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Comment by farslan | Hacker News Reader

I thought Berlin has many airports (I remember Tegel and the other one). So this is another new one ? If yes, why is there a need for a new one :) For example Frankfurt has only one and it's capable much more than Berlin, because it's also a Hub for Lufthansa.

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The two operating airports are tiny, Cold-War-era relics that aren't sized appropriately for a large city. FRA is probably 20 times the size of TXL in terms of footprint.

They also lack many modern conveniences that travelers expect. TXL has a Burger King, a convenience store, and maybe one working power outlet.

Traverls expect their airport to be like a kafkaesque mall that forces them to see all the possible wares they can purchases before getting out of it.

What new one may I ask?

Tegel - "New" West Berlin one - not big enough

Tempelhof - "Old" West Berlin (Airlift airport) - closed

Schonefeld - Soviet built crap. BER is being built next to it

>> Schonefeld

I was there recently and it was fine. It wasn't one of the best airports I've been to but no particular issues and decent transport links to the city.

"but no particular issues"

You mean besides the lack of sitting space at the gates like in every other decent airport?

The need to go through an x-ray with all you luggage because of lack of space?

Sure, the train link is good, but you can get to TXL by bus (though slightly trickier)

So, no, a lot of 3rd world country airports are better than SXF

They want Berlin to be a hub. There are no direct flights from Berlin to SF or LA at the moment for instance.

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