Closed for almost a year due to renovations after last year’s flooding, Don Mueang Airport reopened for business last week. After a quick international trip this past weekend, I am happy to report that the old airport is up and running remarkably well.

A 25-minute taxi ride from the north side of town cost 150 baht, less than half the typical fare to Suvarnabhumi and certainly a more pleasant experience than rushing to the AirportLink, hoping it’s running on schedule and then sitting in the sweltering outdoor waiting area. I breezed through check-in, passport control and security. In less than 10 minutes I went from paying the taxi to standing at the gate. I didn’t have to set foot on a single escalator nor moving walkway nor one of those godforsaken escalator walkways for carts. I didn’t get lost trying to find something as simple as the check-in counter. I’m looking at you, Suvarnabhumi.

Don Mueang’s new restrooms are already getting media attention, and deservedly so. The immaculate, hands-free facilities – in stark contrast to the otherwise uninviting old airport architecture – include a sliding-wall entrance and the always delightful Airblade hand-drying system.

Arrival is equally effortless. Touchdown to taxicab took less than 15 minutes. I didn’t have to get on any silly buses, and the only wait was in the taxi line, which moved fast. I was home and unpacked less than 40 minutes after landing.

The ‘new’ Don Mueang was one of the most painless airport experience I’ve had in ages. The lack of public-transportation access and the enormous distance for Suvarnhabhumi transfers will always draw criticism, but otherwise it seems that there are still a lot of lessons shiny new Suvarnabhumi can learn from ugly old Don Mueang.