Now, let’s take a look at Los Angeles’ busiest airport with “Know Before You Go Series: Los Angeles International Airport.”

1. To date, the reviews of LAX from GateGuru users have not been very positive — in fact the airport’s rating in GateGuru is currently in the bottom 20% of all airports. GateGuru users describe the airport as “outdated” and “dirty” and they mention that “baggage claim is a mess”. The good news is that LAX is doing something about it. Just last year, a major renovation project was completed for the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Around the same time that project was finishing up, another project in the International Terminal broke ground which will demolish the existing gates and add two new concourses with over 1.25MM square feet of shops, lounges and restaurants. Additionally, it was recently announced that Alaska Airlines is taking the lead in a major overhaul of Terminal 6 (parts of which haven’t been touched since it opened in 1961!) starting in 2012. Overall, lots of improvements are coming to LAX over the next few years, but for now, the airport isn’t exactly a pleasure to be in.

2. Connections and layovers at LAX for international flights are fairly common, but oftentimes your arriving and departing flight can be out of different terminals. While moving between terminals, you will also need to go through security screening again, in most cases. As such, when booking an international trip that has a connection at LAX, make sure you have at least 90 minutes (2 hours is even better) to get to your next flight. If it is going to be tight, we suggest you check in with the folks over at the FlyerTalk forums, which has an entire thread dedicated to helping answer this question for travelers going through LAX.

3. GateGuru users also bemoan the long security lines at LAX. User reviews, as well as our own user generated wait time data, indicate that security lines of 30 minutes are not uncommon. As such, make sure you get to LAX extra early especially during high congestion periods. Another great tip is to know the layout of the terminals. While most terminals are not connected, Terminals 6, 7 and 8 are all connected via walking corridors. So if you are at one of these terminals and the security line is extremely backed up, don’t hesitate to use GateGuru to see the wait times at the other terminals. If the other terminals have shorter wait times, head on over, as you will be able to get back into your assigned terminal post-security.

4. If you are using LAX as your arrival or departure airport, you know that it isn’t just security lines that can take a while — cab lines and the drive to / from the rental car facility also take a significant amount of time, so be prepared. One expert told us that at the airport, cab lines are a minimum of 20 minutes, oftentimes being longer than 30 minutes (the exact quote was “Cabs in LA are like unicorns!”). Not taking a cab? Rental car pickups aren’t exactly a picnic either. The rental car stations are at least 30 minutes away from the airport, so make sure you factor that in when planning your day-of travel.

5. The good news is that if you are at LAX with a long layover, there are two amazing things you can do. The first is to hang out and grab a drink at the Encounter Restaurant. The Encounter Restaurant is located at the center of LAX, about a 10 minute walk to / from all terminals. While the food is not anything to write home about, the drinks are great and most importantly the ability to watch planes touch down and take off at LAX is the real gem (it is like you are in the air traffic tower!). The other fantastic option on a long layover is to head to In-N-Out, located less than a 5 minute drive from LAX! To top it off, the real insider secret is that In-N-Out is located right next to a parking structure called Parking Spot that provides free shuttle service to and from the airport! For complete directions on how to get to the In-N-Out from LAX in under 10 minutes, check out this great article from our friends at Gadling.

6. Finally, what good is a trip to LA without a few celeb sightings! One GateGuru user pointed out that Terminals 3 & 4 tend to be the hot ones for the most celeb sightings. So if you do happen to be flying out of either of these terminals, head out extra early. If you do that, are able to drop off your rental car and get through quickly, then sit back, relax and enjoy the celeb scenery show — you earned it!

We hope you liked the third installment of “Know Before You Go”. What are your go-to tips at LAX? Leave them in the comments for other readers.

To see tips such as these, as well as other information about over 115 domestic and international airports, download the award-winning, free GateGuru iPhone app. Want to share more tips for LAX or any other airport? Download GateGuru and leave it for the rest of the GateGuru community.

Now, let’s take a look at the Windy City’s busiest airport with the second edition of the “Know Before You Go Series: Chicago O’Hare International Airport.”

1. O’Hare has long-served as an important hub full of activity and traffic, connecting travelers to various cities and countries worldwide 24-7. The airport’s high volume and crowded schedule can make it best known for long delays and cancellations, affecting air travel across the country. But don’t let these travel snafus get you down, we have some good news. According to Travel and Leisure magazine, ORD improved from being the second worst airport with a 27 percent chance of delays to the ninth worst, with a 22 percent change of delays. According to GateGuru’s users, follow this advice to avoid delays – book a flight on a larger plane versus a smaller, regional jet (defined as having 35 – 70 seats), as the latter tends to be the more likely to get delayed or cancelled in favor of the larger planes. Also, take the first flight out of the day. Evening flights score the worst for delays at ORD.

2. If you are delayed or have a long layover at ORD, GateGuru’s large network of users suggest running, not walking, to the nearby Hilton Hotel. This full service hotel, located in Terminal 2, offers great amenities to fill in your time, including several top-notch restaurants, a fully-equipped business center, and best of all, a state-of-the-art gym. The gym is a steal at $15 for a full-day pass. So, rather than spending your 3-hour delay at O’Hare twiddling your thumbs or fighting over seats or outlets with fellow travelers, become a day member at the Hilton Athletic Club and enjoy their wonderful facilities, including a steam room, sauna, lap pool with Jacuzzi, and full-service locker rooms.

3. O’Hare Airport now houses internationally-renowned Rick Bayless’ outpost, Tortas Frontera restaurant at Concourse B, near Gate B11. It’s already drawing rave reviews within GateGuru. One particular GateGuru user say Tortas Frontera’s Chipotle Chicken Torta is a must have, and the guacamole and chips make him think he is “on a beach in Mexico instead of at Gate B11 at O’Hare”". The next best dining options according to GateGuru users are: for Terminal 1 – Stefani’s Tuscany Café (Concourse B, Gate B18); for Terminal 2 – Goose Island Brewing Company (Concourse L, Gate L10); and for Terminal 3 – the Greek Place (Concourse F, Gate F7). Of course, if you’re new to Chicago, your visit wouldn’t be complete without some local fare, so also check out ORD’s outposts of Vienna Beef Hot Dogs, Billy Goat Tavern or Garrett Popcorn (for Garrett’s try the “Chicago Mix” – one of Oprah’s “favorite things in 2010″, and as a GateGuru user highlighted, “Simply the best stuff on earth”).

4. With the release of GateGuru 2.0, users can view and submit security wait times. This feature has really taken off in general, and at O’Hare specifically, and as a result, we have learned two things. If flying out of O’Hare in the early morning (which we recommend), especially on Mondays, give yourself some extra time, as security wait times of 20 – 30 minutes are normal. Take this into account when figuring what time to leave for the airport. Also, each of O’Hare’s terminals has several checkpoints and once past a checkpoint, a user can walk freely throughout the terminal. Based on GateGuru user submitted wait times, it is very clear to us that the shortest security wait time is almost always at the far right checkpoint for each terminal. So when flying out of O’Hare, especially in the mornings, we recommend using the far right checkpoints, even if your gate is towards the middle or left of the concourse.

5. At O’Hare, finding plugs and outlets near your gate can be as scarce as on-time arrivals. Don’t fret when you’re battery gets low though, as ORD has installed over a hundred multi-use workspace and charging stations throughout all concourses in the airport. While others are sitting on the floor or fighting over the last electrical outlet, head over to the nearest Charging Station, take a seat and give your electronics a boost.

6. There are lots of transportation options to and from O’Hare. If you don’t mind taking public transportation, several GateGuru users recommend taking the El Train, Chicago’s main form of public transportation. To take the El from ORD, go to the lower level concourse, which connects Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The El costs $2.25 and takes approximately 50 minutes to downtown Chicago (versus $40 and 30 minutes for a cab). If you are going to take a cab, reserving one ahead is the best kept secret for ORD. At peak times, O’Hare’s cab lines can be hours long. American Taxi is the leading ORD taxi company and always welcomes reservations (a brief phone call to them can save you 30 minutes). Finally, for drivers, don’t be afraid to take advantage of the airport’s valet parking for each terminal ($10 1st hour, max $45 per day).

Did we miss anything? How did you like our “Know Before You Go Series: Chicago O’Hare International Airport?” Want to share more tips for ORD or any other airport? Download the free GateGuru iPhone app and leave it for the rest of the GateGuru community. Leave a comment below!

Here’s the first installment of “Know Before You Go” – a regular installment about tips from the world’s largest airports: We are starting the series with the world’s largest airport – Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

1. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson hosts some of the most interesting and highly-rated restaurants in the country. If you find yourself looking for a meal at ATL, GateGuru’s top tasty spots are Café Intermezzo (Concourse B), Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint (Concourse D), One Flew South (Concourse E) and Nature’s Table (Concourse E). And don’t discount their fast-food to get a good Southern fix. GateGuru users are repeat customers at Chick-Fil-A and Krystal Hamburger (both in Concourse A).


2. Our traveling pros cite frequent last-minute gate changes as the biggest issue at ATL. One pro suggests checking the status of your connecting flight BEFORE you land with in-flight wifi (connecting to an airline’s website is typically free) to double check the departure status of your connecting flight. It only takes a few minutes to check, but that could be the difference between making or missing your connection!


3. If you’re a frequent business traveler, you’re likely spending a good amount of time in airline lounges. In ATL, GateGuru users predominantly cite older, dated lounges. Want to know the best lounges? GateGuru users rated the Concourse A Delta Sky Clubs the best and then the AA Admirals Club in Concourse T. Travelers going through ATL should keep and eye out for the new Delta Sky Club near Concourse B10, which is expected to reopen in February 2011 after a big renovation. Until that club reopens, expect the other Delta lounges to be more crowded than usual.


4. Maybe the airline lounges are too crowded, and you are looking for complete peace and quiet? Check out Minute Suites, located in Concourse B. Minute Suites is a new, fresh concept and ATL has the only one in the country. Minute Suites allows you to rent a private room for napping, relaxing, working or watching television. Each suite is equipped with a daybed sofa, HDTV, desk, phone, and office chair. Prices are reasonable – you can rent a suite by the hour ($30 / hour) or overnight ($120). This concept is expected to expand into other major national airports.


5. Nothing is free in life, especially in-airport Internet access; with one exception. Most travelers going through Atlanta Hartsfield purchase WiFi through Boingo. However, the little known secret among savvy ATL travelers is that within the Concourse E Food Court, you can access Internet free. No maximum time, no credit card required. If you have a long layover or delay, hit the food court and surf away!


6. The MARTA is an efficient way to get between Atlanta Hartsfield Airport and the city. When going between the city and airport, don’t be afraid to take the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) – it works well and is easy for travelers. The cost is $2 and it takes about 20 minutes to get downtown (versus $30 – $40 and the same amount of time for a cab). MARTA’s station at ATL is attached to the airport, right off the baggage claim.


7. Security lines at ATL tend to be quick, but one checkpoint in particular is reported to be faster than the others. ATL’s security system offers travelers 3 different security areas – Main Security Check Point, North Security Check Point and South Security Check Point (the Main Security Check Point is in between the North and South). Based on user submitted wait times to GateGuru, travelers going through ATL should head to the South Checkpoint for the shortest wait time, as the posted wait times are approximately 25% shorter. In general though, ATL does a good job of moving passengers expeditiously through security, although during heavy times, lines can be longer than 30 minutes (early morning and early evening).


8. Who says you can’t experience some culture while you’re at the airport? While at ATL, check out the Sculpture of Zimbabwe exhibit. It’s part of ATL’s permanent collection and is located in the Transportation Mall. If you have a few extra minutes before your flight, use the moving sidewalk along the pedestrian corridor that connects Concourse T and Concourse A to enjoy the sculpture.


Want to share more tips for ATL or any other airport? Download GateGuru and leave it for the rest of the GateGuru community.

One important note for our users, based on an issue we have heard about from several users. When upgrading, please make sure under Settings -> General -> Location Services that GateGuru is turned to “On”. If it is “Off”, please set it to “On” and reset your phone (you can still deny location services to GateGuru if you prefer).

Thanks for the continued support and please continue to reach out with any questions or comments at support[at]gateguruapp[dot]com.

International airports are one of our most frequent requests, so we are excited to have these new popular international airports within GateGuru. Over the next several months, we will continue to add popular international airports. If these international airports pushed you over the hump, you can download GateGuru for free at here.

Greg flew on 58 flights covering more than 58k miles during the 30 days! Basically 2 flights and 2,000 miles per day! That is the most we have ever heard of anyone flying over the period of a month. He had more than double the points of the closest competitor in the AYCJ Challenge.

Greg did get on 58 different flights over the course of a month for the sake of it. All of this was to generate awareness and support for a non-profit called ZambiaTomorrow that supports an elementary school in Zambia. Greg created this elementary school in 2006, and has spent the last several years raising money for it. During All You Can Jet, Greg was able to schedule several fundraising events along the way, collect many donations and make numerous contact for future projects with the school. You can get more information on Zambia Tomorrow at www.zambiatomorrow.org or www.30daysonjetblue.com.

We are appreciative for what Greg is doing and how he is making the world a better place. We have donated to Zambia Tomorrow and hope that you consider it as well.

What is your home airport?
My home airport is Chicago O’Hare or Midway, it depends on who I’m flying out on. My favorite airport is Schiphol airport in the Netherlands. So much to see and buy. Its a big open space as well and very modern feel.

What is your favorite airport amenity?
My favorite restaurant is in The Tuscany Cafe, located at Concourse B in O’Hare Airport. The reason I like it so much is that the staff is very friendly and the food is great.

How do you use GateGuru?
I love GateGuru. I’m always launching it in different airports to see what food is available and the reviews from fellow travelers. It makes the travel experience much more relaxing.

What is your favorite feature of GateGuru?
I love that you added the maps of airports.

What would like to say to JetBlue?
Thank you so much for the airplane tickets. Flying is expensive and this will give me and my boyfriend a great opportunity to take a nice vacation that we both desperately need. We are already thinking about a cruise out of San Juan or a all-inclusive somewhere in the Caribbean. I haven’t ever done either, nor have I ever flown JetBlue, so I am looking forward to experiencing your airline.

1) Maps – our #1 requested feature is here! Let the GateGuru maps show you where your gate is, where security is, or where baggage claim is located. Never again guess your way around the airport.

I know what you are thinking “Oh, maps, that is a neat feature, but seriously what else is there?” Well, we have 2 other amazing features that will completely change your airport experience!

2) High Flyers Contest sponsored by JetBlue – since we launched, the community aspects of GateGuru have been the features that our user base cares about the most. This includes the leaderboard, and we are thrilled to announce an exciting contest for GateGuru users to win free JetBlue tickets and vouchers! The winners of the High Flyers leaderboard in the month of June will get 2 free tickets on JetBlue (National Winner) or free $100 travel certificates (Regional Winners). Stuck on a summer delay? Write a few reviews, snap some photos, all in the name of getting to that #1 spot on the GateGuru leaderboard. Seriously, it’s that easy.
3) Get Discounts and Deals on Airport Retailers – You know those stores that you pass in the airport but don’t go in that much because there is no incentive? Well now there is! We are partnering with top airport retail brands to give exclusive deals and offers to GateGuru users. Get free stuff, get huge discounts, all just for shopping!

Go download GateGuru 1.5 and start enjoying the airport!

So the next time you are searching for a flight, using their trip planning tools, or wandering aimlessly around the airport make sure you check out the Airports tab in the KAYAK app. Through the GateGuru logo on the bottom, you can launch GateGuru directly (to get reviews, see photos, or view the High Flyers for that airport) or go to our page in the App Store. You can see the full press release here

Safe Travels!

In this initial international expansion, we have added the following airports:
1. London Heathrow Airport
2. Toronto Pearson International Airport
3. Vancouver International Airport
4. Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
5. Calgary International Airport
6. Edmonton International Airport
7. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
8. Halifax Stanfield International Airport
9. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
10. Victoria International Airport
11. Kelowna International Airport
12. Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport
13. Regina International Airport
14. Sarasota International Airport

Many users have reached out about us adding additional airports in the US. We are happy to report that Sarasota Airport has been added to the GateuGuru database through the contribution of Bill King. Other users are in the process of aggregating data for their “home” airports. If you are interested in adding your home airport or any other one not currently covered by our database, please email support@gateguruapp.com.

As always, thanks for the continued support. We wouldn’t be where we are today without our passionate user base who is always pushing us to make the product better. We have several more exciting announcements over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Safe travels.