Terminal 1 serves arrivals and departures for international and domestic services.
While there is an on-going problem with the transfer of airlines to Malpensa from Linate the airport authorities advise travelers to check with their airline about which terminal they should use.
All arrivals and departures facilities are located at street level. The interior has marble floors and air conditioning, a cool oasis in Italy's summer heat. Signs are in Italian and English and first time passengers cannot go far wrong.
The Arrivals lounge has all necessary onward transportation and information facilities but a small annoyance is the lack of an interior link with Departures. It is only a short walk along the covered forecourt but inconvenient none the less.
Staying in contact with the outside world is not a problem as there are probably more telephones per square metre than any other airport terminal in Europe. In Departures there is not only surplus of phones but a plethora of pillars which support the low-roofed and slightly claustrophobic check-in area.
Malpensa is not yet a major shopping or eating experience, but a much traveled airline professional we know is fulsome in her praise of the pasta.
Long lines at peak times used to be a problem near departure gates but with the addition of more satellites Airwise understands things are improving if still some way short of perfection.
Every facility in the terminal is within walking distance and the building is generally easy to use. The only intimidating moment you might ancounter is in baggage claim. The biggest German Shepherd dog in Milan patrols the area attached to an armed guard. Still, if you feel intimidated and want to call help you are never stuck for a telephone.
There is a regular, free shuttle bus service between the airport's two terminals which departs from the forecourt.
