Figured I’d hop in on the re-ranking due to the release of a new airport & the vast changes. I’ve included Tiers within my rankings as well as any notes as to falls and drops in my rankings.
My biggest riser was IAD, and biggest drop was BKK. Amazing how much some time with an update changes a first impression with the latter!
A lot of this is a first impression after an update so large, but:
F Tier – Inherent Problems
- PRG – Worst taxi times in the game ruin this airport for me. (-4)
- BRI – Ugh. Taxi takes too long for its small size. One positive is the 6 (max 3 can be used at a time) D stands at the main terminal building, which is unique to most other airports. (-2)
- LEJ – gets boring fast with minimal contract variety. Taxi times are too long as well, making the airport take a long time to get going. (-3)
D Tier – The Negatives Outweigh the Benefits
- BKK – the taxi times make this airport an absolute pain, outweighing the benefit of triple landings for me. Also has a tendency to feel quite empty during continuous play. (-9)
- LHR – airport always feels empty. No variety in local contracts. Flows well, is beautiful, but still burnt out from the grind a year later. (-4)
C Tier – Will Age Well With Time
- SYD – poor player connections, especially for C planes which is where this airport thrives. Flows well, and could easily shoot up the rankings as more airports get added in the region. (-1)
- NGO – a great single runway airport with interesting connections, but lacks the close airports to really take advantage with player contracts for C planes. Badly needs a visual update (-8)
B Tier – Oh So Close
- SAN – this airport runs like a dream. Loses points though because of a lack of D stands, improper cargo location, and overall quality. This could REALLY use an update. (-3)
- IAD – remodel improved this immensely, but it still lacks some elements of realism (no D/E stands in the C/D terminal where 757s, 767s, and the occasional 777 are seen! Big points for its flow, runway efficiency, and ability to connect to any airport in the game. (+6)
A Tier – Enjoyable Airports
- INN – beautiful airport, and expansion of the cargo stand to allow sizes A-D and being mixed use stand expands the player contract variety a ton. In addition, this is the easiest airport to keep feeling full, with the ratio between runway, taxi, and handling feeling really balanced making for an enjoyable experience. (+2)
- MSY – A medium airport but located in a place that can reach every other airport in game with player connections. Flows decently, especially if you limit D+ contracts. (NEW)
S Tier – Favorite Airports
- GRU – my first impressions of this airport are super positive. It has a sizable number of D stands which makes these planes feel like they have a role at the airport, the large number of combination pax/cargo stands allow for a versatile fleet. And the taxi times are comfortable despite the runway crossings and long taxis to the cargo terminals. In addition, the extensive use of overlapping stands allows for a comfortable number of handling crew, and really nice variety in how planes are parked as you flow through the airport. A lot from this airport should be considered when doing updates for other airports. It’s just a joy. (NEW)
- MCT – my personal choice for a player connection hub. The fastest large airport to fill, can connect to every airport in game, some cool contracts. Also the only desert airport which gives it a neat feeling. The airport could use a visual update, but the gameplay is so good that I can’t drop it. (=)
- SXM – amazing variety of contracts with beautiful liveries, especially S prop planes whose contracts are unique to this airport. In addition, Its ability to serve all A-F contracts for pax and cargo now makes it super versatile. Runway backtrack is unique, and actually allows improved flow IF you play the airport manually to maximize it. Still the most beautiful design in the game as well. (+2)