New Adelaide Airport is very impressive!

[max]

Well I had occasion to pick up a friend at the NEW airport for the first time yesterday and I got there well before the flight arrival to have a bit of a look around. It is very impressive. A very long terminal building with great facilities and shops, coffee bars, cafes, etc, etc. But to me the best thing is the direct view onto the apron area and loading, embarking/disembarking facilities, air bridges etc. We have come a long way from the old terminal where you walk across the tarmac and if you're not careful you might stumble down the old ladder from the plane or whack your head on the bottom of an engine as you walk past the plane under the wing and so on. Watching a couple of planes arriving I couldn't help being impressed with the pilot's accuracy and skill in getting the nose wheel right spot on the yellow line as in turned into the gate area and followed straight up to a stop point where the air bridge comes up to meet the door. How the heck do the pilot's judge that? They can't very well see the nose wheel from the cockpit can they? Have they got a glass window in the cockpit floor? They don't have the guy on the ground waving the big pink ping-pong bats anymore. It's not the world's most burning issue, but I'm curious.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Being a very regular flyer it is much nicer not having to take your Qantas-issued umbrella and fight the many elements encountered upon the tarmac

The inside is indeed very nice. One of my colleagues tells me its based on one of eurpoe's newer airports, having not been i cannot comment. The coopers merchandise store is a great beacon for SA and the coopers alehouse is all too tempting at 6am lol.

The logistics of the new airport are much better as well. A lot more taxis can get in and out of there...

Definately a class act, the people of adelaide have been rewarded for their patience!

[Doctor Sodways]

The coopers alehouse is gold there, they had awesome prices last time i visited, sunk a few and we decided we would go back, but prices went up and it lost its appeal.

[Bucknaked]

The last trip I made to the airport in Adelaide was about 4 years ago. Always amazed me how the airport never changed for as long as I can remember. Could never get over having to walk across the tarmac, expecially in these modern times. We do in Canberra, but thats only ever small planes like Dash 8's, and not bigger commercial airliners. Even the international terminal I found quite amusing. The smallest I've ever seen. :

Adelaide airport was like being trapped in time. It's long over due. It's about time they upgraded facilities. Can't wait for my next flight to Adelaide.

[falcon91]

Originally Posted by max

Well I had occasion to pick up a friend at the NEW airport for the first time yesterday and I got there well before the flight arrival to have a bit of a look around. It is very impressive. A very long terminal building with great facilities and shops, coffee bars, cafes, etc, etc. But to me the best thing is the direct view onto the apron area and loading, embarking/disembarking facilities, air bridges etc. We have come a long way from the old terminal where you walk across the tarmac and if you're not careful you might stumble down the old ladder from the plane or whack your head on the bottom of an engine as you walk past the plane under the wing and so on. Watching a couple of planes arriving I couldn't help being impressed with the pilot's accuracy and skill in getting the nose wheel right spot on the yellow line as in turned into the gate area and followed straight up to a stop point where the air bridge comes up to meet the door. How the heck do the pilot's judge that? They can't very well see the nose wheel from the cockpit can they? Have they got a glass window in the cockpit floor? They don't have the guy on the ground waving the big pink ping-pong bats anymore. It's not the world's most burning issue, but I'm curious.

There are bars of electronic lights fitted to a sort of traffic light system, which tell the pilot when to turn in and when to stop. The aerobridge is also on wheels and can move some distance to get the aerobridge ramp meeting the door spot on. Also the aerobridge can raise and lower to match the door depending on the aircraft type. i.e. lower for a 737, higher for a 767 etc. All else fails, the ground handler will use the bats/wands.

[Noddy]

Having visited Adelaide earlier this year i was told by Qantas staff that the air bridges were a new addition, imo its very similar to the Brisbane International airport.

[BENT_8]

I never really had a problem with the old terminal.
Yeah you had to walk across the tarmac, but the kids loved that, and most of our flights were to Coolangatta, which is the same, so who cares.

[Falcon Freak]

I prefer the old Adelaide airport as the 737s used both the front and rear exits to allow passengers to board and exit the plane. With the airbridges there is only one entry and exit point which makes the whole process of getting and and off a plane so much slower.

I also prefer the old Adelaide airport as there was a bar near the end where you could see everybody pass by you on the way to the departure gates. In the new terminal it isn't possible to find a location where you can see all departing passengers.

But the good thing is there are many more stores in the new terminal.

FF

[MoreHPformyXR6]

The New Adelaide Airport is very impressive long over due IMO. Now if we could get AIR re furbished to that stanard & re open it would be GOLD.

[MO]

Used to work there before the upgrade..must go back and have a look...sounds good and about time.

And falcon91 is spot on there is a light system at all airbridge hook ups.

[XRchic]

Well if anyone wants to fly over and check out the new airport here in Adelaide, feel free to come by for a visit and we will organise some fun for our visitors! Even without cars, or a cruise in SA cars or something!

In all seriousness, let us know the next time any of you are over, and we can at least organise a nice dinner out with everyone, or something!

And yes, the new airport is worth waiting for. Good for Clipsal (March) when air traffic is high. Also good for overseas visitors, not so embarrassing. Better car parking facilities too. Nice shops. Not very big but much better.

Very good viewing too and nice and light inside with big windows.

Tunnels are much easier with kids too, and for older or disabled people. Or just fat pregnant chics who dont want to climb the stair trucks. LOL.

Ikea is good nearby too.

Worth the wait I think.

[LUXO_8]

thread is useless without pics

though it might be difficult to photograph the airport without being arrested atm.....:S

[Falcon Freak]

Try this link - http://www.aal.com.au/

FF

[LUXO_8]

ah sweet, thanks for that:P

[AdzT3-146]

Sounds good. I'll be flying over to Adelaide on friday, so ill be sure to take a good look around when i arrive. This coopers ale house sounds mighty tempting :P

[outback_ute]

First time I used the new airport was back in Feb, for a flight to Whyalla while Qantas & Virgin were still at the old terminal. It was interesting to see it was "opened" in May last year from memory but they had only just started to use it, and also a bit wierd being in such a large facility with so few people.

[max]

Originally Posted by XRchic

Well if anyone wants to fly over and check out the new airport here in Adelaide, feel free to come by for a visit and we will organise some fun for our visitors! Even without cars, or a cruise in SA cars or something!

In all seriousness, let us know the next time any of you are over, and we can at least organise a nice dinner out with everyone, or something!

And yes, the new airport is worth waiting for. Good for Clipsal (March) when air traffic is high. Also good for overseas visitors, not so embarrassing. Better car parking facilities too. Nice shops. Not very big but much better.

Very good viewing too and nice and light inside with big windows.

Tunnels are much easier with kids too, and for older or disabled people. Or just fat pregnant chics who dont want to climb the stair trucks. LOL.

Ikea is good nearby too.

Worth the wait I think.

Sounds like a brilliant idea! A dinner/cruise. MO, OutbackJack et al here's a chance to re-affirm ideological solidarity in Adelaide! Don Dunstan's old stamping ground. Now there's a socio-political ideologue for you! Plus I forgot, there's a 'Chocolat' shop in the terminal, and you ain't lived until you've tried a Chilli Hot Chocolate!

[jonk]

Try walking from one end to the other... it's 700 m long.

[sgt_doofey]

Free wireless internet provided throughout the terminal as well. It is only web and secure web pages (Ports 80 and 443 for the nerds around here) unless you are a customer of Internode, then it is open slather.
More info here: http://www.internode.on.net/about/ne...ideairport.htm

Would you also believe that I was on the first international flight in to the new airport when it opened last year. There were a couple of politicians on the flight as well (woohoo! :rolleyes: ) By the time my wife and I got off the plane, through immigration, baggage handling and customs, all of the fanfare and free drinks had gone. :

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by jonk

Try walking from one end to the other... it's 700 m long.

Try getting a regional flight out. You have to walk that 700 metres, and then down some stairs, a few hundred metres more through some dodgey tunnel, and then out on to the tarmac to your plane. I think that there is another flight of stairs in there somewhere as well. :
The regional operators threatened to pull out of the terminal there at one stage, but something must've been done to appease them.

[MO]

Originally Posted by max

Sounds like a brilliant idea! A dinner/cruise. MO, OutbackJack et al here's a chance to re-affirm ideological solidarity in Adelaide! Don Dunstan's old stamping ground. Now there's a socio-political ideologue for you! Plus I forgot, there's a 'Chocolat' shop in the terminal, and you ain't lived until you've tried a Chilli Hot Chocolate!

I'm up for it how about the rest...although I think I've upset outbackjack...but hey thats life....outbackjack stop sulking and get on board.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by MO

I'm up for it how about the rest...although I think I've upset outbackjack...but hey thats life....outbackjack stop sulking and get on board.

Hey Guys, I am too old to sulk. I do get a bit miffed though when something just plain dumb is being proposed. Oh well. But yes I will be in it...... Just need a little bit of notice. I will drive down, very fast :eclipsee_
Sounds like fun. Lashings of shiraz and seafood. We dont get much seafood out here.... well at least good seafood anyway.

[MO]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Hey Guys, I am too old to sulk. I do get a bit miffed though when something just plain dumb is being proposed. Oh well. But yes I will be in it...... Just need a little bit of notice. I will drive down, very fast :eclipsee_
Sounds like fun. Lashings of shiraz and seafood. We dont get much seafood out here.... well at least good seafood anyway.

Onya Brian...see you there.

[Outbackjack]

All we need now is a date...

[wingTS]

Went down to Ikea the other day and checked out the new airport while we were there...

its not bad...for an airport...

[MO]

XR chick...max.. outbackjack et al how about 3mths from now..somwhere around late October..early November...I know its not easy to arrange this sort of thing on the forum but we should start somewhere.

Any further input?

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by MO

XR chick...max.. outbackjack et al how about 3mths from now..somwhere around late October..early November...I know its not easy to arrange this sort of thing on the forum but we should start somewhere.

Any further input?

I'm good with that.... Getting warm by then but not too un bearable, I'm in.

[max]

Originally Posted by wingTS

Went down to Ikea the other day and checked out the new airport while we were there...

its not bad...for an airport...

I like the airport better than IKEA. Except for the meatballs.

[XA Coupsta]

Im pretty sure the reason why the airport was built but not opened for awhile is they contaminated the underground jet fuel lines during construction.

Obviously this is a VERY important peice of infrastructure that has to be 110% right before they can use it!

Hence the airport couldnt operate until all that was rectified and certified as Aok.

[eb2fairmont]

The new airpoirt is better than the tin shed, but ffs don't go there or come out of there for international. You'll be waiting for hours.

It sucks.