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Chennai Airport Passenger Reviews and Chennai Airport Customer opinions
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 7 May 2013 by Arun Koneri (USA) |
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Rating : 5/10 |  |
Queuing |  |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended |  |
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Back to MAA again after 4 months. Pretty much the same as before. Long lines at the airline counter but no
lines at immigration. Security was ok. Immigration staff were pleasant on both directions. One complaint I
have is that there are no announcements in Tamil in this airport. None of the airlines bothered in my 2 hours
waiting.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 14 January 2013 by Arun Koneri (USA) |
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Rating : 5/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness |  |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Flew into and out of the airport in December, a year after my last trip. Arrival, pretty much the same as
before. Immigration queues are long and slow. Bags took a while to arrive and no issues with customs. Crowd
management outside the airport can be better, hopefully the new terminal will work better. On departure, I
did not have a print out of my boarding pass, but the security personnel accepted the ticket on my tablet but
with a warning. Immigration is long and took an hour to get through, security was quick. They have moved
the location of security for the better and airside is much more spacious with lots of seats. I've always found
immigration personal friendly in Chennai airport and have never encountered a grumpy one. Overall standard
Indian airport, with not many amenities, hope they open the new terminal soon.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 19 October 2012 by A Munnings (Netherlands) |
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Rating : 4/10 |  |
Queuing |  |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Chennai Airport will hopefully be replaced with the new terminal in the near future, honestly I found the
business class really poor, and very over crowded, with limited choice, and poor options. I did not stay long,
preferring to walk the terminal than sit in an area that I did not feel welcome. The terminal for departures is
not particularly clean, but does seem to work, most staff are polite, but not particularly friendly, although I
did not find the rude either. They do love rubber stamps though. The arrivals process was quick, although
immigration did seem to take longer by western standards, it is not that bad for the rest of the world.
Roll on the new terminal - it must be better than this.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 6 August 2012 by P Val (Singapore) |
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Rating : 8/10 |  |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Flew on the night AI flight from SIN to MAA and back. Overall, this is an airport that gets you in and out
without nothing much to do in between unlike Changi. Having said that I prefer MAA over BOM, DEL, CCU or
BLR simply for the small size, closeness to the city and the un-chaotic nature of the airport. Immigration and
customs have been pretty decent. Some construction going on and can't wait to travel through the new
terminal. Hopefully it will be better! Only gripe is the lateness of baggage arrival, especially during nights
when most international flights arrive. They need more handlers, customs officers and most importantly more
conveyor belts!
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 13 June 2012 by Vijayakumar Arumugam (Australia) |
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Rating : 3/10 |  |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness |  |
Facilities | |
Recommended |  |
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I recently used Chennai airport's international and domestic terminals for transit to Madurai from Sydney, as
well for the return trip back to Sydney. The international terminal has some improved facilities, with the
inline baggage scanning system reducing the time to check-in. The immigration, customs and baggage arrival
are quite smooth, though the customs and immigration officials could be groomed a bit to be passenger-
friendly. They let domestic passengers enter the terminal, even if the flight is 5 hours away, which is a
positive. However, the biggest gripe is about the toilets. The toilets are smelly, unkempt and very poor, both
in the international as well as in the domestic terminal. The domestic terminal doesn't have enough seats,
which forces passengers to sit on the floor. They still use the buses to get the passengers to the aircraft on
the domestic side of the terminal.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 25 April 2012 by N Vijayanand (India) |
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Rating : 3/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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I have flown from Chennai 5 times (all international travel). I saw some expansion works in Dec 2011. Every
something is being expanded but at a very slow pace. When I entered the airport, the floor was not clean,
was not able to enter the toilets - everywhere smelt. When I complained airport staffs behaved in a very rude
manner. Security checks were impressive and very strict, cleared everything in 10 minutes. Immigration at
departure and arrival in Chennai is always a nightmare. Immigration officers spend more than 10 minutes on
each person. Hope to see improvements in the near future.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 24 April 2012 by Elza Varughese (India) |
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Rating : 4/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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2012 and I'm not sure this airport has budged in terms of quality ratings. It's about relativity and considering
the time gone by, a lot of airports in India have come a long way, not just gleaming glass and steel
structures also aesthetics, amenities, cleanliness and just looking like it belongs to the right time period.
Chennai airport in 2012 reminded me of Mumbai's in the 90's, if you don't see the signs to the toilet, your
nose can rescue you.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 7 March 2012 by M Shukry (Sri Lanka) |
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Rating : 1/10 |  |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Officials are awful, security staff make the traveller uncomfortable and keep scolding passengers.
Immigration process takes too long by staff with a long face but luckily they don't scold the passengers. Duty
free has good options. Airport floor and washroom are extremely unclean. Not enough signs and flight
information boards.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 2 March 2012 by Kennet Foeh (Denmark) |
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Rating : 2/10 |  |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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This is a very poor airport. Toilets are disgusting. After check-in, it gets even worse. A very dark and old-
looking place. No signs or information of any kind. No view of the planes. Only upside is, that nobody arrives
early, so we were quickly through security and check-in. There are no restaurants or shops. Just a very
strange bookstore and a small "cart".
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 28 February 2012 by N Jebamoney (Australia) |
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Rating : 2/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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I flew in and out of Chennai last week. Traveled to Tuticorin during the week and back to Chennai to catch
the international flight. I had 5 hrs before my flight, was not allowed into the international area for at least
2 hrs, no suggestion of where you could rest. I spoke to the security staff at the visitors viewing gallery and
was let in and sat around for 2 hrs, unable to use the washroom facilities as I was unable to leave my
baggage unsupervised. Once International check-in was completed, had to sit in the gate lounge for nearly 2
hrs. Washroom facilities were filthy, toilets were filthy, awash with water, no soap to wash hands. Terrible
experience - please clean up your act.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 27 January 2012 by A Milossavlyevich (Turkey) |
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Rating : 4/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Chennai airport is a disaster. Visitors not allowed inside the terminal, oppressive security staff everywhere
whose rationale is impossible to grasp. Had to wait for several hours outside the terminal unable to re-enter
the terminal after arriving on a night flight an hour ago. This airport is definitely to be avoided although I've
noticed similar measures and problems in other Indian airports as well.
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CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 18 January 2012 by Darryl Knight (Australia) |
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Rating : 3/10 | |
Queuing | |
Cleanliness | |
Facilities | |
Recommended | |
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Flew in and out of Chennai International and domestic four times in Dec 2011 and Jan 2012. Arriving from
Singapore was the worst, it was a wet night and after purchasing the prepaid taxi voucher, I exited the
terminal to a scene from hell. Fifty or more taxis trying to load passengers in the rain. There was no proper
queue arranged and it was a free for all. I last used Chennai airport in 2004 and it has just deteriorated
since, filthy toilets, piles of rubbish swept into heaps beside overflowing rubbish bins with dirty chairs.
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Chennai International Airport customer review : 25 August 2011 by Dhabi Vala (UAE)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Things are improving, although slowly. Airport terminals are becoming larger, newer with more international arrival
and departure flights. Passengers have to be bear the brunt, queuing time at immigration and security is too
much. With more flights, there is no increase in immigration and security counters, no priority for women, children
or elderly passengers. Passengers spending so much time queuing only increases anxiety of the already stressed
traveler. An increase of seating and cleanliness can be improved.
Chennai International Airport customer review : 26 July 2011 by A Syed (USA)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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Chaos is the one word which encompasses Madras airport. I think the people of this city ought to be ashamed of
this gateway to this city. Filth, grime, poor hygiene and generally impolite staff make this an awful airport to arrive
or depart through. The security staff are terrible. If you can avoid this airport then do so. I doubt if the modern
new terminal is going to be any different since the staff running it will be the same.
Chennai International Airport customer review : 7 December 2010 by Arun Koneri (USA)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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No change since last visit. Terminals are not the most modern. Bathrooms are not very clean
and food options very limited. Seating options are very less as well for there are many
international flights leaving within a small window. Security was quick and as always,
immigration officials are pleasant and chatty. This airport is not one where you want to be
stuck for long. Can't wait for the new terminals to open up.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 11 December 2009 by Vijayakumar Arumugam
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
I recently used visited MAA via Cathay Pacific from Sydney and left for Sydney on Thai. The
airport still has the staid look on it, though the number of immigration counters seems to
have increased. The luggage took a while to arrive. On the return leg, the immigration and the
security were a breeze; however, the allocation of gates and the announcements leave a lot to
be desired. The food items are overpriced and the toilets are quite unclean.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 8 November 2009 by D Epstein
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Used Chennai airport (arrival from BKK at 23:30) and departure to BKK at 0025. Security checks
on arrival and departure are very strict, but well organised, and going through is relatively
swift, taken into account the ageing building. My flights being at night, both on arrival and
departure, I could experience on arrival a problem for locating an exchange booth, which is
operated by Thomas Cook, but in a remote corner stall. When outside, the crowd and dim lights
give a feeling of unsafety. On late night departure, after the process of check-in, airside
hall is a shame for regular travellers, ie. the ones not holding a pass to use VIP rooms.
Ranks of dirty seats (check before you seat down) probably never cleaned up. No facility
except one small food stall selling bad veg sandwiches and few drinks at extravagant price for
India. No restaurant, despite a sign showing there has been one, may be 2 centuries ago -
toilet and drinking water also to be avoided. All in all, an unpleasant experience as no
comfort, and dirty place.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 5 November 2009 by A Swamy
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Used Chennai Airport for International arrival at 2330 and Domestic departure at 0555. Swine
flu, Immigration and Customs checks very swift as ours was the only plane arriving. The
baggage though took more than 15 minutes to arrive on the belts. Had to walk just 5 mins to
the domestic terminal for the early morning departure. "Tired looking" is an understatement
for the domestic terminal. There were more than 100 passengers waiting for morning domestic
flights after international arrival. No proper seating arrangements and many were sitting or
sleeping on the floor. Toilets were awful and stinking. The whole terminal building is in a
miserable condition.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 13 July 2009 by Arun Koneri
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Used Chennai airport for domestic arrival and intl departures last week. The new domestic
arrival is now part of the intl terminal and is new. Took 10 minutes from plane to curb side
(no checked bags). very impressed. The arrivals hall is spacious and well lit. Intl Departures
has been a consistently good experience over the past 2-3 years. My flight departed at 21:30
so customs, immigration and security all deserted. Immigration officials in Chennai more civil
and polite than Delhi. overall good experience.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 26 March 2009 : by Jonathan Kelly
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
From plane to car took no more than 20 minutes which was great but airport itself looked very
old and tired. Flew home from different airport (the modern but awful Cochin) so was spared
the departure experience.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 12 March 2009 : by G Barnes
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
The facilities for transfer passengers, domestic flight to international, with a long wait
between flights are poor. There is only one very small and not good quality restaurant.
There is no where to rest in reasonable comfort.
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 10 March 2009 : by K Müller
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
I used Madras Airport twice in the space of five days: once for an international departure and
once in transit. Departing at noon, the airport was not particularly busy. Nevertheless,
checking in at the Jet Airways counter (Premiere) took forever - it seemed the party ahead of
me with more than one piece of checked baggage per head completely brought down the entire
system. Lounge comfortable, security swift, but I fail to understand how so many passengers
passed security and boarded our flight with three or even four pieces of hand baggage.
Boarding through Gate 5 (bus gate) which is absolutely awful in terms of state of disrepair
and trash all over the place. A few day later, I was in transit from Colombo to Frankfurt, and
upon arrival was asked to leave my ticket and passport with a member of ground staff, who
eventually returned with my boarding card in hand more than two hours (!) later. Why not have
a simple transit desk as everywhere else in the world?
CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 5 March 2009 : by Arun Koneri
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Customer Rating : 0/5 |  |
Chennai Intl terminal is vastly improved since I last visited. Immigration counters on arrival
side were staffed well and special attention was given to passengers traveling with children
(like us). We were asked to move to an empty line meant for special category of travelers, the
staff made sure no one else piggy backed on us and other passengers with similar needs were
also helped. The baggage area is more spacious and well lit. Exiting the terminal is also a
little better, as you are buffered from the meet and greet crowd very efficiently. But it was
the Intl departure area that has improved more, there are more shops and duty free (most items
are over priced, but they were running 2 for 1 deals on some brands of liquor). A new section
has opened up which houses the AI Maharajah lounge as well as the BICA lounge. Security is
still a big pain with long queues and the odd passenger trying to break in. Make sure you have
a baggage tag on all carry on items (the ones where you write your name for ID that you find
at the airline check in desk), security uses this to stamp on. If you don't have one, then
they will send you back. There is a smoking room past security. For the male traveler
restrooms are just barely acceptable, not sure about the ladies room. Jet Airways doesn't
require you to Xray your bags before check in as they do it inline after check in.
Chennai Airport review by S Srinivasan
5 November 2008 Customer Rating : 
Recently went through MAA for an international flight for the first time in a long while. The
interior is still rather drab, much like the Indian airports of yesteryear, but the airport is much
less congested than Delhi or Mumbai. Upon entry, signage for the baggage screening machines (i.e.
which one to use for your airline) is poor, so you end up having to guess. Immigration counters
were well-staffed and took no time at all, and customs no longer goes out of their way to harass you
like they used to 10 years ago. Shopping/food is dreadfully limited inside the terminal, so if you
need something to eat, try the small food court outside the departures entry gate (the Anjappar
restaurant serves decent local fare) or the restaurant on the second floor between the international
and domestic terminals. The best thing about MAA is that unlike BOM or DEL, the domestic and
international terminals are next door to each other, so if you have an inbound/outbound domestic
connection, it's a short 5 minute walk over - thus saving you from getting harassed for tips by the
touts running the terminal shuttles, or getting ripped off by the taxi/auto drivers.
Chennai Airport review by S Narayan
25 September 2008 Customer Rating : 
Arrivals has continuously improved in the past 4 years. Passport control quick. Luggage arrival may
take a while (30 mins to 1 hour); Customs is quick and easy. Smoking permitted inside terminal - a
nuisance. Duty free can be purchased upon arrival, not much of a choice though. Basic stuff.
Foreign exchange - Thomas Cook office within the secure area available. Free local phone call
permitted from assistance booth near baggage collection area. Most staff speak good english and
respond well. Long-distance / international calls can be placed from telephone booths (labeled
ISD/STD) which are manned and you can get receipts. If you have someone to pick you up at the
airport: Clear customs; Exit immediately after customs and wait there. You will turn left to exit
the "secure area". Do not do this unless you have seen the people waiting to receive you.
If you have do not have someone to pick you up: Clear customs; Exit, and as you turn left, you will
see two private travel agencies within the secure area (one is Akbar travels and the other is
Airport Express). Both of them are prepaid, safe, reliable. Akbar costs 350 rupees (less than 10
USD) (as of Aug 2008) to a ride anywhere in to Chennai city. Tip the person who rolls your luggage
(about 20 to 30 rupees); and tip the driver about the same. Walk very closely to the person who
takes your luggage to your car, since you might get lost in the crowd outside. MAA International
Departures: Arrive at least 3 to 4 hours prior to departure time. Must have a ticket / itinerary
printed and in your hand with passport to get in to the airport. No other options allowed. Check-in
queues are very long and slow. Elite status helps (depending on airline). No food for purchase prior
to check-in. Passport control is usually quick (max 30 minutes with a 100 people in line). Duty free
available. Overpriced food available prior to and after security check (for your handbags, etc). The
food is actually good in the mornings (between 6 to 9:30 AM), and after that, its not that great.
Make sure you have a luggage tag for your hand baggage - this is true for all Indian airports. They
will make you leave the line and go and get one. Also, make sure you have exactly one piece of hand
baggage...no matter what it is.(so fit everything in to one bag). Did not use any lounges. MAA Local
airport: NEed ticket with ID to enter airport. Some food available prior to check-in. All luggage is
screened with X-ray machines similar to international airport. These queues are long. Otherwise, its
generally quick to get through to check luggage and clear security. Individual airlines may be slow
depending on quality of service. After security check, there is extremely overpriced stuff to eat.
A coffee dispensing machine. Its pretty boring otherwise. Nothing to do, except people-watch. Most
airlines need you to take a bus to the plane. Watch for the gates being called out. You could easily
miss the call - but they track you down anyway if they know you checked-in.
Chennai Airport review by H Jana
1 April 2008 Customer Rating : 
I have lived in Chennai for over 25 years and currently reside in USA, my home for the last 10
years. Frankly, Chennai airport is a nightmare. Having lived in India for long, I can put up with
less-than-sparkling toilets, but what amazes me is the perennial air-conditioning problems in the
airport. It is not that air-conditioning technology is rocket science. It has been in vogue for
almost 100 years now. Why then is it so difficult to make the air-conditioning effective? The nearly
year-long hot and humid weather of Chennai makes the airport suffocating. I really pity the
westerners who have to put up with this, fuming and sweating. Other attractions of Chennai airport
include glum-faced immigration inspectors, who cannot smile or even utter a word of welcome to
foreigners visiting our country, indifferent and unhelpful airport staff etc. The sooner all
airports are privatized in our country the better.
Chennai Airport review by Arun Koneri
2 July 2008 Customer Rating :
I have lived in Chennai for over 25 years and currently reside in USA, my home for the last 10
years. Frankly, Chennai airport is a nightmare. Having lived in India for long, I can put up with
less-than-sparkling toilets, but what amazes me is the perennial air-conditioning problems in the
airport. It is not that air-conditioning technology is rocket science. It has been in vogue for
almost 100 years now. Why then is it so difficult to make the air-conditioning effective? The nearly
year-long hot and humid weather of Chennai makes the airport suffocating. I really pity the
westerners who have to put up with this, fuming and sweating. Other attractions of Chennai airport
include glum-faced immigration inspectors, who cannot smile or even utter a word of welcome to
foreigners visiting our country, indifferent and unhelpful airport staff etc. The sooner all
airports are privatized in our country the better.
Chennai Airport review by S Wilson
31 May 2007 Customer Rating :
We have gone through Chennai Airport recently, in 2006 and again just a
few weeks ago. Even last year, the airport was better than I had
expected. This year the improvements to the International Terminal main
hall are immense, more seating, gleaming floors and it seemed slightly
less chaotic than our previous transit through it. Tea, coffee, cold
drinks and snacks are available and the facilities are clean enough.
Even the arrival and baggage collection on our inbound sector was fine.
Despite the fact that the A/C isn't up and running yet, I would
certainly have Chennai as my airport of choice for entering/leaving
India.
Chennai Airport review by Kurt Mueller
27 April 2007 Customer Rating :
With major renovation works almost complete, MAA is now more convenient
particularly for domestic travellers. There are now two separate check-
in areas for all domestic carriers as opposed to only one previously
(which was always overcrowded). So checking-in (and particularly baggage
screening) is less stressful. Also: new are separate airline lounges,
but I am not sure whether they are a real improvement. For one, the
combined Paramount/Sahara lounge does not serve any beer, whereas the
airport restaurant does. Second, all the new lounges lack windows - the
airport restaurant offers a spectacular view across the tarmac and
runways. Security uncrowded, despite my flight departing at 18.50. I
checked the prices at the refreshment stand in the departure lounge, and
the prices are effectively daylight robbery (Rs 60 for a can of Coke).
Still a lack of airbridges, and most domestic pax have to be taken by
bus. At Madras, as at most Indian airports, there seems to be a
competition among airlines as to who can offer the most inaccessible
airport bus - with some having you negotiate 4 steps to get on and off.
Underslung bus chassis have been around since before WWII, so what
happened?
Chennai Airport review by John Lumby
27 February 2007 Customer Rating :
Not a bad little airport. Always a scrum before check-in unless you are travelling in business class
but generally ok facilities and duty free a bit sparse but fairly clean.
Chennai Airport review by Praveen Babu
26 February 2007
I arrived late at night and had an early morning flight to Hyderabad so
had to spend the night in the Domestic terminal. Airport itself is quite
clean compared to others in India. Airconditioning ineffective, so the
airport itself was very humid. There seems to be a real mosquito problem
in this airport. Overall, it was clean, security is a joke. Not too
many shopping options or food options but tea and coffee as well as
candy are available. There is a full time restaurant on the 2nd floor
although I didn't try it out. International arrivals hall is
surprisingly clean - okay airport for Indian standards.
Chennai Airport review by Sriram Srinivasan
18 April 2006
Chennai airport is superior to the other Indian international terminals,
namely Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. You have to wait to get in through
the front doors, but it's usually in the 15-20 minute range as opposed
to the nearly one hour cattle stampede I had to deal with in Hyderabad.
I wouldn't call the ground crews friendly, but they are reasonably
efficient, and the majority of the flights leave on time. Security and
immigration queues are long, but not unbearable, and definitely shorter
than what you have to deal with in Delhi or Mumbai. The A/C doesn't
work great, but I haven't found an airport in India where it actually
does. Overall, not great, but a tolerable experience.
Chennai Airport review by T Heywood
5 March 2006
It's not that bad. Look for the "retiring rooms" bookable with the
airport manager at the domestic terminal 900 rupees or 650 for a family.
If your flight doesn't leave until some unearthly hour use this
facility. HBO on the TV, 2 beds, fridge, air con. Hot shower. Don't want
to spend money, go to the flight viewing deck on the 2nd floor. It's got
a cafeteria cooling fans, reasonably quiet seating, cleaner toilets if
you use the ones down the airlines office block on this floor.
Chennai Airport review by Lynne Reid
29 August 2005
We travelled through Chennai on 5 August arriving from Mumbai connecting to Columbo
on Jet Airways. Incoming flight was delayed and I cannot praise the Jet Airways
groundstaff who ensured we met our connection enough. They seperated our luggage out,
personally escorted us through every stage of the transit and escorted is on to the
plane. Everything is relative, after the horrors of Mumbai airport I found Chennai
airport clean and efficient.
Chennai Airport review by Kurt Müller
20 August 2005
I often use Madras for international travel, as it has better and more frequent
connections than Bangalore. In comparison, I agree that it is one of the better
airports in India, particularly the international building. It is reasonably spacious
given the passenger numbers, and never as chaotic as, for instance, Delhi. The airline
lounges are definitely better in Madras than elsewhere in India. What is frustrating
is the basic "Indian" layout of having the departure gates separated from the
airbridges by a common corridor also used for arrivals, so you often find your boarding
procedure interrupted by inbound passengers flowing past the door of your boarding
gate. This morning, I arrived from CMB at 9.05 a.m., passed immigration, customs, and
was in time to check in for a 10.05 a.m. Jet Airways flight at the domestic terminal.
Hard to beat!
Chennai Airport review by Peter Yunes
29 June 2005
I fully agree with the comment from Warren Ezequiel. I couldn't believe such a long delay on
immigration. The general hygiene is poor but the the toilets are the worst!!! If the local goverment
wants to bring more tourist to Tamil Nadu, they should think seriosly about improving the airport
image, since this is the gate to the country.
Chennai Airport review by Siva Subramanium
8 April 2005
I have travelled through Chennai airport on several occasions in the last 3 years and have found it
to be best in India, so I am surprised by many of the comments. International arrivals and baggage
claim facilities, though primitive, are a vast improvement on other airports in the country. On
recent trips with LH, GF and BA, we were through immigration and had collected our baggage within
30mins of arrival; far quicker than at my usual LHR base. Obviously the facilities are lacking and
the security formalities on departure take far longer than they should, due to the self importance
nature of the Indian bureaucratic process, but things are definitely moving in the right direction.
The domestic terminal is also very pleasant, and if your flight departs using one of the
aerobridges, the upstairs lounge is very peaceful with light music and TV screens showing sporting
events from around the world.
Chennai Airport review by Warren Ezekiel
24 February 2005
Arriving at Chennai airport on an international flight makes one sick. The long lines of people
waiting to get their passports stamped on arrival is the beginning of all woes. The area around the
conveyor belt is filthy with litter and the staff are not presentable whether it is their dress or
even in being polite - this includes the immigration officer who stamps the passport on arrival. He
looks at the passport photograph and then looks at the person as if the former was a criminal of
some sort.
Outside the airport there are umpteen beggars, taxi drivers, touts and the lot trying to ask one
where he is going and whteher their luggage needs to be carried - even if it were a small backpack.
Many NRIs of Tamil origin are ashamed of their capital city and they prefer to travel to either
Bangalore, Kochi or Trivandrum.
With several other cities like Bangalore getting a new airport and more international flights I feel
many people even to Tamilnadu will be avoiding the Chennai airport in future.
The Governments involved must have sufficient police presence at both the airport and train stations
to prevent tired international travellers from being harassed.
Also, the whole of Chennai needs a bit of education in how to be clean.
If nothing is going to be done to make Chennai a safe, comfortable and clean place for arrival, I
think it will soon lose its position as 'Gateway to the South'.
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