Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a furious debate over the world’s “stupidest” airport. The former Top Gear star took to social media to express his less-than favourable view of Madrid’s airport.
Although the Spanish capital has three separate airports, it appears to have been assumed that the 64-year-old was referring to the city’s only large airport - Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas.
The Clarkson’s Farm presenter didn’t explain what gave him cause to start the “group chat” to decide X users’ least favourite airport.
In his online post, he wrote: “Let’s have a group chat. What’s the stupidest airport in the world? I’ll go first. Madrid.” The call to action has since been viewed more than 4 million times.
Madrid–Barajas has four runways, five terminals and can accommodate around 70 million flyers a year. Unsurprisingly, being the main airport for the country’s capital, it’s the busiest in Spain, ahead of Barcelona.
It’s unclear why the motoring-turned-farming journalist has so much antipathy towards Madrid-Barajas, with only one hint as to its size and the amount of walking required.
One person responded: "Yes to Madrid, don't think i've ever walked so far in an airport." To which Mr Clarkson added: "My legs are now just stumps".
More than 8,000 people took the bait, with many commenting on their own personal experiences in a trivial contest over which airports are the "stupidest".
One user, who managed to get a response out of Clarkson himself, suggested Germany’s Frankfurt airport. The media personality concurred that it was a worthy nominee, saying: “Actually, that’s a contender.”
Another person chimed in Lagos, Nigeria, while a third suggested Perth, Australia, however Clarkson appeared unimpressed with those suggestions.
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Let’s have a group chat. What’s the stupidest airport in the world? I’ll go first. Madrid.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 6, 2024
However, when a user commented that “Atlanta sucks too”, the former BBC stalwart agreed, quipping: “Atlanta has the worst carpets that’s for sure”.
Those that have travelled through Madrid-Barajas have left mixed reviews of the airport, with many complaining that it’s very difficult to get around due to its size.
One reviewer, Carol, said in a post on airlinequality.com in November: “This is a huge airport to cover and as a pensioner, quite a trek to the gate.
“Times needed to walk are written but no alternatives were seen for a 24 minute traversal. The chairs are the most uncomfortable I've ever tried to endure: no lumbar support at all and the assumption we all slouch. Why must airport furniture be so awful?”
Another reviewer shared a similarly poor experience, saying: “Two hours to check in baggage at Madrid airport. One person checking how many flights in. When asked what’s going on, they just walked away. Good old Spanish hospitality! Avoid airport it’s terrible and not friendly.”
However, the negative reviews are far from universal. One thankful passenger wrote of the airport’s staff: “We travelled with a baby and an elderly person with a mobility scooter and I wanted to say that the ground staff at Madrid airport were excellent, helpful and friendly and we were able to check in and board the plane smoothly. Many thanks!!”
