One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
NTL7.2+0.4
SYD6.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
NTL6.4
SYD7.2+0.8
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
NTL6.0
SYD7.5+1.5
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
NTL7.0
SYD7.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
NTL7.0
SYD7.8+0.8
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
NTL3.4
SYD7.4+4.0
Best for
NTL
Hunter Valley / Port Stephens leisure and VFRJetstar / QantasLink / Virgin Australia east-coast banksDirect Jetstar Bali (and Singapore via Bali) international
SYD
Fast security screeningQantas/oneworld long-haulAmex Centurion accessDomestic T2/T3 connections on foot
Watch out for
NTL
No Qantas Club / Virgin / PP lounge — busiest Qantas port without one per AFF framingShared civil/RAAF Williamtown field — follow live security/airside rulesNo published MCTNo invented AUD bottle prices — omitted
SYD
Airport Link $18.61 station access fee (adult Opal/contactless, June 2026)Qantas International Business on a temporary Gate 24 lounge until early 2027T2 rebuild through end of 2026 — Rex/FlyPelican depart T3Centurion Lounge closed 6–19 October 2026
Amenities and tips
NTL
Jetstar + QantasLink + Virgin banksAirside bar / cafe (no lounge)Taxi / parking to Newcastle
Jetstar + QantasLink east-coast frequency
Airport lists direct Bali plus Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and regional pins.
Single terminal; lounge still future
Compact civil terminal on shared RAAF Williamtown field — no open airline lounge.
Bar / cafe airside; no lounge
Terminal bar and cafe framing with tarmac views — no Qantas Club product.
SYD
Free Wi-FiThe House loungeT1 Fast TrackWater fountainsFamily facilitiesP3 parking
Arrive 2 hours domestic, 3 hours international
Q2 2026 screening is extremely fast, but T1 kerbside and immigration still bunch at banks.
Confirm T1 vs T2 vs T3 before you book the curb
Qantas long-haul is T1; QF400+ is T3; Virgin/Jetstar domestic is T2. Rex departs T3 until late 2026.
Eat landside or use a lounge you already have
T1 airside dining is fine and crowded; T2 food is moving with the rebuild.
NTL · Hunter / Port Stephens gateway with **Jetstar · QantasLink · Virgin Australia · Link Airways · FlyPelican** banks plus **Jetstar DPS/SIN** international — busy regional plant; **no airline lounge open** (airport still exploring lounge options in terminal expansion).
SYD · Australia's busiest international gateway: fast screening, a painful Airport Link station fee, and a three-terminal split. T2 is being rebuilt through the end of 2026; Qantas International Business is in a temporary Gate 24 room until early 2027.
