Liverpool Airport  Passenger Reviews and Liverpool Airport Customer opinions

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has the rudest staff I have encountered in any airport I have visited. From the female member of Flybe staff who provided us with the least-welcoming check in experience I have ever had (she didn't even point us in the direction of departures), to the male manager of the Burger King who I witnessed being extremely rude to a foreign lady who was struggling to order in broken English, I didn't receive so much as a smile from anyone the whole time I was going through. It was a bank holiday when we went through the airport - and didn't we know it. We were made to feel like a complete burden to these oh-so-important members of staff. To add to this mess, the toilets were a disgrace, and smelt. Security were predictably dour, and again just plain rude. If you can avoid Liverpool Airport, do so. Manchester is just down the road, and in my experience the staff there are much more professional. Liverpool's staff just seem to be a bunch of amateurs, and did not make me feel confident about getting on a plane supported by them at all.

This is an awful airport to get to via public transport. There is a pervasive atmosphere of neglect and understaffing throughout. Security staff are the rudest I have encountered. Gate areas are more like human holding pens. It can be difficult to identify whether it is the public toilets or the carpets which are more offensive to one's nostrils. The whole raison d'être of Liverpool was low cost, small, convenient, quick and easy to pass through, but it now fails on all points. In summary, grubby, tired and cheap. If there were a race to the bottom, Liverpool Airport has excelled.

I've used this airport, amongst many others recently. The facilities are fine, queuing no different to any other UK airport I have experienced and parking is a doddle. Staff, including security, are friendly if you have a smile on your face and have prepared (read the signs, there are plenty of them). Some of the buildings are getting a bit tired and the carpets worn, but by and large Liverpool airport is user friendly and to my mind runs safely and efficiently.

Shockingly bad. I didn't have high expectations, it is a low-cost, budget facility after all. But, having to drag luggage from the multi-storey car park to the terminal in torrential rain with no weather proof route was a sign indicative of the whole experience. How much would it cost to build a bus shelter like route? Arrived to check in for the new Norwegian flight. Two girls behind the desks, one filing her nails whilst the other was chatting. Finally got their attention. No smiles, not even given the normal full security questions. Passports handed back without so much as a thanks or have a pleasant flight. Why are security queues so long at such a quiet airport? Ridiculous! The gate area was tired looking and absolutely freezing. Flying back into LPL was just as dire. The airport is tired, cheap and run down. I won't be coming back in a hurry.

I use Liverpool Airport regularly because Liverpool is the nearest option. One of the worst laid out airports, no sky bridges, cheap and nasty design with terrible extensions to the original building. The toilets are poor with dryers that don't work and the feel of portacabins. Security staff can be obnoxious, or in fairness sometimes incredibly helpful. Not a patch on Manchester in terms of efficiency or professionalism. Queuing time to go through security can be unbelievable or a breeze, this is about capacity and poor organisation. The 'Fast Track' facility is a scandal. Far worse than leaving is arriving. The baggage arrivals area is a dump and immigration are just so unpleasant. A mixed bag.

I use LPL 3 times a year and rarely have any problems with checking-in or security. 'Arrivals' is not quite so pleasant as landing at the EZY gates means trudging up and down stairs and along corridors with worn/dirty carpets. Security and baggage reclaim are about average for other airports. I have never found the staff to be rude or unhelpful as mentioned by other reviewers.

I use Liverpool Airport regularly, about every 2 months because I fly to Nice and during the winter months easyjet from Liverpool is the nearest option. Considering all the changes that have taken place recently and the volume of traffic it serves I find it one of the most badly laid out airports I have ever used, no sky bridges, no covering when walking to plane etc. I have also found the security staff to be extremely rude and officious, and the queuing time is to go through security is disgraceful. The most shocking thing to my mind is the 'Fast Track' facility where you can purchase for £4 a ticket to enable you to queue-push, there is no dedicated check area for this you are simply directed to the front of the queue in front of everyone who has been waiting. I could understand the merits of fast track if the money collected funded another desk whereby by paying your money you have the benefit of a speedy transition and all the other passengers queue as normal. The security checkpoints are funded by all passengers by virtue of the money we all pay for our airfare and the money the airlines pay to the airport, why then should we be expected to pay extra because the security is so slow and inefficient, just get your act together Liverpool and speed up and use the money from Fast Track to improve things and not slow non payers down further.

Sunday evening and only one lane through security. It took 20 minutes to get through and staff were rude and appeared to be on a 'go slow'. Overheard one member of staff say "Do they not understand English". Well, it is actually an airport and therefore it is quite possible that some passengers may not understand English, especially English spoken with an accent. I don't use this airport often but when I do it never fails to disappoint. Come on Liverpool - get your act together. When it's taking longer than 5 to 10 minutes to get an individual through security - open another lane - take a lead from the supermarkets! Train your staff on how to be efficient and courteous. Modern day air travel has become a stressful and often bewildering experience for most people. I for one will do everything in my power to avoid this airport in the future.

There over Friday Night during the Snow, delayed 17 Hours in all. Both Servisair and Ryanair useless. Ryanair sent passengers by Taxi at their own expense to a Hotel where they were told they had not been booked in had to pay return Taxi fare to Airport. Only one de-icing machine which broke down. Should not be allowed to call itself International.

I go to Jersey every 3 months on Easyjet to visit family. I use Liverpool although I am nearer Manchester because generally almost everything is quick and efficient. However every time on return I have to wait for a very long time at the carousel for my baggage. There is never an announcement explaining the delay and so I presume the management takes the delay as the norm. Yesterday 26.12.12. however topped the lot when I waited longer for my bags than it took me to fly from Jersey. This is very shoddy treatment of the customers. These baggage handlers need to be spoken to. They clearly don't feel the need to hurry.

Quite a pleasant airport apart from the unfriendly security staff who take their job far too seriously. I was subjected to an extensive and very intimidating body search because their overly sensitive X-ray machine apparently picked up a 50p coin in one of my pockets.

A pretty substandard airport in my opinion, very little in the way of facilities before and after security, cafes and bars expensive. Passport control was slow and surly, all in all a pretty depressing place. I will attempt to fly from Manchester in the future!

My wife and I travelled to Lanzarote with Ryanair 13/11/12. My wife has mobility problems and so we booked assistance directly with the airport prior to travelling. The PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) staff were friendly and helpful at all stages and helped us and 3 other passengers on the flight throughout the transit through the terminal. Security staff were polite and efficient (despite me forgetting I had an MP3 player in my shirt pocket). In order to check-in at the gate we had to squeeze past a long queue of other passengers with our wheelchairs down a corridor and then reverse the process to get back to the accessible ramp down to the aircraft. The outside queuing areas for normal passengers looked cold and drafty and we were held at the foot of the aircraft steps for around 5 mins waiting for the crew to allow us to board. It was dark and windy, but luckily dry. On return we were again met by PRM staff and fast tracked through Border Control and into baggage collection without any problems. Would agree with comments about the general dingy feel of the apron areas and the outside queuing areas, but for us the process was generally okay. The PRM staff need a mention for their help, support and humour. LPL is generally a low cost airport so even if there were jetways, I doubt if Ryanair and Easyjet would pay the additional fees associated with more convenient aircraft stands.

Have used this airport several times over the last few years. My most recent was 16th November for a short hop over to the Isle of Man. Since my last trip, their have been a few changes, and for the better I would say. Departure lounge seems bigger with more retail outlets, and a bigger duty free shop. Staff I found to be very helpful, and not rude at all, as in some other reviews. The only down side was walking down to Gate 4. I found this to a bit on the scruffy side, with carpets that were in need of a good clean, and bringing up to the standards of the rest of the airport. Appreciate the footfall with the LCC's is high, but a lick of paint and a carpet clean certainly wouldn't go amiss.

I am forced to use LPL quite regularly (8 times this year). Despite some attempts to bring LPL up-to-date, it continues to be a very poorly managed airport characterised by rude and incompetent staff, frequent huge delays to get relatively small numbers of passengers through security, and embarrassing passport control where huge delays are also frequent. Recent observations: 1. Passengers missing or nearly missing flights (I only just made it before the gate closed) on 21/10 because only two security lanes were open - wait time 30 minutes. 2. Staff texting on their mobile phones while waiting to escort staff from the plane. 3. Having a sealable bag containing liquids being rejected at security in a rude manner because the bag was supposedly "too large" and being forced to go back to the machines to by smaller ones. In fact it was only 5 cm longer and 5cm wider than the ones sold in the machines. I have checked this and there is no definition of an upper size on a bag, only loose guidelines.

Arrived at 2:20pm to catch a 4pm flight. Only 1 attendant was initially on the easyjet check in which meant that it was 3pm before I got a boarding card. Security was a nightmare. They have 6 lanes and were only using 3. I was called for my flight at 3.30 and I was still not through. At 3.45 I arrived at the gate and was met by a very annoyed member of the ground crew. They held the flight but it was an extremely stressful experience. Manchester next time I think.

As a regular user of LPL, I haven't suffered any of the extreme experiences reported by some contributors. For me, an airport's principal purpose is to facilitate my departure / arrival as painlessly as possible and LPL has largely done so each time I have used it this year. I have no problems with walking from the car park (instead of having to wait for a transfer bus as at some airports) and, travelling hand luggage only, have rarely spent more than half an hour getting from car park through to departure lounge. Passage through security has always been swift - but my wife and I are usually flying out first thing in the morning - and we have never encountered any lack of politeness, perhaps because a smile and a "Good morning" from us creates a favourable ambience. Even when we had an item confiscated last week (a jar of jam - don't ask!), it was done in a perfectly pleasant way and demonstrated that the security staff were vigilant. I would agree that the carpeting throughout the terminal looks dowdy, but I think that is due to an unfortunate choice of pattern / colour rather than actual dirtiness. Returning through LPL isn't the most exciting experience in the world, especially if two flights arrive almost simultaneously, but I have queued far longer at passport control in Spanish airports and had longer walks from plane to exit. As long as LPL continues to meet my requirements as a relatively efficient departure or arrival point, I shall be content to use it.

I am forced to use LPL quite regularly (8 times this year). Despite some attempts to bring LPL up-to-date, it continues to be a very poorly managed airport characterised by rude and incompetent staff, frequent huge delays to get relatively small numbers of passengers through security, and embarrassing passport control where delays are also frequent. Recent observations: Passengers missing or nearly missing flights (I only just made it before the gate closed) on 21/10 because only two security lanes were open - wait time 30 minutes. Having a sealable bag containing liquids being rejected at security in a rude manner because the bag was supposedly "too large" and being forced tio go back tio the machines to by smaller ones. In fact it was only 5 cm longer and 5cm wider than the ones sold in the machines. I have checked this and there is no definition of an upper size on a bag, only loose guidelines.

Just had really bad and potentially serious experience with the long queues at security. Joined the queue for security checks, after 10 minutes little movement with the security waiting area totally full. No problem I thought I had arrived over 2 hours before my departure time, clearly others hadn't and tempers became frayed. Some 'final call' passengers panicked and started to shortcut to the front, collapsing barriers and generating a furious reaction from other passengers whilst even more raced in the opposite direction to purchase four pound 'official queue jumper' fast track tickets. An elderly passenger clearly in distress, white as a sheet, collapsed and was helped through to the front by myself and fellow passengers. Incredibly security staff did nothing - the best I could get out of any staff was basically "It's not my problem". The situation was very ugly - total absence of management or supervisory staff - passengers on the verge of making 999 calls. My total 'security' queuing time was a mere 90 minutes.

I have flown in and out of John Lennon Airport about 6 times in the last few weeks and only had good experiences, this morning being typical. I was checked in and had dropped my bag within 5 minutes of walking into the airport, and that included the time it took me transfer some items from my checked baggage, which was overweight, to my hand baggage, suggested by the check in agent (EZY). Security took me maybe 10 minutes and the people were pleasant. I also noticed them helping a man who was partly crippled, with great kindness and courtesy. I had a very good breakfast at £12.50 but worth the extra for freshly prepared food, proper waitress service, and much better than awful self service ones where you get bacon that was cooked hours before and eggs swimming in grease. Boarding was a bit slow and the queue obstructed peoples' passage to other areas, bad design, but overall as on previous occasions a good experience.

One of the most terrible experiences. Long queues at Easyjet Check-in. Rude staff. Security area: Maybe more than 100 people waiting and only 3 out of 6 channels were open. I didn't know that you can wait 50 minutes just for security. People who didn't want to miss their flights had to pay extra for Fast Track. For me, it looked like that's their business: Have long queues to make extra money with Fast Track. I never had such a long time from arriving at the airport to the arrival at the gate. Even at the biggest airports like Heathrow, Atlanta, Incheon or Frankfurt, I have never lost so much time for the whole Check-in and Security Check procedure.

Flew out of Liverpool airport on the 22nd Aug, only carrying hand luggage. Went through security very fast, no queues at all, staff pleasant and smiling, facilities in departures were fine - ideal for waiting for your flight. Our return on 5th Sep was off the plane and through customs within 10 mins so no problems at all.

I recently travelled through John Lennon Airport and had a series of unpleasant experiences. I have some mobility difficulties as a result of a severe and intermittent balance problem. I have very little difficulty provided I can use a walking stick as an aid. Without the aid I need assistance to be mobile, with the mobility aid I experience very limited problems. Over the past years I have travelled with my mobility aid through four continents and about 60 different airports. Liverpool was the worst where security staff, including a supervisor delighted in humiliating and obstructing people with restricted mobility. No assistance offered and I was explicitly told that none would be made available despite the security staff creating the problem by refusing to allow me to use my mobility aid. The staff were rude, uncaring and indifferent to the problems their behaviour creates for people with mobility difficulties. To create mobility problems for those with incapacitating medical conditions and to refuse any help is both inhumane and deliberately rude and unwelcoming. It also fitted in with a general couldn't care less about customer comfort and experience typified by the poor state of maintenance of toilet facilities. I would strongly advise people choose other airports where staff care about the quality of the customer experience and recognise and respect the difficulties faced by those with mobility difficulties.

Had to walk all the way from the car park to the terminal, which took forever. Only plus for the terminal was the restaurant with excellent food and first class service. The biggest minus was the state of the carpets throughout as they were filthy and in the departure corridor they smelt awful. We have flown from a lot of airports up and down the country and will seriously think about going from Liverpool again.

Not sure why my experience would be so different from the one by M Austin, who also gave another review that was so contrary to virtually all the other reviews (have they ever flown from anywhere else?). Parking we found to be expensive, little wait at bag-drop but then again the airport was not busy. Security was slow and still very rude as was my previous experience last fall. I found cleanliness in the departure lounge to be lacking, and even worse inbound in baggage claim. Departure lounge was OK, but facilities were far from excellent. Food in restaurant was not of a high standard, and stores were mediocre and lacking in comparison to even smaller airports.

Cheapest car parking I have ever come across (if booked in advance), quick and easy to get to. There were virtually no queues at the Bag Drop desk, and I had the easiest passage through security that I have ever had at any airport. The departure lounge was very clean and comfortable and was equipped with excellent facilities, boarding was quick and easy and was well staffed. On return passport control is very clean, quick and efficient and baggage reclaim was quick and clean and quick and easy to exit the car park. Overall an excellent airport that I would recommend to everyone.

I used Liverpool airport for the first time in a few years recently - I have to say, the Departure experience has vastly improved - gone now is the terrible old slow security area that forced you to queue on the stairs or tried to blackmail you with a "Priority Security Charge" - the security area is now well staffed and you get through it quickly - plus the new route through departures takes you on a nice walk with good views across the airfield and the river. The departure area is well equipped with shops and cafes etc, but still with plenty of waiting space, and you don't have to walk far to the gates. I like the fact that they have a couple of bits of John Lennon memorabilia scattered about the place - I'd suggest that they acquire some more and turn it into a bit of a mini-museum - little things like that make a difference to an airport experience. Flying into the airport is still a bit rubbish though - you now have to walk along a long semi-exposed walkway through to the arrivals area, which is fun when it's cold and wet - fine if you are travelling on your own, but this must be an ordeal if you have young kids in tow. To be fair, when I arrived, baggage reclaim was quick as was passport control, and I was in the arrivals area within about 10 mins of touchdown, which really isn't bad. Parking fees are pretty steep at the airport - I'd suggest if you are getting collected, the best thing would be for whoever is collecting you to wait in a side road and for you to phone them when you are about to go through customs, then meet them in the "drop off" zone - you still only get 5 mins, so you need to be quick (again, probably not practical if you have kids in tow or have mobility problems). On the whole, it really is not a bad airport if you know how to play the game a bit there.

What a totally negative experience travelling via Liverpool Airport. Passenger drop off is difficult and cars are only allowed 5 minutes. I am only 67 years old but still found it physically challenging. The corridors and walls are disgracefully dirty and practically every ventilation grill, duct or fan is surrounded by thick dirt and grime. Returning from Estonia today 28th June 2012, not only was everything dirty but the stale smell was more like a cattle market. Once beautiful etched glass walls were dirty and dull. Is this the Olympic year when we are supposed to be show piecing Britain? I hope none of our foreign visitors decide to come via Liverpool. I am totally ashamed of my local airport and I think the management should do some travelling abroad to see what people expect in this modern bright world. Returning to Manchester as soon as possible.

Travelled: In last month. I can certainly agree with some of the previous passengers in relation to the security staff, never had my baggage drug swabbed before leaving the UK to fly to Ireland before, would expect customs to carry out this check not a private security company, another time wasting aspect. It seems there is a shortage of seats on purpose to make you purchase from there stores, and another little trick they try and pull is the friendly little question would you like to pay in euro's on your credit card, of course as my currency is the euro, I think for a moment and ask what's your exchange rate?, 8 cent less than the standard rate. Another thing to be careful of, they stick to the clear plastic bag dimensions rigorously to make you buy theirs. There is an express queue through security if you want to use it basically its just side stepping the queue and following the crew channel, but of course you pay extra for the privilege of nothing really, just another money making racket. Its the only airport that I have found where airport security staff insist on you carrying only one handbag for hand luggage, I always thought that was the airlines business, just goes to show who controls the airport.

Excellent Airport. Arrived at the airport for my flight to Malaga and went straight to the Ryanair bag drop where there was virtually no queue after parking (cheap and on site) and entering the terminal. Security was very quick and easy and staff friendly and efficient. The departure lounge was clean and had lots of shops and eating outlets to enjoy before boarding. Boarding was completed efficiently. On return at the busiest time of the day for arrivals the immigration queue moved very quickly and baggage arrived straight away - from landing to exiting the car in just 18 minutes! Overall an excellent airport which is very easy to use with friendly staff.

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