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Durham Tees Valley Airport Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports
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DURHAM/TEES VALLEY AIRPORT customer review : 4 April 2012 by Leo Enticknap (UK) |
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Rating : 3/10 |  |
Queuing |  |
Cleanliness |  |
Facilities |  |
Recommended |  |
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Customer service has deteriorated significantly since my last trip in Jan. I arrived to catch KL1534 on 27
March 2012. Check-in agent said she could not tag my suitcase through to my final destination, claiming that
a routing of 4 flights cannot be printed on a single tag. I have taken many 4 flight journeys in the past with a
single bag tag printed at the starting airport. I suspect that the real reason is that doing so involves some
complication, and that she just couldn't be bothered. The airside gents' toilet stank of sewage so badly it
was impossible to set foot in there. Finally, there was no priority boarding for Skyteam Elite members on the
KLM flights: boarding was done by everyone stampeding for the gate queue as soon as the flight was called.
If this airport wants to survive, let alone continue charging passengers a £6 departure fee which its rivals in
the region do not, it needs to start running a much more professional operation.
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DURHAM/TEES VALLEY AIRPORT review : 29 June 2010 by Leo Enticknap
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
I flew from MME for the first time in almost a year, largely because the cost of KLM tickets
to a long haul destination have for some reason become more expensive than their equivalents
from MAN. This time however there was only about a £60 difference between the MME-AMS-SEA-BUR
flight compared to going from MAN, and I thought that was worth paying for the convenience and
absence of queues that MME offers. On the outward trip at least it was. Apart from the KLM
flight I boarded there was almost no traffic at all (I get the impression the loss of charter
and holiday flights due to the recession must have hit MME hard), and it remains one of the
most stress-free airports I've ever used. There was one irritation. The Iceland volcano
business started while I was away, as a result of which my return was delayed by four days.
While I was away I emailed MME telling them that my car would overstay its paid-in-advance
booking in the airport car park, asking them not to clamp it or have it towed away, and asking
if I'd be liable for any extra charge. Don't worry, your car is safe and no extra charge,
came a very quick reply. However, when I did return, there were no airport staff around
anywhere to get my ticket validated and I had to pay an extra £38 in the machine to get out of
the car park. I later wrote to the airport enclosing the receipt and asking if they'd
consider refunding me. It's now two months later and I've had no reply. Admittedly this is a
very minor problem compared to the volcano disruption some people experienced, but given that
MME must be having real problems retaining routes and passengers (not surprising given how
much the cost of KLM flights from the airport have gone up), I didn't find that very
impressive; especially given that the volcano disruption would have meant fewer departing
passengers and thus my car was not taking up a space that someone else would have wanted and
been willing to pay for.
DURHAM/TEES VALLEY AIRPORT review : 9 November 2008 by Andrew Bennett
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Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
I should report good news. On a recent flight to AMS, my pre-printed boarding pass could not be read
by the scanner at security and I was dealt with (as were other passengers in a similar situation)
very brusquely and rudely by a couldn't-care-less, it's-everybody-else's-fault-but-mine attendant.
On my return, I wrote a letter of complaint to the airport manager, received an immediate
acknowledgement and, within a few days, a detailed and thoughtful apology, not just a standard,
half-hearted general fob-off. Excellent PR, which I applaud.
Durham/Tees Valley Airport by Andrew Bennett
17 October 2006 Customer Rating : n/a
I have used this airport much more regularly since my previous comment
and cannot fault it as a quick departure/arrival point. I flew in from
AMS on Saturday afternoon and, even with hold luggage to collect, was
driving away in my car just 12 minutes after touching down. There
aren't many facilities, and the staff are willing in a slightly
amateurish way rather than polished in PR techniques, but who cares when
progress through the terminal is so quick and easy? Let's hope it
doesn't grow too quickly for its own good!
Durham/Tees Valley Airport by Alan Davies
21 June 2006
First time used MME for a holiday charter flight, (to Paphos), though
used MME many times before as feeder to either AMS or LHR. All very
efficient, though agree with previous comment about making use of shops
and cafe/bar before going thru security. On return, baggages arrived in
arrivals hall before we did, even though B737 800 series plane was full
with about 190 pax. At Paphos, airport departures still called in
Teeside (sic), as do most people me thinks. Signposting at airport could
be better during current refurbishments, though overall experience
superior to NCL.
Durham/Tees Valley Airport by Andrew Bennett
10 June 2006
I agree with both previous comments. Although my most local airport, I
used it for the first time only this week to fly out to LUX via AMS
(with KLM) then back from BRU via LHR (with BMI). I was on the road
barely 10 minutes after landing on my return (hand baggage only) but had
some trouble checking in at Brussels, where the staff still referred to
the airport as Teesside, then again passing through passport control at
Heathrow, when I gave Teesside as my destination and was told somewhat
sharply (and lacking any humour in tone or body language) by the man on
the desk that there was no such place! Seriously, road signs must be a
real pain for strangers to the area - why on earth can't quick, stick-on
amendments have been made by now? Overall, however, a pleasantly small
and efficient operation - although, like Leeds/Bradford (of which in
many ways, this is a smaller version) passengers will need to be
prepared to get very wet and/or cold when joining or leaving aircraft in
poor weather.
Durham/Tees Valley Airport by Dave Booth
25 May 2006
I use this little airport for flights between northern England and SE
Asia via AMS on KLM. I find it a very convenient feeder airport to the
AMS hub and the small size of the terminal ensures that arrivals are
swift and painless - I'm on the road within 15 mins of hitting the
tarmac in most cases. Staff are generally friendly and helpful.
By contrast, nearby NCL - which used to be very quick and efficient - is
much more hassle with some of the most miserable ground staff in Europe.
Durham/Tees Valley Airport by Leo Enticknap
13 May 2006
Finding this airport can be confusing, because it recently changed its
name from Teesside to Durham/Tees Valley. Signs on the main feeder
roads (i.e. the A19, A66 and A1M) have not all been updated, so look out
for either. There is a free bus to and from Darlington rail station,
but it takes a while and is only hourly outside peak times. At the time
of writing (12 May 2006), a new terminal building is under construction.
The temporary entrance is on the west side of the existing terminal, and
again is not well signposted. This airport's major strength is that
because there are only one or two flights coming and going at any time,
there are never any massive queues. You'll get through security and
(for incoming international passengers) customs and immigration a lot
quicker than at NCL or LBA. The long-term car park is significantly
cheaper, too. There are self-service check in machines for BMI flights
to Heathrow, and desks for all other flights. If you want something to
eat before your flight, I suggest getting it at the pub or café BEFORE
going through security, as the only airside food outlet does pretty
grim, reheated sandwiches and not much else. Ditto for
newspapers/books/magazines - there is a W.H. Smith in the check-in area,
but not the departure lounge (but it does have a bar and a duty free
shop). If there's nothing in it price-wise, I would always fly from MME
in preference to LBA or NCL because it's a very quick airport to get in
and out of; but the facilities are more limited.
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