The best planespotting is probably from the fence off the beach at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport, Saint Martin. Close behind would be sitting down at the outside tables at the In ‘n Out Burger at the edge of LAX.
The best view from any terminal has to be the airport in Bora Bora. Like many of the airports in the Maldives you approach by boat. But instead of sailing to the island which houses an airport, the Bora Bora airport is simply its own small island (motu). And the waters are indeed stunning.
But here I’m interested in the very best view from an actual airline lounge. And I’d venture to say that honor may go to the Premier Lounge at the Denpasar Bali airport.
It won’t be around as an international departures lounge all that much longer, eventually the current international terminal which houses the lounge is slated to become the domestic terminal (when the newly built international terminal opens).
And there’s not a ton that’s actually special about the lounge — or even the airport — besides that view.
The current airport dropoff area is a long walk to the ‘old’ international terminal.
(You used to drive right up in front of the terminal.)
There’s baggage screening to enter the terminal, before reaching airport check-in desks, followed by security and immigration. The lounge options in the terminal are fairly limited, and this is a lounge shared by several airlines.
Internet is not even free in the lounge, except for Singapore Airlines passengers. Presumably Singapore is willing to pay a higher fee for their customers and have negotiated internet, while other airlines negotiate access only and the lounge sells internet codes at ~$5 for 5 hours. Connectivity was extremely slow and I’d have been quite tinked if I had paid for it. (Uncreatively, the username was ‘SQ@2013’ and password ‘SQFreeWifi’.)
The lounge has a modest food selection.
And some desserts that looked much better than they tasted.
There’s ample comfortable seating.
And it’s a haven from the rest of the airside terminal, which is chaos.
Nonetheless, while not a great lounge overall, I do think it has the best view from its outdoor seating area of any airport lounge, anywhere.
Any other candidates for this honor?
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I thought USM was a very interesting airport.
Ill be going on my honeymoon to Bali next week, am 1K with United, but am going to be flying Air Asia. Do you know if I can access the lounge?
The United DCA lounge offered great views of the DC major monuments: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/8694993049/
But the food selection was nonexistence!
Hey, what about DL’s new SkyDecks?
A fav indeed, (in fact and may pop over on way by in a couple of months). I remember GVA has a seating area with a lovely view of the Alps, dont recall if was lounge or public access.
The Snack Bar at Mamala Bay Golf Course on Hickam AFB in HNL is excellent as well, some of the holes on the course are even better. Sam Choys down the beach on Hickam is good as well, but I prefer the Snack Bar food.
When will the new international terminal open ?
They let you bring your trays at In-N-Out at LAX on the little hills outside the parking lot where the views are even better
I was at the DPS lounge last week – I also loved the outside views. Food and drink offerings were adequate.
I made a rookie mistake and left this lounge a bit late to head for gate 5 (CX flight to HKG), not factoring that I would end up in a long security line to get to the gate. Made it, but it was way too close for my taste.
For plane spotting I like the park just north of SEA-TAC. They fly right over you just before landing.
For those interested in seeing a snapshot of the new terminal: http://www.baliairport.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bali-airport-plan.jpg
HUGE improvement over the old one, view or not…
I’ll chalk one up for Delta’s Sky Deck at JFK. Relaxing outdoors at JFK with a cold beverage seems so non-Delta, non-JFK but was awesome. Bring bug spray!