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Belfast International Airport Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 8 March 2013 by Michael Preston (South Africa) |
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Rating : 9/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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I have used this airport both inbound and outbound about 6 times November last year. Perhaps I have been lucky as when
I've passed the airport it has been very quiet, no long queues for check in or and everybody has been polite and
pleasant. Facilities are a little limited, but adequate. The seating areas at the are uncomfortable and sometimes
cramped but overall it's a friendly airport, and staff are pleasant helpful.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 28 February 2013 by C Lawrence (UK) |
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Rating : 5/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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I flew from Alicante to Belfast at short notice on account of a family funeral. Disembarkation was frosty on
account of the very surly and rude immigration and security staff. The transport links to Belfast are
expensive. Facilities at the airport are functional. I was frisked by their security people and asked questions
about my destination and purpose of visit. I was insulted as I am an EU citizen. This airport does not give a
very good impression of Belfast.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 26 November 2012 by S Dillon (UK) |
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Rating : 0/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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Every time I have used this airport over the last 20 years, security staff have been rude and overbearing. On
my most recent trip this weekend I was frisked despite not setting off any alarms, it is a pain but no big
deal. This time however they decided to stand my 10 year old son to one side to wait in line with grown men
to be frisked, I was informed by a right battle-axe to step away from the boy. Meanwhile, all our bags have
been opened and the security man speaking to my wife asked about wrapped gifts in one of the bags. My
wife explained they were presents for the children. Unfortunately for me and my family it's the only airport we
can use for the journey we do and I'd love to know what staff training has been provided over the 20 years
I've been using it as nothing has changed.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 6 June 2012 by H Wheeler (UK) |
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Rating : 2/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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Rude, overbearing and overly jobsworth security staff! The plastic bag used to fly out of Gatwick airport was
now 2" too long for the return flight. Staff treated passengers like criminals and in the short time we were
there saw more than 10 people treated very rudely. Will never use again!
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 1 March 2012 by Norman Alexander (UK) |
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Rating : 2/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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Flew from Belfast International to Alicante recently Check-in staff ok. Security staff atrocious. We were made
to feel very ill at ease. They were very rude and abrupt to everyone in general. The only reason we suspect
the public take this treatment is the fear of repercussions i.e. missing their flight. They should be sent to
Alicante airport to take lessons.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 December 2011 by Ian Robinson (UK) |
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Rating : 5/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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The security staff have actually improved over the last couple of visits, but are still far more surly and
domineering than most other UK airports. My real gripe here is the drop off charge - I get whoever is dropping
me off to leave me at the roundabout beside the only Hotel at the airport, its a quick two minute walk from
there to the entrance.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 December 2011 by Alan Jones (UK) |
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Rating : 2/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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I found the security area to be fast and without issue, I had no problem with any personnel as a lot of people
who have left reviews already, seem to mention. In other areas of the Airport I found the food to be
expensive in the cafe adjoining the security area, and in the fed and watered bar, but apart from that
everything else was fine including check-in which was quick and straightforward.
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BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 1 December 2011 by T Ward (UK) |
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Rating : 3/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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I no longer use this airport as they consistently squeeze every last pound they can. Smokers - £1, trolley
users - £1 plus £1 pp each time per passenger for set down and pick up. As for the food, gourmet prices for
greasy spoon quality just about sums it up. But what you should really ask yourself before using this facility
is - given the extended time frame over which scores of other reviewers have lambasted the surly security
staff attitude, why have management not addressed the issue?
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Belfast International Airport customer review : 17 October 2011 by C Webb (UK) |
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Rating : 2/10 | |
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I dislike travelling through this airport. They revamped the security area yet still have minimal numbers of
scanners open and you still have to lug your bags across a wooden table to get them on the belt. Security staff are
shouty and in common with many other reviews complete jobsworths. There is a real lack of seating in the departure
lounge. It's like to get a seat you have to buy something. Free seating is also really uncomfortable - metal with
no cushions. And you have to pay for wee plastic bags for liquids. This airport really is about squeezing every
last penny out of travellers.
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Belfast International Airport customer review : 6 October 2011 by A Magowan (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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What a shame. Belfast International used to be a lovely airport, a real pleasure to travel out of. These days
however the feeling you get as you walk through the door is that they want to squeeze every penny they can out
of you. For a start most of the seating has disappeared only to re appear in the food outlet area, so now to sit
down you either have to be at the airport first thing or buy overpriced food. Add to this a £1 charge to pick up or
set down, £1 for a trolley and £1 to use a smoking room. I found security to be ok, not as friendly as Heathrow
but certainly not as bad as Newark. I found that the servisair people were quite rude, I stood at the servisair booth
for 10 mins before one of them acknowledged me and asked me to wait. Overall this is an airport that used to be
pleasant to fly out of but now it really is a chore.
Belfast International Airport customer review : 30 September 2011 by C O'Neill (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Small changes (yet again) from my last trip through. There is a new food area called 'fed and watered’ where
'Rankins' used to be (nice but usual airport high prices). Also, after leaving security you are deposited into the
recently refurbished original food court area, looks nicer, but is still over-priced. My personal impression of security
(see previous reviews) was a little better than usual on this trip, but only just and from observing interaction with
other travellers it's still poor. The term 'officious' in previous reviews reflects my experience of security well in
general. The web site shows that the current round of investment has now finished so that unlike the last few
years the airport probably won't change layout every couple of months. Finally, I have neglected to mention
before my experience on return. UK boarder control has been excellent and the baggage hits the carrousel very
quickly. However in stark contract to the departure experience, this part of the airport hasn't changed in a long
time and now feels old, worn, and tatty, it really needs a lick of paint.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 18 September 2011 by R McCullough (USA)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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I recently travelled via Belfast International. I wanted to see if I was the only one with this poor experience. I
wasn't, and Mr Davis's review sums it up - The security staff at the Belfast International Airport obviously mistake
officiousness for efficiency and really seem to enjoy the little power they have. I travel a fair bit, 50k flight miles a
year and I find Dublin and London security staff generally friendly and good and equally the TSA have really upped
their game, not Belfast Intl. Even to the point of, making me unpack my backpack after it had been through the
machine and being asked why did I have so many electronic devices. They'd already been rude and inefficient
throughout the process to myself and others. It was a toss-up for me between flying to Heathrow from Belfast to
get a direct flight from there to get home and a 2 hour train ride to Dublin for a direct flight and clearing US
immigration in Dublin. Belfast Intl airport security have made that choice easy for me, its Dublin for me from now
on. One customer you have chased away and travelling is hassle enough.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 23 August 2011 by John Davis (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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I've have the misfortune to travel via this airport 3 times this year for business. The security staff at the Belfast
International Airport obviously mistake officiousness for efficiency and really seem to enjoy the little power they
have. As a country that relies heavily on tourism someone should realise that although they are doing an
important function they are customer facing.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 29 July 2011 by G Dalton (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Arrived at Belfast Int. airport Easyjet check-in. Stood in queue for over 30mins. Only one girl on check-in desk.
Off-loaded suitcases and went straight to security check with intentions of eating/ shopping once through. One
item of hand luggage was targeted for searching, items were scrutinised in detail. In total well over 10 mins must
have passed from opening of this single bag to leaving security. By this stage we all had to make a dash for the
departure lounge as boarding was commencing. As yet no drinks or food for the kids. And usual story with Belfast
Int - passengers are despatched from the seating bay into the stairwell, where they have to remain standing
before being released (about 10+ mins). In past flights we've had to stand for even longer periods in these
conditions. Total time to get through airport, with no breaks: over 70 mins. It would seem many passengers are
opting to make the short trip down to Dublin.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 17 June 2011 by A Jones (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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Travelled through the airport recently for the first time in 2 years, was pleasantly surprised by the
new layout, the security staff couldn't have been nicer, despite all the seemingly negative reviews here.
Lots of space in the departures area, though the strangford eating area is very over-priced with simple
meals averaging £10.There is however a burger king and a nice bar and a few shops such as WH smith and
boots as well as the duty free area of course. I used the business lounge but it was my first and last time
in it as it simply isn't worth the money, there are plenty of quiet areas to sit around in whilst waiting
for your flight and the large window in starbucks lets you see out over the airfield.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 29 May 2011 by Tony McLaughlin (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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New improved security area, and the terminal is being re-furbished again. A lot of the comments
about the security staff are true, and this is the only downside of this airport.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 26 May 2011 by J Richards (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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I travel through this airport around 10 times per year. I would describe the overall facilities
and cleanliness as average. The security queues are generally long. Following the recent
refurbishment, there is very little seating in the departures area, although there is customer-
only seating at cafes.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 1 May 2011 by P Cairnduff (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Being my local airport, I have used Belfast International many times, watched it develop and be
refurbished over the years. The relocation of security was a good move as the search area is
so much bigger now, but it's a real shame that the staff can be so unpleasant when dealing with
passengers, I have had to have my bags searched the last two times I have travelled out and
they didn't even give me a reason why they were doing it and seemed annoyed when I had to ask
them. That aside, the other services and facilities remain of a high standard and the modern
departures concourse makes a pleasant start to your trip. Really pleased as well that easyJet
and more recently Aer Lingus are continuing to expand their routes and you can now fly to a
great range of European destinations, without having to make a connection elsewhere.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 21 April 2011 by C O'Neill (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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My first trip through Belfast International since November and it's changed again. Just a
little this time, although thankfully for the better overall. Check-in was a breeze despite
there being a number or flights checking in at the same time. Security however was the usual
story. The officials that check documents before entering the main security area are polite,
friendly and efficient. However after this the lines in the main security section despite
being short were painfully slow. Only 1 male and 1 female member present at the scanners
meaning that if anyone set off the detector, the queue was held up for people of the same
gender for some time, with chaotic reorganising of the line to sort it out. Staff were also as
abrupt and surly as ever. After this though the latest reconfiguration of the departure lounge
was actually quite good. The old duty free area is now opened up into seating for starbucks
and other outlets, giving a more light and space for travellers.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 23 March 2011 by David Graham (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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I have to say that the security queues and security staff at Belfast International airport
compare very unfavourably with other airports. Queues are long and move at a snail’s pace (in
spite of the fact that this was the smallest and least busy of the airports I used recently).
Security staff rude and even abusive to passengers in the way they talk to them. They seem to
treat everyone like some kind of criminal.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 29 October 2010 by Z Wilde (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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The most horrendous airport. Security over zealous and jobsworths. They make travelling by
air the most unpleasant experience imaginable. Before they made changes to security, I had
never come across such a disorganised and unacceptable processing times - now it is quicker,
but equally ridiculous. Removing the landside retail outlets has taken away any remaining
character it had, although the food outlets were very poor quality. The only good thing there
is Starbucks, but that is looking shabby now and needs a clean/facelift.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 18 October 2010 by F Griffiths (UK)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Unbelievable experience with security. Do they really think a 60 something granny flying to
Newcastle is a threat? They tested my creams - don't know what for or what it achieved, body
searched me twice etc. Place was empty - maybe they were bored. Then through to the one cash
machine which never works. Poor selection of food. Poor seating - wire mesh.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 18 October 2010 by C O'Neill (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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Since my last trip earlier this year it has changed again. The long stay car park cost me
about £25 for one week earlier this year - now £40. There is also now a £1 drop off fee for
anyone getting a lift to the airport, once you have turned off the main road in to the airport
grounds it is a 1 way system and you are committed to driving through the system with no way
of avoiding a charge of some description! Once inside the terminal the landside is the same as
it has been since the changes started to be made. After the security check the airside has
changed a lot. There is little space to relax now with far too much emphasis being placed on
trying to ring money out of passengers though the retail outlets. Apart from a couple of rows
of seating in the middle of the departure lounge, all other space and seating has been given
over to food and shop outlets. All in all travelling through Belfast International seems to
become worse with each visit. There is no thought given to making it a nice experience
travelling through and instead all changes are geared to shoehorning in more retail units.
Since the start of redevelopment I've seen no changes that really the improve passenger
experience.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 13 April 2010 by C O'Neill (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Security staff could learn how to provide their service with a little more friendliness. I've
never found them rude as such, but from time to time a little abrupt. As the airport is in
transition from old to new it's hard to give a real opinion as the last few times I've been
it's been different on each visit. On the plus side the new bits are clean and bright. On the
minus, they have lost the great charm of the old airport, and the addition of the new shop
units in the airside section (that until recently was landside) now cover what little window
area there was. I like airports that let you see the planes taking off and landing. The
viewing gallery has been gone for some time now sadly, closed but still there., No real change
to the function of the airport and the passengers ability to pass through, that is genuinely
noticeable, so for me what is mainly cosmetic change may look more modern, but it has lost as
many points of charm as it has gained in modern appeal. The only real gripe that I think would
be the same for most, would be the quality of food and its price! Starbucks is the only
reasonable place to go. Inbound the walk from baggage reclaim to the exit is a little
anonymous, by that I mean you walk along a few blank empty corridors that leave you wondering
if you've taken a wrong turn! Not a bad airport, but room for improvement, and I think the
planners need to recognise this place had a charm, and it shouldn't be buried in a drive to
have a bright white clinical looking new layout.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 28 March 2010 by D Crawford (UK)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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I fly through this airport quite often and although its new entrance and security area are
quite nice I do miss the old landside eateries and cafes and especially the viewing gallery!
Its a bit of a mismatched airport with some parts being brand spanking new and clean and some
other parts still looking very old and dated. Gate 22 is the only gate with an airbridge (most
of the carriers are low cost anyway) which was recently replaced with a newer one and is used
by Continental for the flight to EWR. I find the security staff quite rude and tend to run you
round like cattle.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 26 January 2010 by Geoffrey McNab (UK)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Passing through Aldergrove late morning was a doddle. The new security area is bright and
clean and there was hardly anyone else in the queue at all. I was through fairly quickly and
discovered the old Burger King and Food Court area, once a landside area, has been
incorporated into the airside area so there is a much better selection of eating places to
choose from whilst waiting. It looks as if the money being spent on the airport will be worth
it in the end. I departed from Gate 16 and it is worth noting there are no toilets down at
this level. The closest are beside the Business Class lounge before going down the steps
towards Gate 16.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 14 January 2010 by K Pardi (Italy)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Security staff are rude, customer services are non-existent, and a shock for the modern
airport. Unless I am really pressed, I prefer to avoid Belfast International Airport, and use
Belfast City or Dublin.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 16 December 2009 by S Scott
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
Poor signage throughout. The new security area was slow to get through (half an hour last
Friday), staff scrambling to retrieve the trays, why no automatic rollers? is this a
temporary arrangement? poor system for the queue after the end of the roped of area queue,
people all over the place! with one poor man trying to keep order! Then the security staff
were not particularly pleasant at all. Poor layout/design all round. Have flown in and out of
Bristol for many years and it all goes so much more smoothly there!
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 18 September 2009 by A Magowan
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Not a bad airport, facilities are ok, it's clean and easy to get around. My one gripe is the
quality of food vendors with prices over and above what you'd pay at even Heathrow! Security
was easy enough to get through and staff pleasant enough.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT review : 15
September 2009 by R Gray
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Have used this airport twice in recent weeks and was impressed by the new security area which
now the space formerly taken by the WH Smith landside store. A staff member managed the
security queue effectively and it did not take long to negotiate. My long standing gripe with
Belfast Intl is that the baggage reclaim area in arrivals is open to all and sundry. I've
always though that it would be very easy for a bag to be removed from the carousel by a non-
passenger. At every other airport I've used, the reclaim area can only be accessed by
arriving passengers.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT review : 8 August 2009 by A Lawrence
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
The staff are all very helpful and very professional and what's more there are frequent bus
connections just outside the airport terminal, which is of great relief to all without cars.
The airport will be able to rival some of the world's finest when then new improvements are
implemented i.e. when the new terminal and multi-storey car park are completed, sometime by
2015, I'm not certain when exactly - but it will be a must see for those who wish to
experience a good time.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT review : 13 July 2009 by D Thompson
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Staff are friendly, and the airport is quite easy to get around from check-in to the boarding
gate. BFS needs to have more air bridges - only have one at gate 22 which continental use
every day for their service to Newark. Security staff can be a bit rude at times.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT review : 30 April 2009 : by A Gilchrist
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
The only gripe I have about this Airport is the security. The long queues, the unfriendly
security staff. The long wait if your bags have to be checked. On one occasion there was a
chap in front of me who had flown in for a connecting flight to Europe - when he went through
security they said that the plastic bag that he used for the liquids was too big. He said that
he always used this one at every airport. So they took out a ruler and measured it - it was 5
mm over and they told him he would have to buy one from the machine conveniently placed after
the security for £1.
BELFAST INT'L AIRPORT review : 7 June 2008 : by M Preston
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |  |
I found the airport user-friendly in all senses. All the employees are helpful and welcoming, the
facilities are good, and even when my flight out was over 2 hours delayed, I found it pleasant
enough not to mind the delay and it was also uncrowded.
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