Paris Orly Airport

Used this airport for first time - arrival on South Terminal the very end next to reconstruction site (Hall G). This is pretty old fashion airport so do not expect jetways fontains or wifi hotspots but fairly enough for easy transport means and connections. Swift immigration no checked baggage so headed for the Orlyval train in 10 mins after landing. The only point is one (!) counter for train tickets - fairly too few to manage todays traffic at the peak times (there are another two ticket machines accepting banknotes or credit cards as well). Departing on Thursday mid-evening easy navigation to the check-in though you have to slalom between some queues sometimes. Two counters for an 737 flight just okay staff friendly and working fast. Reaching the departure hall is a matter of walking steps up and down (due to the reconstruction) first you can reach understaffed passport control (3 out of 8 counters open) security just before the respective hall (was forced to remove my belt on the other side nobody cared the liquids in my x-rayed bag). This may be a stuck point so beware you slower movers and take some 30 mins to reach the G hall. Tried to buy some drink before security to take with but shops did not offer the security pack (I wonder if they would when purchasing a bottle of wine or scotch?). Airside there was just one small snack bar and one delights shop there. A lack of seating for a full plane pax load waiting at the gate. A bit chaotic gate staff changed by PA the gate number their english was from terrible (rather a nose sounds than words) to non-existent (only French announcement for passengers to another international destinations). Considering sometimes crowded RER train to the city (ok it was a peak time with many commuters) but easy access by the Orlyval than I would not hesitate to choose this place for short routes and transfer. A different experience more relaxed experience to the CDG and retro back to the old times.

This was my first time passing through Orly airport on my way to Venice and I must say that the airport facilities are basic and the airport itself is outdated and has a depressing feel to it. The signage was not so fantastic and the waiting area was very cramped. The security was very slow with all this upheaval over the liquids.

Nice old fashioned looking airport but the bars and cafes are a rip off and duty free shop minimal leave going through security till last minute. Beware of unscrupulous employees here I bought a bottle of coke for 4.50 euro which is bad enough in itself but I gave in 10 and only got 50 cents change.

Paris Orly Since the mid-1970s all my flights to and from Paris had utilized CDG. This month I flew into ORY for the first time in nearly four decades. Memory had not deceived me. ORY is vastly superiot to CDG. Luggage arrives more quickly; it's easier to get from place to place; and the amenities -- from shops and restaurants to taxi stand -- are all at least as good and certainly more convenient.

Orly is the better of the two Parisian airports with a much more lively and dynamic atmosphere. It has a much better passenger flow than CDG T1 and finding one's way around is relatively simple. There is a good selection of restaurants/bars/cafés landside. Checkin areas are relatively clearly marked and it is a fast process to departures for domestic flights. Security and passport control for international flights can be arduous due to staffing levels. What's good about Orly is that each checkin desk leads to its corresponding gate number meaning a short walk. If you've got time to spend at Orly leave security until just before departure because there is nothing to do airside.

Recently flew from Orly to Fort-de-France in Martinique with Air France. Although the airport itself has an old feel to it it still has character and real French character unlike Paris CDG! The main comment I have however refers to the state of the chairs in the Air France business lounge - most of them are filthy! I am amazed that Air France has not addressed this - it gave a very bad impression on an otherwise nice lounge. One other comment - if you are going from Paris CDG to Orly at 8.00 am in the morning by the Air France bus be prepared for a very very crawl in traffic! The morning I took the bus it took almost 2 and 1/2 hours to get to Orly. Hence passengers going to Orly at this hour of the morning should look at perhaps the train option! In addition these AF buses often are very stuffy when they have the heat on in winter so you may arrive in Orly somewhat fatigued!

Used the West Terminal last weekend. Hot tip of the decade - after check-in don't go through to the departure lounge until the last minute. There's a shop selling chocolate and a "dire" bar called "Tip Top Tapas" if you please and that's it. On the check-in side there are countless bars and restaurants and newspaper shops. I asked and was allowed to return through the departure gate twice so I guess it must be a common question. All announcements were in French only (I was flying Iberia - Spanish would have been useful); flight was delayed two and a half hours and the Orly staff were useless. For me very much an "airport of last resort".

Orly south is a sad terminal inadequate for modern day usage. Queuing (or not) for Corsairs flights is a mess. It took about 1 hour to load the 747 (after a 5 hour delay) passengers standing on the stairs as the holding room was far too small. Boarding is then via a bus trip around the airport.

There is one thing incredible from Orly. Baggage claim is accessible to anyone!!! I've never found something similar all around the world. I mean more clearly anyone who reaches Orly can directly goes to a baggage belt and take you bag without any problem! Imagine when you are arrived you follow the signals and you discover yourself in the medium of the check in area!!! You feel you have missed the baggage claim - no it's there! Well in some words horrible airport old fashioned. However I use it only if I have to make a direct flight (for example Paris Madrid) and I don't check in baggage. Connection to Paris is not good either. Orly needs a RER stop (commuter paris train) and not the expensive and wasting-time "Orlyval"

Just a further comment on ORY's convenience and transfers between CDG. I was at Orly in late May 2004 and found it to be quite light and airy with good shops but also a little overcrowded with insufficient seating in the public areas prior to the departure lounges. As for connections to CDG it couldn't be easier. The light rail ("monorail") takes you directly to the Antony RER train station where you catch a direct train to CDG airport. The whole journey can easily take less than a hour.