I traveled through 5 different airports during a summer trip to Europe. The best one surprised me.
My June Eurotrip took me through five different airports, which provided five very different experiences. So I figured, why not rank them?
It should go without saying that travel is unpredictable and experiences can vary widely due to weather, national strikes, and time of year — not to mention the size of the airport. This is more to help with your own Europe travel planning than anything else.
5. Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Florence, Italy
My experience with the Florence Airport was rocky from the beginning. It was the first stop on our trip, and my fiancé and I decided to grab a cab to our hotel after a full day of traveling from Los Angeles. However, peak tourism season was already in full swing, and we waited almost 45 minutes outside for an available car.
Our problems persisted when we returned to the airport four days later. There were no self-service kiosks for British Airways, which I was flying to London, or KLM, which my fiancé was flying to Amsterdam, leading to very long check-in lines. But that would be the least of our struggles.
Florence Airport only has one short runway, frequently leading to diverted and canceled flights during bad weather. It was somewhat windy that day, leading 30 people — including my fiancé — to get kicked off the KLM flight. He waited at the airport for hours to get rebooked on a new flight at 6 a.m. the following morning, then was taken via bus to a hotel 45 minutes away.
A spokesperson for the airport told me a project to modify the orientation and length of the runway is "currently undergoing approval."
4. Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom
I studied abroad in Cambridge and lived in the UK during my 20s, so I've flown in and out of Heathrow at least a dozen times and have had fairly good experiences overall. It's also ranked 22nd in Skytrax's 2025 list for top 100 airports in the world, which is considered the Oscars of the aviation industry.
But Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, can be chaotic. My first issue was during the self-service bag drop. This is a great time-saving feature at Heathrow, but my luggage got flagged for being one pound overweight. A nearby staff member told me the scales are extremely sensitive, and I'd have to shuffle some things around. It's not a huge deal, but definitely something to know if you're flying through this airport and happen to be a chronic overpacker (ahem, me).
The staff member then said I could go to the north or south security zone. I opted for the north, only to be turned away because the entire zone had suddenly closed. This led to a massive rush of people heading to the south zone.
The security line also took longer because of the general confusion around Heathrow's very strict policy for liquids in carry-ons. People held up the line as they tried to organize their bottles into plastic bags, and carry-ons kept getting flagged if a stray bottle was found.
So, if you're heading to Heathrow soon, be extra careful with your luggage and liquids and bank some extra time in case of long lines. That way you won't have to be the person sprinting to their gate (ahem, me again).
3. Zurich Airport in Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich, ranked 10th in Skytrax's top 100 list, was my connecting airport as I flew from LA to Florence. I was in the airport for less than two hours, but I was impressed with how they handled a lost item issue.
I was just about to wander away from our gate and grab a snack when my iPhone alerted me that I "seemed far away" from my AirPods, which I had apparently left in the seat-back pocket on the plane.
I was already in a different terminal, and my flight was set to board in 20 minutes. I went up to the first desk I saw, where an attendant was happy to help. She showed me how to submit the airport's lost item report, a quick form I could complete from my phone.
Within two days, I received confirmation that my AirPods had been found and were being stored in the lost and found. I paid a fee to get them sent back to LA, where they were waiting for me when I returned from my trip.
2. Athens International Airport in Athens, Greece
I spent a lot of summers as a kid at the airport in Athens, often snacking on a ham and cheese toastie while we waited for a connecting flight to visit Thessaloniki, my parents' hometown. So yes, I'm a little biased!
But my most recent experience at Athens International Airport, ranked 88th on Skytrax's list, couldn't have been smoother. We were able to quickly grab our luggage and order an Uber when we landed, and the check-in and security process was a breeze when it was time to catch our flight home.
What I really love about this airport is the dozens of shops where you can buy whatever Greek snacks you couldn't fit into your luggage, which in my case was a lot. I was so content browsing through the bottles of olive oil and shelves of cookies (Caprice wafers are always a must) that my Norse Atlantic Airways flight was halfway through boarding when I got to my gate.
1. Düsseldorf Airport in Düsseldorf, Germany
I flew into Düsseldorf Airport — ranked 28th on Skytrax's list — for a wedding in Recklinghausen, and from the moment I landed, everything just felt so easy.
I swiftly grabbed my checked bag and followed the signs to find the SkyTrain, a fully automatic railway that took me straight to the Düsseldorf Flughafen station to catch my train to Recklinghausen.
The return journey was just as effortless. My fiancé and I were able to check in with the airport's self-service kiosks and bag drop, and this time, my luggage didn't get flagged by a sensitive scale. We didn't even have to wait in any lines! The security check was quick and efficient, and there were tons of great food and shopping options available at our terminal.
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Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I traveled through 5 different airports during a summer trip to Europe. The best one surprised me.
Some would say it's crazy to squeeze four countries into a two-and-a-half week trip to Europe. That "some" would include my parents, but I've always liked a challenge. My June Eurotrip took me through five different airports, which provided five very different experiences. So I figured, why not rank them? It should go without saying that travel is unpredictable and experiences can vary widely due to weather, national strikes, and time of year — not to mention the size of the airport. This is more to help with your own Europe travel planning than anything else. 5. Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Florence, Italy My experience with the Florence Airport was rocky from the beginning. It was the first stop on our trip, and my fiancé and I decided to grab a cab to our hotel after a full day of traveling from Los Angeles. However, peak tourism season was already in full swing, and we waited almost 45 minutes outside for an available car. Our problems persisted when we returned to the airport four days later. There were no self-service kiosks for British Airways, which I was flying to London, or KLM, which my fiancé was flying to Amsterdam, leading to very long check-in lines. But that would be the least of our struggles. Florence Airport only has one short runway, frequently leading to diverted and canceled flights during bad weather. It was somewhat windy that day, leading 30 people — including my fiancé — to get kicked off the KLM flight. He waited at the airport for hours to get rebooked on a new flight at 6 a.m. the following morning, then was taken via bus to a hotel 45 minutes away. A spokesperson for the airport told me a project to modify the orientation and length of the runway is "currently undergoing approval." 4. Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom I studied abroad in Cambridge and lived in the UK during my 20s, so I've flown in and out of Heathrow at least a dozen times and have had fairly good experiences overall. It's also ranked 22nd in Skytrax's 2025 list for top 100 airports in the world, which is considered the Oscars of the aviation industry. But Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, can be chaotic. My first issue was during the self-service bag drop. This is a great time-saving feature at Heathrow, but my luggage got flagged for being one pound overweight. A nearby staff member told me the scales are extremely sensitive, and I'd have to shuffle some things around. It's not a huge deal, but definitely something to know if you're flying through this airport and happen to be a chronic overpacker (ahem, me). The staff member then said I could go to the north or south security zone. I opted for the north, only to be turned away because the entire zone had suddenly closed. This led to a massive rush of people heading to the south zone. The security line also took longer because of the general confusion around Heathrow's very strict policy for liquids in carry-ons. People held up the line as they tried to organize their bottles into plastic bags, and carry-ons kept getting flagged if a stray bottle was found. So, if you're heading to Heathrow soon, be extra careful with your luggage and liquids and bank some extra time in case of long lines. That way you won't have to be the person sprinting to their gate (ahem, me again). 3. Zurich Airport in Zurich, Switzerland Zurich, ranked 10th in Skytrax's top 100 list, was my connecting airport as I flew from LA to Florence. I was in the airport for less than two hours, but I was impressed with how they handled a lost item issue. I was just about to wander away from our gate and grab a snack when my iPhone alerted me that I "seemed far away" from my AirPods, which I had apparently left in the seat-back pocket on the plane. I was already in a different terminal, and my flight was set to board in 20 minutes. I went up to the first desk I saw, where an attendant was happy to help. She showed me how to submit the airport's lost item report, a quick form I could complete from my phone. Within two days, I received confirmation that my AirPods had been found and were being stored in the lost and found. I paid a fee to get them sent back to LA, where they were waiting for me when I returned from my trip. 2. Athens International Airport in Athens, Greece I spent a lot of summers as a kid at the airport in Athens, often snacking on a ham and cheese toastie while we waited for a connecting flight to visit Thessaloniki, my parents' hometown. So yes, I'm a little biased! But my most recent experience at Athens International Airport, ranked 88th on Skytrax's list, couldn't have been smoother. We were able to quickly grab our luggage and order an Uber when we landed, and the check-in and security process was a breeze when it was time to catch our flight home. What I really love about this airport is the dozens of shops where you can buy whatever Greek snacks you couldn't fit into your luggage, which in my case was a lot. I was so content browsing through the bottles of olive oil and shelves of cookies (Caprice wafers are always a must) that my Norse Atlantic Airways flight was halfway through boarding when I got to my gate. 1. Düsseldorf Airport in Düsseldorf, Germany I flew into Düsseldorf Airport — ranked 28th on Skytrax's list — for a wedding in Recklinghausen, and from the moment I landed, everything just felt so easy. I swiftly grabbed my checked bag and followed the signs to find the SkyTrain, a fully automatic railway that took me straight to the Düsseldorf Flughafen station to catch my train to Recklinghausen. The return journey was just as effortless. My fiancé and I were able to check in with the airport's self-service kiosks and bag drop, and this time, my luggage didn't get flagged by a sensitive scale. We didn't even have to wait in any lines! The security check was quick and efficient, and there were tons of great food and shopping options available at our terminal.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Money Problem: 'British Airways agreed over phone to refund nearly £1,500 - but then only gave me half'
Every week, our Money team gets an expert to answer your financial problems or consumer disputes. Today, our reader Simon Lawrence asks... We booked a holiday to Mexico for £2,362 but a few months later were seeing a lot of articles about how dangerous Mexico City had become. When I called, British Airways agreed to let us cancel with a £1,454 refund but then only gave me half. This was last July and I've been back and forth with them ever since. They're saying the complaint is closed. What can I do?Money blog editor answers... Thanks for writing in, Simon - I got a lot more details about your case from our correspondence. This helped me have a back and forth with BA - but before I get to where that ended up, I want to go through your rights. It's worth saying that you are not alone in having problems with BA. A Facebook group titled "British Airways Complaints Advice" has nearly 41,000 members - read from that what you will. Your 'ace card' I chatted to consumer rights expert Scott Dixon, AKA the Complaints Resolver, about your case - and he was impressed that you'd kept such meticulous notes. This is key when things go wrong. As a starting point, if BA or another company in a similar scenario is unfairly refusing to engage, Dixon suggests you can submit a data subject access request to retrieve recorded phone calls as evidence of what BA promised. "This is your ace card," said Dixon - and it may lead to a resolution in your favour. Refunds generally depend on the terms and conditions you agree to when purchasing something. "BA say they sell some tickets at discounted fares which may be partly or completely non-refundable," said Dixon. "You should choose the fare which best suits your needs and consider taking out travel insurance to cover instances where you might have to cancel your ticket." Regardless of the above, you may be entitled to a full refund in certain circumstances, such as: A serious illness or bereavement (proof may be required); If BA cancels the flight or makes a significant change to it. Promises made over the phone When making telephone calls, Dixon says you should always note: The name of the person you spoke to; Date and time of calls; Summary of what was said; Request written confirmation of any promises given. Don't accept vouchers This is one of Dixon's bugbears. "BA usually offers vouchers instead of cash to close complaints, which you do not have to accept," he told me. "You are entitled to what you are owed and promised in cash." Alternative dispute resolution If you disagree with an airline's decision, you have the right to go to an ADR service to dispute it. The main ADR schemes are Consumer Dispute Resolution Limited (AviationADR) and Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). BA subscribes to CEDR - so that's where you'd go. "I have found the ADR schemes to be very good with legitimate claims, and it's clear that many airlines deliberately flout the law because they know most people won't pursue it," said Dixon. How did you pay for it? If you paid by credit card, you can submit a claim under S75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which holds the credit card provider jointly liable for a breach of contract. Read more: Small claims court If all else fails, you could take your case to the small claims court if it is in England, or follow the Simple Procedure in Scotland. Dixon advises: "Before you file a claim, send screenshots of the draft court papers setting your case out and demanding a refund within seven days. Tell BA that if they fail to do so, you will lodge a claim in the small claims court. "This may resolve the dispute. If it does not, you can proceed and file the small claim papers online." What did British Airways do when we contacted them? A few hours after we emailed the BA press office, Simon received an email suggesting his case was open again. Neither we nor Simon then heard much for a week before he received £527.19 and a voucher worth £100. Simon sent us this email: "This is still £100 less than the £727.19 but it's better than nothing. "Still no explanation or proper apology from our standard-bearer airline, but perhaps that's too much to ask for. "At least the refund is an acknowledgement that they were wrong and had effectively lied to me when they said the refund was in line with their policy. Without your intervention, I would have just been continually ignored." It really shouldn't take an email from the media to sort these things out, but we are glad BA has now given Simon most of the money he was promised. In a short statement, the airline said: "We've apologised to our customer and have been in touch to make things right." This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via: WhatsApp Or email moneyblog@ with the subject line "Money Problem"
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
Airlines face climate reality check with green jet fuel
British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group, surged ahead of other passenger airlines last year to consume the most sustainable aviation fuel, according to a Bloomberg Green review of corporate filings from dozens of air carriers. The company acquired 55 million gallons of cleaner jet fuel, which is derived from lower-emitting sources such as used cooking oil and animal tallow. That number exceeded the amount used by all U.S. passenger airlines combined. But the promising performance is overshadowed by a troubling reality for the industry: The shift to sustainable aviation fuel is still minuscule, while growth in passenger air travel is drowning out any climate gains so far. For example, despite IAG's world-leading status, cleaner fuel accounted for only about 1.9% of its overall fuel consumption last year, and its emissions from fuel combustion still rose by 5%. Globally, sustainable aviation fuel is expected to increase to 0.7% from 0.3% of aviation fuel this year. But the International Air Transport Assn. expects air travel to climb 6%, causing another jump in emissions. 'We're still at the very beginning of this market,' said Daisy Robinson, a BloombergNEF analyst who focuses on renewable fuels. 'It's going to take some time.' New rules are springing up in different parts of the world to spur more use of sustainable aviation fuel, which costs at least twice as much as conventional jet fuel. Starting this year, the European Union and the U.K. require jet fuel to include at least 2% SAF. Other requirements have been enacted or planned in Canada's British Columbia province, Brazil, Indonesia and Singapore. Such rules help protect first movers from being undercut on prices by competitors. 'As airlines, because of competition, we're not great at doing this voluntarily,' said Aaron Robinson, IAG's vice president for sustainable aviation fuels in the U.S. 'Mandates in different geographies can play a really important role in moving the whole aviation industry forward.' In the U.S., where no mandates are planned and where President Trump's recent tax bill reduced incentives for SAF, airlines have fallen behind the market leaders — despite some heavily advertising their pursuit of greener fuels. Alaska Air Group Inc. leaped to the front of U.S. carriers last year by increasing its SAF usage more than tenfold to 0.68% of its fuel. That's about double the percentage of several other big U.S. airlines, including JetBlue Airways Corp., United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. It's nearly 10 times the percentage of American Airlines Group Inc., which used only 0.07% SAF. (When including cargo carriers, DHL Group led the world by using SAF for 3.52% of its jet fuel last year.) Businesses that spend a lot on corporate travel, such as tech firms and consulting companies, helped pay for more than half of Alaska's SAF last year. This enables companies such as Microsoft Corp. and Autodesk Inc. to claim a smaller carbon footprint. Microsoft shaved its emissions by 65,000 tons last year by helping cover the cost of greener fuels, including for some employee flights on Alaska. It's unclear, though, how many more companies will step up, especially given the high cost of cleaner jet fuel compared with other options to rein in emissions. Ryan Spies, managing director of sustainability for Alaska, estimates that businesses pay $150 to $300 for each ton of carbon dioxide that they avoid through SAF purchases. By comparison, carbon offsets sold for an average of about $6.30 per ton last year, according to Ecosystem Marketplace — though many offset projects have delivered fewer climate benefits than advertised. 'This pool might not be that deep,' Spies said. 'The only way to bring these [cost] numbers down is to invest in these technologies.' Global SAF production continues to lurch forward at an uneven clip. Although analysts say there's plenty of green fuel to hit the 2% mandates in Europe this year, vastly more will be needed for airlines to reach their widely held goals of 10% SAF by 2030. A couple of new plants began churning out cleaner fuels last year, including a large Texas facility from Diamond Green Diesel, which is a joint venture between Valero Energy Corp. and Darling Ingredients Inc. Meanwhile, World Energy's first-in-the-country SAF plant in Paramount, has been shut down for months after the loss of financial backing from Air Products & Chemicals Inc. A World Energy spokesperson said there's no timetable for restarting the plant. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for airlines has been the retreat of oil giants, which previously trumpeted massive commitments in this area. BP, for instance, said two years ago that it was pursuing five projects around the world that would produce 50,000 barrels of renewable fuels per day, with a focus on SAF. The oil major has since scaled back most of these plans amid a renewed focus on fossil fuels. BP didn't respond to requests for comment. 'We need to make sure that some of these bigger players are really investing in the new facilities,' said Hemant Mistry, director of net zero transition for the International Air Transport Assn. 'They're the ones who have the technical expertise, the experience, and they have the balance sheets, as well.' Passenger air travel is expected to double by 2050, which will probably cause emissions to soar. While airlines are counting heavily on cleaner fuels to save the day — IATA anticipates SAF could be 80% to 90% of the fuel supply by mid-century — others are more pessimistic. BloombergNEF, for instance, predicts that scarce feedstocks and a lack of new plants will limit these cleaner fuels to about 7% of the industry's propellant by 2050. Considering these challenges, some in the industry are pushing it to shift its focus beyond SAF and to address the thorny issue of ever-rising passenger numbers. 'Limiting or even questioning growth, that is difficult for airlines,' said Karel Bockstael, a former vice president of sustainability at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, who retired in 2022 after 32 years at the company. Bockstael last year co-founded the group Call Aviation to Action, which has the support of more than 400 current and former aviation insiders, including from fuel producers, airports and airlines. They're urging the industry to set firm limits for its emissions and to support more aggressive policies to stay within these boundaries. This could include levies on frequent fliers or carbon taxes on jet fuel. 'We're not against the industry, we love it, we know all the benefits of it,' Bockstael said. 'But if we do not have a strategy — if we do not have a way out when planetary boundaries are forced upon us — then we will have serious problems, and our industry will have a tragic hard landing.' Elgin writes for Bloomberg.
