Greece’s ‘party island’ airport surprises in several ways

THE AIRPORT

Mykonos Airport (JMK), Greece

THE FLIGHT

Aegean Airlines A320 from Mykonos to Athens, departing at 2.50pm.

THE ARRIVAL

When we pull up, a procession of Mercedes minibuses are lining up to drop off travellers who appear bronzed within an inch of their life. Despite the island’s reputation, no passengers, it seems, exhibit the signs of a hangover from hell. This is a small, seasonal airport, operating between the months of May and October. A number of people sit outside, smoking in shaded areas to escape the intense sun.

THE LOOK

With its modern white, curved stone walls that mimic the island’s traditional Cycladic dwellings, this has to be one of the most striking airports I’ve ever seen. The whitewashed exterior features modern geometric triangle cut-outs and stone flooring. Outside, it looks like a modern Mykonos village; inside, it could be anywhere.

CHECK-IN

It’s a full flight today and there’s a queue at the check-in counter. It’s about a 20-minute wait, but when we reach the front, staff are friendly and warm, reminding us that we don’t need to collect our luggage in Athens for the onward flight to Rome. We’re slightly nervous that there’s only 40 minutes between our connecting flight, but we still make the plane even though the outbound journey from Mykonos is delayed.

SECURITY

It’s somewhat chaotic, with airport staff juggling large volumes of people. I ask several times whether I can take water through, but am ignored. Instead, the staff member grabs both my bottles, shoves them on a tray and pushes them through the X-ray before I have time to realise what’s going on. We meet again at the other side, where security throws one in the bin and empties the other. I get a strong sense that they’re used to dealing with people that don’t travel much.

FOOD + DRINK

You can grab ham and cheese paninis, spanakopita and slices of pizza at Bistro de Cavaleri before you pass through security. Once inside, there’s a good selection of more healthy options, including salads and sandwiches at Pret A Manger. A central bar Tashba serves beer, wine, tapas and sushi. Given Mykonos’ renown as the party mecca of the Greek Islands, I’m surprised to see how civilised everyone is. This airport is refreshingly wholesome compared to its counterpart in Ibiza.

RETAIL THERAPY

Next to Bistro de Cavaleri is a handful of things to buy, including colourful oversized ceramic bead necklaces at Athens Protasi, stylish shades at Occhio and Mykonos shot glasses and evil-eye key rings at JMK Kioski. There’s also a duty-free section after security which sells edible souvenirs including packaged baklava and kataifi.

PASSING TIME

It’s busy, but we’re still able to find seating in this one-terminal airport. Perhaps that’s because UK passport holders are required to go through an additional immigration step and sit in a separate area of the terminal (no one mention Brexit). Premium Mastercard holders can access the airport’s sole lounge, Your Mykonian Luxury Lounge, or you can also book a maximum two-hour stay beforehand via LoungePass from $US32 ($46). See loungepass.com

THE VERDICT

For such a compact airport, it’s very well facilitated and doesn’t feel overcrowded. If you’re flying Aegean, be prepared for delays, and if you have a connecting flight in Athens, make sure you book an onward flight with at least a couple of hours between the two to give yourself peace of mind.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

Jenny Hewett is a Sydney-based freelance travel writer who has lived in South-East Asia and the Middle East, and loves nothing more than being among nature and wildlife.