GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 1 June 2009 by Steve Kernan
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
Transport links are hopeless especially into Glasgow at busy times on the bus - can often take
as long as the flights! The drop off point is awful at busy times and normally chased away
from the drop off point behind the multi story. Inside its like a building site and staff
unhelpful and often quite rude. It now takes ages to exit, being forced down to baggage
reclaim area where previously exit was quick. A place to be avoided if possible.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 12 May 2009 by J Bradley
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Transit through the airport outbound worked very well form the BA fast bag drop through the
new skyhub security area- no complaints. Inbound the bags arrived quickly although I still
think Glasgow's bag reclaim area is way too small to cope at busy times. The one complaint I
would have is the pick up drop off areas outside the terminals for buses taxis etc are still
too confused, the pick up areas for the long stay off site car park buses is a bit of a walk
from the terminal exit and with little shelter on a wet day.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 23 April 2009 by David Killen
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Have used Glasgow many times over the years and, although it is showing signs of improvement,
there are still areas of its development that need addressed. First and foremost, I think
traffic congestion in and around the main terminal building would be greatly improved with the
construction of a rail link between the airport and Glasgow City Centre (and even beyond). It
has long been a major gripe of mine that I have to rely on either expensive airport taxis or
airport parking and, indeed, other road links (eg buses) to get to and from my home to the
Terminal. An on-site railway station would improve many aspects of Glasgow's service to air
travellers. Even small airports, such as Southampton, have rail links. The recent introduction
of a drop-off/pick-up Zone opposite the terminal has, nevertheless, improved traffic
congestion. The Airport's shops and catering services have improved greatly over the years,
but if you arrive late at night or early morning there is absolutely nowhere (not even a
machine) where you can get a hot drink. There are on-going improvements though with Glasgow,
but they need to speed things up a bit to justify the 'International' tag they so proudly
advertise.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 2 February 2009 by Chris Mason
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
I think this has to be one of the worst airports in UK. Just about impossible to access with
public transport. If you dare to park out with the ridiculous drop off zone (which can take 30
minutes to access), at the hire car area, you're instantly chased by the over zealous traffic
wardens who treat everyone as a potential threat. Once inside its just as bad. Place looks
like building site and security wait is awful. Okay having 10 security scanners but never seen
more than two working. Awful array of shops again and, as mentioned, having to walk through
duty free. In duty free there are many obstacles on main walkway - surely a fire hazard. On
return its worse. Where previously exit was very quick we now have to endure a lengthy walk to
the baggage reclaim, more time wasted. All in all its a disastrous place.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 21 January 2009 by Adam Farrell
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
The new SkyHub security concept works really well however on exiting you have to navigate a
busy duty free shop full of pondering shoppers that is literally right there as you struggle
to get your shoes back on. The development is clearly unfinished and for some reason you are
prevented from accessing the shops once you enter the domestic pier I have NO idea why this is
as anyone arriving from this pier has cleared security at a UK airport and so can hardly be a
security risk if they are connecting. Just another stupid bloody rule we have to obey without
question. The easyJet domestic pier is almost falling down by now and the BA lounge is
generally empty as easyJet offer a better option to London nowadays.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 22 November 2008 : by R Clark
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
GLA-STN with Easyjet. First use of this airport after completion of the Skyhub development. The
development has done two things: (a) it has combined the security checkpoints from international,
domestic and T2; and (b) it has shifted back the checkpoint so that many shops which were landside
are now airside. At first glance this has worked - security took less than five minutes (at 5pm),
and if one does have to queue there is far more room to do so. The Easyjet 'gate terminal' (Gates
9-10-11-12 on the eastern pier) is functional, although its orange decor gets a little garish after
a while.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 25 September 2008 : by John Blighton
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Check in at T2 was very quick and through security rather quickly even though there were quite a few
flights around the same time. Arrived back a few days later at EasyJet pier and got busses to
international arrivals. Passport control was very quick and collecting luggage wasn't too bad
either. I couldn't fault the airport except for the price at one of the grill bars.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 6 September 2008 : by David Griffiths
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
GLA was my local airport until about seven years ago so it was interesting to see it again after
that period. Sorry to say I am pretty unimpressed. The outside is a mess - arriving at the
terminal is like landing in Beirut during the civil war. Just finding your way inside is an
achievement in itself. The airport is trying to trade well beyond its realistic capacity and this
shows in many ways from dirty toilets (my wife described the ladies toilet opposite the bottom of
the escalator as "disgusting beyond belief") to inadequate baggage handling, overcrowded security
and slow passport control. Waiting to board a flight at Gate 52 I found myself trapped in a
claustrophobic, windowless shopping mall where the departure of aircraft was clearly of secondary
importance to the main business of retailing. Glasgow is the greatest city in the world and
deserves better. EDI, only 40 miles away, is an infinitely better and more civilised airport
nowadays.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 7 June 2008 : by Tom Parker
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
Arrived 0001 Monday 2nd June 2008 to pick up my daughter on a delayed Globespan flight (20hours
approx) The flight was not even listed on the arrivals board and I had to make enquiries with the
security person in the arrival hall. I asked why it was not showing (Very disconcerting when you
have somebody to meet and the plane doesn't exist according to the airport authority!) In fairness
she did make enquiries and even requested that the flight be listed on the board but this never
happened and the flight was still not showing when it landed at 0211hrs. Come on Glasgow/BAA get
your act together this is basic stuff.
GLASGOW AIRPORT review : 29 April 2008 : by Bill Marwick
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Why does BAA not do something to improve things at Glasgow Airport. Flight to Palma was fine (wtih
Globespan) as was return flight, but that's when the irritations start. It was 9.30pm on a Thursday
and the 'international side' wasn't open - so they bussed us to an international door from the
domestic gate. We were in seats 1A and 1B and because they were only using the rear door for
disembarking, we were last off the plane!! A KLM flight from Amsterdam arrived just after us, so by
the time we got to passport control, there were hundreds of other passengers in front of us, and 3
staff on duty (2 for EU citizens and 1 for non-EU). This is very poor and gives a poor impression to
foreign visitors. All of these problems and delays are caused by one thing - lack of staff. Come on,
BAA, get yourself into the 21st century. We have been in airports all over the world, and Glasgow
consistently under-achieves.
Glasgow Airport review by E Barr
12 February 2008 Customer Rating : 
I regularly commute through Glasgow Airport and remain astounded at how consistently poor it can be,
despite some great staff. Yes, the security incident last year was dreadful and people have coped
admirably but this should not allow BAA / Ferrovial to gloss over the underlying issues with an
airport that is "overtrading" until the extension is completed. Until this happens, some simple
things could be done to make our lives easier and some real bugbears exist. On International
arrivals why is the moving walkway always closed for maintenance / switched-off, as it was on
January 25th? They do not, however switch off the message "you are approaching a moving walkway" -
actually it is not working - first impressions count and this is not good. Why does baggage always
take around at least 30 mins to arrive, as it did on February 2nd (as usual)? Most airports around
the world are much faster than this and BAA have to take a hard look at itself on this one - are the
baggage handlers understaffed? It certainly looks like it and, if they are, they have my sympathy,
what with the growth of the airport. I recently used the new SkyLounge and overall it was a pleasant
experience with nice staff. On a recent ski holiday flight I was subject to the usual crowd of
happy skiers all off on their break and Glasgow Airport was struggling to cope. There appeared to be
a "manager" running around with a walkie-talkie telling check-in staff not to overload the baggage
belts - whilst we were all standing there. I am not sure what good this did as, in my case, it just
seemed to annoy the check-in staff all the more on what was clearly a day that they all dread (with
some justification it seems). There are some highlights. The "mature" gentleman in the whisky area
of the duty free shop is very knowledgeable and friendly and the Caffe Nero is very small but has
great staff and coffee. All in all this place is saved by the generally good natured attitude of the
staff, despite some inconsistent management practices and general failure to recognise that people
are not likely to accept this mess without having a voice. It's all very well expanding the retail
side of an airport but the priority should be a "back to basics" campaign from the top down, in
terms of customer experience in simple things like check-in, baggage and moving walkways. I have
never met anyone who wanted to spend more time than necessary in an airport - so how about helping
us all reach that goal?
Glasgow Airport review by Trevor Hoad
17 January 2008 Customer Rating : 
You are now dropped off at the car parks and have to walk to the terminal building. Due to checking
in on-line the day before I was able to check my bag in very quickly and spent the time before
departing wandering around the limited choice of shops and having a meal. Overall I’m not that
impressed with Glasgow when compared to other airports I have flown from.
Glasgow Airport review by C McLuckie
19 November 2007 Customer Rating :
Re. I Mitchell's comment. I don't disagree with the comment but, for information only, they have
actually just started work on a new extension to the terminal which should radically improve
matters. Due to open in late 2008.
Glasgow Airport review by I Mitchell
12 November 2007 Customer Rating :
Glasgow International Airport can only be described as being in a 1970's timewarp. The Airport is
dirty and shabby and a disgrace as one of Scotland's main airports. I had the misfortune to have to
fly from Glasgow in late August 2007. The check-in area is like any other major airport and reasonably
modern however once you check in your luggage there is little in the way of quality shopping and the
airport is dark and dingy. The food court area welcomes visitors with the most disgusting greasy chip
fat smells. I decided to leave this general area and move through to the departure lounge and through
security as I felt sure things must be better there. I was sadly mistaken. The Tax Free shopping is
poor and there is then only 2 pub like eating choices available. There is completely inadequate
seating for the number of passengers and the tables are greasy and dirty. I would not willingly choose
to fly from Glasgow again unless the airport is completely refurbished. On contrast when I landed in
Vancouver the airport there was futuristic, spotlessly clean and like a 5 star hotel lobby area.
Glasgow Airport review by Tom Caulfield
25 August 2007 Customer Rating : 
New Skylounge in international departures very nice and comfortable could have better selection of
food but drinks ok also free internet access staff very helpful. Check in facilities very good.
Glasgow Airport review by Daren Stubbs
13 February 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
Not too impressed with this airport. Seemed very cramped inside and not
enough seats for the number of passengers. Outside the road network
seemed very confusing and not very clear. Overall the impression was
that this airport had not planned enough for increase in passenger
numbers and was struggling to maintain adequate basic customer care,
Glasgow Airport review by Elizabeth Crookston
5 November 2006
Flew from Glasgow going to Sanford Orlando in October at six in the morning check in was ok but
after security the place was a disaster area. The cafes were very busy and no one was clearing
tables in fact I'm sure some of it had been there for hours. I appreciate that it was the school
holidays and the place was very busy but it doesn't inspire me to travel from Glasgow and had I been
a foreign visitor I would have been appalled at the state of the place. We couldn't even get a
sandwich. Edinburgh is a much nicer airport and one which I would normally choose to fly from as its
closer to home but unfortunately for us we had no option but to use Glasgow for this trip. I hope my
next visit will be more pleasant
Glasgow Airport review by Neil Bingham
5 October 2006
Arrived Glasgow Airport for early morning flight to North Cyprus.
Despite many cafes/restaurants only one open - why? - for us to get
breakfast - with a queue a mile long of course! 20mins after joining
very long queue for security checks (we have no problem with this
necessary evil) we found that there were TWO queues - of course we were
in the wrong one (the one for domestic flights)!! Better organisation
of queues needed for those of us unfamiliar with the airport. On return
to Glasgow on 25 Sep our baggage did not arrive on carousel until 90mins
after landing - and when it did the carousel was already being used for
a flight from USA (despite 4 or 5 unused carousels they put luggage from
two flights on same carousel at same time - what a shambles). After
waiting an hour for our bags, several people enquired at the "Baggage
Enquiries" desk - what a complete waste of time - they of course passed
the buck and said it was the airlines fault - nothing to do with them
Glasgow Airport! They also said they had tried to contact the duty
manager - without success. The baggage handling mess needs sorting as a
matter of high priority - if there is a delay then customers need to be
told, and need to be told the reason (The large lcd screens above the
carousel have loads of spare space for a message - even if you are
putting two flight numbers on them!) Come on Glasgow you can do better
than this - try getting a few tips from Newcastle or Durham Tees Valley
- they appear to have a much better idea on how to run an airport. Vast
improvement is needed before Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow.
Glasgow Airport review by Omar Moras
5 October 2006
Arrived in to Glasgow after a 7 hour flight from Dubai with Emirates.
As the 777 was full of passengers I expected to have a long wait for my
luggage - no sooner had I reached the belt the luggage started to come
through. Glasgow International is so close to the city compared to it's
other airport Glasgow Prestwick, I was in the city centre within 15
minutes. I had read recent reports before travelling about Glasgow
International but can say compared to some other airports I have been in
recently I cannot see where those people were coming from?
Glasgow Airport review by Moira Gibson
27 September 2006
Again after a transatlantic flight which arrived at 0630hrs (Sun 24th
Sept) into Glasgow, had to wait over an hour before any luggage arrived
from the flight. This is becoming the norm at Glasgow and they obviously
do not have enough baggage handlers. Some may say it was due to it being
a Sunday morning but this has happened the last 3 occasions when
returning from USA. Scotland has much to learn about the travel industry
and will lose customers to Edinburgh if this does not improve
immediately.
Glasgow Airport review by David McConnell
25 September 2006
As a Glasgow citizen I have remained loyal to the airport for a number of years but there is no
doubt that standards are now slipping significantly. Recently returned from Cyprus late evening and
had to endure a 70 minute wait for our bags to appear. While waiting, other arriving flights added
to the confusion as they were allocated the same baggage belt. It was fairly obvious that there was
a distinct lack of staff available to service the incoming flights. Let's hope Ferrovial can change
things around. It was only on leaving the car park that I realised that there may well be a strategy
at work! The recently revised traffic management setup at the airport determined that my daughter
had to enter the 'short stay' car park to pick us up but the baggage delay ensured that she
'exceeded' this period and as a result had to pay a signifificant amount on exit. Well done
Glasgow!!
Glasgow Airport review by Steve Ward
16 September 2006
A cramped airport with limited food and shopping outlets. Access to
Glasgow is good during off peak times but not so good to the rest of
Scotland. However, traffic at peak times is very bad so leave early to
avoid missing your flight. Hire car access is good with hire car right
outside terminal. Check in for EasyJet is in a separate shed, sorry,
building but doesn't suffer too much. Staff are very friendly.
Glasgow Airport review by Martin White
12 August 2006
I used to like travelling through Glasgow but it is losing its appeal.
For me (and many others) travelling to Edinburgh is much more convenient
and saves around 30 minutes (or more!) travelling by car. With its
ever-expanding range of destinations both to Europe and the US,
Edinburgh is fast becoming my first choice airport in Scotland. Sorry
but I really do feel Glasgow is losing out to Edinburgh now and it won't
be long before Edinburgh will become the main Scottish hub with Glasgow
playing second fiddle. When this happens it will be more and more
difficult for Glasgow to attract airlines.
Glasgow Airport review by David Allan
24 July 2006
Overall, a very cramped airport, with extremely limited F&B choices.
The outdoor seating area at Starbucks, while a good idea, was ankle-deep
in rubbish. Immigration is clearly overloaded/overwhelmed when (eg) a
777 Emirates flight from Dubai arrives, with no proper queue control.
Security check at departures is chaotic. Also extremely cramped at Gate
31, where we were held while waiting to board the Emirates flight back
to Dubai - why no proper departure lounges, as is the norm at other
international airports?
Glasgow Airport review by Eric Simpson
24 July 2006
Despite a 04.30 check-in the airport was already busy on the first
weekend of the Scottish school holiday season with long lines at a
number of check-in desks. Although the check-in area generally feels
well managed my impression is that over the years the first floor level
of the main terminal building has become very cluttered with retail
outlets, not all of which were open at this early hour. The business
section of the recently opened Skylounge is attractively furnished and
offers a stunning view over the runway and Kilpatrick Hills towards Ben
Lomond. This lounge is now being used by a number of airlines for its
premium passengers, however whether I would pay £17.50 for a visit is
another matter. There have been a number of other improvements to the
International departure pier all of which go to making Glasgow a much
more attractive international departure point.
Glasgow Airport review by Nathan Fotheringill
18 May 2006
I take exception to the comment below about parking. Yes, you get to
leave your car in a shiny new multi storey car park. Yes, it is next to
the terminal. However, £11 per day (and part thereof) is a rip off - a
stay of fifty hours cost us £33. Had we stayed another day it would have
cost more than my return flight ticket to Southampton. I will use my
usual off-airport car park, Q-Park (BCP) at Linwood next time as I don't
fancy returning from my holidays and being presented with a bill for
£150. As for the airport itself, it is acceptable in terms of
facilities. It was a bit dirty but our flight was the end of the day and
I'd like to think it would have got a tidy overnight. Security were
polite, which makes a pleasant change. Gate facilities were non-existent
at Gates 15 and 16 - there was a small snack bar nearby that was closed.
A small walk to the BA gates at the end of the pier would have been
required to purchase a pre-flight drink. On our return our bags were on
the belt before we got there. From experience, I know that there is
never much of a wait for baggage but no wait at all was impressive. I'm
more than happy to recommend GLA as long as you avoid the on-airport car parks.
Glasgow Airport review by John Oram
6 February 2006
I was happy with GLA on a recent visit. I was particularly impressed
with the number of food outlets. It would have been perfectly pleasant
to wait around had we needed to. No queues at security. I noticed the
short term car park which I was not using was a very good £11 per day -
STN take note!
Glasgow Airport review by J A Taylor
17 January 2006
Glasgow is finally coming into the 21st century with direct links to a
large easily accessible short stay car park making it perfect for drop
off or pick up of passengers. The expanded international arrival hall
with six carousels was long overdue as were the enclosures for smokers.
Why however can the short length of travelator which is provided on the
walkway to the international gates finger not be introduced on the
interminable walk required to reach the distant gates there. This is
done so successfully at Schiphol. All we need now is an extended list of
short haul international destinations to see off that overpriced
operation at Prestwick and the main "cowboy" operating there.
Glasgow Airport review by I Wong
6 May 2005
A very nice airport with lesser transit time and is less crowded than LHR. There
are dozens of good shops and restaurants to spend your time if you arrive early.
Many sleeping chairs are also available on second floors, which provide
excellent rests to transit passengers. Certainly, an alternative for those live
in Northern Ireland and Scotland who want to avoid chaos in LHR whe
Glasgow Airport review by D Gourlay
3 December 2004
A comment about the international departure lounge at Glasgow. My wife and I had a three hour wait
for our flight to Vancouver we opted for a small breakfast at the only outlet in this lounge, the
food was practically inedible, I actually broke the plastic fork trying to pierce the vulcanized
sausage on my plate. It was also quite obvious that any patron requiring service in the bar or
restaurant was disturbing the rude and indifferent staff. Disgusting food, high prices and rude
staff, shake it up Glasgow you are in dire need of some competition in that departure lounge.
Glasgow Airport review by A Brown
1 October 2004
GLA International wing is woefully inadequate for the traffic it handles. The entire building has
the feel of a warehouse and is dingy. The luggage carousels are far too small for the amount of
passengers coming off long haul flights. On the departures level there seems to be only one set of
washrooms that have a never ending line up. The seating areas at the gate are far too small and the
smoking area is not enclosed. It is more than just sunseekers that use GLA now, and it is becoming
an unpleasant place to board or deplane a long haul flight. The one positive thing is that I have
never had to wait more than a couple of minutes in the immigration line up.
Glasgow Airport review by Leo McMaster
27 July 2004
It has lots to do for the kids and for adults with good quality shops and
restaurants and bars. It also
has a Rangers and Celtic shop which just opened about 3 weeks ago which is all reasonably priced. I
haven't got any complaint to make about it except that it's a bit of a trek just to get to the
Departure Lounge before we board the aircraft.
Glasgow Airport review by Keith Millar
22 June 2004
Glasgow Airport is pleasant to use but it compares very poorly with other UK regional airports in
terms of the number of non-stop daily scheduled services to European destinations. Only Amsterdam,
Copenhagen and Dublin are served. Glasgow is Scotland's largest airport and yet the airports at
Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Prestwick offer many more scheduled European services. It would be
interesting to have BAA's explanation as to why Glasgow, uniquely, seems unable to benefit from the
boom in direct services from the regions.
Glasgow Airport review by W Jackson
26 May 2004
Glasgow Airport manages to be brighter and more spacious than most in thr UK, and has a much more
impressive set of connections than Edinburgh - both to the rest of the world and to the rest of
Scotland. But it seems to be subject to endless rebuilding, and it's amazing that there is not an
airport railway station. Best bet is to get the very cheap, very friendly and very fast bus
straight to Glasgow Central Station avoiding Paisley, and the overpriced taxi rank. Or better still
fly via Glasgow Prestwick.
Glasgow Airport review by Mark Evans
10 June 2003
While it remains a reasonably pleasant airport to use, Glasgow is beginning to look jaded and
suffers in comparison with the recently upgraded Edinburgh. The latter is spacious and airy, with
generous seating space, while Glasgow has degenerated into a typical BAA rabbit warren of shops and
food concessions. An odour of fast food products often prevails.
The airport is 12-13 km west of Glasgow city centre, and public transport to central Glasgow (and
Paisley) is provided by mini-buses provided by various operators. Many of their drivers accept the
challenge of belting along the M8 at Schumacher speeds, but their steeds are not the most
comfortable. Again, this arrangement appears inferior to Edinburgh's Airport Shuttle service using
modern dedicated double-deckers. Given the intense historic rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow, I hope my comments will provoke
improvements at the Glasgow end. "Let Glasgow Flourish" is the city's
motto, and it will have a better
chance of doing so with an improved airport.
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