Birmingham Int'l Airport Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports   No Star Ranking Awarded         Add your Birmingham Airport Review   Birmingham Airport Star Ranking

PAGE 1 2 3

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  2 June 2011 by Ian Arnold    (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Flew from with Monarch to TFS. checked in within 10 minutes and dropped bags off. Processing to security took 15 minutes to get through. Past security I was surprised at the range of shops for a provincial airport - very good. Used the train to get to the airport from Cardiff and very quick and easy to do.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  25 May 2011 by J Ross    (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Birmingham used to be a reasonably efficient 2 terminal operation, but in the past months it has implemented "improvements" that have reduced security processing to a crawl (45 minutes on a normal Friday (not peak time!) - certainly the slowest I have encountered of the many UK airports I use. Lots of clever speaking cardboard models (but after 30 repeats of their greeting most people queuing would gratefully switch them off) but a dearth of security staff & open channels.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  21 April 2011 by B Whitaker    (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I read the reviews with regard to security queues posted in October 2010. The position now is perhaps even worse. I travelled out of Birmingham in January and again in the first week of March. Each time we queued for about 45 minutes to get to the security screening. At 5.30 in the morning you don't expect to be greeted by any queues! I dread to think what the situation will be this Easter weekend or in the summer. The problem is easy to see and the designer of the security area wants sacking. You cannot pick up a tray until you get to the X-ray machines so there is no way to start preparing to remove liquids, belt, jewellery, coat, boots, laptop, coins and everything else that has to go in the tray. Hence the delay. Once through there are only a couple of tables and chairs so you struggle with the largest tray imaginable and have to sit on the floor to put everything back again. When will the airport authorities realise that they have made a huge mistake and address this problem. And don't even start me on charging to drop off airport users.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  29 October 2010 by J Ryan    (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

The prime objective seems to be revenue, with no consideration for customer satisfaction. What other International airports charge £1 for drop off or for trolleys or have such dirty and toilets? But the biggest problem with this airport are the queues for security. They have always been a problem but have recently got worse with the "upgrade" and "improved" security screening facilities. On the 25th October there were 100's of people inconvenienced like myself and it took over an hour to go through the process. I questioned the reason for this with an airport representative and she said the problem was management and the way it is run. So, paradoxically, the security screening process "improves" but the passenger experience does not. I agree with this and there needs to be step change in management thinking to focus more on customer satisfaction. The obsessive focus on processes and the training they provide seem to turn the staff into "jobsworths" doing everything they can to discommode the paying public. So, allow extra time to go through this Airport, which offers a similar experience to many in the third world.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  23 October 2010 by Paul Turner    (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Birmingham to Dalaman from Terminal 1. Check in was fine but then we hit the queue for security. I have never seen anything like it. It took 1 hour to get through and not all the scanners were being used. For that reason alone I will avoid this airport if at all possible.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  20 October 2010 by David Brown    (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Beware travellers attempting to travel through BHX. This airport has succumbed to a lack of investment in people and equipment. Security is one of the worst manned and slowest there is out there. I now won't even think of turning up with 45 minutes before my flight with just hand luggage for an early morning flight. Even business class travellers beware, the priority pass may save you having to queue around the food court and upper atrium, but doesn't save you from the other queues once behind the 'security wall'. That said the departure lounge is very pleasant, with plenty of choice for eating and drinking, and not very long queues as most people have spent so long in security they have had to go straight to the gate. Coming back in to BHX you may have more luck, occasionally the IRIS system is working in immigration and you can sail through (but I never seen it), and sometimes the queue at immigration is easy. However, if you land just after a 777 from Asia expect to wait a long time. What you see on duty is what they have, there seems to be no one in the wings ready to improve the flow. Unfortunately, it's my local airport and has good connections around the world, but I wouldn't recommend it. Oh, and £1 for every 15 minutes just to pick up or drop off passengers.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  12 September 2010 by A Marks    (UK)

Customer Rating :  5/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I have flown from Birmingham Airport both european and middle east (UAE) flight on quite a regular basis over the last two year. Birmingham is a lovely airport, not small but not huge. Every thing you need is there, and the shops in departures are normal, not just high end over priced clothes and hand bags! I've only had one 20 minute delay and airport staff have been great. The only gripe is the NCP parking on site, although not the airports direct fault, the website says its covered and a 2 minute walk to the terminal, its open air and a 10-12 min walk at a brisk pace or 5 mins on the free bus (every 5-8 mins or so) still better then Heathrow or Gatwick.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  20 August 2010 by G Gosall    (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Excellent link between train station and airport meant I did not get ripped off for parking. I usually fly from T2, which I have always found to be excellent, but due to upgrading work most flights are now departing from T1. As a result, I arrived extra early to check-in etc and boy, am I glad I did! The queue for the security line in T1 was a joke; it was snaking around the terminal, past the shops and restaurants. For 40 minutes I shuffled through the line to the security desks, where the staff themselves were complaining (quite loudly) that more desks needed to be open because they could barely cope with passenger numbers. Queuing to get hand luggage X-rayed was frustrating; passengers were lining up through a maze of channels, just like when queuing for a ride in the theme park, though this was infinitely less fun. Staff were constantly patrolling, calling out for final call passengers. I don't think anyone was actually in control of the situation and it felt as though this was a regular occurance which staff have become accustomed to. On a positive note, the staff I interacted with were calm, polite and helpful. Departure lounge had the usual assortment of retail and coffee shops and the departure gates were close by. On the return trip, my luggage arrived within 20 minutes of landing. I don't think I will fly from BHX until all the building works have been completed. At the moment, T1 is totally overwhelmed.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  18 August 2010 by A Walker    (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Birmingham Airport seems to be going down the road of ripping customers off at every opportunity. Firstly, you have to pay £1 just to drop someone off. They charge £3 per 15 minutes if you dare take more than 15 mins at the drop-off area. It used to be free but according to one of the police officers at the airport, due to anti-terror measures, the charges were brought in along with a new drop-off area. The airport luggage trollies cost £1 (you don't get your £1 back). The plastic bags cost £1 at the security point. Upon arrival at the airport, baggage always takes about an hour to arrive in the baggage reclaim area and you are stung again for a £1 luggage trolley. My suitcase had its wheels damaged which meant we had no choice but to buy a luggage trolley. I will not be flying out of BHX again.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  5 July 2010 by J Taverner    (UK)

Customer Rating :  5/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I am biased and live 5 miles away. Security out was slow, but immigration back from Palma yesterday was speedy. New terminal wing very pleasant. I cannot comment on park and ride, The Emirates lounge is very plush.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  10 June 2010 by J Hebberts   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I have used this airport for many years and service has declined in recent years to the point of being utterly appalling. The parking systems are a joke - you could not make them any more confusing if you tried. In particular I would like to congratulate those who designed and procured the barrier machines - they deserve a medal for disguising that all-important button so well (nice and small, ambiguous symbol on it and surrounded with utterly bewildering information). On-site parking took so long due to the infrequency of buses that my wife reached the front of Check-In queue alone where staff insisted that she go to the back of the queue again (like a naughty child) rather than allow those behind to pass her. The liquids ban has given the airport yet another chance to sneak a few more pounds out of unsuspecting passengers by forcing those with cosmetics, etc to purchase a quantity of 4 bags each in a useless plastic ball. Incidentally, Drop-off costs a pound and even a luggage trolley requires a pound (non-refundable). The baggage reclaim on return took over an hour despite the airport being very quiet with no explanation of the delay other than 'operational difficulties'. Finally the long stay parking (operated by NCP) was also difficult to exit for prepaid customers and every single one of the 4 cars ahead of me struggled with the process for several minutes each - as I then did.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  9 June 2010 by W McCafferty   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Long stay car park 1 arrival and departure handling times were terrible. Security at Term 2 terrible, queued for twenty five minutes just to get to scanners, arrogant member of staff replied on being asked by a lady why such a long queue, he stated that "this is not a queue, you should go to Term 1 to see what a queue is" very helpful ! This with their various charges, drop off, trollies etc makes this the worse UK airport for me.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  26 May 2010 by David Jones   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Not nice when arriving at terminal 2. If more than one plane lands at the same time, you are forced to endure a claustrophobia inducing queue in a dark passageway to get to passport control. Terminal 1 is better but security queues can be very long. Passport control here is also bad, especially if you arrive at the same time as the Emirates flight. I have often flown on Monarch and been kept waiting for and airbridge, shuttle bus etc. Shops and facilities are ok.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  20 March 2010 by Andrew Walters   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

An airport where much is done to minimise cost, meandering infrequent courtesy busses. and maximise retail opportunities, ie they trap you in the shopping centre until your gate is called, a windowless chaotic cell, when pier is a much nicer place to sit. poor choice of food and snacks and only the normal high street shops, but does not feel special. An airport that is good for healthy holiday makers, and budget airlines but for frequent business travellers, for those new to flying or not actually disabled but not comfortable on there feet for a couple of hours luggage hauling, its not so good.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  7 March 2010 by Nick Wilcock   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

This used to be a very pleasant airport. But it has slipped in a couple of areas of late. The first impression if you use Long Term Car Park 1, is the bus to the terminals. This used to be for car park passengers only and it stopped at both terminals. Now it is for car park passenger, 'set down' passengers using the free 15 minute option and airport staff. As a result it is slow and meanders its way through the car park before stopping at a point which still requires an open air walk to reach Terminal 2 departures. Quite why business travellers should be forced to share a bus with airport ramp workers is beyond me - no other airport mixes staff and passenger buses. The 'priority channel' at security causes resentment from passengers queuing in the 'normal' access - particularly when only 2 out of 5 checking lanes are available. Servisair lounge offers very little in the way of comfort, food or beverages and the thumping music from the Tie Rack shop nearby is intrusive. On return, the automatic passport readers are a plus - but then it all goes wrong again with the latest change to car parking. You can no longer pay in the terminal; instead you have to drive to the exit gate, park, pay in a draughty shed with only 2 machines (which do not have clear instructions for use), then back out into the oncoming traffic to drive to the exit lanes. Whoever came up with this stupid idea should go and visit other airports to see how car parking is managed!

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  28 February 2010 by Kevin Tunnicliffe   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

They need to sort out the priority service for security. The entry is clearly marked but merges for the first check with the normal line which causes resentment amongst passengers who have had to queue. This is even worse when you get through to the screening. It could be though out a lot better. That said, the screening was efficient and quick, on our return our baggage came off the belt within a minute of getting to the reclaim hall and we were on our way home within 30 minutes of leaving the aircraft. Sort out the screening and the outrageous charges for dropping passengers off.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 25 January 2010 by Paul Dixon

Customer Rating : 4/5

This is a very handy airport for access to the Midlands (including Shakespeare Country) and Birmingham itself, and in a pleasant location - only 80 minutes by train from London. The best transport option is the train, which can whisk you to Birmingham New Street or Coventry in just over 10 minutes. Birmingham International Station can easily be reached from the airport concourse (upper level) by using a monorail system - the trip is some 2 minutes. In contrast, the bus service is poor and many of the lines serving the airport do not operate on Sundays. Car access is easy from the A45 and well signposted; car parking is plentiful (both indoor and outdoor) but very expensive after the first 15 minutes. I used this airport this week (GRU/FRA/BHX and back), on arrival my wife and I cleared immigration easily and the immigration officer was very pleasant. The first shock, however, came soon after - a fee of 1 pound to get a trolley (change machines are available). Our departure was also OK except for the excessively strict security, they confiscated my wife's skin moisturiser but at least did it with a smile. The airport has a good variety of shops and also food outlets. On the upper level, near the shuttle station, there is a good variety of restaurants (mostly on the expensive side) - you can even have good ol' Fish 'n' Chips, in true British fashion, while waiting for your flight. There are shops in the departure lounge too, so if anything gets confiscated you can buy another one - just be sure it's under 100ml.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 28 September 2009 by David Gartside

Customer Rating : 4/5

Birmingham T1. Worked fine; good deal on weekend parking in short/medium stay car-park. £1 for trolley looks a bit grubby, but several abandoned in car park so not a big deal. Check-in, security, airside departure lounge ok and much better than MAN. On return, baggage retrieval efficient

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 15 August 2009 by K Botrell

Customer Rating : 1/5

The special assistance area at Birmingham Airport is badly situated in the very busy & noisy check in area. There are often no seats available. The only disabled toilet nearby is often occupied by non disabled passengers or else nappy changing parents & it is often dirty. It was much better when it was upstairs in a quieter area with toilets nearby. My daughter is in a wheelchair & flies regularly from Birmingham. She always has a long wait to be collected from the plane or to be put on it & is often the last to get on! She had to wait over an hour to be disembarked last time & the pilots & crew were not happy as they were waiting to take off again. I'm not able to accompany her to the departure lounge & have to wait outside until I'm sure the plane has left without problem. In other EU countries its no problem to go through to the departure lounge & wait with them. Why is it not possible here? It is a terrible ordeal for her & for me but we cannot avoid it.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 31 July 2009 by M Hyland

Customer Rating : 4/5

I use BHX on a fairly regular basis and overall it is good. It is not that big and easy to navigate, however you must make sure you have loads of time before your flight. The queue for security in terminal 1 can be massive at times and it can take over 30 minutes to get through. Once through, there are a few shops, leave plenty of time as there are always large queues in the newsagent, and they seem to run out of newspapers by early afternoon. On arrival, try and avoid arriving around 12.45 when you have Emirates, Turkish and Turkmenistan arriving around the same time, you can imagine the queue at passport control. Regarding the parking, arrange to meet arrivals at the car hire roundabout which is a short walk away, plenty of people do that. BHX have improved the luggage collection, before you would have to wait an age but it is now much quicker. Terminal 2 is smaller than T1 and you are through in no time at all.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 21 July 2009 by R Tremaine

Customer Rating : 1/5

You get ripped of on arrival with their enforced £1 drop off fee, then ripped off again when you want to use a trolley. You then stand in a long winding queue for ages to be met by surly security staff. I'm ashamed to say I live in Birmingham - I can only imagine what visitors must think, particularly if they have the misfortune of using T2 departures - and I haven't mentioned the public conveniences with lights out, ceiling tiles missing and cubicle doors broken.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 13 July 2009 by Peter Cullen

Customer Rating : 5/5

My first use of this airport since 2004 and I was pleasantly impressed, it has improved since then. It started when I arrived at the long-stay car park, which I had pre-booked, to be told I had been 'upgraded' to medium term at no extra cost. So a two minute walk to the terminal. However, note very carefully where you have parked if you use these car parks, the numbering system is very confusing (at least to me) - I wrote it down correctly but it took me ages to find my car again on my return. As others have noted there are plenty of shops and cafes and also seating. If you arrive early, you can use the viewing terrace free too. No major queues anywhere on departure or arrival, a good experience.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 29 June 2009 : by J Russell

Customer Rating : 3/5

Smooth and easy transfer from train to the airport, terminal buildings seem about the right size, with good shopping facilities. Today's experience, Flybe to Isle of Man from Terminal 2, however, was just shockingly bad, entirely down to an apparent complete lack of any control, management or oversight of the security process. A security queue of 50 minutes, only a single scanner operating, the harassed staff clearly not in control of the situation, and no-one managing them, or the queue, of whom most were on "final call" by the time they reached the front. Several passengers on the same flight as my own were rushed through security, yet when I asked to join them, I was told that the other passengers would be able to hold my plane, and I should wait in line? When I finally reached the front of the queue, the checkers had clearly hit a problem, were arguing between themselves, and not actually putting any bags through the scanners. Utter chaos.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 6 May 2009 : by William Read

Customer Rating : 4/5

Arriving by train, the airport is just a short (free at the moment) shuttle ride away, which is one of BHX main plus points. This means that a passenger can avoid rip-off parking and disembarkation fees. Check-in was swift and efficient; in my experience the check-in staff do not concern themselves if your suitcase is a little overweight. The departure lounge is reasonably spacious, with adequate seating and a wide range of shops. My main criticism is that on too many occasions passengers are bussed to or from their aircraft, rather than being able to walk.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 5 May 2009 : by D Bokr

Customer Rating : 3/5

I have just returned from BHX airport. The airport itself is nice and airy and plenty of places to eat. There are several hotels just outside the building within walking distance. Its easy to find your way around the building. However, the majority of the staff at the airport are not that friendly. A smile seems too much of an effort. The airport security staff seem to have the biggest attitude problems. I realize they have a responsible job and take things seriously but I think it sometimes goes a bit too far. Instead of the 20 x 20 cm plastic freezer bag for carry on liquids I unfortunately had a 23 x 15 bag. (Who honestly measures this bag before packing?) I was scolded by a female staff member who obviously wasnt too happy at this time of the morning (0730) and was told to go over to a machine where I could purchase 4 plastic bags of the required size for GBP1. I wasn't alone there where several passengers being forced to do this. Strangely enough I had come through Frankfurt Hahn and Glasgow Airport prior to this and my plastic bag hadn't been a problem at all.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 30 April 2009 : by B Brewer

Customer Rating : 1/5

I have just returned From Birmingham Airport having taken my wife to catch a flight. She regularly flies to various destinations around the world usually from Heathrow. I always stay with her until she goes through to security, why wouldn't I? At Heathrow I have stayed for up to three hours and have never paid more than 10GBP. My less than one hour stop at Birmingham airport has just cost 17GBP. When I pick her up next week I'm going to drive around and around the roundabout until she calls to say she's outside the terminal building. Just to pick up will even cost a quid! Last time I was at Heathrow it was free to pick up. BHX certainly knows how to rip off it's customers.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 14 April 2009 : by David Walker

Customer Rating : 4/5

ServiceAir Premium check in crew for EK were wonderfulg. Fast Track immigration for J passengers. Serviceair lounge was packed as EK put all their economy wheelchair passengers and families in their too. Boarding a nightmare, as the flight to DXB was rather like the Polar Express and children, wheelchair and J passengers all go in the same pen. On the whole its good to fly long distance from a local airport.

BIRMINGHAM INT'L AIRPORT customer review : 30 June 2008 : by R Earl-Johnson

Customer Rating : 5/5

Refreshingly, the long stay parking is very near to the terminal. Check in/Immigration was speedy. Departure lounge was roomy with lots of shopping/catering choice. Me and my husband both agreed we would actively look for destinations from this airport again for weekend breaks.

Birmingham Airport by Jenny Powles

24 June 2008   Customer Rating :

Birmingham Airport is awful for the disabled! My husband requires special assistance when we go on holiday due to his mobility difficulties. Every time without fail he falls through the cracks at some point. Birmingham (BHX) is not capable of providing a seamless special assistance service for the disabled traveller.

Birmingham Airport by Colin Chadwick

5 April 2008   Customer Rating :

Get ripped off while you're dropped off! What other airports expect their customers to pay for the privilege of merely arriving at this airport? Avoid these charges by dropping off at Birmingham International rail station (next door) and taking the shuttle which takes you to the centre of the airport. Make arrangements to be picked up the same way on return.

Birmingham Airport by Ray Woods

25 March 2008   Customer Rating :

Check in was a nightmare. It took us over 1 hour to check in. The main reason for the delay was that at check in if cases were even a tiny amount over weight, they were forcing the mainly elderly passengers to re-pack from one case to another, sending many to the back of the queue again and reaping a small fortune in excess luggage charges. The queue grew longer and longer with many passengers clearly distressed and nobody managing the situation. Eventually I asked for the supervisor and was pointed to a young man who had his head buried in a check in machine for 45 minutes - showing no proactivity in managing the situation. Generally prices to Malta are higher from Birmingham than elsewhere. Drop off zone is a rip-off.