Luang Prabang Airport, Laos (0 stars)

To be fair, Luang Prabang is not a hot destination for people with little ones... it's a backpacker haven and a wonderful area, but we were the only travelers with kids that I saw the entire time.  For this reason, one wouldn't expect anything kid-friendly in the airport.  I just want to let parents know that this is one place where you'll need to bring the coloring books and play-doh, and if you're planning to change diapers you'll want a fresh waterproof mat each time... bathrooms weren't all that clean.

The good part about this airport is, it's very close to the town and you don't need to get there super early; not much happening means short times spent in security.  However, it's also true that the flights don't always leave on time, so be prepared for some waiting.  We visited this airport in the spring of 2009.

Here's the review:

Are there one or more play areas?  nope

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control?  n/a

Is the play area conveniently located?  n/a

Is there information about the play areas available online?  no, but here's the website, you can see pictures of the terminal:  http://www.luangprabangairport.com/

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy?  n/a

Are there one or more nursing areas?  no

Description:  none further needed!

Portland International Airport (2.5 stars)

Portland's airport is a wonderful little haven.  So small it's refreshing, with a number of stores that capture the independent feel of the city, somehow avoiding becoming the cliche airport shops.  Surprisingly, for an airport this size, Portland does in fact have a children's play area.  It's pretty small-- basically a few interactive cubicle-wall style games and a television, with some kid-sized chairs.  It's in the middle of the hall, surrounded by some eating establishments, so mom can grab a coffee and watch the kids.

Here, then, the complete review:

Are there one or more play areas?  yes, there's one!

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control?  it's in concourse C, but the whole airport is small enough that it's not far from any gate.

Is the play area conveniently located?  how could it not be...

Is there information about the play areas available online?  yes, the play area is marked on this map: 

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy?  yes

Are there one or more nursing areas?  I don't think so; I didn't see one.   Oregonians are maybe not as shy about nursing in public as the rest of the country!

Description:   I think I've about covered it already in the intro.  Like the rest of the city:  small but a nice little gem!   sorry, no pictures this time because I lost my camera on that trip.  Bummer!

Here's a quote from another website (Kids Airport Diversion Guide), I did not read this before going to Portland, so can't say if it's all accurate or not:

Portland International Airport (PDX): The people who run Portland International Airport seem to do almost everything well, not the least of which is catering to families with children. There are lots of opportunities for kids to work off steam before being strapped in for a long flight. Pre-security near the checkpoint for Concourses D and E, you’ll find a multi-colored jungle gym, replete with padded surfaces. It’s got a pair of stairs that lead to a couple of slides and a “lookout” with a toy telescope and steering wheel so kids can spy aircraft out on PDX’s tarmac. Post-security on the C Concourse there’s a play area with a bunch of attractions: Lego tables, bead maze, play cars, and a TV monitor that’s set for children-friendly channels. Best of all, the area is close to restrooms and has plenty of seats for parents.
Need something more stimulating than mere play? Take them to the ABC lobby post- security. You’ll find a stunning Columbia River exhibit with interactive monitors and native artifacts, maps, photos, and excerpts form the journals of Lewis and Clark. When you’re flying east from PDX, get a window seat for your child and see if they can spot the areas they saw on the map. That’s the essence of interactivity. Stop by Creative Kidstuff on Concourse C to get your kids come travel-worthy games to keep them occupied during the long flight.

Beijing Capital International Airport (3 stars)

I have to say, Beijing's airport was a pleasant surprise.  While it is far from being the child-friendly haven that, say, Tokyo and Seoul have created, nevertheless Beijing's facilities for kids were better than I expected.  There is a nursing room (near gate 25) and there are also a few play areas, although I can't say whether they are available in every terminal.  I last visited this airport in November, 2009, and welcome any further input from readers who have been there!

Here, then, the complete review:

Are there one or more play areas?  There are more than one, although I can't know for sure how many.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? unknown

Is the play area conveniently located?  It can be a bit of a hike to the play areas, but not overly terrible.  The layout of the gates is more confusing than anything else; sometimes things are not as far away as they seem, due to some shortcut hallways.

Is there information about the play areas available online?  there are some maps on the website, but they are only in Chinese.

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy?  yes

Are there one or more nursing areas?  yes, near gate 25.

Description:   The play areas here were climbing/ playground style, though there was also a television that was constantly running tom and jerry.  Personally, I'm not a fan of televisions in the play area, because my kids can watch tv on the flight and I'd rather that they run around, but that's really a minor issue.  For some families the tv might be a boon during their time in transit.

Overall, we experienced 2 different play areas.  A few photos of the first one here...

And, on our way back out of the country, the second play area that we found:  Not too shabby!

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (2 stars)

The St. Louis airport does not fare well in my analysis from a parent/ tot perspective.  It may have a play area, but it is difficult to find, far away from many gates, and not fabulous.  However, kudos for having a play area at all, and the fact that there's a little-used terminal (D) with lots of space to run around is definitely a bonus.  Here's the full review:

Are there one or more play areas?  There is one. 

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? Only terminal C has one, and it's between gate C-25 and C-27.  Incidentally, the USO is also in this area.  The USO is not labeled on any maps; you have to call it from an airport phone to find out how to get there.  It's a nice little perk for military families, with some snacks and a movie lounge, as well as a tiny little play space.  I'm not complaining about the size-- hey, it's a wonderful resource even without the play space.

Is the play area conveniently located? Not unless you're flying from terminal C.

Is there information about the play areas available online? nope.   I couldn't remember the gate numbers, but found some handy info at sleepinginairports.com to jog my memory.

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? no, I found it difficult to find the info.

Are there one or more nursing areas?  not that I saw.

Description:   Sorry, I don't have pictures of this one either.  I remember it being small and a bit disappointing, after the long haul and tram ride to get to it.  I visited this play area in July 2009, and will be back again next summer so I'll try to snap some photos then!

Frankfurt Airport (Germany)-- 1.5 stars

Frankfurt fared poorly from the kids' point of view-- at least, when you're flying out of Terminal 2.  True, there IS a play area, and it's not a terrible one.  However, the location is not good-- it's outside of security, at the food court.  Nervous parents have to go through security even earlier than do other passengers, because, frankly, everything takes us 10 times as long even though we only have a few little extra people with us.  Once you're through security in Frankfurt, it's Auf Wiedersehen, playtime.  Read on for my standard review:

Are there one or more play areas?  Yes.  It's a climbing style "rocket ship" with some balls, and it's located by MacDonald's outside security.  According to the website there is also a play area in Terminal 1, by the gates, but we did not travel through there this time.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? no

Is the play area conveniently located? nope, not if you're planning on flying!

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, at http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/cms/default/rubrik/24/24889.children.html

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? n/a.  I asked one of the shop attendants if there was a play area in terminal 2 and she said no. 

Are there one or more nursing areas?  not that I saw.

Description:  The play area is in the center of the food court.  There was a space ship for climbing up and sliding down, as well as a steep wide incline that served as a general slide.  This was not entirely safe for smaller guys, as 5-6 kids would slide down it at the same time (it's that wide.)  They careened into each other fairly regularly.
The place was packed when we were there, mainly I think because it's right by the food court.  Not a bad play area in and of itself, but with so many kids there, so little supervision (most parents were getting food or eating it), and the necessity of leaving to go through security, I found it less than ideal.

Sorry, no pictures this time.  Send me some if you've got them!  My next review will be of the airport in Saint Louis.  Brace yourselves!

Seoul-Incheon International Airport (5 stars)

South Korea's main airport is hands-down the most family-friendly airport I've ever been to.  Who would have thought it?  It is the only airport I will give a solid five-star rating to, unequivocally.   According to their website there's an observation deck as well as numerous gardens, but we've never gone to them because we're so busy in the numerous play and craft areas.  Read on for more:

Are there one or more play areas?  Yes, tons!  There are at least 3 playground-style play areas in the main terminal, and another fun "ball-pit" style one in terminal 2, and another enclosed play area in the relaxation and massage area on the 4th floor.

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? yes, more than one!

Is the play area conveniently located? absolutely, you never have to walk far to get to one.

Is there information about the play areas available online? yes, but it's difficult to find.  This could use some improvement.

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? yes, they have a little nursery symbol (bottle) and a play symbol (teddy bear)

Are there one or more nursing areas?  yes

Description:   First of all, all the play areas are clean and well maintained.  The playground ones are right by the gates, very convenient.  The ball pit one is still not far from gates in terminal 2.  Also, when the kids get tired of playing, there are some wonderful cultural "experience" areas, where you can try your hand at some traditional Korean games and crafts or even get your picture taken in Korean clothing.  Upstairs, near the massage area and yet another play area, there's a cultural museum as well.

No television sets hyping up the kids, and the play areas have never been crowded.  Nice added bonus:  one of the duty free shops has a good saltwater aquarium (it goes along with a makeup line)-- also a good diversion.  We now head out to the airport hours early, because we know the kids will be entertained and have plenty of opportunity to wear themselves out before we take off.  More pictures below...

 More pictures of the "ball pit" style area in Terminal 2:

Playground-style play area by the gates (pictured at the left)... there are several of these in the main terminal.

Stop by tomorrow to see what I have to say about Frankfurt!

Albuquerque International Sunport (0 stars)

Well,  Albuquerque has made my job easy, though distasteful.  There is nothing in the whole, admittedly small, "sunport" that demonstrates they thought about their smallest customers when designing the place.  Unless you want to count the ice cream.

Albuquerque is a great city and has lots to offer families, but the airport lags far behind in that respect.  The best things I found there for my kiddos were the tiny observation deck and, later, a small open spot of floor near the departure gate.  At this point in our travels I was trying to maneuver around with a stroller, two cranky toddlers, two cowboy hats, a balloon (? where did we get THAT?), a dish of ice cream, our carry-on bag, and some soiled pants.  Don't get me started.

So the long and short of it is that, though I love Albuquerque, the Sunport rates a fat 0 when it comes to kids.  Sorry, but the truth hurts.  Here, for form's sake, are my standard questions and answers for establishing the rating:

Are there one or more play areas?  No

Is there one in every terminal, after passport control? n/a

Is the play area conveniently located?  n/a

Is there information about the play areas available online? n/a

Are maps clearly labeled to make finding the play areas easy? n/a

Are there one or more nursing areas? no

Description: n/a