The Best: Incheon (see photo). The main terminal is massive. Unlike Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport, there are restrooms and seating areas within walking distance of the shops. As a Duty Free fan, I found Incheon to be a nearly orgasmic experience. The shops are quite plush, making even the lowliest traveller feel like a member of the jet set. Also, the transit smoking room is equipped with cushioned chairs. Although this didn't help the stale smell of second hand smoke, it beat the plastic chairs that have marred my rear end in other areas.
The Best Scenery: Narita. On the final approach to Narita, the scenery in quite idyllic. On my last trip, it eased my sense of exhaustion to watch the green hills and coniferous trees float past. It reminded me of an old Japanese painting.
Worst Bar: LAX, where I and my travelling companion, the only customers at the time, were rushed through our beers so that the bartender could take a smoke break.
And the Best: O'Hare's bar at the international terminal. It's been several years, but the delightful bartender was quick with a joke and knew all the flight information by heart. She even kept us up to date on the status of our flight, which was delayed.
Most Over-Hyped: Suvarnabhumi. You have to walk past so many shops in order to get anywhere. If nature calls, chances are you wont be able to locate a restroom before it's too late.
Worst place to go through customs on returning to the states: Anywhere, but most of all, O'Hare. From the over zealous custom officers interrogating everyone about how much currency they are holding to the cowboys who on each trip, accost me for some idiotic reason or another. It never happens anywhere else.
Finally, Most interesting. Tan Son Nhat, Ho Chi Minh City. Probably because of the history. As you taxi towards the terminal, you'll see rows of concrete hangers siting vacant on the overgrown airfield. Makes you wonder about the places history as a base for both French and American Air Forces.
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