FUNCHAL AIRPORT review :  26 November 2009 by Roger Lyon   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Loved the approach to this airport. Runway is built into the sea meaning an incredibly low approach with a 180 degree turn as you come in to land. Airport itself is small and obviously only handles holiday or local flights. Facilities reasonable and nice to be able to go to the roof to watch the landings and take offs. With only half a dozen flights at a time, the terminal gets very full and a bit chaotic.

FUNCHAL AIRPORT review : 31 August 2009 by J Mayo

Customer Rating : 4/5

If you hit this airport on a quiet time, you will have a great experience. Very civilised and you might be able to walk to your plane. There is a viewing area on the third floor and a pretty duty free shopping area (but prices higher than in town). However, if its busy it can get quite chaotic, especially at the security area - long queues, hassled irritated staff and nobody seemingly looking after the customers (us!). Although mostly you can walk to your plane (they park right at the boarding gates), last time I was there, they insisted on loading everybody in buses (like cattle) to drive not more than ten metres to the waiting plane!

FUNCHAL AIRPORT review : 6 April 2009 : by J Leong

Customer Rating : 2/5

Upon arrival, we discovered that they have now several lines for new biometric passports but only 2 lines to queue for ordinary passports. Unfortunately, to date the majority of the passengers still have the latter, so we found the ordinary passport queues were extremely long while the biometric passport section was almost empty! On departure, we realised Funchal airport has a procedure where you first go through the queue for security check, then, you get into the departure hall, and just before boarding, you are expected to queue yet again for passport control. The main departure hall has no toilets and if you wish to visit them, you have to go up to the next floor. There are some retail shops including a very large one which emblazoned its shop front signs with the words "Duty Free". We asked one of the shop keepers about it and she said the goods are "duty paid". So why put the sign as "Duty Free", I asked? She just shrugged her shoulders! What is more, many of the items are quite expensive . I feel such kind of "questionable" practice gives Tourism in Madeira a bad name, and I hope the proper authorities will read this and do something about it. Duty Free should mean Duty Free. Otherwise, it is not honest (at least, not in my books).

FUNCHAL AIRPORT review : 23 February 2009 : by D Freitas

Customer Rating : 5/5

Madeira (Funchal) is a pleasant smallish airport. Excellent modern and clean airport. We used the airport on Thursdays, a so called 'British' day with approximately 20 UK charters arriving and departing. Doesn't seem to suffer overcrowding as everything seems to work just great. The baggage reclaim is just about adequate and the check-in area is quite nice. Great airport, friendliest security staff I have ever come across.

Funchal Airport by Eric Cooper

4 February 2008   Customer Rating :

We spent two hours queuing to get through security and then through passport control. It was the most chaotic airport ever. No one seemed to have any thought for passenger comfort and young and old were treated with the same disregard. Lots of staff with clip boards doing nothing and very hostile none smiling personal at the passport control desks. The person in charge of this shambles should be made to join the queues and experience first hand the ridiculous system over which he or she presides. A beautiful Island, lovely holiday except for Funchal Airport.

Funchal Airport by T Regan

4 February 2008   Customer Rating :

We use Funchal airport four times per year and have generally been happy, however, on Monday 28 January this illusion was shattered! Chaos reigned throughout the airport as the queue for Passport Control was occupying most of the departure floor. The problem appeared to be the lack of staff to inform the departing passengers and control the queues, which were totally disorganised and giving a very bad impression of Funchal Airport. Many people were complaining that this was the first and last time they would visit the island. There seemed to be about four planes boarding at the same time. The whole experience was very stressful. The quality rating below reflects this visit and not our normal experience.

Funchal Airport by Simon Rickman

24 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Spotless, efficient and friendly staff. Check in smooth and efficient, lounge was comfy and has a great view overlooking the sea.

Funchal Airport by R Hopkins

14 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Excellent little airport, spotlessly clean. Previously experienced delay at security (Aug. 06) had been completely resolved. Boarding is almost scarey-quick! It is easy to miss the huge restaurant and cafe on the floor above departures. We didn't notice a sign, but went looking. Prices are good, but most people seem not to know they're there!

Funchal Airport by Simon Channon

28 May 2007   Customer Rating :

Steps and buses awaiting the plane; whisked through passport control; luggage there within 20 minutes. Reasonably priced food and drink in the airy terminal while awaiting boarding our return flight. Totally hassle- free - why can't we do this in England?

Funchal Airport by Brian Hill

24 May 2007   Customer Rating :

I'd almost forgotten such airports existed, a pleasure to use including the outdoor viewing terrace with a great view of the ramp. Shame about the security staff who were obviously having a bad day.

Funchal Airport by John Wild

24 March 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

We are just back from a fine week in Madeira. The airport - hugely improved over recent years - is a complete pleasure to use. The aircraft captain was very complimentary about the fast, efficient turn-around of the aircraft which got us home on schedule, despite some strong headwinds.

Funchal Airport by David Newman

27 November 2006

This is a really pleasant airport. Spotlessly clean and a credit to the staff. Restaurant prices are very good for an airport and the fare is of a more than reasonable standard.

Funchal Airport by M Stocks

24 May 2006

I can only concur with the previous comments as regards the airport - in our case the holiday company that we had gone to Maderia with transferred all their clients to a luxury Hotel in Funchal at the outset, so we only spent a short time at the Airport in both directions. The Maderians are very proud of their tiny airport, and quite rightly so - however, the dramatic landings and take off can not be over emphasised. But despite the above we can not wait to return to what can only be described as paradise!

Funchal Airport by Simon Marsden

24 August 2005

Facilities are clean, staff helpful and friendly. Unsure as to why passports are checked so thouroghly on the way out, guess it's the times we live in. Superb large play area for the children and a viewing terrace to die for. A fantastic view of planes taking off and landing. I'm sure if things got busy and the weather bad and delays ensued things might go pear shaped. I could think of worst airports around the world this could happen!

Funchal Airport by Brian Leary

4 June 2005

Used Funchal on 3 occasions now. Flights being held up due to all baggage being x-ray'd-- May 2005. One suitcase was opened without my knowledge and loaded as such. Very angry about that. Poor P/A system is not very clear and the info screens all blank---? If I was a single traveller I would have been lost. Held on runway while pilot requested removal of seagulls prior to take off. Should really be observed by the tower.

Funchal Airport by Denise Rees

16 February 2005

Was held up at Funchal airport 14th.Feb 2005. Flights out impossible due to adverse weather conditions. Airport staff amazingly efficient, everywhere kept clean and cafe and restaurant worked hard to keep large numbers of waiting passengers happy. When it became evident that all flights in and out would have to be cancelled all passengers transported to overnight accommodation (in my case a 5* resort) where we were made very welcome and given dinner/ breakfast and generally cared for. If this has to happen to you pray that it happens in Madeira!

Funchal Airport by S Ross

10 October 2004

A dramatic runway for take offs and landings! Very clean and efficient airport - arrived, through security and luggage collected and en route into Funchal itself in less than 20 mins. and the return flight check in was very efficient. small airport and limited facilities when leaving but no problems whatsoever

Funchal Airport by Carl Jackson

13 August 2004

Flew out of Funchal recently to LHR: one EU country to another. Boarding time was given as 1140 for a 1210 departure. There was just one immigration official carefully scrutinising "all" passengers' passports before we reached the departure gate. The queue, which had formed at 11.35, had to be seen to be believed. I cleared the immigration desk at 1210, the queue still trailing behind me. "Don't think we'll be leaving on time" was the comment heard from the passenger behind me with a resigned expression on his face. I understand the need for scrutiny on arrival on the island, but is it necessary on leaving? And for passengers with EU passports going to another EU country? Nice airport, but efficiency of passenger handling on this occasion was poor.

Funchal Airport by Adam Datta

19 July 2004

Flew to Funchal in November 2003 with GB Airways. I must admit that Funchal has definitely the best small international airport in the world. From the moment you land to Madeira as a tourist to the time you return home, the airport is exceptionally beautiful in every way possible. Apart the from the dramatic landings and take offs from the airport's runway, only perhaps overtaken by that old Hong Kong Kai Tak, Funchal airport is set in a very scenic location and looks rather unique from miles away. OK, the airport facilities are obviously very simple inside compared to large Dubai or Changi for example, but Funchal airport is very clean with friendly and efficient staff, whether they are check-in agents, catering assistants, immigration officers, or even security guards. There is one restaurant / bar in the landside plus another one in the airside and food / drink are excellent value for money. Both restaurants have fair size roof terraces which would really please those aviation enthusiasts. How many international airports do you now have with good value restaurants and viewing terraces these days? Anybody flying in and out of Funchal airport in my opinion will not regret the experience all.