What American Airports Can Learn From the Rest of the World

Last week, in Hong Kong, I stopped into Kowloon station, checked a few bags, grabbed my boarding pass and went about my business. My bags were scanned, put on the Airport Express without me, and made it to my flight without a hitch. I ran a few errands on the island, unburdened by my stuff, and after a few hours knocking around, I boarded a clean, efficient train and 25 minutes later was on my way through security, a quick customs e-gate, and then the new Cathay Pier Lounge. In a world where we fetishize the logistics potential of Uber and Postmates and startups claiming to re-invent the world, why was this experience so special for a North American traveler? Sure, people flying out of HKG or Singapore’s Changi wouldn’t bat an eyelash what transpired. But for anyone frustrated with the state of North American airports and infrastructure, this experience is always revelatory no matter how many times I do it. After Vice President Biden called out LaGuardia for being a thi