This airport has good facilities – until you’re stuffed in like herrings

Airport Report: Oslo Gardermoen Airport, Norway

Oslo Gardermoen Airport: stylish and comfortable … to a point.Credit: Getty

The flight

Emirates Airways flight EK160 from Oslo to Dubai, departing at 2.10pm.

The arrival

It feels like one of the busier times to be flying, with plenty of cars waiting to drop off passengers and long queues at both check-in and the Global Blue tax-refund counter. We had planned to claim back the tax on some purchases before check-in, but after five minutes in the queue, we pull the pin. It’s not worth the wait for what is essentially $12.

The look

Chic Scandi wood details punctuate the high ceilings, glossy glass, faux marble tiles and modern-looking shops, cafes and bars.

Check-in

It’s a frustrating experience from the Emirates staff in Oslo. I’m a silver Qantas Frequent Flyer, so get priority check-in at the business-class counter. Our bags weigh 20 kilograms each, well under the 30 kilogram limit for economy. After we’re all checked in and the luggage has been sent through, I’m told my handbag, which is in the style of a small leather backpack, needs to go in my compact carry-on case (where it won’t fit). A supervisor is called over and reiterates this. They ask me to put it on the scales and, admittedly, it’s a few kilos overweight, but wouldn’t it have been logical to raise this before checking our bags? The supervisor further explains that Emirates does not allow personal items and warns they may weigh bags at the gate. It recalls a certain budget airline.

Having flown Emirates regularly for the past 16 years, this is the first time I’ve heard of this. I later check the website and, indeed, only business and first-class passengers are officially allowed to carry a personal item on Emirates. This seems absurd, and I’ve never had it enforced anywhere else.

Security

The queues continue at security, but it’s streamlined and takes about 15 minutes. Passengers are required to scan their boarding passes to gain entrance to the queue. Staff at immigration are exceptionally friendly and chatty, a welcome change after the subpar check-in.

Terminal dining options are impressive and varied.Credit: Getty

Food + drink

The options are impressive and varied. Haven offers a salad buffet, there are cold Norwegian beers and wines at Fjola, and the ubiquitous airport Irish bar O’Leary’s can be found upstairs. There are also quite a few shops offering takeaway sandwiches and sushi.

Retail therapy

Your credit card will sweat here. Splash cash on cute little wooden birds, penguins and handicrafts at Ting, as well as stylish rain jackets from Rain Kiss. Don’t forget to stock up on Norwegian chocolate at the duty free.

Passing time

There’s plenty to keep you occupied, but travellers can also pay to enter the OSL Lounge near E8 gate, from $44 a person.

The verdict

It’s a stylish, comfortable airport with good facilities. However, check-in and boarding procedures diminish the experience. At the gate, staff do take some bags to the hold, but not ours. There is minimal seating in the boarding area; we’re stuffed in like herrings. We find a makeshift seat on a table encircled by curtains and used by security to search passengers.

Our rating out of five

★★★

The writer flew with the assistance of Expedia.