ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 14 August 2009 : by Peter Bates
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |  |
My most recent experience of the Adelaide terminal was flying as an international passenger.
After previous poor experiences I was prepared for the worst, but was very pleasantly
surprised by the general lack of congestion in the processing areas, both departing and
arriving. There are now self service machines for passport verification for incoming
passengers with the latest electronic passports and that has seemed to ease the waiting
problems previously encountered. In the customs and baggage collection area too, processing
was ultra fast, but then it was only one plane load. Nevertheless, the best experience I have
ever had here as an arriving international passenger in terms of the efficiency with which I
was processed. If this is the new normal standard, I can only say a heartfelt congratulations
to the airport management for at last lifting its game to meet the level of organisational
efficiency expected for the fees charged. As mentioned in a 2008 post, the domestic side of
the airport is excellent and proximity to the CBD is unrivalled by any other Australian
capital city.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 20 May 2009 : by Michael Young
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
Long Term car park situation is still an issue. No signs to indicate if free space. Parking
pay station machines constantly out of order. No staff on site for assistance. Shuttle bus
to terminal does not leave on time, drivers tend to wait for those people dawdling or running
therefore adding extra minutes to those who have planned ahead.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 18 May 2009 : by J Thomson
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
Nice clean airport. Quite small but has all you need. Very expensive, but all airports are.
Friendly staff, and huge glass windows show out on to the runways so you can see everything
thats going on out there. Very nice.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 7 April 2009 : by C Steven
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
The new Adelaide T1 is so much better than any other. Its been designed as a multi use
terminal, meaning that the international area can be opened up for domestic pax when not
needed for overseas flights. The airside wall is all glass is you get great views of what is
happening on the ground, planes landing etc, which is great for kids to see. Free internet
for those of us attached to laptops or iPhones all the time. Some people complain about the
distance from checkin to dep gate if its one of the end gates. But its still shorter than
from the Rex gate at MEL to checkin there. Adl is bright and clean, makes MEL and SYD look
dull and old in comparison. For anyone who ever had to endue the old terminal the new one is
bliss.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 2 February 2009 : by S Srinivasan
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Found ADL to be a small but good airport. Maybe I got lucky, but when I arrived at the
international terminal, there were no queues at immigration, the officer was very friendly and
welcoming, bags were waiting for us by the time we made it to the carousel, and
customs/quarantine took no time at all. We were at the rental car counter within 30 minutes
of landing. Departing through the domestic terminal early morning, there were no queues at
check-in or security, plenty of seating was available, and free WiFi was available. There was
a fair variety of restaurants and shops, which didn't fleece you too bad with their prices.
It was a long walk, however, from security to our departure gate, which was at the far end of the terminal.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 11 December 2008 : by C Fenton
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
After the nightmare of Sydney, Adelaide Airport is a pleasant surprise. Fast processing, baggage was
there before me on the carousel, and a very clean bright airport and easy to navigate. Then, parking
was right outside the front door too, something I have never experienced. We had a short drive to
the city centre, this is a very well located and designed airport. On our outbound trip, we were
processed fast, by very friendly staff mostly, and good, cheap food outlets and lots of good shops
to browse. Great open viewing areas of the runway too.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 28 October 2008 : by D Dale
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
Arrived to Adelaide Airport from Brisbane on Qantas flight. The terminal is new and the interior is
welcoming. The airport is roomy and spacious. Our bags were on the carousel within minutes. We
travelled into Adelaide on the SkyLink shuttle bus which only cost $5.00. I would have to rate
Adelaide as probably the best airport in Australia as it is just a breeze to navigate. We also used
the Qantas Club which I have to say was the cleanest and quietest of all those I have utilised of
all airports in Australia. Gets five stars for being so modern and organised.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 30 June 2008 : by Peter Bates
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Adelaide's new airport terminal is something of a mixed bag. Mostly, the domestic side of the
operation is much improved over what was and is a pleasure to use. Parking arrangements are very
poor at present. The international part of the operation is sub-standard as far as ease of
passenger processing is concerned, No apparent effort has been made to provide either sufficient
space or staff numbers to ensure rapid processing of passengers, particularly incoming, through
customs and immigration. Once past immigration, the cramped baggage collection area soon becomes
crowded and the next movement towards the X-Ray machines is complete anarchy, with no staff
controlling the passenger flow in this area. This is very poor and no improvement over the
arrangement s of 10 years ago. I don't recommend Adelaide as a preferred point of either entry or
exit from Australia, although for domestic flights to other major Australian cities I rate it as
good. Proximity to the CBD is outstanding.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 29 April 2008 : by Andrew Scott
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
For a small city airport, Adelaide's new Terminal 1 is great. I have been to many airports in the
US, big and small, and they are all the same. Adelaide stood out to me, it is new, light and fresh.
A small selection of cafes, newsagents and shops makes killing time possible. The airport is very
easy to navigate yourself around: Check in upstairs, Baggage Collection Downstairs. A small Qantas
Club Lounge is available for members and is quite nice, although small. Check in is easy with many
staff around to help. Security lines were minimal.
ADELAIDE AIRPORT review : 1 November 2007 : by Teresa Tyler
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
We have only used the domestic terminal at Adelaide but found it very light, spacious and clean with
good facilities. A nice experience.
Adelaide Airport by Mike Young
23 October 2007 Customer Rating : 
Arrival international still just as bad as the old terminal. Forty minutes for luggage to arrive on
carousel. Overzealous customs staff repeatedly asking questions to same passengers including myself
and travel partner due to us waiting 40 minutes for our luggage and foregetting who they spoke to!
Queues for the exiting customs x-ray too long and with trolleys became disorderly and many impatient
people pushing in or not joining the queue. Complete lack of on ground staff besides customs to
direct passengers.
Adelaide Airport by Gerry McGuinness
25 July 2007 Customer Rating : 
The long term carpark is an absolute aberration, apology signs
everywhere saying there is no more room, the payment machines dont work
and there are no boom gate staff. Add to that the fact that you have to
go to Departures to pick up the Arrivals shuttle bus otherwise you have
to negotiate traffic, roundabouts, landscaping etc to find your way to
and from the car park in the event that you can not find the bus -
millions spent on the airport and the long term carpark is something out
of Fawlty Towers.
Adelaide Airport by Henry Tib
25 May 2006 Customer Rating : n/a
Had my first experience travelling on a regional airline from the new
Adelaide terminal. It would seem that when they designed the new
terminal, they forgot about the regional air passengers. The departure
"gates" for both the regional airlines are situated at the extreme end
of the terminal, requiring a fair walk, although you can enjoy for part
of the way a 50metre travelator ( though not sure it works) . When
boarding you have to be escorted by the flight crew down a number of
stairs to the exit for boarding. Regional air passengers returning to
Adelaide airport again have to be escorted by the co-pilot to the
terminal building, through a concrete passageway, then go through
airport security and return to the upper level departure area, through a
door that is well away from the designated arrival area shown on the
monitors, to depart the terminal. nterstate passengers have to walk down
two ramps to the aircraft, and it would seem for speedier boarding,
passengers seated at the rear of the aircraft are directed to walk
across the the tarmac to the rear steps of the aircraft. A procedure no
different from the old terminal. Adelaide airport had a great
opportunity to build a 21st century air terminal, it would seem the
opportunity was taken up!
Adelaide Airport by Donald McKelvie
6 May 2006
My first visit to the new Adelaide airport and what an improvement on
the old one. The only thing I found to be annoying was that there is no
Qantas Club in the international Lounge, and I could be wrong but I
could find no monitor relating to international flights in the domestic
Qantas Club. I assume that there is no QC in the International lounge
because there are not a lot of international flights. Other than that,
very nice and spacious with plenty of views of the airport and city. A
big improvement.
Adelaide Airport by Anil Kattula
6 May 2006
There have been many complaints by regional passengers about the new
Adelaide terminal. Long walk, up and down stairs and through long
claustrophobic metal walkways which are not airconditioned and flood in
wet weather. REX (regional express) is in a big fight with Adelaide
airport management about this and has threatened to move back to old
domestic terminal. REX have also proposed bussing arriving passengers
to the old international terminal but Adelaide airport wont let them!
All regional councils in South Australia are demanding Adelaide airport
does something quickly to fix the situation. Until then strongly suggest
that unless you are young and fit avoid flying regionally through
Adelaide!
Adelaide Airport by P Major
18 March 2006
The new Adelaide Airport Terminal opened on 7th February, not a moment
too soon after several months of delays due to a contaminated refuelling
system. The new terminal integrates regional, domestic and international
flights all in the same building. The new design is light and airy with
floor to ceiling windows along the southern side gate lounges. These
boast outstanding views to the Adelaide Hills and city, undoubtedly the
highlight of the building. The terminal also boasts fourteen Spanish
built aerobridges, the first of their kind in Australia and the first
aerobridges to be used by domestic passengers in Adelaide. All in all,
an excellent new terminal that will provide a great new gateway to South
Australia
Adelaide Airport by Ben Williams
13 March 2006
The new Adelaide terminal in finally open and a lot better than the old
domestic and tragic international terminals. This new terminal is well
sign posted and easy to get around. There are a few tenancies still
being filled. Checking in is painless as is collection of luggage when
arriving. Overall a vast improvement of the pervious terminals.
Adelaide Airport by Michael Smyth
21 November 2005
What a missed opportunity! After all the hype leading up to it's
official opening, it was disappointing to use the new Adelaide terminal
for the first time last week. The "International Arrival experience" is
just as frustrating as it was in the "old tin shed'. It took 40 minutes
to clear immigration, with further queues for customs checks. I realise
that Adelaide is not a major international destination but surely some
extra capacity could have been built in the new terminal's design.
Adelaide Airport by Penelope Hackett-Jones
21 April 2005
I love the old-fashioned feel of Adelaide's domestic terminal, specially getting out of the plane
and finding myself in fresh air at last. This is all going to change, I'm afraid, when the
ubiquitous airbridges are installed, making arriving in Adelaide the same as arriving anywhere else.
It isn't so long ago that they had a cattle grid at the entrance to the car park!
The international terminal is simply vile at present (April 2005). A huge queue at the check-in
section, even though all counters were operating - a total of about 10 altogether. Could they be
just terribly inefficient in Adelaide? Or super-security conscious? Arrival back at the
international terminal is similarly dreadful: exhausted pax who have hung around at Darwin or Sydney
for a few hours in the middle of the night have to wait in another very slow queue with those hard
to steer trolleys . Let's hope all this improves when the new terminal is completed at the end of
2005! Personnel there are amazingly friendly and cheerful, given the difficult working conditions
that they have to put up with. And the airport is really close to the city, a big plus these days.
Adelaide Airport by Jeffrey Abbott
19 January 2005
Adelaide International airport is a very small airport. Upon arrival, it always take me up to one
hour for Customs clearance and quarantine check-up. The belt is too short in the international
terminal. On departure, check-in was ok. But the customs clearance took quite a long time. As what
other has mentioned, there is no enough seats in the terminal. Ground officers are friendly, kind
and helpful. Looking forward for the new terminal.
Adelaide Airport by James Short
5
December 2004
Check-in for QF flight took under 5 mins and Qantas staff were very helpful in checking baggage
through to LHR. Terminal is small, but functional. We passed through 9am-10.30am on a Thursday.
Clean, ample toilet facilities, small cafe and bookshop. Good facilities for size of Airport. New
Terminal building well in progress and I believe set to open 2005.
Adelaide Airport by T Dames
31
May 2004
Flew into ADL from MEL - found ADL domestic to be somewhat outdated compared to other Australian
airports. No aerobridges in domestic terminal and only a handful of gate lounges - pax have to
board / disembark via airstairs. Poor signage on arrival and only a small baggage claim belt. Old
check-in counters and a small whiteboard at check-in area for flight information.
Adelaide Airport by Benjamin Lau
23
March 2004
Adelaide International Airport is very small (one aerobridge only; but that's going to change very
soon). There's not much to do at this airport. The one advantage of this airport is that it is just
5 minutes from the CBD. So usually I go to the airport just one hour before departure. Check-in can
be quite long if you arrived 2 hours before departure. The airport is clean (due to the size).
Adelaide Domestic Airport is pretty average. The airport is actually quite dirty, probably due to
the influx of people in the airport every hour. There isn't enough seats though. Check-in is quick.
The only disadvantage is that the international and domestic terminals are far apart. It takes a
short ride to either terminals though. Can't wait for the new merged terminal.
Adelaide Airport by Neil Harvey
12
February 2004
Adelaide International is like a big bus station with just 5 gates and no airbridges.
It's quaint
and friendly and beats big brother Melbourne hands down.
Adelaide Airport by Janet Harcourt
22 August 2003
Adelaide International is a small airport with very personable, Aussie-friendly staff. That
includes the immigration, customs, quarantine and airline officials.
Adelaide's small size makes life just fine for the traveller - the staff all seem to know each other
and I'm sure that if anything did go wrong in this very efficient little place it would be sorted
out with good humour and co-operation between the officials.
The time taken from leaving my aircraft seat to being seated behind the drivers wheel of my rental
car was a mere 15 minutes. It was a further 15 minute drive to my downtown hotel where the staff
were equally friendly.
If you are planning to visit Australia, plan to arrive in Adelaide - but don't tell anyone else
about this little gem! It's a pity that international flights into Adelaide are limited and only
arive from SIN, HKG and KUL.
ADL Domestic, like most Aussie airports, is very efficient. There are flights every hour to SYD and
MEL and plenty of non-stop flights to many other Aussie cities. Officially, you need to be there 20
mins before your flight time but I checked in at the QF Club Lounge (carrying only hand luggage)
just 10 mins before flight time.
Unlike other Aussie airports, ADL Domestic has no airbridges and really needs a complete rebuild -
something the staff told me is about to happen. That said, it is very clean, comfortable enough and
the QF Club Lounge is just fine. It has 54g wireless access points for web surfing on your laptop -
a nice touch.
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