MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  5 November 2009 : by N Fortuna   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Screens at luggage claim proudly display landing time and when bags first appear, usually within some 10 minutes of landing (this was a Schengen flight). This may satisfy some service criteria MXP management imposes into the luggage subcontractor. Result for passengers on this flight was that a couple of bags appear (satisfying the performance criteria), but the remaining bags take a lot longer. Carts cost EUR1, refundable. Lifts to public transport are quite small, esp with cart. Public transport from the airport is varied, with taxis costing a fixed EUR85 to Milan downtown, trains cost EUR11 one way to Cadorna, and buses to Central station cost EUR7.50. Unfortunately, there was only one booth selling train tickets with no automated booths available - the line was at least 30 passengers. Check-in was a breeze, as was the security check - efficient and polite. In all not a bad experience, only the pubic transport lets it down.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  6 October 2009 : by A Cook   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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MXP-EDI by Easyjet from Terminal 2. Transport from Milan arrives at T1 -there's a free shuttle bus connecting - time taken 10mins. Check-in efficient. Security slow, all 4 people in front of me were carrying bottled water in their carry-on luggage in spite of the ubiquitous warnings. Shops poor - selling Parmesan for eu33/kg! this is the most outrageous of the rip- offs along with the worldwide bottled water scam. Toilets fairly clean. Non Schengen departure gates have about 40 seats for 5 gates - and constant loud music and adverts from screens. Random security searches carried out at gate, but swift. Overall the airport is rundown and spartan and unattractive. Only CDG is worse than this place.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  24 September 2009 : by Antonio Agra   (Argentina)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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The building looks old and in bad shape. I don't know why but we never arrive or depart from gates - always buses making you lose time and unnecessary walks.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  8 September 2009 : by F Dellera   (Italy)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Seems that after Alitalia left, the airport is working better. Train connections have greatly improved, still not enough shops open but still a great improvement since the old days.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  17 August 2009 : by Dominique Branchart   (France)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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I spent two weeks in northern Italy (Lake Como, Venice, Milan, Turin and then Florence) and arrived to MXP. The airport is quite good, the new common lounge has wonderful couches and the check-in during the return to France was fast. I used the rail link to Milan and the train was clean, but it takes 40 minutes, it should be improved. MXP is quite small so you don't have to walk a lot such as in other airports and it's really easy to navigate.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  28 July 2009 : by K Javeri   (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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The airport is poorly connected with the city. The Malpensa Express leaves every 30 minutes and only does so from Terminal 1. On my way in, I arrived on the platform as the doors were closing, so I was sitting around for 30 minutes - on my way out, I missed my train and had for fork out EUR85 for a taxi. Obviously, the next time around I would take the bus, but compared to other major international airports like JFK, LHR etc the connections are sparse and the penalty for missing a train or bus can be quite costly.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review :  16 July 2009 : by Kurt Mueller   (Germany)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Arriving from and departing to Shengen destinations, you can avoid the immigration desks. However the airport is - despite its relative youth - quite dated in architecture and layout. For instance, if you drive up and stop in front of the door identified by the LH logo, you have to walk back 100 metres before you can find the LH check in area. Security check queues are unnecessarily long - how about opening a few more x-ray lanes (there are always four or five machines not in use). Next: the apron buses. You get called for boarding and spend (on my last trip) 20 minutes on board the bus before a driver appears and somewhat haphazardly drives you to your plane.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 13 July 2009 by Bruce Manttan

Customer Rating :  2/5

My wife and I arrived at Malpensa, Terminal 1, on Singapore Airlines at 0630 hours. Our first overall impression of the arrival area was that this was hardly befitting the entryway to an international city. It looked old, dated and most unwelcoming. Baggage arrival and security processing was quick, although the young man at passport control carried out his duties in a surly, peremptory manner. As we had time to kill before the Alibus journey to Stresa, we seated ourselves in the main arrivals concourse until we noticed a gaping hole in the roof above us and what looked like timber planks overlapping it slightly, so we moved. Later, when the Alibus Office opened, we asked for directions to the bus departure point. We were told to go to the Information booth nearby. The woman there, excused herself, saying that she was going for her morning coffee; this was okay by us. When she returned however, she brusquely pointed to a nearby door and said that the buses were to be found through there. Normally, we could have worked this out for ourselves, but being tired and jetlagged, we thought it better to ask for help. What upset us more was the offhand manner that these people displayed to two intelligent, elderly people who were also polite and reasonable in their requests. The Alibus driver was similarly brusque and unhelpful in manner. However, on arrival in Stresa, and later, throughout Italy, we experienced much goodwill and as a consequence thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The lesson to be learned is that it costs nothing for frontline staff at an international airport to be polite and helpful despite the petty annoyances that foreign travellers may bring in their wake. Unfortunately, first impressions are often lasting ones. It also makes good economic sense to treat individual travellers well, rather than the "who cares, there are many more to follow' kind of attitude.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 13 July 2009 by Sarah Leeves

Customer Rating :  3/5

The airport is user-friendly, quite efficient, good staff at security and it was also fast. It's spacious and fortunately it's not one of those horrible shopping mall, I booked my trip with Lufthansa Italia and the girl helping passengers was very kind. MXP is a good airport for short connections, because it's not so large as many other airports.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 9 June 2009 : by Stevie Gee

Customer Rating :  2/5

I commute between London and Milan each week. Malpensa is pretty bad. Everything about it is provincial. The buses from the airplanes to the terminals are a joke. When the doors of the buses open there is always a mad scramble to get to the two guys checking passports (when two planes land, that's two guys checking passports for 300 people, so one dodgy passport and it can take an hour). Once through, the bags come through in an average amount of time. The exit hall is the fun bit though - there are many illegal cab drivers who crowd the exit asking you if you want a taxi and gently barring the way to the proper taxi rank. This is done with the active support of airport security. The first time I landed I thought these were the only taxis available and when I said I was looking for the bus stand they told me the last bus had gone (a lie), so I took the cab. Anyway, 80 euros later I arrived in central Milan having witnessed the breaking of every traffic law on Earth. Still, the illegal cab drivers are the only people in the airport who speak English. Even the bureau de change struggle - as far as I can see can only say 'no Euros left' in English (seriously, I've tried them four times and on three occasions they have claimed to have no Euros left!) The Malpensa express is very reliable, but only runs from terminal 1. You will need at least half an hour to get from terminal 2 to terminal 1 (by one unreliable bus) so beware of that. The train is slow, but metronomic and reasonably comfortable. Make sure you stamp your ticket before getting on otherwise you risk a fine.

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 5 February  2009 : by Alistair Peckham

Customer Rating :  3/5

Arriving bags arrived fast for these historically bad airport for baggage handling. Checkin and security fast and good. Improved massively since AZ left, and lets hope before any other big airline swoops into MXP that MXP airport expands in it's infrastructure within the airport. Let down was the new construction of short term parking and the new part of the terminal which has out short term parking in an awkward place. And the toilets! Get them sorted out - a disgrace!

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 6 January 2009 : by Peter Cullen

Customer Rating :  2/5

I have used Terminal one 5-6 times in the past, as others have said, it has its shortcomings, but I never felt it was too bad. Recently went to Terminal 2 for the first time: arrival not bad, though getting on a bus when the terminal building was about 20 metres from the front of the aircraft is a bit frustrating. Departing was considerably worse: security was quick, though that was where the efficiency ended. Not enough seats and limited food facilities. Worse followed though: we knew the flight was delayed by '45 minutes' (not the airport's fault, it was foggy). We were then called to the gate about 30 minutes before 'departure' by a message on the screens ; after about 20 minutes we were told that we were at the wrong gate (and treated as if it was our fault) so, we all went to the right gate where we stood for another 30 minutes before the aircraft arrived. We were then cleared to stand for a further 20 minutes before being allowed to board the aircraft, it eventually left the stand 90 minutes after the scheduled time. I am not complaining about the delay, bad weather in January is a hazard of flying, but the airport must have known it was going to be much more than 45 minutes late a couple of hours in advance, why did they not inform us? Also why did they have 100 people just standing around for well over an hour, again they must have known - we could have shared the sparse seating. When will airport managers treat passengers as understanding human beings rather than units to be processed in ignorance whenever a problem arises?

MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT review : 10 December 2008 : by F Oegema

Customer Rating :  2/5

After Paris CDG Malpensa is the worst big airport in Europe, and it's slightly better than CDG only because since Alitalia's demise it has become relatively quiet, which makes life more bearable. But this does not take away anything from the fact that this airport is badly designed, badly constructed and even worse maintained. I am a KLM Elite customer and I speak fluently Italian so I usually get good service, but every time I'm there I see how most 'common' and foreign people are treated like cattle (unfortunately typical of Northern Italy in general). One positive note: the Alitalia business lounge in the 'A' area has hardly any customers any more but still has a real Italian coffee bar, so if you're on a Skyteam flight go there (the AF/KLM lounge is an embarrassment).

Milan Malpensa Airport review by T Saunders

17 June 2008   Customer Rating :

Initially, not a bad airport. Thumbs up for quick security clearance though, and we must accept that having to embark/disembark via shuttle bus is simply part of air travel these days. Until they build more gates at least.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by S Gardner

4 June 2008   Customer Rating :

For an airport which is not so old, the services at Malpensa are appalling. The way of closing all bars and shops from 9 at night until 9 in the morning - is this an international airport or a shopping mall ?

Milan Malpensa Airport review by David Bielli

16 March 2008   Customer Rating :

MXP should be reconstructed, restructured, reorganized. It is one of the worst airports you will ever get a chance to visit. Arrival haul for check-in is confusing, signs are small, only two posts with screens showing check-in gates. Bad choices of shops, unfriendly staff, badly signed. Once you check in, you have to track downstairs to go through the security - which is really inconvenient, as there are only stairs. Security lines took me about 40mins before I got to the terminal. With little time to spare, I looked around for some shops - most of them were small, reminded me of little South American airport stands - definitely not worth an Italian - airport hub. Buses are used (I transited 3 times in February) to transfer the pax - something awful in the Italian cold and once it was even raining, so we got on the plane completely wet. Overall, this is one of the worst airports - avoid at all costs unless something major changes. Sad thing to see gateway to Northern Italy in such a disastrous state.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by A Peckham

5 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrived in Schengen no probs about immigration. Bags arrived in 10 minutes which is unheard of in the infamous baggage history of this airport. Admittedly this was handled by ATA better or far more reliable than SEA handling. I hope the future absence of Alitalia, with it withdrawing most services from the airport, will make things better!

Milan Malpensa Airport review by F Cremonini

31 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Milan Malpensa is certainly one of the worst airports in Europe, despite the fact that the Terminal 1is relatively new - it is about 10 year-old. Due to a general lack of gates, you will be bussed if you come from most destinations in Europe. There are a few shops inside and a couple of bars. Toilets look like they have been built in the 70' and have never been renewned - nor cleaned! Baggage handling took ages - up to one hour and a half to retrieve one's luggage. To be avoided at all costs - Rome Fiumicino is not a perfect airport, but it is much better.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by David Mrnka

8 January 2008   Customer Rating :

MXP must be one of the worst airports out there, considering its relatively new, I do not understand what happened to it. I arrived - absolute lack of gates, you will be whisked on the bus if you come from most destinations in Europe. It can get really annoying particularly in the winter months. Only few shops inside, couple of restaurants, that are not worth much attention. The worst is probably the luggage handling - it took 90 Mins for my luggage to arrive from a flight PRG-MXP on a small A320 plane. 4 different flights were put on the same belt (one from TAM brazil) and other regional airports. The belt would move than stop for 10mins, then move few luggage and stop again for 10mins. It was the most frustrating thing I have experienced. MXP needs to improve desperately. Not sure how that is going to happen when Alitalia is going to move all the flights to Rome.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Paul Jacobsen

19 November 2007   Customer Rating :

I had an average experience with Malpensa. The Schengen terminal upon arrival was uncrowded, so that everything went smoothly. But it is a long walk through endless corridors to reach the baggage claim area. Transfer into Milan city centre is operated by two competing bus companies, with rather the same prices. Allow at least 55min between Malpensa and the city, easily more in rush-hour periods. Upon departure there are very few and small flight information screens, making it difficult to locate the right check-in desks. It is even more difficult to find the gates, as security checks take place at an intermediate floor, between Arrivals and Departures floors! Security employees were efficient and friendly. The Schengen file (for Gates A) was quick enough, but the Non-Schengen queue (for Gates B) seemed to be chronically congested. If you have lounges access, ask the check-in desk to tell you where they are, as they are very badly posted.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by K Larsen

17 October 2007   Customer Rating :

A very average airport, not organised at all. As most of the times, it is design that counts for Italians while functionality and practicality is very low in their priorities. Staff were pleasant, but very slow and there was a mess concerning the e-ticket and baggage drop desks (flying KLM). A lot of shops, and prices tend to be normal for a European airport. But I was astonished with the fact that check in is on the 2nd floor and the gates on the 1st. So this means that you have to go down the stairs and if you have hand-baggage carry it all the way down as moving stairs or elevators are not an option here. The security seemed to work fast and efficiently and the people there were even rather friendly. Malpensa is though an airport that has reached its limit since we had to wait for more than half an hour to take off although we were finished with boarding 10 minutes before the given time, because of congestion on the ground! All in all a very very average airport serving a large region of both Lombardia and south Switzerland.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Viktor Borisov

25 July 2007   Customer Rating :

First impressions were quite nice when you see the terminal from the outside, but once you enter inside - welcome to the maze! The signs for the detour were false, people were all hurrying to catch their connecting flights, some were lost and some mixed up the directions and went to a closed door instead. What a disappointment. The transit area is extremely full, migration procedures fast on EU lane. Should you have an option with a transit via Milan Malpensa, try to avoid it and enjoy much better cheaper transfers like Prague for example.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by John Kotsopoulos

19 July 2007   Customer Rating :

I can hardly believe that Malpenza was only inaugurated a decade ago. This airport has the retro feel of something from the 1970s (even the moving walkways look totally obsolete). I can only speak for the EU- Schengen section of the terminal, but all I can say is that the lack of services is woeful. In a country of such style and glorious food, how is it that there are so few restaurants? And the under-staffed café at the departure gates is always overwhelmed with long lines. Finally, the shopping area is tiny and claustrophobic. This airport is a real disappointment.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by John Herbert

22 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Malpensa Terminal 2, home to Easyjet and others has no Car Hire collection desk or drop off facilities. On arrival you have to take the Terminal 1 connection bus (free) which runs every 20 mins or so and collect the car from T1. No fast get away's here. Drop off is the same it's at T1, allow extra time to get back to Terminal 2 for check in. Most annoying especially at 5.30am.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by George Baritakis

26 February 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Malpensa terminal 1 is a huge dissapointment. Outside looks good, but inside is poor, no many restaurants, not many stores, and by 10 pm everything is closed. Taxis from there to nearby hotels or the city center are awfully expensive. not to mention that most people can hardly communicate in English. Malpensa terminal 2 - one of the ugliest and oldest terminals still operating. Only 1 newspapers store and 1 small fast food restaurant.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Louise Doherty
27 December 2006

Terminal 2 looks like a relic from a 1970s package holiday terminal, I half expected a straw donkey to come trotting through! The cafe on the top floor is reasonable and has a good selection of freshly cooked food, but there needs to be more shops, bars etc in departures. Friendly staff make delays here pleasant too.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Franco Plona
7 November 2006

From the outside looks good and inside is a mess, the new Malpensa airport was inaugurated less than 10 years ago and no new upgrade have taken place since then. The Alitalia business lounge in concourse B is small old and always full small bar but no food you have to paid for the internet cleanliness is not a priority especially in the bathrooms. I prefer to use the KLM business Lounge in comparison is heaven not hell, you still have to paid for the internet but is clean and with a good selection of beverage and food, self service. But the sky team should not have a kind of consistency in their products? Pure chaos at the gate; with the new regulation for the flight to USA your passport need to be scan so they can check it with the no fly list, very disorganized the flight is schedule to leave at 10.20 at 10 am 2 airport staff start scanning one by one a full 777 at the gate than finally a third staff arrives resulting in nearly 45 minute delay in departure, why they do not do like in other airport: scan the passport and than move to a sterile area till the plane is ready to load? Utterly disorganized.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Andrew Bennett
15 October 2006

Sadly, I have to agree with the most recent comments. I use this airport a couple of times a year and my experience on Saturday last was no better than before. My KLM check in was reasonable, but a colleague flying BA encountered lengthy and slow queues, obstreperous officials, etc. I was told to hurry into security as there was a 45 minute delay - and found none! For a reasonably new airport, too, parts are now looking very shabby and the overwhelming impression of the departures hall on a typically murky Milan morning is one of gloom and despondency. Quite a contrast with bright and cheerful BCN, through which I passed on the way to Malpensa.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Marja Jurgensen
5 October 2006

Malpensa is a typical Italian facility - looks fine , but once you get in it's like a Dante's inferno. Plan everything at home, connections, buses, hotels, because once you get there you're practically on your own, unless you speak a good italian and you have a lot of time to spare and lots of patience. Eating and shopping is good. It certainly is in need of another runway and they should improve the connections to and from Milan.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by Dirk Visser
30 July 2006

Passed through MXP 4 times in a few months and I have to say that it is without a doubt one of the worst airports in Europe. The airport also is a reflection of the largest airline serving it: Alitalia. Despite the airport being less than 10 years old, it is already showing a tired interior - dingy terminals, chaos at the security checks between the terminals and the bussing to the majority of the aircraft is a disgrace. I, along with many others, do not understand why the Italian gov't selected such a poor architectural design for this airport... They want to develop this airport further as an important hub, but how can they if they didn't build enough gates??? It's not appealling and in the hot summer months the bus services are unbearable. Airport personnel are also lacking in manners and do not know what organisation is....they show up late at the gates, ignore passengers seeking information, etc. etc. The list goes on and on. With regards to shops and catering - it's alright, though very overpriced. And the lack of seating is a disgrace too. How this airport can grow and that it attracts even more airlines is just a mystery to me - it's in fact an airport to avoid at all cost.

Milan Malpensa Airport review by D Seid
10 May 2006

This airport is appalling. There is nothing to do in this bleak and rundown environment with poor shopping options, uncomfortable seating, not internet options, delapidated bathrooms, and limited eating options. The only thing in its favor in connecting through it is that one doesn't have to go miles to get from gate to gate if in the same terminal. Also, my luggage was transferred without a problem.