Vientiane Airport: Departure Area
Go Up to Go In!
That's what we said in the previous story, right? Ah Pinoys are familiar with this kind of airport setup like DVO, ILO, CGY, etc. - where you go up a floor level after check-in.
Look, the directional sign says Departure Lobby is up there. So ano itong nasa baba? Abaw, ambot ah! Maybe let's call it Check-in Hall (wala kasi siyang lobby eh). Pwede!
It differs from our airports though, in that, everything so far, is publicly accessible!
Yep, let's clarify that... everything downstairs (check-in counters etc.,) is open to the public. Anyone can go in/out down there, plus the 2nd floor Departure Lobby up here!
In all these areas, walang blue-guard, white-guard, lady-guard, djagwar, gwardya, chief at kung anu-ano pa! Samantala, ang mga malls natin, ay, me jaguar every entrance!
What is/are at this second floor anyway? Aw, restaurants and shops. Parang sa ILO at DVO nga, mas madami lang dito! I even saw stairs going to 3rd level restaurants.
But if you're like me (not fond of shopping), you can just turn right immediately upon reaching the 2nd floor, you'll see an area with signs that say Departing Passengers.
*Update 2025 That portion at the end with glass doors, that is the 'security check' area.
That would be your 1st and only encounter w/ an x-ray machine, before proceeding to the immigration counters, and more duty free shopping at the pre-departure area.
But don't expect something grandiose! Remember this terminal is just 4 month old!
Believe me, just give it a few more months (or weeks!) and this whole area will even feel cramped with restaurants, cafes, watches and stalls of every imagineable shop!
As of now, it is filled with 'pioneering' chichirya and butingting souvenir shops!
Aw, howsoever that is phrased, we understand what it means - basag mo, bayad mo!
Now children hehe... there's a smoking room near Gate 4 in full view of everyone, and
It doesn't look appealing because it is unkempt! Well, at least, better than CEB's T2!
But there is something weirdly better in this room, than what non-smokers see!
The hallway and just part of the gate's tube (aerobridge) out 'in front' of the building!
I don't understand (yet) why this terminal is built in such a weird manner hehe! Look:
The boarding gate is at right (not in photo). Passengers walk on that 'hallway' that is notably a different structure (look at the ground level) from the real terminal building.
Palaisipan! It looks like a "gangway building" - since it is just a big gangway (as long as the length of the terminal), with nothing else. It's like a pedestrian overpass! Bakit?
Boarding
Tara let's see more of it, since hindi kalaunan nag-boarding na rin naman...
Looks like a normal gate, right? Except yung monk, talagang naka-yapak lang sya o!
But after you present your boarding pass at that gate and allowed in by the staff...
This is that "weirdly separate structure" I said I saw, from inside the smoking room.
You enter the 'gangway' and start on a lengthy walk - to the aerobridge of your plane!
It looks normal to the normal non-frequent traveler. Kaso hindi ako normal eh, hehe.
And the "tourist" in me kicked in: sana hinayaan nilang clear-glass wall, "porda" views!
Look how long this structure is. Ito yung sinasabi kong parang pedestrian walkway!
There's nothing in this structure, except iyan na nga, your pedestrian walkway hehe!
This isn't makeshift. This is more of a concrete, airconditioned, carpeted "overpass"!
With glass walls, o di ba?! Kaso frosted sa human level kaya wala ka ring makita!
And only after that long walk will you see the aerobridge to your plane. Ayan sya!
Of course plane-spotting na agad! That plane docked to the tube and waiting for me is syempre, my AirAsia Flight FD1041, an 8 year old Airbus A320-216. How'd I know?
Oh you already know how to do that, remember?
Eto pa... that plane at left is what brought me here yesterday. Aliwness di ba?!
Alright, time to enter my plane, this is inside the aerobridge of Gate 4.
Note: I think it's just the colors of this aerobridge or my phone's camera, that makes the aerobridge look old. Eh this terminal is only 4-months old, remember? Oo ganun!
So, I got into the plane, sat down, and that's my next story!
That's what we said in the previous story, right? Ah Pinoys are familiar with this kind of airport setup like DVO, ILO, CGY, etc. - where you go up a floor level after check-in.
It differs from our airports though, in that, everything so far, is publicly accessible!
In all these areas, walang blue-guard, white-guard, lady-guard, djagwar, gwardya, chief at kung anu-ano pa! Samantala, ang mga malls natin, ay, me jaguar every entrance!
What is/are at this second floor anyway? Aw, restaurants and shops. Parang sa ILO at DVO nga, mas madami lang dito! I even saw stairs going to 3rd level restaurants.
*Update 2025 That portion at the end with glass doors, that is the 'security check' area.
But don't expect something grandiose! Remember this terminal is just 4 month old!
As of now, it is filled with 'pioneering' chichirya and butingting souvenir shops!
Now children hehe... there's a smoking room near Gate 4 in full view of everyone, and
But there is something weirdly better in this room, than what non-smokers see!
I don't understand (yet) why this terminal is built in such a weird manner hehe! Look:
Palaisipan! It looks like a "gangway building" - since it is just a big gangway (as long as the length of the terminal), with nothing else. It's like a pedestrian overpass! Bakit?
Boarding
Tara let's see more of it, since hindi kalaunan nag-boarding na rin naman...
But after you present your boarding pass at that gate and allowed in by the staff...
You enter the 'gangway' and start on a lengthy walk - to the aerobridge of your plane!
And the "tourist" in me kicked in: sana hinayaan nilang clear-glass wall, "porda" views!
There's nothing in this structure, except iyan na nga, your pedestrian walkway hehe!
With glass walls, o di ba?! Kaso frosted sa human level kaya wala ka ring makita!
And only after that long walk will you see the aerobridge to your plane. Ayan sya!
Oh you already know how to do that, remember?
Eto pa... that plane at left is what brought me here yesterday. Aliwness di ba?!
Alright, time to enter my plane, this is inside the aerobridge of Gate 4.
So, I got into the plane, sat down, and that's my next story!
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