Favourite Airport

[Butts]

I had the pleasure of being in The Isle of Man today and may I commend Ronaldsway Airport.

Small yet spacious with comfortable seating and a great view of The Airfield watching the planes landing and taking off.

First hour of parking is FREE

Security I walked through for my flight to Glasgow - 6 staff and me !!!! - polite and considerate.

Great (cheap) Bus Service outside and none of those stupid crash bollards.

A bygone age indeed only one I can compare it to is Stornoway and it beat it hands down

As for large cousins T5 at Heathrow is never in the news now = as good as a Big Terminal can be.

Anyone else got a contender for a small UK Airport similar to Ronaldsway?

 

[Greenback]

I quite like Bristol, beats Cardiff hands down in my opinion.

Of course, Swansea used to have a small number of scheduled flights some years ago. Apparently there were no problems with queues for check in or security with the 18 seater aircraft used by Air Wales or whatever they were called!

I don;t think I;ve ever flown from a small airport, I have only ever used Cardiff, Bristol, Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow. Oh, and Robin Hood, but only flying in to the UK!

 

[Anon Mouse]

I like Newcastle Airport, quite compact, never too overcrowded and you can get beer in Burger King airside

As for large Airports I like Schipol, good choice of bars, good choice of food and a Casino. Beijing Capital Airport is really nice too, even if the beer is overpriced....the totty more than makes up for it!

 

[Butts]

I like Newcastle Airport, quite compact, never too overcrowded and you can get beer in Burger King airside

As for large Airports I like Schipol, good choice of bars, good choice of food and a Casino. Beijing Capital Airport is really nice too, even if the beer is overpriced....the totty more than makes up for it!

Interesting I have been to the first two but not the last - all three have smoking facilities airside - even if it is those "phone booths" at Schipol.

I had to check the Chinese one and interestingly they shut down all the Smoking Lounges in Bejing in May last year as part of a blanket ban at the Airport. However it only lasted six months and they were reopened in December.

 

[WestCoast]

The Isle of Man is very nice, but I was surprised at how large is was actually! I live a few miles from Blackpool Squires Gate International It's probably about as small as an international airport gets - its really just a few large rooms and its certainly smaller than the medium-sized Morrisons next door! You can fly to Dublin, Belfast, the Isle of Man, Jersey and a few sunspots in Spain/Portugal. It doesn't have many staff either - the information desk just has a phone to call the manager!

As for larger airports - Amsterdam Schipol, Munich and Zurich Kloten would be my favourites. Amsterdam is really good for entertainment - there's everything in one terminal: hotels, museum, bars, restaurants, sleeping pods, loungers. Ideal to transfer in and much better than the first four terminals at Heathrow.

Munich and Zurich are great because they are gleamingly modern and they also provide free tea and coffee (or they do near certain gates).

 

[Butts]

The Isle of Man is very nice, but I was surprised at how large is was actually! I live a few miles from Blackpool Squires Gate International It's probably about as small as an international airport gets - its really just a few large rooms and its certainly smaller than the medium-sized Morrisons next door! You can fly to Dublin, Belfast, the Isle of Man, Jersey and a few sunspots in Spain/Portugal. It doesn't have many staff either - the information desk just has a phone to call the manager!

As for larger airports - Amsterdam Schipol, Munich and Zurich Kloten would be my favourites. Amsterdam is really good for entertainment - there's everything in one terminal: hotels, museum, bars, restaurants, sleeping pods, loungers. Ideal to transfer in and much better than the first four terminals at Heathrow.

Isn't there a row about some sort of Airport Departure Tax at Blackpool Airport a tenner or something ? paid by all passengers.

 

[Hydro]

I quite like Hong Kong - only used Terminal 1 and it's HOOGE (third largest in the world apparently). I've been there four times now and it doesn't really ever seem *that* busy due to the sheer space inside. Loads of eateries and shops, powerpoints in the seating areas for laptops, free WiFi galore plus free hard wired internet terminals. Downside is it's a ****in' trek to get from one end to the other. It has interior smoking lounges too, and all glass walls down each side so you can see the aprons, runways and aircraft.

 

[WestCoast]

Isn't there a row about some sort of Airport Departure Tax at Blackpool Airport a tenner or something ? paid by all passengers.

That's the downside, £10 "Airport Development Fee" for all passengers over 16. It's a rip off but it gets you free parking up to two weeks and literally keeps the place open. Ryanair left because of it, but then again they were on some sort of low fees deal anyway and weren't exactly paying the airport much.

If you fly with Manx2 to the Isle of Man or Belfast, they let you use the 'lounge' for free as compensation. Free snacks and drinks (including alcohol) included.

 

[Butts]

That's the downside, £10 "Airport Development Fee" for all passengers over 16. It's a rip off but it gets you free parking up to two weeks and literally keeps the place open. Ryanair left because of it, but then again they were on some sort of low fees deal anyway and weren't exactly paying the airport much.

If you fly with Manx2 to the Isle of Man or Belfast, they let you use the 'lounge' for free as compensation. Free snacks and drinks (including alcohol) included.

Two weeks parking and lounge access for a tenner - thats a bargain

It's only 30mins from Glasgow to IOM - is it 10mins from Blackpool ??

 

[WestCoast]

Two weeks parking and lounge access for a tenner - thats a bargain

It's only 30mins from Glasgow to IOM - is it 10mins from Blackpool ??

About 20mins flying time on the LET-410 aircraft. Although, I've just checked the website again and they've withdrawn the free lounge offer, which is a shame!

 

[Butts]

About 20mins flying time on the LET-410 aircraft. Although, I've just checked the website again and they've withdrawn the free lounge offer, which is a shame!

Thought it was to good to be true - probably had a load of "Rail Freeloaders" like me clearing the fridges out

 

[starrymarkb]

I quite like Bristol, beats Cardiff hands down in my opinion.

Of course, Swansea used to have a small number of scheduled flights some years ago. Apparently there were no problems with queues for check in or security with the 18 seater aircraft used by Air Wales or whatever they were called!

I don;t think I;ve ever flown from a small airport, I have only ever used Cardiff, Bristol, Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow. Oh, and Robin Hood, but only flying in to the UK!

Bristol could have been made a bit bigger given the amount they've had to spend on walkways so that more then 6 stands are accessible from the terminal on foot (previously it needed buses to the other 25!). Security was a bit arsey last time I went through (my clear plastic bag was 220mm rather then 200mm!)

Exeter is tiny but that has its advantages, touchdown to bus stop in about 10 mins! Then the disadvantage, an hour's wait for the bus!

 

[Butts]

Bristol could have been made a bit bigger given the amount they've had to spend on walkways so that more then 6 stands are accessible from the terminal on foot (previously it needed buses to the other 25!). Security was a bit arsey last time I went through (my clear plastic bag was 220mm rather then 200mm!)

Exeter is tiny but that has its advantages, touchdown to bus stop in about 10 mins! Then the disadvantage, an hour's wait for the bus!

Ronaldsway touchdown to Bus in five minutes and one every 10 minutes

 

[WestCoast]

Thought it was to good to be true - probably had a load of "Rail Freeloaders" like me clearing the fridges out

It was unmanned so you're probably right......
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Ronaldsway touchdown to Bus in five minutes and one every 10 minutes

....or you can catch the (steam) train!

 

[Butts]

It was unmanned so you're probably right......
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


....or you can catch the (steam) train!

Yes I missed that they only run at weekends at this time of year

 

[WestCoast]

Back on topic, the thing I hate about the larger UK airports is the trend to funnel everyone through a hot duty free shop to get to the gates. They then try and flog you stuff as you walk past.

It's like making you go through WHSmith to get to the platforms at a rail station! :cry:

 

[Butts]

Back on topic, the thing I hate about the larger UK airports is the trend to funnel everyone through a hot duty free shop to get to the gates. They then try and flog you stuff as you walk past.

It's like making you go through WHSmith to get to the platforms at a rail station! :cry:

Yes just like an American Theme Park - off the ride and into the shop.

Most frustrating aspect for non outside EU flights not being able to pick up any gleaming bottles of booze or fags.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Back on topic, the thing I hate about the larger UK airports is the trend to funnel everyone through a hot duty free shop to get to the gates. They then try and flog you stuff as you walk past.

It's like making you go through WHSmith to get to the platforms at a rail station! :cry:

To be fair, most airports are like that now. But, you are right it is infuriating!

Another Airport I like if Chengdu, The Wife said its quite small...then she saw Newcastle! Eventhough I like Chengdu Airport for its layout and choice of scran....and its Panda shop, it has the same annoying Chinese Airport let down of charging a huge mark up on alcohol. Ubon Ratchatani Airport in Thailand is a great Airport, about twice the size as Newcastle but with (when I flew there) two flights per day (Air Asia & Thai, both to Bangkok)

 

[starrymarkb]

Zakynthos was awful about 10 years ago, looking on Google Earth it seems they have now built a new larger terminal

 

[WestCoast]

Zakynthos was awful about 10 years ago, looking on Google Earth it seems they have now built a new larger terminal

Some of those "holiday resort airports" are terrible. I distinctly remember Bodrum Airport in Turkey at 3am was not pleasant. A small, grotty terminal with about 15 charter flights departing at once (some of them hours late) and the cafe charged the equivalent of £3.50 for a bottle of water! People everywhere, literally no where to even sit down, so everyone just ended up sitting on the floor.

 

[Anon Mouse]

The worst Airport I transfered at was Doha in Qatar. No bar at all, could buy spirits in the duty free but would not of been allowed to consume it in the Airport. Had to make do with Costa Coffee. At least Dubai has a bar hidden on the upper floor! Mumbai Airport was also pretty grim, but it was undergoing rebuilding. Dust everywhere, rude and aggresive staff and the only way of grabbing a quick drink without Rupees and too big a que to get some money changed over was to give a fiver to a guy in a little stall in exchange for two small cans of beer! At least I was compensated by being bumped up to Business Class from there to Bangkok

Talking of Bangkok, the new Suburami Airport is canny good but the old one, Don Mueng is a cess pit

 

[Heinz57]

Even though I have never flew to or from either of them, my favorite airports are Heathrow and LAX.

My third favorite is East Midlands - 'cus its my local

 

[bILLOO]

Changi airport in Singapore.

 

[Mojo]

Heathrow Terminal 5 is the best! It's very efficient, little waiting round for bags, little queuing. Great range of shops and is really modern inside. Heathrow has a very pleasant ambience.

I love Gatwick as well, it has very good shops, and great transparent management. I dislike the signage for the railway, however, which says 'Train Station' rather than 'Railway Station'.

 

[trentside]

Terminal 1 at Barcelona is fantastic - great building with a nice variety of shops, restaurants etc. Security was also very efficient when I visited.

As for UK airports, I do like Manchester - but as WestCoast has pointed out there is the problem of having to find your way through the duty free shop the minute you get airside.

Robin Hood Airport is weird - I wouldn't choose to fly from it again. It's far too quiet and has some of the most inefficient, rude and just plain awkward staff that I've ever encountered at an airport.

 

[WestCoast]

Changi airport in Singapore.

I've heard it's very nice. I do like the sound of the oriental gardens.

 

[trentside]

I've heard it's very nice. I do like the sound of the oriental gardens.

I've heard similar things.

From photographs I've seen, the Emirates terminal at Dubai (T3?) also looks very impressive.

 

[WestCoast]

Heathrow Terminal 5 is the best! It's very efficient, little waiting round for bags, little queuing. Great range of shops and is really modern inside. Heathrow has a very pleasant ambience.

Heathrow T5 is impressive and a pleasure to use, but I don't rate the other terminals I've used there, especially not the T1 domestic lounge which bmi uses - cramped and shabby. The inter terminal airside bus transfer wasn't efficient at all in my experience - I missed a flight narrowly because of slowness. I'd much rather skip Heathrow and transfer at Amsterdam if I am flying from Manchester and cannot fly direct.

From photographs I've seen, the Emirates terminal at Dubai (T3?) also looks very impressive.

I've been there on a transfer, yeah it's not bad but it's a bit of a zoo at 1am in the morning!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Ronaldsway touchdown to Bus in five minutes and one every 10 minutes

I managed touchdown to tube pulling out of station in 12 minutes at Heathrow once...

 

[Butts]

I managed touchdown to tube pulling out of station in 12 minutes at Heathrow once...

Crikey were you on Concorde or 1st Class VIP or something
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Heathrow Terminal 5 is the best! It's very efficient, little waiting round for bags, little queuing. Great range of shops and is really modern inside. Heathrow has a very pleasant ambience.

I love Gatwick as well, it has very good shops, and great transparent management. I dislike the signage for the railway, however, which says 'Train Station' rather than 'Railway Station'.

No mention of BHX - your Local !!!

The small (ex BA) now Flybe Hub is not bad from my experience - not the big terminal.

Can park across the road by the nick and walk straight over.