Airport Experience (Questions & Reviews)

[jfy1999]

Yesterday I flew EZY192 - BHX-BFS and unfortunately there were very long security queues stretching back into Departures. The “fast track” lane was also at a standstill. I arrived rather late to begin with (7:30 AM with the gate scheduled to close at 8:20). Having only a small cabin bag I had gone straight to security but it wasn’t until shortly after 8:20 that I got through.

My experience was brightened up somewhat by the way a supervisor reprimanded one passenger who had ducked under a tape - “This is a civilisation - this isn’t Manchester Airport, where anarchy reigns!” I imagine some people might have taken this the wrong way but the passenger seemed to take it with good humour.

At the gate I found that boarding hadn’t started because Swissport were short of ground staff. It took another 10-15 minutes for boarding to start and during that time many more people who had been delayed in security arrived behind me. Eventually we departed roughly 30 minutes late.

BHX is clearly short of staff in key areas and it seems the new security area can’t come soon enough. However, the supervisors who I approached for help were very proactive.

 

[Matty_85]

Yesterday I flew EZY192 - BHX-BFS and unfortunately there were very long security queues stretching back into Departures. The “fast track” lane was also at a standstill. I arrived rather late to begin with (7:30 AM with the gate scheduled to close at 8:20). Having only a small cabin bag I had gone straight to security but it wasn’t until shortly after 8:20 that I got through.

My experience was brightened up somewhat by the way a supervisor reprimanded one passenger who had ducked under a tape - “This is a civilisation - this isn’t Manchester Airport, where anarchy reigns!” I imagine some people might have taken this the wrong way but the passenger seemed to take it with good humour.

At the gate I found that boarding hadn’t started because Swissport were short of ground staff. It took another 10-15 minutes for boarding to start and during that time many more people who had been delayed in security arrived behind me. Eventually we departed roughly 30 minutes late.

BHX is clearly short of staff in key areas and it seems the new security area can’t come soon enough. However, the supervisors who I approached for help were very proactive.

I had a similar experience but couldn’t fault the supervisor there at the time (man, 40s maybe?). I do think BHX offer excellent customer service. Only frustration came when boarding the Easyjet flight and they forgot to call the speedy priority passengers first but I guess that was swissport staff.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Daughter arrived home today on Vueling from Barcelona.

I had a message at 15:19 saying that she'd just got off the plane, 11 minutes later I had another message saying that she'd just got through immigration, 21 minutes after that I got another message saying that she had collected her bag and was almost on the coach

It's a quieter time of day but still seems like a decent performance

The only gripe she had was that in her opinion the e gate machines were 'taking ages'. I did say that a large group of 15 year olds (34 of em) all trying to get through might have slowed things down a little

 

[JENNYJET]

ah, like herding cats. Technology cannot do everything I imagine. Even AI might have a wobble.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

ah, like herding cats. Technology cannot do everything I imagine. Even AI might have a wobble.

I don't know what would be harder - herding cats, or herding teenagers?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Very busy in the early hours of yesterday morning, I didn't notice Jet2 but the TUi check-in area in particular was absolutely heaving. With it being so busy and with all the works currently taking place we were dreading security but we needn't have worried as just a little over 15 minutes after joining the queue Mrs F and the kids were spending in World Duty Free.

Departure lounge was also very busy but we timed it just right for a table at Wetherspoons for breakfast. After a stroll along the pier we made our way to the much quieter T2 and sat down in All Bar One for a birthday prosecco (or two). Mrs F had never been to T2 before and she remarked just how much calmer it is than the mayhem of the T1 departure lounge. I think All Bar One must have been 50%, if that.

Boarding was via steps from gate 16 onto G-UZHO. FR24 tells me we departed 12 mins late but with only a 48 min flight time we landed in EDI 15 mins ahead of schedule, even with a slight dog leg over the lake district to avoid thunder storms. Nice, efficient flight with very friendly cabin crew. No issues with EDI airport arrivals although it is looking rather shabby now, even my lad said that the staircase was 'disgusting'.

Short tram ride from our hotel to EDI this morning. With recent reviews about their security we were not looking forward to it to say the least and with an absolutely packed check-in hall we feared the worst. I'm assuming that by arriving mid-morning we must have missed the peak as it was a breeze. Even with Mrs F's bag requiring further checks it took only 10 mins or so. I must also point out the friendliness of the security guy who spent some time showing my youngest how their machines work, he was really impressed. I did notice just how small the security area was though and can imagine it must be chaos at peak times.

After a bit of shopping and a bite to eat we boarded G-EZWH from gate 21. FR24 tells me we departed 16 mins late but landed only 2 mins after the STA, again no complaints whatsoever with easyjet.

Arrived on stand 14 and had a little wait for steps to be attached to the front of the aircraft. As we were seated on one of the last rows we were waiting for rear steps, which arrived once pretty much everyone was off, I think only 2 gentlemen actually used them. I did overhear one cabin crew member saying something along the lines of "and this airport will be a base from next year", I assume they expected the rear steps upon arrival and not once almost everybody was off.

Overall no issues with BHX although I will be leaving extra time until the security area is completed, just in case. The T1 departure lounge seems to be the weak point now, especially if one wants something to eat or drink at peak times. The pier is still my oasis of calm but I really hope that once the new security area is done they recommence works on the departure lounge extension, it really needs it. Nice friendly flights with easyjet, we were in row 28 and there were a few empty seats behind us but looking down the aircraft there seemed fairly healthy loads on both legs.

 

[thunderchild]

We arrived back yesterday after a week in Kos and I’d say the experience was pretty much the same as Ray’s. The Jet2 bag drop queue was very fast and we were straight through security - I’d say the whole experience took 20 minutes. Both flights were bang on time and what was good was the plane that was originally allocated for our outbound flight had been diverted to Munich in the early hours but Jet2 had a back up aircraft sorted - can’t help but feel if that had been TUI we’d have ended up with a big delay or shipped off to a hotel. Passport control and baggage reclaim was pretty quick too but we did arrive back at a relatively quieter period.

Both flights were fairly uneventful and as mentioned right on schedule which was the important thing and they appear very well organised. My only gripe with Jet2 is that they are as cheesey as hell, the inflight announcements come across like they’re talking to three year olds - the “famously friendly in flight service” was fine but in reality nothing different to my experiences on Monarch, TUI and Thomas Cook (although in fairness better than Ryanair). Maybe it was Jess Glynne screeching as we boarded that put me off!

The other thing that made me laugh was on arrival we were told to look out for the Jet2 staff and their “famous big welcoming smiles” - well the first Jet2 rep I saw on the ground was wearing a face mask!

All in all though a great holiday - although it did get very hot towards the end.

 

[Ray Finkle]

One thing I forgot to mention was just how busy the arrivals area was by Costa.

Coming through at around half 2 ish on a Sunday with recent arrivals from EK, QR and SV alongside the regular stuff kind of resembled the German Market in December.

Purely from my perspective as a pax I want the departure lounge extension to start as soon as the security area is done but if we are to keep on growing then I can't see it being too much longer until the arrivals area needs expansion.

 

[Karl C]

Flew BHX-DUS on way to İzmir this morning. Eurowings desk opened less than two hours before departure and I thought, due to this, that I'd be legging it to the plane. Not so. Security was a breeze this morning and all channels open and working like clockwork. Made for a seamless experience. Air Baltic late in from Düsseldorf and late leaving BHX, but the A220 is a nice spacious aircraft so I just kicked back and an hour later was in Düsseldorf. Just waiting for the İzmir flight now. Eurowings are just your average airline. Nothing special tbh, but have a huge presence at DUS.
So far so good
Outbound load 109 pax

 

[Ray Finkle]

Check-in areas were very busy in the early hours of last Monday morning. Having already dropped off our bags the evening before we headed to security where there was no queue whatsoever, we walked straight through. Departure lounge was steady but plenty of tables in Wetherspoons for our egg on toast, this didn't last long though and it soon filled up. After a stroll along the pier we headed back to the T1 departure lounge where it was horrendously busy so, despite the screens showing 'go to gates 40-68', we headed to the relative peace and quiet of T2 and a drink in the much more pleasant All Bar One (I'd checked FR24 beforehand and seen that the aircraft we were on had arrived at T2 on it's previous flight so took the gamble).

Boarding from gate 16 in T2 was efficient and despite departing around 20 mins late we had an early arrival into GRO. We were met by the usual smiling faces with no less than four people guiding us on the short walk from the terminal to the taxi.

Return this morning again saw lots of smiling faces at the airport, my daughter was amazed how they could be so cheerful that early in the morning Departed 35 mins late but arrived back in Birmingham only 11 mins behind schedule. Arrived on stand 3 and after the short walk to UKBF we were seen pretty much straight away, baggage belt took just over 15 mins to start meaning from landing to taxi home was just under 40 mins.

Outbound aircraft was G-GDFD with G-DRTI operating the return. Considering they they are 26 and 18 years old respectively they were immaculate. My only (minor) complaint was no window blinds on either which made it rather uncomfortably warm with the sun shining through, nothing a strategically placed safety card couldn't solve though


I said a few weeks ago how I hope that the departure lounge extension will restart once the security works are done. We got there early so managed to get a table for breakfast but it wasn't long before everywhere was full with so many people circling. Once again I gave our table to a desperate looking family with young children and finished my drink stood up. The T1 departure lounge reminded me of the Bullring on a busy Saturday afternoon, any extension cannot come soon enough.

The T2 departure lounge by comparison is so much calmer but I do worry about it's arrivals. We were the first Jet2 flight back from the morning wave of departures so it was very quiet but with several aircraft arriving in quick succession I can imagine things getting very cramped. With the potential of 17 based aircraft for the S24 peak season I wonder how far it can be pushed before it breaks?

Couldn't speak highly enough of Jet2 and BHX but I do hope some plans to expand the footprint of the building are in the making, it's a nice problem to have though

 

[JENNYJET]

It will break if the airport do not use available space efficiently Sir Raymond. Expanding the fleet is all well and good but if confined to a small space, nothing but negativity will flow in the Social media space. And this is deadly in a world of feedback and opinion websites.

My view is that BHX should invest in the airfield as a whole and use all available acreage to the benefit of it's users. Am pleased you had a decent experience sir.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Around 15 minutes to get through security this morning (04:30ish). So glad we had fast track as the queues looked to be up towards Spar.

Still not convinced about the sole use of lifts and the lack of queueing space upstairs is noticeable. One observation is that every person seemed to be made to use the body scanners which slows things down.

Departure lounge ridiculously busy and ridiculously hot. Got lucky and managed a seat for breakfast

 

[Aviador]

One observation is that every person seemed to be made to use the body scanners which slows things down.

My recent trip from Leeds was the same. I think every passenger went through the body scanner.

Have a great holiday!

 

[KARFA]

that is the generally recommended set up (although it isn't compulsory) after putting in the new bag scanner, everyone goes through the full body scanner in millimeter wave scanners - the ones where you stand with arms out at the side or where you raise your arms and the thing spins around you.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Long post so please feel free to back up now

Thursday morning arrival at 04:25ish entering through the doors by Cafe Nero. Queues for the lifts went around the corner up towards Spar, I didn't see how far they went as we had fast track and went straight to the front as no queue. This was where we were stopped and stood there for around 5 mins or so with nobody moving and a guy chatting on his radio, I assume to those upstairs.

Eventually we were waved through and packed into the lift where I heard two comments about how hot and claustrophobic it felt. Upon exiting the lift there were various entrances to different lanes which caused people to pause and see which one they should be in. Walked straight to the front of the fast track lane where two of us put our stuff in the trays and once again just stood there for 3 or 4 mins with nothing moving in that lane.

Overall very good but things may have been different if we hadn't have bought fast track. Still totally unconvinced about these lifts and for me there were too many pinch points where nothing moved for a few minutes, all whilst people were joining the back of the queue. Early days I guess and hopefully once settled things will be much smoother so we'll see.

As already said departures was very busy and we got lucky with a table at Wetherspoons for our egg on toast. I would have bought a second drink but we gave our table to a family looking around desperately for a seat. Giraffe and others had queues to get in. Didn't bother with any shops as it was so hot and stuffy (more fans in Birmingham than Malaga ) so headed to the cool of the pier. T2 was as busy as I've ever seen it so didn't bother with a drink in All Bar One.

Nice flight out on G-HLYF, 35 minute slot delay but a flight time of only 2hr and 14 mins meant arrival around the scheduled time. Obviously there was a sea of red shirts at every turn and they were all very friendly

Returned today on G-SUNG. The NEO is a lovely aircraft but we all said how much harder the seats were than the regular A321 on the way out, not the most comfortable. We had the Villa Ladies team on board and my lad had one coach shout 'up the villa' as he walked past in his BCFC shirt

Arrived at T1 and walked straight through the e gate with no queues at all. Baggage took about 15 mins to start coming through but then stopped before our second case came out. Jet2 staff were on it announcing that the cart had to go back to the aircraft for the last few, not surprising really when you saw how much stuff the Villa team had in addition to the players personal bags. I think it was around 50 mins or so from leaving the aircraft to leaving the terminal which isn't too bad at all.

Final thoughts, security has less lanes now and this is the first time I've ever put my stuff in a tray then just stood there for 3-4 mins with nothing moving. The departure lounge at peak times is ridiculous, I'm convinced that when the new restaurants open they'll immediately be full at busy times. Arrivals was fine but it was just after 15:00 so one of the quieter periods. Lifts.......hmmmm.

Obviously this is just a snap shot of that time on that day and other peoples experiences will likely be different but we have the potential of 17 Jet2, 7/8 Ryanair and 5 easyjet next summer on top of everything else so I really hope that the airport can handle it.

I think there has been too many years of re-arranging the deck chairs and the time is fast approaching where we need shovels in the ground.

 

[Brum X]

And may I ask was the escalator out of use from the arrivals section of the pier down to the immigration hall ?

95% confident that is was out of use but just hoping that 5% of me was wrong ?????????

I am praying to the gods, loooooooooooooool

 

[Ray Finkle]

And may I ask was the escalator out of use from the arrivals section of the pier down to the immigration hall ?

95% confident that is was out of use but just hoping that 5% of me was wrong ?????????

I am praying to the gods, loooooooooooooool

Out of use

Even though it was very quiet when we arrived today.

I can't remember the last time I saw it running.

 

[rollo]

To be honest it's probably rusted up.

 

[tompo]

Great news! I am now really looking forward to arriving at BHX next month from BNE. My choice of stopovers; SIN, DXB and IST will allow me lots of opportunity to experience some comparative facility sampling. You never know, I may be pleasantly surprised at having to climb down stairs irregularly designed for transporting stationary humans.

 

[LichfieldBlue]

Hi everyone, I’m flying out next Sunday on an early flight at 6.25am. Are the queues for security still horrendous and is 4am a reasonable arrival time?