BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports

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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.

Birmingham Airport by Kevin Tunnicliffe

4 March 2008   Customer Rating :

The airport is clean and efficient. The only downside to the experience is the Servisair Lounge used by Emirates and others. This is a small lounge and while the carpet has recently been changed the seats are very worn and tatty with ingrained dirt. They need replacing. The food and beverage selection is poor and lets both the airport and the airlines down. That said the overall experience at BHX was excellent. Our bags were on the line within fifteen minutes and we were on our way home within 30 minutes of landing. All staff pleasant and polite, everything well signposted.

Birmingham Airport by B Smith

25 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Birmingham to Rome, check-in area ok with one coffee shop on the ground floor. As we travelled with BMI (Baby) dedicated check-in area which meant quick service. Departure lounge was OK, but a little dull, usual array of shops, tie rack, duty free. Boarded via the lower gate area started ok then seemed to get bleaker the further we progressed (gate at the very end of the building). All in all a pretty average experience.

Birmingham Airport by J Taverner

4 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Again BHX comes up trumps. Bit of a queue for check in for Economy at the Emirates desk, but straight through for business. Now the extension has been completed the terminal is excellent. We live six miles from the airport, arrived ex DXB at 1950 and were home by 2045.

Birmingham Airport by G Burrows

17 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Very nice airport, easy to get to by road and rail. My only real complaint is T1 airside lounge, which has virtually no natural light or contact with the outside world. Its relatively short runway restricts the use of large aircraft and thus the range of long haul destinations.

Birmingham Airport by G Johnson

13 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Spacious check-in area, fair amount of shops and restaurants, both in and out of the departure lounge and friendly staff. The only downside: waiting for luggage at Birmingham can be a tedious process. I flew Emirates to Dubai and then on to Iran. With the increasing amount of long haul routes available- and I'm told more to come in the future, Birmingham is an airport I am sure to use again.

Birmingham Airport by Warren Rose

9 January 2008   Customer Rating :

I agree with Chris Gent that parking is reasonably priced at BHX, Except the charge for the drop off zone. That is one area where there should be ten minutes grace before drivers incure charges.

Birmingham Airport by Kevin Tunnicliffe

8 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Clean, efficien and never too crowded. The airport was busy when we flew out but still managed to be efficient and clean. On return the airport was very quiet. Baggage arrived quickly and we were on our way home in under forty minutes after disembarking the plane. Just the way it should be. The only downside is that the Servisair lounge is small and often overcrowded with a limited range of drink and food options available - it really is the least pleasant part of the BHX experience for me.

Birmingham Airport by W Warnock

20 December 2007   Customer Rating :

This was my first use of Birmingham airport for many years and I was very impressed. Spacious check- in, very clean and friendly staff. A good mixture of shops and seating too. The likes of Manchester and certainly Heathrow could learn a lot by looking at Birmingham. Although not my ideal local airport as it is a 2 hour drive from home, it is one I would certainly consider again.

Birmingham Airport by Chris Gent

7 December 2007   Customer Rating :

Easy access from the West and Midlands with inexpensive parking. This is an airport which has been designed with a little thought for the passenger: easy check-in, lots of seating in the departure area as well as plenty of shops and restaurants, speedy baggage delivery and a security system that works quite effectively. The only drawback is that the choice of destination does not work for me, and I mainly have to use LHR or BRS. If I get the chance I use Birmingham - you feel that the passenger is actually part of the equation here.

Birmingham Airport by Teresa Tyler

1 November 2007   Customer Rating :

I find this a very user-friendly airport. There are adequate shopping facilities, enough seating and reasonable dining areas. I have had occasion to use both of the business class lounges in Birmingham. One is reasonable though the range of food and drink is very limited; the other is really poor from seating to facilities and hardly worthy of being called a business lounge.

Birmingham Airport by John Hollis

13 August 2007   Customer Rating :

A good airport - cheap parking, fast check-in, fast transfer through security, and good transport links especially by rail. When booking long-haul flights I find now little difference in price between Birmingham and that other widely-reviled London-based airport that starts with 'H'. For anyone coming to the UK I would suggest coming to Birmingham if you can, not the airport that starts with 'H', and you'll find the whole experience much more pleasant. Birmingham as a city is still kind of a dump, but at least the airport is pretty good.

Birmingham Airport by Lee Murray

23 July 2007   Customer Rating :

BHX-AGP on an early morning flight with Monarch. We checked in online and had a separate check in desk with noO queue. The facilities were excellent in departures with plenty of options in terms of drinks and food. Although early morning the airport seemed to be extremely busy but seemed to cope very well. The only gripe would be on the return to BHX the wait we had to entail through immigration. The queue stretched out of the metal rail area which in turn caused confusion and people queue jumping! Baggage waiting for us once we 'eventually' got through immigration so no hassles there. All in all and thumbs up from me. Will be using again.

Birmingham Airport by Dave Holmes

30 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Used BHX for the first time ever in May, having flown many times before from Manchester and the London Airports (not convenient living in Staffordshire), and was quietly impressed. Getting to Birmingham International station by rail, and then the mono rail airport link was effortless. Check in (flying with Emirates, and having checked in online) was a breeze. Enough to see and do to kill a couple of hours with two kids in tow. Facilities were clean, there were no queues anywhere, security were quick and efficient. On the return, there was hardly a wait for luggage and no pushing and shoving at the carousels.

Birmingham Airport by Rich McDonell

20 March 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

The work is ongoing in departures. Ranging from the mess at security to the mess at the far end of the departure lounge. the entry area is fine and duty free is quite nice and open. But because of the work it gets darker and dingier the further down you get towards where the soft shoe co, and other were based. Until it is finished the area is quite small and cramped, not a nice place to be really. People end up congregating around the new bar and the duty free - just to have a bit of light, I think my grump is that it is all taking so long - this only a shopfittng exercise after all. The security area into departure is being made ready for opening in May and it wont be a moment too soon. Its awful and slow and very tortuous. Inbound immigration is finished but it baffles me how / why it is now slower than before, The serpentine queue to get through can take an age.. There are more people standing watching the process and at the desk behind than actually looking at passports. The other Sat am as I walking to my gate they were actually queing out of the aircraft airbridge exit gate towards the escalators. Overall - they have a plan and it may be quite good when finished, but so slow.

Birmingham Airport by Glyn Cookson