To take London, a very exceptional case IMO, and present it as an example of European transport is not very meaningful. England is really much more like America

To take London, a very exceptional case IMO, and present it as an example of European transport is not very meaningful. England is really much more like America in this regard, you even have American style suburbs. It is not really a counter example to say that London hasn't got a reliable subway line. And I think that it is perhaps a little arrogant to think that London in any way represents Europe. Most european cities have a series of subway lines which cross in the center. The center is therefore easily reachable by all. However, the outskirts are not, due to the need to change trains. My suggestion of putting terminals in city centers, rather than in the airport at the outskirts of the city, is therefore reasonable within the context of Europe. London being an exception, due to your professed lack of functional public transport, is a pity, but it is not a counter argument.