CHENNAI AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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 AIRPORT 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'.
Chennai Airport review by Vijay Dandapani
7 January 2005
I was there ealier this week and found the airport has improved considerably from an earlier visit
last year in terms of waiting time for immigration. Air-conditioning is still poor though and the
lounge operated by Oberoi Hotels is simply pathetic - stale food and thinly staffed with nothing by
way of facilities such as a shower or internet access.
Chennai Airport review by Mihraj Forouzan
17
September 2004
It is interesting to read the comments about Chennai airport given here. But what I noticed was that
all of them were domestic travellers who travel from one Indian airport to the other. However, as a
foreigner, I found Chennai airport to be a horror. The Chennai railway station was in a better
condition compared to the airport, with its mucky smell and all. There is no airconditioning there,
and in the arrivals area there is an escalator that does not work. The staff can barely speak
English and when you step out of the airport, you are surrounded by beggars and taxi drivers and
bums and hawkers and all sorts of people. Chennai airport can barely be called an airport. I hate to
visit other airports in India.
Chennai Airport review by Ranjit Koshi
6
June 2004
After the recent tiling of Kamaraj Domestic, the airport has a wonderful new feel, a welcome change
from the old flooring. I've always found this airport neat and spacious. Hopefully the expanded
arrival area roofing will add to the comfort. The only flip side is the rather
unhelpful, inattentive,
rude attendants at the overpriced Taj food counter, that almost always refuses to return change,
even if handed Rs.100 for a 60 rupee bill. Certainly one of India's most prestigious hotel chains
can provide better service.
Chennai Airport review by
Olivier Beltrami
26
April 2004
I only fly in/out of Chennai on domestic flights, but it is my favourite airport in India (and I
know quite a few). Driving to the airport is done through nicely tended gardens, there is a nice
cafeteria upstairs and an excellent bookstore with all the most recent English books at special "for
sale only in the Indian sub-continent" prices that are hard to beat. Also ... my experience has been
that flight always leave on time.
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