal with two-level roadway system (upper for boarding, lower for departing). Longest walk: 1,000 ft. Baggage checkout: good. Hotels/Motels: adequate. Three in immediate vicinity, four within 10 min. Amenities: meager. Standard lounges. Main eating facilities: stand-up snack bars in corridors, open 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Only restaurant: Terrace Room, overlooking runways. Six bars open until 10:30 p.m. Shopping facilities: minimal. One barbershop, one beauty shop. First-aid station. Overall: best no-frill people mover.

STAPLETON. 13.3 million passengers last year. Averages 1,150 landings and take-offs daily. Four parallel runways, eleven airlines. Delays of 30 min. or more: 662.

Accessibility: excellent. Allow 15 to 30 min. for seven-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($5). Downtown limousines ($2.40) every 20 min. until 11:30 p.m. Trailways buses to Vail ($7), Aspen ($13), Colorado Springs ($5), Boulder ($3). Eleven commuter airlines. Parking: adequate, mostly close in. Flow Through: sprawling, old-fashioned layout. Lounges attractive, comfortable. Some sidewalk checkin. One four-level terminal. Longest walk: one mile. Baggage checkout: fast. Hotels/Motels: ample. Ten within 10 min. Amenities: excellent. Lounges pleasant and comfortable. Good coffee shop open until 7:30 p.m. (beef tacos, $2.50); crowded self-service cafeteria. Best restaurant: Crossroads West. Six bars, most open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shopping facilities: offbeat. Western and Indian wares. Spanish shop, flower stall with fresh-cut Colorado varieties. One barbershop. Private changing rooms with basins and toilets. Extra-long lockers and free plastic bags for skis. First-aid station; 24-hr, ambulance. Overall: pleasantly oldfashioned.

MIAMI. 12.6 million passengers last year.

Averages 825 landings and takeoffs daily. Three runways, 46 scheduled airlines.

Delays of 30 min. or more: 347. Accessibility: excellent. Allow 15 to 20 min. by car or cab (about $8) to downtown. Buses (300 to Miami, Coral Gables) run every 30 to 40 min. (daytime), every hour at night. Ten commuter airlines. Parking: ample. Flow Through: good, except for rush hours. Some sidewalk checkin. No baggage carts. Poor layout, almost impenetrable crowds at peak hours. Two terminals, with spacious new concourses at Eastern and National. Longest walk: 2,000 ft. Baggage checkout: average 14 min. Hotels/Motels: good. International Airport Hotel inside airport, nine others within 5 min. Amenities: ordinary. Adequate lounges for major airlines, others crowded. Five snack bars, one open 24 hr. Best restaurant: Airport Roof. Six bars, open various hours from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Standard shops brightened by fruit displays, Cuban coffee bar, Latin American specialty store. Barbershop and beauty salon. Paramedic team available 24 hr. Overall: shades of Ellis Island.

NATIONAL. 12.3 million passengers last year. Averages 873 landings and takeoffs daily. Three intersecting runways, ten scheduled airlines. Too small for four-engine jets. Delays of 30 min. or more: 818. Accessibility: its reason for survival. Allow 12 to 25 min. to White House by car or cab ($4.60). Downtown limousines every 20 min. ($2.75 to Mayflower Hotel). Subway (500) downtown is across the highway, 1,200 ft. from main terminal entrance. Four commuter airlines. Parking: tight, far out. Flow Through: choppy. Limited sidewalk checkin. No baggage carts. Two-level main terminal flanked by uncomfortable lounges. Confusing signs. Longest walk: almost 1,600 ft. Luggage checkout: palsied. Hotels/Motels: plenty within 5 min. Amenities: sorry. Austere, uncomfortable lounge. A 24-hr, snack bar. Best restaurant: moderate, drab Golden Eagle. Three bars open various hours from 9 a.m. to 1 1 p.m. Shopping: vending machines, curios. Barbershop. Doctor's office open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M.D.s available by phone 24 hr. Overall: like a commuter station.

Four in Europe

HEATHROW. 21.9 million passengers last year. Averages 850 landings and takeoffs daily. Two parallel runways, 75 airlines. Delays: seldom serious, except for frequent strikes. Accessibility: fair. Allow 45 min. to 2 hrs. for 15-mile ride downtown by car or cab (up to $20). Best bet: speedy, frequent buses ($1.55). New subway extension will begin operation in February. Flow Through: excellent, although no sidewalk checkin. Check-in at downtown terminal for intercontinental flights. Baggage carts. Layout: confusing, but improving. Three separate terminals linked by moving sidewalks. Longest unassisted walk: 950 ft. Baggage, immigration and customs checkout: painless. Hotels/Motels: excellent. Eight within a mile of airport. Amenities: humdrum minimum. Functional lounges. Nine short-order buffets, three coffee shops, open 24 hr. One restaurant, being rebuilt. Ten bars, three open 24 hr. Supermarket-like duty-free shops selling wide range of goods. Refinements include animal hostel, dramatic society that rehearses and performs in the airport's underground chapel, a legendary bowler-hatted ghost who supposedly turns up in emergencies. Minihospital. European Terminal 2 is receiving $20 million facelift. Overall: friendly, frumpish.

FRANKFURT. 14.2 million passengers last year. Averages 600 landings and takeoffs daily. Two runways, 63 airlines. Delays: average half an hour. Accessibility: good. Allow 20 to 30 min. by car or cab ($10) for seven-mile ride downtown. Excellent train and bus service (400). Flow Through: brisk, although no sidewalk checkin. Baggage carts. Single terminal traversed by moving sidewalk in 4 min. Longest walk: 1,800 ft. Baggage check-out and immigration: efficient. Customs: you could bring in an elephant. Hotels/Motels: fair. Two hotels, the Sheraton and Steigenberger, at airport. Amenities: everything imaginable. Three snack bars, one coffee shop. Twelve restaurants, best of which is Rotisserie 5 Continents. One bar, open noon to 10 p.m. Shops of all kinds, including a supermarket and "Dr. Mueller's Sex Shop." Two barbershops, one beauty salon. Hospital equipped for surgery. Overall: superefficient and sterile.

FIUMICINO. 9.5 million passengers last year. Averages 453 landings and takeoffs daily. Three runways, 72 airlines. Delays: foreign, rare; domestic, improving but no cigar. Accessibility: bad. Allow 45 min. to an hour by car or cab ($15) for 22-mile ride downtown. Flow Through: slow. No curbside checkin. Baggage carts hard to find. No moving sidewalks. TV screens, showing departure gates, not always functioning. Longest walk: 1,300 ft. Baggage checkout: 20 min. Immigration and customs: airport's only delight. Hotels/Motels: pleasant, modern facilities near beach at Ostia, five miles away. Amenities: substandard. Coffee bars (espresso 30-c-, Coke 57-c-). Best restaurant: International Airport Restaurant. Ten bars, open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; one in international transit section open 24 hr. Two tax-free shops selling only liquor and cigarettes. (Best distraction for passenger with two hours to spare: Roman ruins with fine mosaics near by.) Four first-aid stations with nurse or doctor open 24 hr. Overall: Dante's Purgatory.

CHARLES DE GAULLE. 8.2 million passengers last year. Averages 250 landings and take-offs daily. One runway, 22 airlines. Delays: minimal. Accessibility: good. Allow 40 min. to 1Y2 hr. for 20-mile ride downtown by car or cab ($10 to $12, beware plun-derous drivers). City bus ($1.75) to Gare de 1'Est every 15 min. or Air France bus ($2.50) to Porte Maillot every 20 min. Rail trip ($ 1.75) to Gare du Nord every 15 min. Flow Through: smoothly futuristic. Spacious waiting lounges. Plentiful baggage carts. Sidewalk check-ins, or passengers take escalators from entrance to check-in counters, then the moving sidewalk up plastic tubes to departure floors. Boarding via moving sidewalk (4 min.) to one of seven satellite stations. Audio-visual machines and bilingual signs help guide lost passengers. Longest walk: 750 ft. Baggage, immigration and customs: fast. Hotels/Motels: sparse. Sofitel-Jacques Borel within airport boasts the best view for the Concorde takeoff, another hotel 1 1/4 miles away. Amenities: superb. Le Bistrot sidewalk cafe; five restaurants. Best: Maxim's. Four bars, open 24 hr. Arcade of tax-free boutiques on transit floor offers every brand of French perfume (20% off), watches, scarves, jewelry, liquor, luggage, pate, etc. Barbershop and beauty salon. First-aid station. Overall: functional but sans joie de vivre.

Six in the Far East

TOKYO. The only airport in the world's largest capital (a second airport outside the city is still not in use). 20 million passengers last year. Averages 460 landings and takeoffs daily. Two runways, 39 airlines. Delays: average 20 min. Accessibility: the best part. Allow 30 to 40 min. for 13-mile ride downtown by easy-to-get cab ($10). Buses every 30 min. ($2.50). Monorail (92-c-) takes 15 min. to edge of town. Flow Through: agonizing. Jampacked terminal with baggage carts between pickup turntable and customs inspection. Porters on hand. Moving sidewalks; longest unassisted walk: 100 ft. Baggage, immigration and customs checkout: allow an hour. Hotels/Motels: Air Terminal Hotel inside building. Six hotels near by. Amenities: sorry. Two coffee shops, plus five restaurants (one Chinese, two Western, two Japanese). One bar, open 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tacky duty-free shops. Barbershop. First aid available. No services at all after midnight. Overall: grin and bear it.

SYDNEY. Seven million passengers last year. Averages 430 landings and takeoffs daily. Two runways, 33 airlines. Delays: minimal. Accessibility: excellent. Allow 20 to 25 min. for four-mile ride downtown by car or plentiful cabs (about U.S. $3.85). Regular shuttle bus service: 880. Flow Through: generally good, except for morning crush. Baggage carts and porters available. Longest unassisted walk: 1,700 ft. Baggage, customs and immigration checkout: efficient. Hotels/Motels: none near by. Amenities: adequate. One restaurant (featuring steak or fish for U.S. $7.15), coffee lounge, two bars open 6 a.m. to midnight, two duty-free shops. Australian items: toy kangaroos and koala bears. Air-conditioned rest rooms equipped with showers. First aid available. Overall: efficient, convenient, Aussie-friendly.

SINGAPORE. 4.5 million passengers last year. Averages 160 landings and takeoffs daily. One runway, 29 airlines. Delays: average 30 to 40 min. Accessibility: good. Allow 15 to 40 min. for ten-mile ride downtown by hard-to-get cab ($1.50); air-conditioned minibus ($1.20) or frequent shuttle bus ($1) only until midnight (when cab fares go up 150%). Flow Through: fast. Computerized check-ins for most airlines, will soon be used by all. Sufficient baggage carts or porters. Longest unassisted walk: 500 ft. Baggage, immigration and customs checkout: generally zippy. A new terminal building will open in November for all arrivals other than from Malaysia. Hotels/Motels: none near by. Amenities: fair. One restaurant, two coffee shops, one bar open 24 hr., 21 shops (seven in transit lounge) and duty-free stores. Post office, bank, florist. Showers in transit lounge. First aid available. Overall: old-fashioned but fairly efficient.

HONG KONG. 4.2 million passengers last year. Averages 137 landings and takeoffs daily. One runway, 28 airlines. Delays: ranging from a few minutes to hours. Accessibility: good. Allow 15 to 45 min. for ride to downtown locations by hard-to-get cab (up to $7); buses (22-c-) to Kowloon stop at 11 p.m., to Hong Kong (44-c- at 8:15 p.m. No self-drive rent-a-car service. Best bet: chauffeured limousine, up to $20. Flow Through: cumbersome, despite single integrated terminal building. Manual check-in (to be computerized next year). Expect long lines at peak hours. Baggage carts. Porters aplenty. Longest unassisted walk: 600 ft. Baggage, customs and immigration checkout: fast and efficient. Hotels/Motels: none near by. Amenities: scanty. One restaurant-bar, two coffee shops. All shops duty-free (as elsewhere in Hong Kong), though tax-free liquor and tobacco may be sold only to passengers. First aid available. Overall: hair-raising at times andjampacked with travelers.

BANGKOK. 2.7 million passengers last year. Averages 140 landings and takeoffs daily. Two runways, 36 airlines, 37 charters, plus government planes. Delays: infrequent. Accessibility: adequate, though exhausting. Allow an hour or two during rush periods--for 15-mile ride downtown. The best means: taxi ($5 to $7). Limousine service ($2.50 per passenger) and regular trains and buses (both 100) also available. Flow Through: sticky. Plenty of porters on hand to lug baggage at 25-c- a bag. Longest unassisted walk: 180 ft. Immigration and customs checkout: plan for about seven minutes per person. Hotels/Motels: a few second-class hotels near by, charging $6 for a single room--as much as a third less than for the same accommodations downtown. Amenities: scanty. One coffee shop and one air-conditioned restaurant--with a private room for groups--featuring Thai, Chinese and European food. More expensive than city eateries, but there is also a separate self-service dining area with slightly less pricey fare. Five duty-free shops. Best deal: clothing made of elegant Thai silk (20% cheaper than in downtown stores). Royal Thai air force doctors on hand for emergencies. Overall: rambling, primitive, but surprisingly efficient.

DELHI. 2.3 million passengers last year. Averages 50 landings and takeoffs daily. Two runways, 19 airlines. Delays: minimal. Accessibility: cheap and fast. Allow 20 min. for seven-mile taxi ride to the city (about $2 from airport, $3 on the way back). Bus run by a cooperative of ex-servicemen takes 15 min. longer but costs a mere 55-c-. Flow Through: smooth, due to recent renovation of ancient terminal. Porters abundant. Baggage handling costs 110 per piece. Longest unassisted walk: an easy 15-ft. stroll from terminal entrance to immigration counter. Immigration and customs checkout: allow half an hour. Hotels/Motels: two five-star hotels four miles away. Amenities: newly air-conditioned. Air India runs a restaurant serving inexpensive international cuisine (no alcohol available). Usual duty-free fare, though a bit cheaper than in other airports. First aid. Overall: more efficient and less congested than the Bombay airport, which offers all the ambience of the Black Hole of Calcutta.

"Overall rating ranges from half a star (atrocious) to 2 1/2 stars (excellent). None rates 3 stars (superb).

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.