Using Leeds Bradford Airport Questions & Reviews

[Galaxy]

I voted average, because of the following:

1. Having to walk to / from aircraft in all weathers.
2. Queue length at security on my last flight (I ended up paying to fast track).
3. The lack of working escalators when returning to the airport.
4. Ryanair being allowed to park at an air bridge and not use it, causing my last Thomas Cook flight to not get the air bridge (we were told we were getting) and park quite a walk away. At the time I was in a lot of pain from arthritis and this combined with the stairs didn't help.
5. Long queues at immigration.
6. Absolutely RUBBISH catering options, over-priced and quite frankly bland. Greggs was the best thing they ever had food-wise, and to replace it with that awful Ritazza is a joke. They don't even have a Boots so we can't do the value for money meal deal.
7. Too small and frequently cramped (particularly downstairs) airside.

I know it's my local airport, and I fly from there frequently thus supporting it, but comparatively I feel that it is decidedly average bordering on poor in terms of customer experience. I don't enjoy spending time there that's for certain.

 

[wawkrk]

Galaxy, I absolutely agree with points 1 to 5. Don't know about the rest as I always use the business lounge.

 

[Aviador]

I voted average, because of the following:

1. Having to walk to / from aircraft in all weathers.

This can be a nuisance but It's not just the airlines that follow a low cost model. The airport will also follow a low cost model to maximise it's returns. At least LBA is in the process of building a walkway albeit kind of a temporary structure.

2. Queue length at security on my last flight (I ended up paying to fast track).

I agree. During busy times security can be very busy.

3. The lack of working escalators when returning to the airport.

I agree. The escalators seem to spend more time not working than working. I often think it's better to not have something than to have something that doesn't work. The same could be said for buses parked up when you're walking to or from your aircraft.

4. Ryanair being allowed to park at an air bridge and not use it, causing my last Thomas Cook flight to not get the air bridge (we were told we were getting) and park quite a walk away. At the time I was in a lot of pain from arthritis and this combined with the stairs didn't help.

Extremely annoying yes. I think this is a needs must rather than because they want to park the aircraft there.

5. Long queues at immigration.

Again, very frustrating and I know what you mean. The airport did recently enlarge the immigration area but it appears to be staffed by the same number of people. The staffing is provided by the Border Control authority which is of course a government department so it is up to them to put more staff on.

6. Absolutely RUBBISH catering options, over-priced and quite frankly bland. Greggs was the best thing they ever had food-wise, and to replace it with that awful Ritazza is a joke. They don't even have a Boots so we can't do the value for money meal deal.

Totally agree, regarding the food outlets. It is a pity the airport has SSP running the franchise. It would be better if each unit was operated stand alone so they had to compete with value for money. As somebody that uses the catering offerings regularly, I find them extremely expensive with a pricing structure that is beyond a joke. I expect this is all part of the low cost model to ensure maximum yield returns.

7. Too small and frequently cramped (particularly downstairs) airside.

If you are referring to the departure lounge, to be fair I think it is considerably better now the first floor has opened up. Since it opened, I've yet to see it cramped on the ground floor.

I know it's my local airport, and I fly from there frequently thus supporting it, but comparatively I feel that it is decidedly average bordering on poor in terms of customer experience. I don't enjoy spending time there that's for certain.

On the whole I think the airport is making a real effort to improve things but there's a long way to go. I expect many people share your opinion and it will be an uphill struggle if the airport is to improve it's passenger perception of the place. On the otherhand I think there's a number of things the airport could do to improve things that don't necessarily have to cost a great deal.

 

[Galaxy]

I'm flying to Berlin on 1st July, so I will see how things have improved. My last flight was about 5 weeks ago, and they had only just began to open up the new developments to the public. But for me who struggles with steps at times (down as well as up) it was very frustrating as the escalators near WHSmith airside were out of order on the way down, and I had to struggle down the new stairs at the back with my hand luggage.

I'll give my honest impression of how things have improved (or not) after my next flight.

 

[Aviador]

Excellent ,3, 33%
Good , 2, 22%
Average, 4, 44%
Poor 0 0%

Not many people have voted as yet but so far the majority of people say the airport rates average for overall customer satisfaction.

I am sure the airport would not be happy with an average vote but I would think that is probably better than last summer when I expect it would have rated poor. They do appear to be trying harder now so lets hope peoples perception changes for the better over the next twelve months.

I'll leave the poll running until the end of the year so people can carry on voting after future visits to the airport.

 

[ChurchFenton]

Have just returned from ACE in the early hours of this morning to LBA. Having landed at 01.20 it took an hour for passengers to be on their way home due to delays in waiting for busses to arrive at the aircraft (20 minutes) and then waiting for the luggage to arrive (an additional 30 minutes). Whilst waiting on the aircraft for the busses we were advised by the cabin crew that this was due to the airport being very busy (at 1.20am!) as many aircraft had arrived just prior. A quick look on the airport arrivals indicated that only the Paphos and Malaga flights had arrived within an hour prior to our flight.

Is the ground cover at that time really so threadbare that a handful of flights arriving creates such a hold up? To have such a slow transit from aircraft to landside at that time of the night really doesn't create a favourable impression with passengers, particularly when the airport is seemingly wishing to attract additional flights in significant numbers.

 

[tleeds]

Have just returned from ACE in the early hours of this morning to LBA. Having landed at 01.20 it took an hour for passengers to be on their way home due to delays in waiting for busses to arrive at the aircraft (20 minutes) and then waiting for the luggage to arrive (an additional 30 minutes). Whilst waiting on the aircraft for the busses we were advised by the cabin crew that this was due to the airport being very busy (at 1.20am!) as many aircraft had arrived just prior. A quick look on the airport arrivals indicated that only the Paphos and Malaga flights had arrived within an hour prior to our flight.

Is the ground cover at that time really so threadbare that a handful of flights arriving creates such a hold up? To have such a slow transit from aircraft to landside at that time of the night really doesn't create a favourable impression with passengers, particularly when the airport is seemingly wishing to attract additional flights in significant numbers.

Hi there Church Fenton and thank you for your post and the feedback.

I don't know, as I haven't been made aware of any problems at the moment, but the continual development of the airport is still ongoing. I'm not 100% certain but I believe that Passport Control/Baggage Reclaim area's are under going development, or are due to in the very near future. I have been made aware that one of the Passport Control desks has had to be shut due to the the development which may have slowed down transit through this area of the airport.

The Paphos flight will have probably been close to full-capacity, as we are entering the busier Summer period, so these 200+ passengers and the additional 100+ Malaga passengers were probably been catered for whilst your flight of another 200+ passengers were subject to the decision made by the airport to hold you where you were, instead of having 500+ passengers all queuing for Passport Checks, and then all in the Baggage hall at once.

This problem is being rectified as the Terminal Development continues and myself and many other members of the forum share your view that the Bus situation at the Airport does need addressing asap! I was held on a flight myself during the busier 3pm rush a few months ago and we were held waiting for buses for a good 20-30minutes. The Airport i'm sure are aware of this and I'm sure as the Terminal Development continues they will try their best to rectify the problems the airport currently has.

Unfortunately the infrastructure the airport currently has can only cater for a certain amount of people, and this limit was exceeded many years ago - subsequently the airport are paying the price at the moment. Once the Terminal Development is completed by the end of this Summer the vast majority of the problems should have been rectified and so I think we just have to be patient until this time arrives.

Thanks again for your feedback and I hope this explains a lot of the problems.

Regards.

 

[Galaxy]

Does the new development offer any sort of internal viewing area over the runway?

 

[tleeds]

Does the new development offer any sort of internal viewing area over the runway?

To my knowledge there are no dedicated area's as such, where you can stop and watch aircraft on the runway. The only way you will possibly see the runway is if you are at any of the gates or if you are in The Food Village near where Gates 4 and 5 are situated where you could before....

...this is where I mean, although the Airport have labelled it for the future as the 'Enlarged Boarding Gate Zone'..

http://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/a ... 0zones.JPG

It looks as though the new covered walkway obstructs quite a bit of the view as well!

 

[Galaxy]

It just doesn't say to me, come early and spend some time here.

 

[ChurchFenton]

I don't know, as I haven't been made aware of any problems at the moment, but the continual development of the airport is still ongoing. I'm not 100% certain but I believe that Passport Control/Baggage Reclaim area's are under going development, or are due to in the very near future. I have been made aware that one of the Passport Control desks has had to be shut due to the the development which may have slowed down transit through this area of the airport.

Thanks for your detailed and informative response, tomleeds. Surprisingly, Passport Control was the one part of my experience which was absolutely fine, 3 desks open and queue moved quickly! It's very good to hear the problem with bus transfer times is being taken seriously, as it appears to be a re-occurring gripe on the forums that passengers who are on the remote stands are having a long wait too frequently (we parked on stand 23, so couldn't get further away!). Perhaps I worry that these issues may get overlooked if a few £££'s need shaving from the development budget, but things like this matter to passengers who don't want to be hanging around once they've landed. It gives the impression of the airport operation being inefficient or lacking professionalism, even though I'm sure the reality is that the people working there are just doing the best they can with the limited resources provided to them.

On a more positive note, I felt the departure experience at LBA is much improved. Less cramped and fresh looking (plus the sparkly tiles through Duty Free are a great touch!). It feels that the passenger experience has now begun moving into the 21st Century (having felt stuck in the 1990's for too long!). The only thing I still hope to see once the refurbishments have been completed is more seating away from the bar/restaurants, as this was sadly inadequate previously and I didn't notice much difference having been made so far this time.

LBA will always be my first choice, so any criticisms are only made in the hope that we can all be provided with a finished article that we can be really proud of and works well.

 

[tleeds]

Surprisingly, Passport Control was the one part of my experience which was absolutely fine, 3 desks open and queue moved quickly! It's very good to hear the problem with bus transfer times is being taken seriously, as it appears to be a re-occurring gripe on the forums that passengers who are on the remote stands are having a long wait too frequently (we parked on stand 23, so couldn't get further away!).

On a more positive note, I felt the departure experience at LBA is much improved. Less cramped and fresh looking (plus the sparkly tiles through Duty Free are a great touch!). It feels that the passenger experience has now begun moving into the 21st Century (having felt stuck in the 1990's for too long!). The only thing I still hope to see once the refurbishments have been completed is more seating away from the bar/restaurants, as this was sadly inadequate previously and I didn't notice much difference having been made so far this time.

Not a problem ChurchFenton.

Like I previously said the Bus issue is one that has angered a few members on here and I have no doubt it is ripe in other passengers minds as a major hurdle when flying from LBA. It has, if I'm not mistaken, been brought up before and the Consultative Meeting the airport has with dedicated supporters of the airport. There was a period when there were actually no complaints, but I think the reliability and the low quantity of the buses means that they do hold passengers up from vacating the aircraft. Also as I previously stated, the airport are aware of it and fingers crossed it will be addressed during the Airport's Development.

On the other point you made, the airport, when fully refurbished, should have 60% more seating (or so projections estimate) than previously offered. Whether this is within the bars and restaurants is something I am unable to answer, but I'm positively sure that there will be a vast amount of seating in an area where one can perch and read a book or newspaper in relatively considerate surroundings (i.e. being not too loud)..

Regards.

 

[Galaxy]

Ramblings from the Premier Lounge....

Waiting for the delayed flight to Berlin, so I though I'd pass a few comments thus far on my impressions of the LBA experience, numbered for grammar ease:
1. The security queue was less than 5 mins, very good.
2. The low ceiling after security is horrible.
3. The escalators didn't work (surprise surprise LBA).
4. The new lift was filthy.
5. The longer walk around is a bit of a pain for those of us used to the quicker experience.
6. The new shop looks good, although I still won't buy anything there.
7. Unfinished flooring looks grim.
8. Gents toilets out of order, had to use disabled and they were filthy.
9. I hope now that departure gates 9 and 10 are the closest ones that Ryanair will no longer be able to hog the space next to the air bridge.
10. Premier Lounge good value for £17.50, on my 6th large spirit plus mixer as flight delayed, so a value for money experience.
11. Lack of toilet in Premier Lounge is bizarre.
12. Why toasters in Premier Lounge but no bread?

Cheers! :drinks:

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Pakistan International Airlines

It was heaving in the terminal this afternoon. Fast Track used to get through security so that was ok.
Premier lounge looked quite full in the family section but the business section was a little quieter but still quite a few in there so nice and pleasant.
We used the hideous Gate 5, back stairs to the balcony.I don't know what the gate plans are but something needs to change before next summer.
The posh bus shelter seems to be almost finished but I suspect it will be used just to move the problem further down the apron and eliminate some bus journeys.
I assume it having 3 sections these will be used according to the loading/unloading flow control situation at the time.I think Ryanair will use it to hold the gate stampede back under cover.

wawkrk

 

[EX9]

Hopefully when gate 4 is extended in august with the removal of the food village it will be a better replacement for gate 5. However with all the extra traffic next year the airport is going to need every gate going.

Where the emergency exit door is in the image below, leads to the bottom of gate 5. With any luck that could be re structured into gate 5 avoiding all the up and down of stairs.

 

[adam]

My review of this mornings visit and departure from Leeds Bradford - Poor

Went for the 0745 to Paris CDG was a bit late arriving due to forgetting to get up arrived at 0630 and the security queue stretched right back past WHSmiths the machine for fast track only takes cash, the cash machines only dispense £20 notes hence the machine soon runs out of pound coins and me needing to get through pretty damn quick.

Anyway got through security and at 0700 we had final boarding showing on the screens so i never got to experience the changes or get any breakfast.

 

[tleeds]

Those queues you experienced Adam, have been a problem at LBA for sometime, especially on the busier mornings; Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I have never understood why there is always that same man having to scan tickets one-by-one! Surely there is a quicker method of scanning tickets before you enter the security screening area...?!

I don't think that problem with the Fast Track Machine/ Cash Machine- Combo, has ever been mentioned and so should be something for LBA to look into!

 

[Aviador]

With all due respect, you self confessed you arrived at the airport late, in fact just over an hour before your departure time. Rushing and worrying about whether you're actually going to make your flight will not have given you a good impression of the airport at the best of times.

Most airlines start boarding 40 minutes prior departure to ensure everybody is on the aircraft in good time to keep the schedule which is why most airlines recommend getting to the airport at least 2 hours before departure. If they thought one hour before was a good idea they would recommend it but they don't.

The security queue is a problem and has been a problem throughout the summer and the airport is in the process of addressing the problem.

Quote: White Heather from the Consultative Committee meeting "Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:49 pm"

"It was confirmed at todays Consultative Meeting that the security zone and passenger walkway along the apron will be completed by the end of September. The security zone will then have updated scanning equipment and an increase from 5 to 6 lanes by summer 2013."

Glasgow airport is in the process of automating the boarding card reading process. Read here Airport bosses at Glasgow claim it will speed the process up. Personally I think it is just a cost saving scheme but the system is likely to be rolled out to other airports if it is successful.

 

[wawkrk]

If you tavel regularly you will be experienced enough to have 3 quid in your pocket for Fast Track, I always do. You may need to push a few folk aside to squeeze down the Fast Track lane though.

 

[adam]

Not a regular traveller and when i have it must have been sort of off peak times. Security seems to be a problem at most airports. its okay saying that security will be expanded if its whether they have the staff to use them all. i just wanted to experience LBAs new outlets and i was denied this by security