Airports flunk comfy test

26 October 2015 - 02:23 By Tanya Farber

South Africa has had its bubble burst when it comes to sleep-friendly airports. A survey that looked at airports across the whole of Africa last year had the top three spots taken by Johannesburg's O.R Tambo, Cape Town International and King Shaka International, in Durban, in that order.A global survey, however, didn't have a single South African, or other African, airport in its top 40.Singapore's Changi International Airport came up trumps because of its low-lit relaxation zones, easy access to free lounger chairs, free massage chairs, and chairs with charging outlets for mobile devices.In second place was South Korea's Incheon International, which has much of the same, as well as padded benches in TV lounges.All the other top spots were hogged by European countries: Helsinki Airport, in Finland, Munich International, and Vienna International.The one South African airport that made it into the top 50 was O.R Tambo, which came in at 41st.The survey was by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports and looked at the "four Cs" of airport travel: comfort, convenience, cleanliness and customer service. It was based on the responses of 14000 air travellers.Seasoned South African traveller Jonathan Levin said: "I've hardly ever had to sleep at our own airports, but I feel at home just because I know the accents and it feels familiar. My best overnight airport experience was at Munich International."I think because it is a stopover for so many flights they cater for people like me."According to Airports Company of SA: "O.R Tambo International is Africa's biggest and busiest airport. More than half of South Africa's air-travelling passengers pass through the airport."..

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