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By *ryandsee OP Man
over a year ago
Yorkshire |
What are your thoughts of our main airports in UK. I can't help comparing them to other European countries and really they can't compare. We seem to always spend more money (like Manchester for example) and never see much difference, even new areas added often looking tatty, crammed or unfinished. Claustrophobic places, poor overall facilities, short of open spaces, lack of pleasant seating areas and even seats, shops and cafes that don't open till 4.00 in the morning at the earliest and most with poor quality of products, few shops (mostly chain ones) and nothing like the vast array of shops you see at airports abroad. Even the private lounges look unattractive, sparsely stocked and poorly maintained. All that is rather disappointing and I personally feel it spoils my travelling experience. I wish our airports were something to feel proud off but personally don't feel that way, not even with relatively new ones. We just don't seem to know how to get them right like other countries do. And just in case it hits the patriotic nerve of anyone or someone compares them to a little airport on a some holiday island, I have been talking about comparable places  |
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By *bi HaiveMan
over a year ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
I'm really only fussed about one thing at airports, seeing as you're not actually there for long.
Parking charges.
In the UK they're ridiculous. And the worst is being charged £10+ just for a 2 minute stop to drop someone off or pick them up.
There'd be far less illegal and dangerous parking around airports if the costs were more realistic.
A |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My favourite airport is Newcastle.
Worst by far is Hurghada in Egypt, I go to Hurghada a couple of times a year, I swear to god my nerves are shot after clearing that airport
Mrs C |
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"What are your thoughts of our main airports in UK. I can't help comparing them to other European countries and really they can't compare. We seem to always spend more money (like Manchester for example) and never see much difference, even new areas added often looking tatty, crammed or unfinished. Claustrophobic places, poor overall facilities, short of open spaces, lack of pleasant seating areas and even seats, shops and cafes that don't open till 4.00 in the morning at the earliest and most with poor quality of products, few shops (mostly chain ones) and nothing like the vast array of shops you see at airports abroad. Even the private lounges look unattractive, sparsely stocked and poorly maintained. All that is rather disappointing and I personally feel it spoils my travelling experience. I wish our airports were something to feel proud off but personally don't feel that way, not even with relatively new ones. We just don't seem to know how to get them right like other countries do. And just in case it hits the patriotic nerve of anyone or someone compares them to a little airport on a some holiday island, I have been talking about comparable places "
T2 and T5 at Heathrow are very good. The old T1 and T4 were a disgrace, miles off the pace compared to most international airports, an embarrassment.
Gatwick is poor, I only use it if LHR isn’t an option.
London City airport is good, quick to get though, and good transport links, also much closer to London than lhr, Gatwick, stansted.
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"I'm really only fussed about one thing at airports, seeing as you're not actually there for long.
Parking charges.
In the UK they're ridiculous. And the worst is being charged £10+ just for a 2 minute stop to drop someone off or pick them up.
There'd be far less illegal and dangerous parking around airports if the costs were more realistic.
A"
… and now a 5 pound charge if you’re dropping someone off at LHR! |
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"What are your thoughts of our main airports in UK. I can't help comparing them to other European countries and really they can't compare. We seem to always spend more money (like Manchester for example) and never see much difference, even new areas added often looking tatty, crammed or unfinished. Claustrophobic places, poor overall facilities, short of open spaces, lack of pleasant seating areas and even seats, shops and cafes that don't open till 4.00 in the morning at the earliest and most with poor quality of products, few shops (mostly chain ones) and nothing like the vast array of shops you see at airports abroad. Even the private lounges look unattractive, sparsely stocked and poorly maintained. All that is rather disappointing and I personally feel it spoils my travelling experience. I wish our airports were something to feel proud off but personally don't feel that way, not even with relatively new ones. We just don't seem to know how to get them right like other countries do. And just in case it hits the patriotic nerve of anyone or someone compares them to a little airport on a some holiday island, I have been talking about comparable places "
Our airports focus on security they are getting better I've noticed recently Bristol isn't too bad but London airports get so much traffic, i think my favourite airport was Munich  |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
My favourites are Heathrow T3 , Birmingham y and then out the cheapies I think Luton is my favourite.
I hate Stanstead what a dump and rubbish transport links, crap duty free.
Overall I think we do ok, Heathrow is as good as CDG or Shnipol., Birmingham is better than most of the others in France and Spain.
I tend to use Air France , Norwegian or KLM for short hall if possible and Virgin or Emirates for long haul so normally straight into a lounge. If I ever have to use Ryanair again I think I’d look at trains instead  |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
"Manchester is shocking
Closely followed by Brum "
What’s wrong with Brum? I choose it over London all the time it has everything you need & a total of five lounges, so quick to get in and out and cheap parking right outside the front door |
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Manchester is terrible. It's the only airport I've flown from/to that is incapable of offering a half decent service to disabled passengers. Schiphol is one of the biggest and busiest in Europe, and they've never once missed being there to retrieve me. Spanish airports (all) also brilliant. Liverpool - mediocre. Manchester - non existent. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"My local airport has been given the accolade of the best in the country on a number of occasions in recent years"
And has nearly gone bust on a couple of occasions, and is up for sale again! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
… and now a 5 pound charge if you’re dropping someone off at LHR! "
All to do with air quality and encouraging a shift to public transport - it's just most of us are too set in our ways and like the private car.
Thames Link gets you from London to the new DART connection in Luton - though the terminal there is a bit tired (wait for the new terminal they are applying for) |
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… and now a 5 pound charge if you’re dropping someone off at LHR!
All to do with air quality and encouraging a shift to public transport - it's just most of us are too set in our ways and like the private car.
Thames Link gets you from London to the new DART connection in Luton - though the terminal there is a bit tired (wait for the new terminal they are applying for)"
Public transport is not easy for everyone, nor does it run throughout all the times when people need to arrive or depart.
I drove myself to Manchester in July for my solo trip to Spain. I'm a manual wheelchair user. I needed to be at the airport before 05:00. I lived 20 miles from the airport. There wasn't a sausage of public transport. Nor was there after I'd cleared passport control and exited after midnight on the way back. |
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By *ndiiiMan
over a year ago
Paisley Scotland |
I’m only interested in passing through an airport as quickly as possible to get to my destination.
All shops and restaurants and
Pubs are overpriced and duty free!!!!! Usually a joke.
As previously said short term parking or any parking is a disgrace what is charged.
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By *ryandsee OP Man
over a year ago
Yorkshire |
"Manchester is terrible. It's the only airport I've flown from/to that is incapable of offering a half decent service to disabled passengers. Schiphol is one of the biggest and busiest in Europe, and they've never once missed being there to retrieve me. Spanish airports (all) also brilliant. Liverpool - mediocre. Manchester - non existent. "
Sometimes I think people have such low expectations which reflect on what they offer to us. I am astonished at how little people care these days and I am sorry about the difficulties you experience. An airport like Manchester should be much, much better than it is. As for a more local one in this area, Leeds-Bradford is just beyond belief. The sad thing is that they had approval for a new one which after opposition was stopped but no doubt they would be happy to approve others in London and the South. Regeneration, levelling up and economic prosperity does include having good transport links and a decent airport, especially as they had committed to it being more environtally friendly than the inadequate current one. All they do is keep wasting money with hardly ever any noticeable improvements. |
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"
… and now a 5 pound charge if you’re dropping someone off at LHR!
All to do with air quality and encouraging a shift to public transport - it's just most of us are too set in our ways and like the private car.
Thames Link gets you from London to the new DART connection in Luton - though the terminal there is a bit tired (wait for the new terminal they are applying for)
Public transport is not easy for everyone, nor does it run throughout all the times when people need to arrive or depart.
I drove myself to Manchester in July for my solo trip to Spain. I'm a manual wheelchair user. I needed to be at the airport before 05:00. I lived 20 miles from the airport. There wasn't a sausage of public transport. Nor was there after I'd cleared passport control and exited after midnight on the way back. "
Yes the suggestion that we should all use public transport is weak. From where I live, it’s a 20 minute drive to Heathrow or 3 trains and over an hour … with suitcases!
If the charge is intended to encourage people to use public transport then making public transport better might help |
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If you think British airports are bad they are far superior to Miami international and JFK.
Miami you had to walk about half a mile to even get to the check in desk and had hardly any shops or places to get food or drink a totally miserable place to wait for your flight. |
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"
… and now a 5 pound charge if you’re dropping someone off at LHR!
All to do with air quality and encouraging a shift to public transport - it's just most of us are too set in our ways and like the private car.
Thames Link gets you from London to the new DART connection in Luton - though the terminal there is a bit tired (wait for the new terminal they are applying for)
Public transport is not easy for everyone, nor does it run throughout all the times when people need to arrive or depart.
I drove myself to Manchester in July for my solo trip to Spain. I'm a manual wheelchair user. I needed to be at the airport before 05:00. I lived 20 miles from the airport. There wasn't a sausage of public transport. Nor was there after I'd cleared passport control and exited after midnight on the way back.
Yes the suggestion that we should all use public transport is weak. From where I live, it’s a 20 minute drive to Heathrow or 3 trains and over an hour … with suitcases!
If the charge is intended to encourage people to use public transport then making public transport better might help "
Using taxis isn't the answer either. Private hire have to pay the extra fees for dropping off, so they are now exorbitant. Black cabs aren't charged, but they are even more expensive!! It was cheaper to pre pay to park my car at the airport for the week, than to take 2x taxis. About £75 to park but £120 return taxis. |
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