The Top 10 Reasons to Love Munich Airport

1. Entertainment at the Airport for Visitors and Locals Alike

Visitors can join locals as spectators at polo matches, surfing competitions, volleyball tournaments, as well as Audi and BMW showcases, all at the airport.  During the Soccer World Cup, a huge screen displays the action in the Munich Airport Center (MAC).

From the end of November to the end of December, the airport is transformed into a Christmas winter market, the longest-lasting winter market of its kind in Europe. Under the roof of the Munich Airport Center more than 45 market stands invite travelers to partake in an “Old World” Christmas feast. Bavarian specialties and handicrafts are plentiful with the tempting aromas of mulled wine, sweet roasted almonds, sausages and gingerbread. 2013 marks the 14th year of this successful Christmas market.  A huge ice-skating rink sits in the middle of the market, along with 300 real Christmas trees.

2. Munich's VIP Program

The VIP WING at Munich Airport offers a unique blend of international ambience with traditional Bavarian hospitality, spacious rooms, and superb service. The VIP WING can be booked regardless of airline or ticket class. For an additional fee, passengers can meet business partners (non-passengers) at the VIP Wing.

VIP SERVICE:

• Check-in and baggage handling
• Separate security screening, passport control, customs clearance, and VAT refunds
• Limousine transfer to/from aircraft
• Personal care and guest liaison
• Multilingual, discrete and professional staff

VIP WING – 13,000 sq. ft. of cosmopolitan relaxation space

• Spacious bar
• Stylish lounge areas
• Quiet work stations and workrooms
• Free WLAN
• Luxurious bathrooms and resting areas
• Elegant cigar lounge
• Interdenominational prayer room
• Bavarian beer garden

VIP SUITES:
Each suite has its own individual furnishings and decor: Linderhof Castle has a separate bathroom, Neuschwanstein Castle has a dining and conference table, and Nymphenburg Castle has a separate sleeping area. The Schleissheim Castle suite is also suitable for conferences for up to ten people. VIP Suites can be rented without VIP Service and by non-passengers as well.

3. MUC's Advanced Information Centers – InfoGates

InfoGates - Passengers have a new way of obtaining quick and detailed information at Munich Airport. The proprietary concept, known as InfoGates, helps passengers get their bearings more quickly and allows them to request individual directions. At the InfoGate, the airport visitor simply pushes a button to be connected immediately with an information service representative for a real-time video dialogue on life-sized screens.

12 InfoGate Counters are positioned in the public and non-public areas of the airport. In addition, airport visitors can use 27 "Interactive InfoGates" positioned at key crossroads throughout the terminals. They consist of touch screens mounted on pillars that offer a full range of information about services, shopping and dining at the airport. Passengers can request "custom-made" directions to a desired gate that will take them past a certain shop or restaurant. The passenger sees the quickest way to their chosen destination displayed on an animated map of the airport building. The system computes the distance, the estimated walking time, and the anticipated wait times at passport control security screening.

4. Amazing Food and Drink, and the Airport's Own Brewery

The brewery Airbräu is the first and only brewery located at an airport. Three different types of beer are brewed at the Airbräu offered along with several seasonal types. The Airbräu prices are a bargain: a pint of beer costs only 2, 60 Euros. Brewmaster Rene Rainer invites visitors to observe brewing sessions taking place in the main restaurant; approximately 300 people can sit around the brewery kettles and observe the process from beer brewing to storage in 530-gallon kettles.

Also inside "Airbräu" are The "Zirbelstube" with a tiled stove, The "Forumstüberl" offering an expansive view over the Munich Airport Center (MAC) and Terminal 2. The "Airbräu Tenne" has a demonstration kitchen and a stage. The true highlight is the large beer garden, which is open most of the year depending on weather conditions.  Up to 600 visitors can enjoy their food and drinks outside, surrounded by shady trees right in the middle of the stylish Munich Airport Center. Bavarian menu favorites include "Weißwürste" (Bavarian style pork sausage), roast pork in a traditional Bavarian beer sauce, and delicious apple strudel.

Some of the year-round programs featured at the Airbräu include free live music on stage every Thursday and Sunday concerts in the beer garden during the summer where visitors can listen to live music ranging from jazz to rock and pop.

Munich Airport offers the best catering of all airports in the world as revealed by a recent survey of passengers, according to the London-based aviation research institute Skytrax in their 2013 World Airport Awards.

5. Shopping

There are more than 150 stores at Munich Airport, with prices often lower than those in downtown Munich. Watches (especially Swiss) are exceptionally good buys. Easy VAT refunds make the airport a shoppers' paradise.

6. Great Programs for Children (and, Obviously, Their Parents!)

The Visitors Park with the Visitors Hill:

In an area specially designed for children, MUCi the mascot explains the operations of an airport to the airport's youngest guests. Outside, historic aircrafts can be seen. A large playground with jumping nets and miniature steam shovels, and a new mini-golf course are key attractions.

Another favorite is the Viewing Hill in the Visitors Park. Kids can climb up 172 steps to the viewing platform on top of the Visitors Hill overlooking the airport. Telescopes offer a fantastic panoramic view of the apron and the ongoing flight operations on both runways.

Kinderland:

Kinderland, which is located in the Munich Airport Center between terminals, offers an option for children aged 3-10 to play under the supervision of trained staff while parents relax, check-in or go shopping at the airport's abundance of stores. The first hour of supervision is complimentary, with a charge of three euros for each additional hour.  Many attractions are offered: a corner for arts and crafts, a climbing tower with a ball basin, giant soft Lego blocks, computer games, board games, and a children's cinema where kids can watch movies together in different languages. Kids can even celebrate their birthdays at Kinderland, with festivities organized by the trained staff.

7. Spectacular Architecture

Munich Airport Center (MAC)

Designed by German architect Helmut Jahn who also designed the first-class, five-star Hotel Kempinski at the airport, MAC has striking roof links between Terminals 1 and 2, and is one of Europe's largest roofed outdoor venues.  MAC offers, a combination of a shopping and dining complex, offices, a medical center, event sites, and the conference center Municon.

8. Napcabs!!!  Every airport should think like this (but they don't)

Passengers with layovers or time between flights can try the Napcab sleeping cabin, developed by Munich Airport. Napcabs are the perfect way to find some privacy and beat jetlag. These innovative pods provide a comfortable bed for sleeping or relaxing, and self-adjusted music and lighting. There are also a small desk and free Internet access.

The Napcab was developed by students at TUM, Munich's renowned university of science and technology. In cooperation with Munich Airport and TUM's entrepreneurship unit, the concept was turned into reality. Napcabs are located in Terminal 2 (Schengen and non-Schengen Level) and can be booked by the hour, directly on location.

9. Other Distinguishing Features

Munich Airport offers a minimum connection time of 30 minutes

Genuine Florida palm trees line Europe's largest hotel lobby at the five-star Airport Hotel Kempinski. Located in the heart of the airport, between Terminals 1 and 2, the Kempinski delivers the highest of European excellence and a wonderful spa experience.

Thoughtful amenities include free coffee, tea and newspapers in Terminal 2 (Schengen level), relaxation areas throughout the airport, and a downloadable or print Stopover Guide which is available upon arrival to the airport. Many discounts are included in the guide.

10. One Last Note

Terminal 2 is a joint project between Munich Airport (60%) and Lufthansa (40%) and represents a true innovation in the aviation industry in that it was planned, financed, built, and now jointly operated successfully by an airport and an airline.

MUNICH AIRPORT

Munich Airport, founded in 1992, is an “airport city” and one of the most efficient and most attractive hubs in the world. Voted best airport in Central Europe and sixth best airport worldwide, Munich Airport prides itself on its innovations and nonstop service including 24/7 luggage storage, dry cleaning, travel health insurance, lost and found, fax service and more. With its many dining options and the only brewery/beer garden at an airport, the airport has also been lauded for having the best airport dining in the world. Travelers' comforts are primary with Internet points in both terminals, 30 minutes' free WiFi, child day care and changing facilities, showers, porter service, Napcabs, recreation areas for children and adults, and seasonal sports such as beach volleyball and ice skating. An expansive Christmas market and summer surfing program attract nearby residents as well. VIP service is available on request to all passengers with chauffeured limousines from and to the aircraft along with a VIP open-air garden, bar, bath and shower facilities, cigar lounge and private suites for resting. Also innovative are InfoGates, touch-screen pod stations allowing passengers to obtain detailed travel information via videoconference with service representatives. Munich Airport is not only advanced in luxury with its many hotels and more than 200 shops and restaurants, but it is also leads in handling ecological issues such as aircraft noise, air management, energy supply or waste and water management to minimize damage to ecosystem of the region. http://www.munich- airport.de/de/consumer/index.jsp,  +49 89 975-00,  Twitter: @MUC_Airport_EN   Facebook:  www.facebo