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Bordeaux Airport Passenger Reviews and Bordeaux Airport Traveller Reports
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 14 November 2012 by M Lea (France) |
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Rating : 0/10 |  |
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Bordeaux Billi - not the main terminal which is perfectly acceptable. The worst experience both for departure
(crammed into departure sheds with little/no seating ) and arrival, requires that passengers climb +\- 20
metal stairs up then down (presumably over the departure gate) carrying a 10 to 20 kilo bag and or pushchair
only to find that there are no WC facilities apart from in the main terminal. Who designed this shed and with
what kind of service in mind? They tell us that their terminal keeps the price of our tickets low. I do not
believe this excuse. It is my belief that they want the experience to be so awful that you will go back to
paying Air France over priced fares on short haul flights! This is the worst airport experience I have ever had.
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 23 October 2012 by M Dukes (UK) |
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Rating : 0/10 | |
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In relation to Billi: the very worst terminal I've been to. There are 5 areas to this terminal. Baggage arrival,
Arrivals hall, Departures hall, Departures and Departure gates (past Frontier police). There are only toilets in
Departures. That means you have to walk to the main terminal on arrival, or before going into Departures.
Once you have passed the frontier police there are no toilets until the plane. If there are two jets leaving
close to the same time then the departures area is absolutely swamped. The queues go through the middle
of the restaurant and down through the (duty) free store. However the main parts of the airport, i.e.
Terminals A and B, are absolutely wonderful. This new terminal is an ugly stain on the whole show. They
should really be listed as separate airports so that to good part does not suffer from the negative reviews of
Terminal Billi.
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 2 October 2012 by N Gwynne (UK) |
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Rating : 1/10 |  |
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Flew in and out of the new Billi terminal with Ryanair this September with our children. I would agree with all
the other posters that this is the worst terminal I have ever passed through (and I have been through a lot in
far flung places). Its not obvious that budget airlines go from this terminal. We had to ask after wandering
around the main terminal trying to translate what Billi means in French. With three flights checking in people
were queuing out of the door and luckily it was not raining and with only 20 seats plenty of old people and
kids were having to stand. No toilets. Then a long wait to get through security and then after that a
departure lounge with enough seats for about third of the passengers waiting. The final insult was queuing
for boarding where again there was 3 seats and not even enough space for everyone to fit in. Funnily enough
by the time our kids got on the plane they were pretty grumpy and so was I. Worst terminal par excellence.
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 29 August 2012 by F Delpech (France) |
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Rating : 1/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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I've been flying in and out of Bordeaux airport for 12 years (and I've lived here for 5 years now) and it was
always a pleasant experience until the opening of the new Billi terminal. There are no toilets where you
check-in and no toilets after having gone through immigration (where you usually have to wait 40mins - 1 hr
before being put on the plane). Very little seating once you're through security, you have to weigh your bags
and then take them to be put through the scanning machine. The shops are ridiculously expensive. The main
issue is what happens once you're through customs, there are usually 4 seats (for a plane load of people)
and no toilets or any other amenities, for some reason you're checked through customs about 1 hr before
departure so you have to wait a long time standing up (why can't we go through customs when we're actually
ready to board the plane? Lastly, arrivals is also a joke, no toilets when you're waiting for your luggage to
arrive. There are also no toilets for those in arrivals waiting for family/friends. Billi terminal will deter people
from flying to Bordeaux, the only reason I use it is because I don't have a choice as I live here.
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 25 July 2012 by P Somervail (UK) |
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Rating : 1/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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The Billi terminal will deter us from flying to Bordeaux again: we cannot understand why the city of Bordeaux
considers it acceptable for its visitors to arrive and depart from such a dire terminal (see other comments
below, none of which have been addressed). 0/10. The terminal also reflects badly on the airlines who use it:
we flew with EasyJet, who usually treat their customers far better than this.
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BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 28 August 2011 by Tim Charlton (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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The Billi terminal is a disgrace, it treats no-frills passengers like cattle. Lifting your luggage on and off the scales and
then taking it to a conveyor belt. It's appalling from start to finish, we only have low cost flights locally so why
penalise us.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 8 November 2010 by Michèle Jarrige (France)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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In general a smooth-running and convenient airport, easy city bus access every ten munutes
(line 1). One minor drawback - there is not enough parking, you can spend 20 minutes driving
around the car-park looking for a space. But you can easily park free of charge in a side
street in nearby Merignac and catch the bus, every ten minutes. And one huge drawback - the
dreadful new low-cost (in every respect!) terminal rejoicing in the irritating name of Billi.
Total absence of comfort, in arrivals there are no toilets available to those meeting pax, no
airport information desk, and no machine to pay car-parking, you have to go back to the other
terminals - outside, in the rain! Obviously the national airline put pressure on the airport
to stop low-cost passengers enjoying the same facilities as other airlines.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 6 September 2010 by I Oddy (France)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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Having lived in France for the last 20 years I have seen the growth of Bordeaux Airport.
However the last trip to UK found me searching for Billi only when I got to Hall B was there
any indication of where Billi was. Having stood in the queue to register and then carry my
luggage to be loaded I found there was no where to put the luggage trolley, no seats to sit
and in entering the waiting area little services at extortionate rates no toilet facilities
and only when one passed through immigration were any available. While waiting at the
departure gate we were herded like cattle no toilet facilities, no seating for the elderly and
infirm and a total lack of courtesy from the staff in attendance. On arrival at Bordeaux once
again there were no luggage trolleys they were found outside.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 20 August 2010 by F Mulrooney (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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Waiting to board a flight at the Billi terminal is something I do not wish to experience ever
again. We were dropped off at the departures terminal, and took a few minutes to work out
where exactly our flight was departing from - unclear signage. On finding Billi, we waited in
a queue for over 30 minutes, when we had already checked in on-line, to discover than the
girls on the desk were writing luggage tags and boarding cards by hand (in 2010!). We then
had our luggage weighed and then had to collect them, to queue again to put the bags through a
security check (2nd passport check of the day). Then came the third queue to have our
passport checked again to go through hand luggage security, which we then queued for again.
After clearing security, there was very little space to repack hand luggage, put on belts &
shoes, watches etc. We then went through to the departure lounge (read shed), where we paid
9euro for water and a sandwich, and queued to use the only toilet. (There are no toilets
whilst waiting to check-in/ bag drop, or whilst waiting to board the plane). The seating are
for eating/ waiting is smaller than the duty free shop, and has one information board, facing
at the duty free shop, with the back of a TV the only view to those waiting to board flights.
Then came the worst part - boarding. We queued again to have our passports checked and then
ticked off on a list by hand (where are the electronic systems), only to be crammed into a
space with no windows, what seemed like no air conditioning, no toilets, 4 seats, people on
crutches standing, people with children sitting on the floor, and a general feeling of being
herded like cattle into a confined space. The place should be pulled down!
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 29 June 2010 by D Chown (France)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Regarding the rather irritating name for the new low-cost terminal, it is "Billi" because it
is short for "Bordeaux Illico" or "Bordeaux pronto" recognising the rapid turnaround. Apart
from that it is a hideous black and white striped squat block. Total lack of comfort and
facilities. The addition of this terminal means the free period in the drop-off car park has
been reduced from 30 to 10 minutes. If this is what the chamber of commerce think is going to
attract more low-cost airlines, maybe a re-think is needed.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 24 June 2010 by John Tidball (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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The new billi terminal is a disgrace, and shows the utter contempt that the Bordeaux airport
authority have for so-called low-cost customers. Elderly people having to sit on window ledges
or the floor at the departure gate is inexcusable and those responsible for this so-called
facility should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 10 June 2010 by Peter Cullen (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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The new low-cost terminal is awful. Not quite as bad as the inhuman misery of Marseilles-
Provence, but not far off it. Laughably it is called Billi - are we supposed to feel better
about being treated like cattle if the shed has a stupid name? As you enter, leave your
dignity at the door, you are now a piece of self-loading freight. They have not wasted money
on seats, information screens (there appeared to be one), staff, computers and other luxuries.
Surprisingly they have found the money for a 'duty free' shop (most prices seemed higher than
in the supermarket). You will stand in queues with your luggage, to show your boarding pass,
passport and, of course, a good 20 minutes at the 'gate' (ie a door). What really puzzles me
is why they have done this; I have used the main terminal at Bordeaux several times with low
cost airlines and found it perfectly adequate and not overstretched - why is 'Billi'
necessary? I can only assume it is about putting people in their place, and if you are a low-
cost passenger that place is beneath contempt. If the people who design these horrible places
read this, have you ever tried using one of your terminals under normal circumstances?
Probably not, you are too busy enjoying the business class lounge. If you are responsible for
managing one, ditto, and put someone who knows what they are doing in charge; also invest in
some new technology - checking people by hand went out about 20 years ago at most airports. If
you are a passenger, complain, write reviews and fight against this, they have nothing to do
with efficiency and everything to do with increasing profits through sub-standard facilities.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 30 May 2010 by David Williams (France)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Bordeaux (Marignac) airport now has a normal city bus link to downtown Bordeaux. Line 1 runs
every ten minutes while the airport is open for a flat fare of EUR1.40. Not only does this
make reaching the city much easier and cheaper, but it means one can park in any side-street
along the route and take the bus, thus avoiding the crowded and expensive airport parking.
The newly-completed third terminal (low cost airlines) is expected to enter service shortly.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 18 February 2010 by Gary Farrelly
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Classy architecture and nice decoration hides a badly laid out and thoroughly confusing
airport. Once a passenger has passed into gate 14 there are no toilets and catering and to go
back out is at the discretion of the guard at the door. Walking distances short and good views
of apron from all public areas.
BORDEAUX AIRPORT customer review : 23 November 2008 by E Dubern
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Airy and efficient airport, with plenty of automatic checking machines and nice design. A cheaper
and more convenient option to reach Bordeaux that JetBus is to take city bus #49 (20 minutes
frequency) in front of terminal A to tram stop "Lycée de Mérignac" (in 18 min), then take tramway
line A to Bordeaux City Center (in 23 min). Traffic free, peaceful and cheap (1,40€ in total).
Bordeaux Airport by Mark Evans
26 March 2008 Customer Rating : 
Not too pressured an airport in terms passengers volumes, so therefore possible to appreciate the
light and spacious layout. Highlight of the landside facilities is Les Navigateurs resturant, which
is value for money for an airport restaurant and offers good quality dining and service that one
rarely encounters at other airports. Airside facilities much more basic. JetBus service to and from
city runs on a 45-minute frequency, single fare of EUR7. Shame the new tramway wasn't extended the
few couple of from Merignac to serve BOD - the JetBus can get badly snarled in the Bordeaux rush-
hour traffic.
Bordeaux Airport by Keith Partington
15 January 2008 Customer Rating : 
Not as happy as the previous correspondent with this airport I have to say. I didn't have a lot of
time and as I had (thought I'd) checked in on line, I went straight through security to the
departure lounge for my easyJet flight to LTN. When I say straight through, I mean eventually
through as the online check-in and self-printed boarding card was not initially to the liking of the
security staff. Once through I found one tiny bar that only sold beer or coffee and hardly any
seating. Access to the gate area was barred until just before the flight arrived. I found a seat,
bought a pricey beer and used the free Wi-fi until I could get through to the gate. Make this place
a hub, easyJet and maybe the terminal facilities will expand with the passenger numbers? It has
worked elsewhere.
Bordeaux Airport by David Chown
24 March 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
All work is now complete, with much more space in both terminals,
additional shops, tourist agencies, restaurant facilities and check-ins.
Car-park is maximum 5 minutes walk, although spaces are sometimes hard
to find. Very short walk to and from aircraft. Only problem is non-car
access. The comment below about the trams is correct, they will shortly
reach Merignac Centre, but this is miles from the Airport. The shuttle
is not frequent enough, 45 minutes wait.
Bordeaux Airport by Niels van den Berg
22 November 2005
Very convenient airport if you are in a hurry. Small, clean, you walk
from the aircraft to the exit in less than 3 mins. Too bad KLM Air
France are the only ones providing flights to AMS - so the ticket prices
went up 300% since the merger. So now you must fly with a stop over to
save some money.
Bordeaux Airport by Rogier Stuger
12 October 2005
The new tram does NOT run to the airport. Still the same ultra-low frequency bus.
Bordeaux Airport by Roger Brickwood
16 February 2005
Nice little airport now that the building work is almost complete. Something of a route-march to get
form terminal A to terminal B however.
Bordeaux Airport by Mike Fowler
4 February 2005
In answer to M Stuger. The city are building a super tram
line which will travel from Merignac to Bordeaux. I don't know if they plan to link to the airport
though. Foolish if they don't!
Bordeaux Airport by Rogier Stuger
6 January 2005
Small, well laid out, but public transport to the city needs to be improved. The Merignac-Bordeaux
bus runs infrequently and takes forever. Time for a rail connection!
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