5 Criteria for 5-Star Airport Ratings
5-Star ratings are few and far between in any industry and are even more rare in industries that directly service the public. So, when Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, gives the only 5-Star rating to an airport in the United States, we wanted to know what it took to achieve the recognition. Later in this issue, you can read the details on what Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport did to earn a 5-Star rating. In addition to reviewing the security screening, immigration services, transfer services, terminal facilities, shopping facilities, and food and beverage offerings, the following five parking and mobility categories need to be top of class.
1Ground Transportation—public transport options, distance to public transport, airport taxi service, car rentals.
2Wayfinding & Signage—ease of wayfinding for arrivals, transfers, and departures, clarity of signs and symbols, sign language choices, terminal maps, airport app navigation, airport “help” staff, information kiosks, help counter service.
3Arrival—walking distances, availability of toilets, baggage hall facilities, baggage delivery times, baggage carts, meet and greet facilities.
4Departure—signage to check in, congestion around check in, queuing systems, seating near check in, signage to security/departures.
5Terminal Comfort—congestion around terminal, air temperature, décor and condition, seat availability, seat types and comfort, power/charging points, cleanliness of seats, washrooms, and public areas, passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) washrooms, baby changing rooms.
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