Comments on: Getting Around at the Airport

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:57:24 +0000

To hygoex’s point, yes, the City of Atlanta renumbered the gates on C-Concourse to accommodate ASA (so that each aircraft parking spot has its own gate number) and AirTran (which had a lot of C7A type gates resulting from changing Eastern’s old widebody gates into narrowbody gates). Track down a pilot and ask to look at his/her Jeppesen manual. The chart that shows the parking spots in ATL shows the new gate numbers.

I also dislike the current maps, which I think try to be too pretty to be useful. I like Northwest’s map of MSP, Continental’s of IAH and EWR, American’s of MIA, and United’s of ORD (with the exception of the confusing color-coding). Basically, give me a map that’s detailed, yet easy to read (fonts, colors, contrasts). Show me where to check in, where to clear security, where to get on the plane, and where to pick up my bag. Show me where the Crown Room is. It’d be nice to see where the Delta Direct desks are in case I miss my connecting flight. If you can do it without cluttering the map, show me where your SkyTeam partners’ check-in and gates are.

By: hygoex

hygoex — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:13:13 +0000

I have noticed there are a lot of high gate numbers showing up on flights coming into Concourse C in Atlanta. It would be helpful if a complete gate map were available on the site.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:25:30 +0000

cincyworldtraveler – Will look into this more – I really like the idea of giving passengers the option of printing maps via kiosk. Thanks!

golich17 – You’re absolutely right, we should indicate where Customer Service Desks are. I will add that to our list as well. The addition of SkyTeam airlines is in progress and will be updated in Sky Magazine this Summer.

By: golich17

golich17 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:06:15 +0000

I remember a couple months back that we discussed that the airport maps should be more interactive. I personally like this idea, but I think a couple more things should be noted. Note where your Customer Service Desks are because I’m sure many would like to know where they are. Also, note SkyTeam airline locations. This may also be the time to create maps for NW hubs, which I thought you should have done years ago! Continental and Northwest both list hubs for all SkyTeam partner hubs on their websites so there is no reason, especially now, not to have them.

By: cincyworldtraveler

cincyworldtraveler — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:41 +0000

I agree with most of the comments here. I second the kiosk idea. It would be great when you’re checking in at the kiosk or on-line and you were given the option of printing out maps of your connecting and destination airport. Similar to how you can print the itinerary and receipt. Obviously, some airports are easier to get around than others. CDG comes to mind as one that can be a royal pain and should have more detail. I’ve seen many newbies arrive there for the first time and they are helplessly lost on how to get to their connecting terminal. Plus, it seems CDG changes the connecting terminals every few months. AF ground staff can either be somewhat helpful or disinterested. Many of the American passengers don’t help themselves with their attitude – they had to deplane by walking down steps, then took a 15 minute bus tour of the airport before getting to the terminal, so consequently they are freaking out because the customs line is long and they have a good chance of missing their connection. I’ve heard that AF recently re-opened 2E, which might improve the situation, but you would help passengers connecting through CDG by providing as much up-to-date info and detail as possible. Kiosk/online maps that print at checkin could help reduce the stress of some of those passengers.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:19:27 +0000

Skymiler – Thank you for your feedback. I’m happy to report that our Sky Magazine team is currently working on a project to add our partner airlines to the maps. We will definitely add your suggestions to consideration.

Steve – Great feedback, thank you. This is something we’ll be working toward in the coming months.

royal-jet-service – Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. I love your idea of creating mobile maps and mashups as well. Mobile/blackberry screen size is an obstacle that can limit our ability to add too much detail. What are your top map ‘needs’ that a mobile map could help with?

biscuitgrrl – Thank you for your feedback. It is a great idea to work with our local airports to leverage their knowledge and link to their maps.

TriStar_Fan – Interesting idea! Let me know if I’m understanding your question correctly. Do you mean can the airport maps be available via kiosk after a passenger checks-in?

By: TriStar_Fan

TriStar_Fan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:43:30 +0000

Can most of these requests be provided when a pax checks-in via the kiosk?

By: biscuitgrrl

biscuitgrrl — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:20:51 +0000

I agree with Steve and Skymiler. You need more detail and more airports. I’m sure all the airports would be glad to share the maps they probably already have with Delta. 15 wimpy maps is not a lot to brag about.

By: royal-jet-service

royal-jet-service — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:20:23 +0000

Sky magazine is a great start — but what happens after I disembark from the plane? The last thing I want to do is lug another thing around.

It would be very helpful if DL could make more/better use of mobile services. Like many business travelers, I have a BlackBerry. I’ve used Delta’s mobile-optimized site for other purposes; beefing up airport content on your mobile site would be great.

Re: connections, most airport signage is decent. However, some DL airport facilities can be spread out– ATL and JFK come to mind. Would it be possible to provide the approximate walking or transit time between my arrival and departure gates?

Finally, to the extent Delta can “mash up” content, such as content from the airport along with DL content, would be very useful. I don’t expect DL to keep tabs about which stores, restaurants and other non-DL/SkyTeam airport business come and go. I would, however, appreciate it if Delta could find a way to seamlessly integrate up-to-date airport content (such as restaurant info) with the airline’s airport content on its mobile-optimized Web site.

Thanks.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:07:27 +0000

One thing I’d like you to add would be more airports. It’s great that you have the hubs listed, but I’d rather see the map for my destination. I realize you can’t print them in Sky, but online would be nice.