Yangon Airport

Fully air conditioned spacious efficient and comfortable. Perhaps the only problem one might face is getting through the crowds around the airport entrances. Once inside everything is convenient services are decent check-in is fast immigration is not too bad and there is an interesting array of counters once you pass immigration. Myanmar Air offers access to their comfortable lounge for US$8 if you have extra time. So much for the International airport. While the international airport is a dream the domestic section is something of a nightmare. Poorly lit poorly air conditioned uncomfortable dirty. Word has it though that the Japanese (who built the International airport) are soon going to upgrade the domestic section.

Quite a painless experience. Flew in from Bangkok return. The new terminal is spacious clean. Arrivals passport control was varied with a smiley efficient man who managed to get his line move faster than his colleague a female officer without emotions. Official taxi service is in USD and more expensive than if you take a city taxi. Departures was busy but took minutes to check-in and passport control quick and courteous. Boarding area very spacious.

New terminal clean. Early morning flight. Interesting arrangements for check-in. Need to pay 10 USD departure tax before check-in but desk did not open until 06.30. Once I had paid the tax then had to wait until security opened at 06.35. Check-in slow because no computerisation but efficient. Airport facilities adequate for size of airport.

Domestic terminal - a third world airport. Packed with numerous flights leaving at virtually the same time. Security lax to the point where passengers seemed to walk in terminal at will. No signage and difficult to determine which flights were boarding. However the basic and chaotic systems appear to work since flights leave on time and with the correct passengers on board. Arrival even more chaotic. Luggage is brought to door of terminal on trolly and left for passengers to collect. At the same time touts dressed in official looking airline shirts ask for baggage tickets to collect for passengers ad then demand a fee. Be warned - it s simple to collect baggage without paying anyone!

Immigration was not that long. Staff very friendly. Airport clean and comfortable. Only had two cafes at the public area which sells overpriced snacks.

What a difference this new terminal is to the old ill lit dusty previous building which now serves as Domestic. Arrivals via airbridge into a cool and gleaming marble and carpeted arrivals area first through Passport and Visa control now very efficient and with a smile. Quick luggage off carousel and then again a simple flow through Customs. Small Duty Free on arrival shop and large greeting area with lots of room to push the luggage trolly's outside Departing Uniformed porters unload your luggage and escort you through to check inafter passing the first security and x-ray machine. With Thai you can pay your $10 departure tax to the airline but if not there is a Departure Tax desk were you can pay it and get a receipt. Tip porter $1or1000chat. Then after check in you go upstairs on the escalator to Passport/Visa control into a large concourse with bar restaurant coffee shop loads of decent shops and an Airline Lounge. Further security check/x-ray machines and Customs desk at each gate. Good signs and announcements and a good overall experience-you would not know you are in the Third World. All they have to do now is sort out Domestic.

It took less than 15 minutes to proceed from the plane to the taxi. Amazing. With the bad press this country gets I had expected worse. Immigration friendly and fast. The baggage was on the belt the moment I arrived. Customs were friendly and helpful. I declared my laptop as valuable goods but they said that was not necesary. After customs the porters rush in to help you with your luggage. There is no escape from that so keep a few dollars in hand for these men. A dollar per suitcase seems to be the rate. You can't use your cellphone in Burma for international calls but since December 2008 you can buy prepaid simcards for 20 USD that allow you 15 minutes overseas calling. Ask at the airport where you can buy them. Same smooth procedure on the way back. Porters will take your suitcase right up to the check in for a dollar. Immigration was friendly wishing me a happy new year! There is a small lounge for business class travellers. Descent choice of beverages and snacks (warm and cold). A new and very clean little airport. I was impressed.

The airport has only been opened for a short time. It is very modern for Myanamr standards all facilities are available. Immigration was a breeze no problems at all. It was a bright clean airport. Baggage reclaim was quick and so was customs. If you bring in jewellery you have to declare it all so you can take it all out of the country again. They are strict with this. There a lots of porters who wear flourescent jerseys to assist travellers with transferring baggage to taxis etc which they do for a couple of dollars - quite reasonable. Don't be put off by it some also speak english. IF you want to make a call these porters have mobiles so you can make local calls for a dollar a minute. The information desk don't let you use their phone. The return trip was very good as well. You will be asked to open your bags if they contain jewellery. You have to show your customs slip from when you arrived or your government registered shop reciept which says you have paid the taxes. Immigration is easy you then have to pass through the gate. Again they check your boarding pass and passport and check your declaration of any goods like jewllery you brought into hte country or are taking out. The departure have is bright and colourful. Filtered water is available from a filter machine.

I just came back from Yangon and the airport looks pretty good. The airport is new and immigration took just a few minutes. baggage claim is also fast. But a bit of disappointment because the duty free selection is rather limited. One of the better ones in small airport category.

It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Arrivals isn't encouraging: it appears to be under construction. But immigration only took about 30 minutes. When we got out the only problem was that people would grab your bags and put them in your taxi and then demand a fee for their service. They didn't get one. Departures was fine - the PG check-in desk people were very friendly helpful and efficient and there were enough seats in the departure lounge.