Using Birmingham Airport (Questions & Reviews)

[Ray Finkle]

Might give that a go then. Our flight is 2pm so hoping to get there early enough to beat the lunchtime rush and get through departures in time to have a bite to eat before departure.

If you get chance let us know how you got on.

I've got a 15:30 Jet2 flight in August.

 

[thunderchild]

If you get chance let us know how you got on.

I've got a 15:30 Jet2 flight in August.

Will do!

 

[rollo]

Just a quick second hand review of sorts via my wife who has zero interest or knowledge of aviation and flew out yesterday evening around 6:00pm. with a group of friends to Palma with Lauda on a A320

Firstly they were all mightily confused as they thought they were going on a Ryanair aircraft I've tried to explain, stoney ground there I'm afraid but I can't wait for the return on Thursday as that is on a Ryanair 737 however she did say the flight was just fine and cabin crew good.

Anyway briefly the airport was busy, bag drop fine, security good, not keen on the lift idea though overall she said the departure procedure was O.K. that's wife speak for pretty good and it turns out top marks for the hot chocolate in departures mind you it did come with a brandy in it?

I have only really posted this as its from a perspective of someone like most people who just see airports as a means to an end so it appears BHX did its job and got a pass.

 

[Knotty]

Just a quick second hand review of sorts via my wife who has zero interest or knowledge of aviation and flew out yesterday evening around 6:00pm. with a group friends to Palma with Lauda on a A320

Firstly they were all mightily confused as they thought they were going on a Ryanair aircraft I've tried to explain, stoney ground there I'm afraid but I can't wait for the return on Thursday as that is on a Ryanair 737 however she did say the flight was just fine and cabin crew good.

Anyway briefly the airport was busy, bag drop fine, security good, not keen on the lift idea though overall she said the departure procedure was O.K. that's wife speak for pretty good and it turns out top marks for the hot chocolate in departures mind you it did come with a brandy in it?

I have only really posted this as its from a perspective of someone like most people who just see airports as a means to an end so it appears BHX did its job and got a pass.

Confused?? First time post. Flew Jet2 to ALC this morning STD 07.00. At approx 05.25 calls from member of staff 'Alicante". Numerous people headed for gate 15. What member of staff forgot to say, Easyjet to Alicante!! Numerous Jet2 pax headed to gate to be only turned away. Bit of a farce tbh!!! Anyway, I arrived 04.25, using escalator adjacent to Jet2, very swift security and was sat in departures by 04.45!!! Far better than normal security area. Did notice literally only a minute before checking in area to escalator was closed off, so can only assume opens at set times during peak periods. Somebody questioned Easyjet gates recently, can only suggest random. ALC from gate 15, yet NBE just behind departing, off 40's. Travel Jet2 approx every 6 weeks to ALC. Cant Stand A321 seats

 

[Scottie Dog]

Welcome @Knotty to F4A and many thanks for your report. I'm sure that everybody appreciates your input.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Did notice literally only a minute before checking in area to escalator was closed off, so can only assume opens at set times during peak periods. Somebody questioned Easyjet gates recently, can only suggest random. ALC from gate 15, yet NBE just behind departing, off 40's. Travel Jet2 approx every 6 weeks to ALC. Cant Stand A321 seats

Welcome to the forum @Knotty

Walked up though T2 on Sunday afternoon and the escalator up to security was closed, walked back about 15 min later and it was open.

Agree about the seats on the Jet2 NEO, very firm. Lovely aircraft though.

 

[MB1]

Travel Jet2 approx every 6 weeks to ALC. Cant Stand A321 seats

Agree about the seats on the Jet2 NEO, very firm. Lovely aircraft though.

Jet2 have dropped the ball with their 321neo config and seat. I'd grin and bear it again to the med, but anything longer than a couple of hours I will actively avoid them.

 

[Brum X]

OMG, how can this happen, and a disaster prevented at the last minute.

Info credit to Sandblast on Skyscrapercity




Any pilots on here?

Flight out of Birmingham last week. Taxied to the end of the runway, plane turns ready to take off. All going to plan so far.

Start rolling forward, keep rolling along at about 30mph for about 300 metres, then we pull off the runway towards the terminal building and stop. Meanwhile a couple of vehicles pull alongside our plane with their lights flashing.

A bit of consternation from fellow passengers, and after a few minutes the pilot speaks;

"Ladies and gentlemen, you're probably wondering why we've pulled off the runway and back on to the taxi way. As we were about to depart after being given clearance, 'the tower' noticed our cargo door was open, so they're sending ground staff over to close it for us, we'll be underway again shortly....."

That ground staff guy probably only had one job to do, quite an important one, to make sure the bladdy door is shut!!!!

Q. Wouldn't the pilot have a little red light on in the cockpit indicating a door was open, or is it a visual check only?? If it is, thank God the air traffic controllers were on the ball, else our luggage would've been scattered all over Birmingham.... pants and all!

Strangely, we then carried on the same path to the other end of the runway and took off in the opposite direction.

The aircraft was an Airbus A321 Neo.... if that helps.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Q. Wouldn't the pilot have a little red light on in the cockpit indicating a door was open, or is it a visual check only??

Well my car pings at me if a door isn't shut properly or somebody hasn't got a seat belt on so I'd be surprised if there wasn't some kind of warning.

 

[rollo]

In March 1974 a Turkish DC-10 operating Istanbul-Paris- London carrying 346 passengers and crew crashed outside Paris killing all onboard at the time the world's biggest air disaster before Tenerife.

The crash was caused by a faulty latch on a incorrectly closed cargo door and subsequently modern aircraft have a warning system both oral and visual fitted alerting pilots prior to take off. The ground crew closing the doors should also see a visual confirmation when closing the door.

All doors both passenger and cargo should show green in the cockpit when closed so either something went seriously wrong or possibly something got lost in translation in reporting the problem likely by the passenger, no doubt an investigation by the proper authorities wil take place to establish what actually happened.

 

[Knotty]

Jet2 have dropped the ball with their 321neo config and seat. I'd grin and bear it again to the med, but anything longer than a couple of hours I will actively avoid them.

Returned yesterday from ALC, my was I glad to get out of that seat!!! Even those next to me complaining. As an aside, Duty Free poorly stocked, No Whisky and very limited on board snacks available. Guy behind complained 'like mad'. Crew apologised, and welcomed him putting in complaint, as they felt embarrassed. Very unlike Jet2!!

 

[Ray Finkle]

BHX-FRA-KRK
KRK-FRA-BHX

Flights originally booked with Ryanair purely because they had the best timings. Within a couple of weeks the return flight home was canx and with accommodation and work leave already booked I took the refund. It was slightly annoying that the flight then went back on sale a few weeks later but in fairness to Ryanair I got my money within about 4 weeks, which included the Christmas period.

With Jet2 flight times less than ideal I booked us on Lufthansa with around 2hrs in FRA each way. Approx a week or so of booking one of the flights was canx meaning we now had 4.5 hrs in FRA on the way out, not an issue for me but the others were a little annoyed.

Arrived at BHX around 6:45 on Monday morning, Lufthansa bag drop took a matter of minutes and there was no queue for the lifts. I'd booked us fast track so we were through security in 5 mins or so, the other line had a bit of a queue upstairs but I couldn't see it being more than around 15 mins. With the first wave of departures gone the T1 depature lounge was steady but not busy and we had no problem in finding a table for breakfast. There is still plenty of work going on where the new restaurants are to be along with gates 56-60 (the old shorter pier) being blocked off by hoardings. Boots in T1 has also closed to make way for Popeyes.

Well organised boarding from Gate 54 onto a full A321 D-AISQ and after a short 1 hr 10 min flight time we landed on 25R. As it was we only had a fairly short walk to the next gate so after a bit of shopping we found somewhere to eat and watched the comings and goings (it's been quite a few years since I've been to an airport of that stature so I was loving it). The flight to KRK was an A320 D-AIZM and was absolute chaos during boarding. We just held back and let everyone else fight it out

This mornings bag drop at KRK was quick and efficient but the line for security was huge although it was moving steadily so I think the whole thing took around half an hour or so. Another A320 back to FRA, D-AIZF, with a flight time of 1 hr 11 min. Remote stand at FRA but busses were there promptly and a the driver definitely didn't hang about. We were lucky again in that the departure gate was only a short walk giving us time to have a quick bite to eat.

Flight back to Birmingham was on an A320 NEO, D-AINV. Not completely full but from what I could see the number of empty seats was in single digits. Had a slightly late departure from 25C and a strong headwind made the flight time 1 hr 27 min but managed to land in Birmingham only 8 minutes late, just behind another Lufthansa from MUC. Parked on 54L and joined the MUC pax on the walk to UKBF. No wait at all at the e gates so it was straight through to the baggage belts which started moving just after getting there. Unfortunately ours were one of the last off but it was still only around 15 mins. I didn't time it but Mrs F and I agree that it was around 35 mins from aircraft to leaving the building.

This was my first time on Lufthansa and probably won't be my last. Cabin crew were very friendly and the kids like the little touches such as free chocolates and airplane shaped gummies. The Lufthansa App is also brilliant, so much information on there. It was my first time taking a short haul connecting flight but FRA was very easy to navigate and there's more than enough to keep one occupied for a couple of hours. It's something I'd definitely do again if the timings worked out better.

BHX was excellent both ways although it was at quieter parts of the day, we'll see if it's this good in August. My only complaint is the appalling state of the toilets in the T1 departure lounge, they seem to be getting worse on each visit.

It was our second time to Krakow and it is such a wonderful place. Stunningly beautiful, fabulous restaurants and the people are so friendly

 

[Deleted member 8277]

OMG, how can this happen, and a disaster prevented at the last minute.

Info credit to Sandblast on Skyscrapercity




Any pilots on here?

Flight out of Birmingham last week. Taxied to the end of the runway, plane turns ready to take off. All going to plan so far.

Start rolling forward, keep rolling along at about 30mph for about 300 metres, then we pull off the runway towards the terminal building and stop. Meanwhile a couple of vehicles pull alongside our plane with their lights flashing.

A bit of consternation from fellow passengers, and after a few minutes the pilot speaks;

"Ladies and gentlemen, you're probably wondering why we've pulled off the runway and back on to the taxi way. As we were about to depart after being given clearance, 'the tower' noticed our cargo door was open, so they're sending ground staff over to close it for us, we'll be underway again shortly....."

That ground staff guy probably only had one job to do, quite an important one, to make sure the bladdy door is shut!!!!

Q. Wouldn't the pilot have a little red light on in the cockpit indicating a door was open, or is it a visual check only?? If it is, thank God the air traffic controllers were on the ball, else our luggage would've been scattered all over Birmingham.... pants and all!

Strangely, we then carried on the same path to the other end of the runway and took off in the opposite direction.

The aircraft was an Airbus A321 Neo.... if that helps.

Pilots would have had an ECAM cargo door message (amber), the pilots would be aware before they taxi if the door showed open. My guess is it was either the potable water or waste panel open that does not give a cockpit indication was open.

 

[nancledre]

Just got back from a week in Ibiza with TUI
Security has to be the biggest joke this airport puts together. If we are going to expand, then something seriously needs to be done with security, it is not fit for purpose at the moment. (Security at Ibiza on return was almost seamless.)
Seating in the departure hall is abysmal. Spoons as normal with full to heaving.
Departure should’ve been at 7 o’clock, but due to a fiasco with the monitors in the departure hall we were sent to the wrong gate not only the wrong gate but it was Jet2’s gate which if you know the airport is the opposite side of the airport. My mobility is not the best at the moment so struggling across there and back even with the help of daughter and son-in-law was something I could’ve done without we were not alone in reading the information and going to the wrong gate. Well done Birmingham Airport!
The actual departure was close on one hour late I think.
Upon return due to a medical incident on the aircraft, we were asked to remain seated which I fully understand. The incident was dealt with efficiently and all passengers complied with remaining seated while it took place - this was probably 10 to 15 minutes.
Why with staff on duty do we have to play backwards and forwards to get to passport control especially when the queue is not particularly long?
Having got through passport control the carousel for our luggage was stationary and no sign of any luggage being put on. Again a wait of about 10 minutes before any activity.
It gives me no pleasure to post this report as this is my local airport so I prefer to support it by travelling through it however if I was not a local my experience above would mean definitely NOT use the BHX a gain.

 

[Aviador]

Just got back from a week in Ibiza with TUI
Security has to be the biggest joke this airport puts together. If we are going to expand, then something seriously needs to be done with security, it is not fit for purpose at the moment. (Security at Ibiza on return was almost seamless.)
Seating in the departure hall is abysmal. Spoons as normal with full to heaving.
Departure should’ve been at 7 o’clock, but due to a fiasco with the monitors in the departure hall we were sent to the wrong gate not only the wrong gate but it was Jet2’s gate which if you know the airport is the opposite side of the airport. My mobility is not the best at the moment so struggling across there and back even with the help of daughter and son-in-law was something I could’ve done without we were not alone in reading the information and going to the wrong gate. Well done Birmingham Airport!
The actual departure was close on one hour late I think.
Upon return due to a medical incident on the aircraft, we were asked to remain seated which I fully understand. The incident was dealt with efficiently and all passengers complied with remaining seated while it took place - this was probably 10 to 15 minutes.
Why with staff on duty do we have to play backwards and forwards to get to passport control especially when the queue is not particularly long?
Having got through passport control the carousel for our luggage was stationary and no sign of any luggage being put on. Again a wait of about 10 minutes before any activity.
It gives me no pleasure to post this report as this is my local airport so I prefer to support it by travelling through it however if I was not a local my experience above would mean definitely NOT use the BHX a gain.

Right then, let's have a look at this Ibiza return via BHX. Bit of a rant, but honestly, it mostly sounds like a bog-standard experience at a busy UK airport in peak season, doesn't it?

"Security was "the biggest joke" Strong words. What was the actual problem? Long queue? Staff seeming slow? Kit playing up? You didn't say. Just calling it a "joke" because it wasn't as quick as Ibiza (which, let's be honest, is smaller) isn't really helpful. Airports have good days and bad days, especially when expanding. "Not fit for purpose" is a massive stretch without specifics.

Seating in departures "abysmal" Spoons was heaving? Well, it's Spoons. At an airport. In summer. It's always heaving. That's not an airport failing, that's predictable. Seating everywhere is limited when flights are full so pack your patience or head to the pub earlier.

Sent to the wrong gate. Unlucky, and definitely a pain with mobility issues, absolutely. But come off it, gate changes happen. Aircraft get swapped, stands change for operational reasons, tech issues pop up on screens. It's chaos sometimes, but blaming the airport outright for a monitor hiccup or an aircraft switch is daft, it's hardly BHX's fault it's a big site.

Departure an hour late. Annoying, but hardly unique to BHX. A million reasons for delays such as air traffic, late inbound aircraft, baggage loading, paperwork. Blaming the airport specifically for a flight delay is usually wide of the mark.

Passport control "backwards and forwards" Queues move at the pace they move. Staff are managing multiple queues, checking docs, maybe dealing with complex cases. If the queue wasn't long, why the fuss?

10 minute wait for bags. A 150+ suitcases don't magically teleport onto the belt. They have to be unloaded safely from the hold, sorted, and sent up. 10 minutes is nothing. Seriously, try lugging that lot yourself. A bit of perspective needed.

Look, nobody enjoys airport hassle. The gate mix-up sounds frustrating, especially with mobility issues. Fair point. But the rest? Security moans without details, whinging about Spoons being busy, a minor flight delay, a perfectly normal passport queue shuffle, and a tiny wait for bags? That's just... air travel. Especially at a major hub like BHX in summer.

You praised Ibiza's security that's great. But threatening to boycott your local airport over this fairly ordinary list of gripes? Bit dramatic. Airports are complex beasts with hundreds of moving parts. Things will go slightly wrong sometimes. Save the outrage for genuine disasters, not a slightly chaotic Saturday in June.

 

[nancledre]

Ok let’s look at what I actually said, rant is your word, I was telling it exactly as it was

Right then, let's have a look at this Ibiza return via BHX. Bit of a rant, but honestly, it mostly sounds like a bog-standard experience at a busy UK airport in peak season, doesn't it?

Just because you think it is “bog standard” does not make it ok.

"Security was "the biggest joke" Strong words. What was the actual problem? Long queue? Staff seeming slow? Kit playing up? You didn't say. Just calling it a "joke" because it wasn't as quick as Ibiza (which, let's be honest, is smaller) isn't really helpful. Airports have good days and bad days, especially when expanding. "Not fit for purpose" is a massive stretch without specifics.

Sadly “long queues” seems to be the acceptable norm - as I thought I understood the development of the security area would speed up passage through that area.

Seating in departures "abysmal" Spoons was heaving? Well, it's Spoons. At an airport. In summer. It's always heaving. That's not an airport failing, that's predictable. Seating everywhere is limited when flights are full so pack your patience or head to the pub earlier.

My comment about Spoons was a statement of fact, not a criticism..
Looking around the general area, seating seems to be mainly in the food/drink areas.

Sent to the wrong gate. Unlucky, and definitely a pain with mobility issues, absolutely. But come off it, gate changes happen. Aircraft get swapped, stands change for operational reasons, tech issues pop up on screens. It's chaos sometimes, but blaming the airport outright for a monitor hiccup or an aircraft switch is daft, it's hardly BHX's fault it's a big site.

A monitor hiccup! No, the monitors are the only way the traveller gets their information, the consequence of which was that my party and others were sent to the wrong gate. You mentioning other factors

Departure an hour late. Annoying, but hardly unique to BHX. A million reasons for delays such as air traffic, late inbound aircraft, baggage loading, paperwork. Blaming the airport specifically for a flight delay is usually wide of the mark.

This again was a statement of fact, nothing to do with apportioning blame.

Passport control "backwards and forwards" Queues move at the pace they move. Staff are managing multiple queues, checking docs, maybe dealing with complex cases. If the queue wasn't long, why the fuss?

Who mentioned multiple queues? Not me!
In fact our passengers were the only ones in the queue - my point being that with staff on marshalling duties a lifting of some barriers to alleviate the backwards and forwards should be none too hard a job - incidentally on return the staff at Ibiza saw me and I together with my partner were quickly diverted away from their backwards & forwards queue.

10 minute wait for bags. A 150+ suitcases don't magically teleport onto the belt. They have to be unloaded safely from the hold, sorted, and sent up. 10 minutes is nothing. Seriously, try lugging that lot yourself. A bit of perspective needed.

Look, nobody enjoys airport hassle. The gate mix-up sounds frustrating, especially with mobility issues. Fair point. But the rest? Security moans without details, whinging about Spoons being busy, a minor flight delay, a perfectly normal passport queue shuffle, and a tiny wait for bags? That's just... air travel. Especially at a major hub like BHX in summer.

You praised Ibiza's security that's great. But threatening to boycott your local airport over this fairly ordinary list of gripes? Bit dramatic. Airports are complex beasts with hundreds of moving parts. Things will go slightly wrong sometimes. Save the outrage for genuine disasters, not a slightly chaotic Saturday in June.

 

[Brum X]

Re: Busy Departure Lounge, that is the norm at BHX, however did you go to the "International" pier where there are lots more seats ? Everybody thinks the departure lounge by Spoons is it, it's not ?

Credit to the taker ;-)

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: Busy Departure Lounge, that is the norm at BHX, however did you go to the "International" pier where there are lots more seats ? Everybody thinks the departure lounge by Spoons is it, it's not ?

Credit to the taker ;-)

View attachment 32609

And in the summer it's much cooler than the often stifling departure lounge.

 

[rollo]

We always go to the " International pier" which is good or the old Eurohub which o.k. if departing from there.
The main terminal or retail experience if you like is horrible in my opinion just walk through it!

Security - the jury is out
Border control - normally fine.
Baggage-hit and miss and way too small and needs some TLC.

The problem for BHX is its site is constrained and any"improvements" tend to be bits bolted on or infills etc.

It's not just BHX many airports face the same or similar issues.
.

I struggle to see how it will cope with the predicted 18million passengers in 5 years time.

 

[Aviador]

During the busiest periods between June and the end of August, Airports are always at their busiest but they won't train new personnel to do security screening just to cover a relatively short period. Most airport employers will offer seasonal work, but they won't take on more than they need just to cover a 10-12 week period. It's the biggest drawback of the school holidays. Likewise with Border Force. I don't believe they offer any temporary contracts and so when the airport is at its busiest there will be longer queues. There is a similar discussion going on in the Leeds forum where the new terminal extension has opened but only half the available immigration desks are being used. Again, not the fault of the airport but UK Border Force.