East Midlands Airport Passenger Reviews and East Midlands Airport Traveller Reports   No Star Ranking Awarded         Add your East Midlands Airport Review   East Midlands Airport Star Ranking     Customer Review scoring : East Midlands Airport 47 reviews

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  14 May 2013 by Graham Bates    (UK)
	Rating : 1/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	First time we have used this airport for 5 years and we wont be returning. It was total chaos from car park 1 which was nearly full with cars parking on walkways as no space and well over priced compared to any UK airport. The check in at jet2 spot on after you have fought your way through the extended security queue which snakes throughout the terminal in 3 rows. The wait for security 2 hours or pay £3 pp and get through in 1 hour plus. People tried to get by as flights leaving and staff not helpful. On return flight (the only one at that time), passport wait far too long and then long wait for cases. The exit to car park is unbelievable as you are sent to bus park and then walk round the road in the rain and wind because normal exit is boarded off, only to find walkway into park full of cars so round the road again.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  26 March 2013 by R Randall    (UK)
	Rating : 0/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	We were due to flight to Lanzarote yesterday but sadly, after a 7 hour wait, had our flight cancelled because the runway was shut due to snow. Whilst I would 100% agree (of course) that safety comes first, the absolute lack of information and apparent lack of attempt to try and clear the runway leaves us feeling extremely disappointed with East Midlands Airport. Our flight was due to leave at 06.45 so we had an ideal viewing point of the runway from approximately 05.15. Not a single snow plough passed down it between 05.15 and 11.30. Only a van raced up and down periodically and two men appeared to be doing some work for 30 mins. There was no information communicated over the intercom until approx 9.30 when flights were being cancelled or transferred. Poor weather happens. It causes disruption and impacts on people's lives. Good communication and effort to address the situation is not much to ask for the hundreds of people like us who have lost their holiday.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  25 March 2013 by P Smith    (UK)
	Rating : 0/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	We were told our flight was delayed due to a little snow yet we had driven to the airport some ten mins before with no problem. Ok we would sit and wait. We then went to go through passport control this took over an hour as there was only 2 open, as soon as we got through we were told the flight was cancelled, we all went back where we then got no help to sort this out so we got a taxi home.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  4 March 2013 by A Moyes    (UK)
	Rating : 0/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Dropped off the family at 5 this morning. An irritating experience. Car park cost £3.50 for an hour. Payment machines not well sign posted or illuminated. You're offered the choice of paying by credit card and are charged £1.50 extra for that. So, a fiver for up to an hour's parking, and £1 for 2 plastic bags for security. Outrageous. Worst of all, though was leaving the Departures building. 6 staff in high vis jackets were in front of me. They all lit up as they went through the doors, then strolled past the No Smoking signs.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  8 January 2013 by Mike Peterson    (UK)
	Rating : 0/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	On arrival at the airport we found that the car park (pre-booked) was a considerable distance from the terminal and there was no transport. There were no trolleys, so we had to lug our suitcases over rough pavements to the terminal. Once there checking in was OK, and we got through security OK. However, facilities airside are minimal. We wanted a meal before the flight. There was only one restaurant offering meals, ours arrived and was almost inedible. On return after our holiday we once again had to get our suitcases to the car park. Luckily there were trolleys available, although I'm not sure we were supposed to use them to get the long distance to the car park. On arrival at the car park, our exit ticket wouldn't work, trapping us in the car park. We had to walk back to the terminal to get a ticket that would work. Apparently there is a system for contacting staff at the car park, but no staff were present. We finally got out of the car park two hours after landing. To be fair, all staff we dealt with were pleasant and helpful. The signposts in the airport are easy to follow, as well. I will never use East Midlands Airport again. The place is a shambles, especially the car parking system.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  14 October 2012 by C Roberts    (UK)
	Rating : 1/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Flew into east midlands on 12th October approx 2am - we were held on the plane for a good fifteen minutes waiting for buses to take us to the terminal. There was only one other arrival at that time I could see on the arrivals board. In passport control I expected to go through the new machines which are supposed to make it quicker and less time queuing - at least five machines but not one was working. A fellow passenger asked a member of staff why and was told to queue with everyone else.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  17 July 2012 by Alastair Finch    (UK)
	Rating : 8/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Flew from here again recently to Naples with Thomson at 3.00 am, security was quick, not all facilities open at this time and food is expensive. Coming back delayed by new automated passport check in service which was slow and laborious and manual service was quicker on this occasion, long stay car park one is a fair distance from arrivals but pre-booked automated ticketing worked well. Overall I am happy to use this airport.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  7 June 2012 by Alastair Finch    (UK)
	Rating : 5/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Check-in facilities cramped for number of passengers using it. Security slow and over zealous plane side facilities not brilliant but are clean. One taxi firm appears to have monopoly and each one arrives individually to order, also expensive. Overall experience average.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  5 June 2012 by S Johnson    (UK)
	Rating : 5/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Not even got to fly from the airport yet and already there are problems. Tried to book online for a car parking space, it claims up to 6 hours before, will not allow this it refers to a 10p per minute telephone number. So I rang it, after recorded messages and holding on for 25mins (at 10p per minute) the call was answered by a very polite young man. However, no spaces available for the day I fly out, but (young man's words now). "If I wished to take a gamble I may just get a long stay place by just turning up on the day of my flight" So I await in anticipation what my actual visit and flight from will be like. Will leave a full up to date review when I arrive back in 2 weeks time.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  2 May 2012 by W Platts    (UK)
	Rating : 10/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	I cannot fault this Airport at all, it is always nice and clean. Check-in staff helpful and friendly even at 4am. Security is fast, not had to queue up in years - always been straight up and through, been searched a few times and my kids have but that is the job of security. Departure lounge nice and clean would highly recommend EMA.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  20 February 2012 by Giannicola Bonora    (Italy)
	Rating : 8/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	The airport is very accessible. No need for lifts or escalators. I never experienced big queues at immigration or security. I've found staff kind and efficient. Unfortunately the shuttle bus near to Parkway station has being scrapped recently so be prepared to pay 11-12 pounds for a taxi ride if you need to travel by train. Personally I prefer to take the SkyLink bus to Nottingham for 5 pounds. In general it is a basic airport but everything I need. Shop range is complete and the wi-fi connection provided by MAG gives the first 30 minutes for free. Absolutely adequate for the 2-3 hours haul flights it is supposed to serve.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  16 February 2012 by J Owen    (UK)
	Rating : 1/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	The trouble starts with the chaotic car park system - you have to pay to drop someone off and the drop off time is very limiting. At least you don't have to get a ticket anymore but the design and logistics of moving people and cars is a farce. Security staff are unhelpful to say the least. Everything is geared to picking up a few quid for services that should be free to use. This money drive just adds to the inefficiency and queues. This is badly run airport with stroppy staff.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  2 February 2012 by N Mullin    (UK)
	Rating : 2/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Have flown 20+ times from this airport. The main worry is always the security. Early morning when commuters are travelling, the waits are horrendous. Plastic bags are charged for and they have to be EMA ones. Security staff are rude and unpleasant. Airside, Gates 1-5 could do with being better sign posted. For other gates you have to walk through the main duty free shop. If you are delayed at security and need to get to any gate other than 1-5, this can be a problem. Gates 6 onward tend to queue back onto the walkway between shops and the gate seating areas. Food is poor quality and overpriced. Aside from travelling through the airport, I’ve been to pick people up on many occasions. In the past, 10 minutes to go in and pick someone up was free, now it costs. There is supposedly a train link but in reality this is inaccessible. In terms of destinations served, it is mainly a Ryanair airport, so limited to the standard European destinations.

	East Midlands Airport customer review :  27 October 2011 by C O'Hanlon    (UK)
	Rating : 4/10 Queuing Cleanliness Facilities Recommended	Check in was fine, walked straight up to the counter and had no problems. Security was a disgrace where the over-zealous staff insisted on performing a full pat down on my 23 month old son. They also performed a full search of me, my wife and our luggage for no obvious reason. After security the experience improved. I had printed off vouchers for free drinks in the coffee shop. Boarding was fine, although announcements are hard to hear, no-one was sure whether those travelling with young children were given priority, so we queued at the front anyway. Our return flight landed at 12.30am, we then had to wait 20 minutes for a set of steps and a bus. There were no other flights landing at that time so can't understand why they weren't ready for us. The walk to the car park (Long Stay 3) is advertised as being approx. 3 mins but it's more like a good 7-8 mins especially with luggage.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  19 September 2011 by P Saunders   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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The arrival security staff are rude and very impolite if you say anything to them about their attitude. When you ask to complain they ignore you, when you ask for their name they walk away and someone else takes their place with the same rude manner, when you want to speak to the supervisor they say that they will have to research your bags in a private room and it will take at least 2 hours - then you can speak to a supervisor. The airport has no complaints facilities but this would still be useless because they refuse to give you their name. If you have a choice - do not use EMA, it will be a de-humanizing experience.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  26 August 2011 by Allan Perkins   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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Recently took friends to EMA for Ryanair flight to Alicante. They had hold luggage and the check-in area was awful. There were 3 flights due out within 30 mins period and only 2 desks open with no segregation by flight. I spoke to a manager and asked him to segregate the earliest of 3 flights, his reply was that this would be done nearer the flight time. People had to queue 1hr for check-in.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  30 April 2011 by P Thompson   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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The airport is a long rambling structure with paths leading from the car parks going all over the place and confusing signposts everywhere. You can tell it has just been added onto over many years, Arrived about 6am so the airport was fairly quiet so getting through security was reasonably quick. The departures area is small cramped and getting rather tatty. The low ceiling adds to the rather gloomy atmosphere. Seating is poor although there are cafes dotted around the place. When gates are announced enormous queues form which lead right into the airport walkways making it difficult to move around the building. On returning to East Midlands getting through security was slow and once outside trying to find the car park buses was difficult due to lack of signs. The airport has been poorly planned and is noticeably lacking in investment.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  28 April 2011 by C Stephenson   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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EMA-AGP. A bit of panic as we arrived in the car; I was being dropped off but was directed down a one-way road leading to a barrier with instructions to pay for drop off. Luckily we managed to scrape together the cash - turning back would have been awkward. The airport experience itself was OK as there were few passengers around. But what to do about being picked up on return? You only get 10 minutes if you pay to use the drop-off/pick up zone. This is no good unless there's some way of predicting in advance the exact time you'll be leaving the terminal. No, we didn't want to pay a small fortune to use the car park for what may well turn out to be 15 minutes. So, after consulting locals we found the trick. I don't want to mention details here, but it's similar to the one most people use at Luton.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  11 September 2010 by Nigel Bayliss   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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We didn't choose to fly from East Midlands, we were forced into it due to our holiday operator going bust and having to find an alternative at the last minute. The pre paid car parking ticket was not recognised, and had to be sorted out on our return - not a good start. The bus stops in the car park (bus to transfer you to the terminal) weren't big enough, and so a large amount of us were left standing out in the wind and rain to wait for the bus. When we got to the terminal, we were faced with a massive queue as soon as we walked through the door...it was complete chaos and nobody knew what was happening with no guidance from airport staff. I found out eventually from somebody in the queue that the queue was in fact just for security, and not even check in! The staff at the check in (BMI) were slow and unfriendly and we, along with other passengers were getting stressed that we would miss our plane, despite arriving ahead of time. One passenger found out that there was a fast track service so you could jump the queue - which you have to pay for. If they managed and staffed it properly they wouldn't have to have a fast track service - but then that's probably their plan to get extra money from the passengers. We eventually got through security and had to rush straight onto the plane, so all in all it was a very stressful experience. Unfortunately I had to go to EMA again a few weeks later just to pick somebody up, and was surprised that you have to pay £1 for 10 minutes just to drop off, or pick up - luckily I had some money on me as the security/car park attendant was not very sympathetic or helpful.

East Midlands Airport customer review :  27 August 2010 by R Hopkins   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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A good experience in both directions. The DIY check-in really didn't save time because the BMIbaby bag drop was so slow. Security was quick and efficient and we came through passport control on return so quickly that we were out of the car-park before the due landing time! One slight car-park glitch, with the pre-paid ticket not having been recognised, but this was quickly resolved by the car-park office.

East Midlands Airport customer review : 21 July 2010 by K Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating : 4/5

Again a pleasant experience. Small queues, polite security staff and on the return journey used the biometric scanners to avoid the queues at passport control. This is a small airport and luckily not very busy on either the outbound or return journeys. The airport does however offer a reasonable range of shops, restaurants and bars and staff were pleasant and efficient. On return we were on the road home about 30 minutes after landing having again used the biometric system and collected our bags from the carousel. I booked car parking which they said was "within walking distance". It was walkable but a long way. We were fortunate that it was nice weather both for our outbound and inbound.

East Midland Airport customer review : 7 June 2010 by Des Hopgood

Customer Rating : 1/5

Travelled thru EMA 22nd May, return 29th May, this airport is a disgrace. Outward bound security is silly, robots with no common sense, intrusive and totally unnecessary. Return you are bussed to arrivals, then a good 100 yard walk in the open to immigration. If it is raining you just get wet.

East Midlands Airport review : 9 December 2009 by M Feigin

Customer Rating : 1/5

I travelled East Midlands - Glasgow on a Sunday night at the end of November. It took 60 minutes (!!) to get through the security control as only one security line was operating out of 9 for most of this time. Moreover the line was mainly busy with serving the passengers who paid for the express pass through the security (!) as I realized while waiting in the queue. I tried to mention that little time remains till departure but neither security nor the airline (Bmibaby) bothered about departing flights. That's despite the fact I was travelling with the infant. In the end I just missed the plane and had to buy new tickets: Bmibaby was not interested in how security operates in their main airport. Absolutely outrageous.

East Midlands Airport review : 6 November 2009 by Kevin Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating : 3/5

I used East Midlands this week for a short trip to Belfast, out one day back the next. The airport is small but has upgraded its facilities to try to meet the increased demand led by the low cost operators. Security screening was quick and efficient on the day I went through with all lines open and no queues whatsoever. It took about 3 minutes. I was saddened to see that they now sell the resealable plastic bags for £1 in a large vending machine that must have once sold chocolate perhaps. I can see that the airport could take the view that we should all know we need one in advance if we are carrying liquids etc. After all it has been the rule for a long time, but £1 seemed a bit steep. (I didn't need one from the machine by the way). airside they seemed to have made the best of the space available and there were a number of outlets, no less than four WH Smiths which seems a bit of an overkill, and a few bars and food outlets. All at way over the odds prices as normal. Non of the gates seemed far from the general areas and there were plenty of screens to inform us of flight status.

East Midlands Airport review : 8 September 2009 by T Gill

Customer Rating : 1/5

As a regular early Monday morning "commuter" user I am appalled by the inefficient security screening, which now seems designed to fleece £3 off of as many disgruntled passengers as possible. Facilities are poor and too much space is given over to retail outlets; range of eating/drinking establishments is poor. The trains to/from E Midlands parkway don't start very early or run very late; same goes for buses to Leicester - useless if catching early morning flights. Like most airports, no redesign of security screening arrangements was done to deal with stupid "toothpaste inspection rules" - anyone with half a brain can see what they need to do is extend access to the trays so more than one person at a time can be loading up tray with laptop, coats, etc. If they can't extend the belts they could at least provide a couple of tables with trays on to allow people to load trays before they get to the belts. I agree with other comments here about the attitude of the security staff.

East Midlands Airport review : 2 September 2009 by R Hopkins

Customer Rating : 3/5

Parking on arrival was a bit of an issue. The first car-park indicated there were spaces, but there weren't, causing some problems at the barrier. As first-timers at this airport, there was a shortage of signs. Initially we didn't know how near the terminal was, but there was no sign of a bus-stop, so started to walk anyway. Check-in seemed more rigorous on bag sizes than many airports. Security was on the slow side for the small number of passengers. On the return journey the passport control was quicker than Luton or Stansted (could hardly be slower!), but there was a bit of a delay for baggage, so it took 40 mins. from landing to leaving the car-park, even though it wasn't a busy time.

East Midlands Airport review : 31 August 2009 by G Watson

Customer Rating : 2/5

I have to agree, EMA is too small to cope. I departed early on a Glasgow flight and the queue for security was horrendous, trust them to have found a way to make a fast buck by charging £3 for express security clearance. I thought the point was to catch wrongdoers not make a fast buck! When you do get through the departure area is too small and cramped, not a pleasant experience at all.

East Midlands Airport review : 8 August 2009 by Phil Matten

Customer Rating : 2/5

Very disappointed in the way East Midlands is clearly intent on skinning its passengers. Tried a day business flight to Glasgow early August. The security queue was so long in the morning that, even arriving 1.5 hours ahead of flight, it was necessary to pay the £3 for express security in order to have time to grab something to eat before the flight. Come on, resource the security area properly - the airport knows it is holiday period so there is no excuse and their own retailers lose out. As to car parking if you are making a day trip (14 hours in my case) it must be the most expensive in the UK. After the first 12 hours in LONG Stay you are charged for TWO days PLUS a credit card surcharge of £1.50. £24.70 at EMA compares with £9 at Stansted for 24 hours (£13.50 Mid Stay) and £15.60 as Heathrow. Totally unacceptable. East Midlands you just lost a regular business flier.

East Midlands Airport review : 4 June 2009 : by James Burke

Customer Rating : 1/5

EMA is a terrible airport. For a small airport, you walk as much as you do at a big one. The terminal is cramped, and when a flight is boarding the area around the gate is impassable. The Duty Free shopping area is bigger than the waiting areas and smells like 1000 perfumes mixed together. East Midlands Parkway train station is 10 minutes away by bus, and Nottingham is 30 minutes by the 'Skylink Bus'. This airport is inadequate for the number of passengers it serves, but only has LCCs and investing in infrastructure is throwing money away. Its like a small town airport serving 3 medium sized cities.

East Midlands Airport review : 7 April 2009 : by Kevin Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating : 1/5

I commented on East Midlands recently and would reiterate that the immigration experience was excellent. So it was again on 28 March. However the lines for security and the inefficiency of the staff on 26 March was appalling. Talk about jobsworths! The attitude of the security staff ensured that the lines went on forever and that the experience of accessing airside was a nightmare. Nowhere else in the world have I seen such uncaring jobsworths. I was told off for trying to pass on the "wrong" side of three chatting security staff after going through the screening and I was trying to reunite with my hand luggage which had long since passed through the screening. My partner was delayed so they could "routinely" swab her mobile phone and the pocket it was in inside her handbag! If routine screening and obstructive is the best East Midlands can do they can do it without me in future. Not that much further to Birmingham!

East Midlands Airport review : 14 November 2008 : by D Moar

Customer Rating : 2/5

I use EMA quite often and also frequently deliver and meet friends there, reading these comments I find nothing has changed, the airport is very badly designed and the only reason for using it is the choice of flights. To arrive on a wet and windy day is purgatory having to walk for ages from the arrivals ramp to the arrivals hall. I suppose the long walk there and in immigration means the wait for luggage seems less. Why doesn't somebody open the end ropes in immigration to short circuit the chicane? It only requires some imagination and positive management.

East Midlands Airport review : 19 August 2008 : by Kevin Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating : 2/5

Long time since I last used East Midlands and a lot has changed. The airport is still very small time however and passengers should not expect a lot. That said the immigration queues were quick but quite a long wait for baggage coming onto the belt. Given that there was only one other flight unloading baggage I thought this was pretty poor. Baggage hall and customs hall are being upgraded, at least I assume so based on the amount of chip board walls on display. The airport needs a real rethink to get into the 21st century.

East Midlands Airport review by G Haywood

9 April 2008   Customer Rating :

EMA's Arrivals Hall/Meeters & Greeters area is very poorly designed. I have written to EMA management twice to ask when something is to be done to improve passenger flow ie from exiting Customs, one has to negotiate trollies through 2 narrow doors, which then lead into a Spar shop - before then trying to exit through more narrow doors, before hitting fresh air! Whist waiting to collect recently from a Bergerac flight, the rain brought Greeters etc into the Spar shop, milling around immediately next to the exit doors, passengers trying to exit Customs, became annoyed because it was simply impossible to move freely & quickly, out onto the concourse. Whoever designed this needs to get this improved & quickly. It is not rocket science, to be able to provide passengers with a quick exit from the baggage Hall/Customs, out into open.

East Midlands Airport review by S Campbell

17 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Went to pick up my daughter at 11pm coming in from Prague. Arrivals lounge (is that a joke?) was a shed. Freezing, no refreshments except in a Spar built on to the shed - is it really 2008?

East Midlands Airport review by G Burrows

15 January 2008   Customer Rating :

The good thing about this airport is the upstairs part of the airside lounge. A cup of coffee provides a good view of ramp and airfield activity. The new pier is a long trek from the airside lounge and is somewhat of a tin shed.

East Midlands Airport review by Paul Turner

30 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived at medium stay car park 2 at 7.00am in darkness. No row markers so it was impossible to make a note of the car`s location. In addition the advertised shuttle bus was not running. Getting through to the departure lounge was quick and easy. There was a good range of facilities open. My only adverse comment is that the background noise level was high with garbled PA announcements competing with rap music in the cafe where we had breakfast. I escaped upstairs to avoid the din. On our return, immigration took 10 minutes and our luggage was waiting for us. Again, no shuttle bus and quite a few people were wandering around looking for it.

East Midlands Airport review by C Davies

23 October 2007   Customer Rating :

The check in staff were friendly and efficient and we got through security quickly. The selection of shops was good. Like MAN which is owned by same company there are no vegetarian breakfasts on offer so had to fill up on fast food. On arrival we were bussed to what looked like a shed and made to walk up and down a room several times to get to passport control. There were no other flights when we got there and it still took over 15 minutes to get through here as only half the desks were open. It then took another 15 minutes for the bags to start coming off. After parking in one of the medium stay car parks was, we were annoyed to find no transport to the terminal and back, instead your left to walk 10 minutes each way with cases. We found our departure experience very positive, an opinion which was completely reversed when we arrived back. Any decision to use this airport again will be purely based on airline routes and price.

East Midlands Airport review by Val Becque

27 September 2007   Customer Rating :

The improvements are beginning to show - security is very efficient with many machines and a great improvement from 2006. Decent selection of shops and outlets airside , some of them with decent views of the tarmac. As many of the flights are lowcost such as Easyjet, Ryanair and BMI Baby there is good competition for take on drinks and snacks - best buy is Boots with Sandwich/Salad , drink and a Snack for £2.99 , less then the cost of a sandwich elsewhere. Bit of a walk to the aircraft (no air bridges) which could be a real pain in the rain.