SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 9 April 2010 by Martine Brangan
|
Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
An easy little airport to negotiate, and with friendly staff. Good duty free shop with decent
bargains in perfume and drinks. Viewing gallery in departure area. The only downside is the
lack of variety of something to eat in the cafes, especially if one is connecting flights and
has a long interval..
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 1
February 2010 : by Ross Clark
|
Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
EDI-SOU-EDI, 25/29 Jan. The arrival in was OK, not too long to wait and no distance to walk.
Outwards was another matter: the airport is too small for the number of passengers it is now
handling and the security queues were at about fifteen minutes, which, for mid-afternoon, is
too much. Concur with David Blowers' comments below. Flybe's checkin was OK.
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 3 July 2009 : by Michael Robinson
|
Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
Southampton is a great little airport, so much easier then LHR/LGW. From Portsmouth to the
airport is just a 20 minute drive and with a 45 mins check in time it saves over 2 1/2 hours
on the same trip. I was on the ground in Alicante before I would even have taken off from the
London airports. You pay more for the flights and the queues at Flybe check in are a disgrace,
but otherwise very convenient. Very limited shopping opportunity's so other than a sandwich, coffee and a paper, forget it.
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 10 June 2009 : by Michael Orridge
|
Customer Rating : 4/5 | |
It's small size is a major advantage, when arriving there can be out of the airport in <5 mins
with only hand baggage and only 5 mins more if travelling with hold baggage as well. Have
been lucky enough to depart at non-peak times but can see that there is very little margin for
error. One time checked in using the machines available and went to quick bag drop only to be
kept waiting as a passenger argued with the only member of staff at the desk about her luggage
weight. No other member of staff came to man the drop-off point whilst the lady argued with
the poor chap at the desk. Flybe are incredibly stingy about hand-luggage checking (as they
have the smallest overhead storage lockers I've ever seen) leading to an increase in queues
but that's an argument with the airline and not the airport. Security quibbled about me
taking a safety razor on board but not two whiskey glasses, very bizarre as I'm sure a smashed
glass could do more damage than a razor but I wasn't complaining! Duty-free shop and W H Smith
suffice perfectly well for shops in the departures area.
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 5 May 2009 : by P Clifford
|
Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
In many ways Southampton could be a dream airport but the experience is spoilt by the
overzealousness of the check in staff employed by Flybe to disallow carry on baggage. Almost
every passenger was challenged and when their bags were found to fit into they were then
weighed. I had checked in online and had only carry on baggage but was still told that I had
to go to the Flybe desk to have my carry on case checked by their staff.
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 9 April 2009 : by David Blowers
|
Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Southampton airport is fine, but about 50% too small for purpose - the number of flights
coming here now mean that a terminal extension (or even a new terminal) is essential. Check-in
is always easy, but bag drop for FlyBe can be a nightmare due to the small number of desks
allowed. Security can also be very busy, and a real pain at peak times, but the duty free is
of good quality. My major gripe however is with the pick up/drop off. You can only drop off at
the front of the terminal. On my last arrival, a very rude employee (of Meteor Carparks) told
me to "move" as the area was for drop offs only. His manner was close to being verbally
abusive. When I pointed out to him that I could not contact the driver regarding this, he told
me the driver would get a fine. There were no signs indicating this to the driver or anywhere
that I could see, so I think he was making it up. This has spoilt an otherwise pleasant
airport experience.
SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT review : 29 January 2009 : by Richard Dalgleish
|
Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
Southampton used to be so good but it has, sadly, changed. Despite the recent rebuilding it is
still very crowded in the early morning, the car parking costs seem to go up every week and
today, icy morning, the only de-icing machine for our plane failed so we were told we would
have to wait for warmer temperatures - and this in the 21st century. Come on BAA get your act
together. Perhaps when you lose a few other airports you will be able to get this one right.
It is a shame as the airlines are good its just the airport operator who lets them down.
Southampton Airport review by George Sullivan
28 March 2008 Customer Rating : 
Flew to Dublin on Flybe. Check-in time around 30 seconds. Walk to the Security check was about 30
yards - this airport is tiny which brings huge benefits but I can understand those who have been
troubled by delays - there is no margin for error so if things are delayed it can become full very
quickly. On return I had travelled from Ireland so no immigration check, had hand-baggage so no
delay, through the building, turned left, crossed the small road and walked to the train station -
three minutes only. Train time to London Waterloo is around 1 hour so if you're thinking of an
alternative to Heathrow or Gatwick, consider Southampton - arriving is a breeze.
Southampton Airport review by Allan Thomson
22 March 2008 Customer Rating : 
Arrived from Aberdeen Eastern Airways Jetsteam 41 - all 5 passengers (!) disembarked quickly, and
completed the 100 yard walk to the terminal just before our luggage. Picked up and on our way within
10 minutes. Not bad. Departed again a few days later - around midday - check in no queue, security
no queue and efficient, upstairs cafe unusually not busy, plenty of seats with good view of runway.
Flight (Jetsteam 41 again) left on time (beautiful day, fabulous views over Southampton Water and
new Cunard liner) and arrived on time at Aberdeen. Luggage also arrived at Aberdeen. This is air
travel as it should be!
Southampton Airport review by Michael Preston
21 August 2007 Customer Rating :
On a wet and blustery Tuesday afternoon with nearly every flight delayed and several cancellations,
the departure area was massively overcrowded and uncomfortable. On Sunday afternoon, again, the
departure area is bursting at the seams as long queues for adjacent departure gates intermingle.
SOU is still better than the main gateways in every respect, and noteworthy for the friendly and
relaxed personnel, but it needs to expand.
Southampton Airport review by Ed Fry
20 April 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
5 years back, Southampton was a great airport. It had a brilliant
viewing area, an abundance of small and large regional airlines and
fairly good food and retail outlets and public transport. The terminal
is now vastly overstretched, they've got rid of the decent competition
(ie BA Cityflyer - went low cost as BA Connect - now part of FlyBe),
check-in and security queues are dreadful around lunchtime and early
evening, especially when they're operating those B737/A320/B757 sized
charter flights. They should build a second terminal exclusively for
FlyBe on the eastern side of the runaway and let the existing space
rest!
Southampton Airport review by Mike Preston
4 March 2007
It is clearly signposted both on and from the motorway, parking (rental
return) is a cinch and just a few minutes walk into the terminal without
lifts and stairs and obstacles to navigate. Check in for our Flybe
flight took 30 seconds, including the queuing time, and then there was
the long walk to departures - about 50 yards! The facilities are limited
but adequate and as for most people the objective is to get through the
airport as fast and as painlessly as possible, I think this one achieves
that admirably.
Southampton Airport review by Brian Hill
19 February 2007
As before, a pleasure to use. Departure to Galway couldn't have been
easier and returning we were waiting on the railway station within 20
minutes of landing.
Southampton Airport review by Brian Hill
2 November 2006
Great small airport; I especially like to adjacent railway station. On
our return flight, we were on the train within an hour of leaving
Guernsey.
Southampton Airport review by Mark Plummer
18 July 2006
Have flown from Southampton numerous times over the last few years. At
the moment it can get very busy, which is a bit of a pain. But I can be
at home 30 minutes after landing, so I think it is great. Will agree
service in cafe upstairs is very slow - but they have recently got rid
of the benches & put loads of tables & chairs. Seems to me that there
was plenty of room to sit down - although you might have to go back
downstairs. They have also added a WH Smiths airside - which is about
time. All in all, I think it is a great airport if you live fairly
local.
Southampton Airport review by Jon Earnshaw
21 June 2006
Arrived at Southampton Airport at 1700 for my 1915 flight to
Leeds/Bradford. The airport was busy, very busy. Used fast-track or
otherwise I could experienced a delay of 20mins. I must say this is a
very busy time for Southampton, around 20 flights taking off within the
two hour period. The airport is like a converted aircraft hanger, once
through security, very little on offer. A medium sized duty-free shop
and little else. Upstairs is a cafe/bar which took me over 25mins to get
served, the service was very slow indeed. Once I had my drink in hand, I
could not find a seat, I joined around 50 other people by sitting on the
floor. I stayed like that for 1h30mins. Not a good experience at all.
The airport seriously and urgently needs to look at the needs of the
passengers, the airport clearly can't cope with the hundreds of
passengers in the area at the same time and I was really pleased to
board my flight up North. Won't be coming back in a hurry.
Southampton Airport review by Peter Hooker
25 May 2006
The least expensive way of parking for a day at Southampton airport is
to use the short term parking at £15.50 per day. This is more than the
fare to Edinburgh! It will make me think twice before using Southampton
again. There is a minimum charge of £24.90 in the long term area.
Southampton Airport review by Nathan Fotheringill
18 May 2006
Our arrival at SOU was made remarkable by the fact that the baggage made
it to the belt before we did and it was not as if we had to walk a long
way from the aircraft to the terminal. We did have to wait for a taxi,
though (about five minutes) but I expect that was due to our arrival at
10pm, the penultimate arrival of the day. Our departure was at 6:30pm on
a Sunday. This is a busy time for the airport, and Flybe in particular,
and we ended up at the check-in queue for about half an hour. Flying
with hand baggage only would have been an advantage as there was a fast
moving dedicated queue for those lucky souls. The delay did not leave us
much time to explore the airport but it didn't matter as there isn't
much to explore. A reasonable duty free shop confronts you after passing
through the efficient security and that is about it. There is a cafe on
an upper floor, with views over the runway but no other retail outlets.
My advice is to obtain your chocolate bar and newspaper in W H Smith
before passing through security. The terminal itself seems to be in need
of expansion as it was rather crowded but was no worse than most other
airport terminals in the world.
Southampton Airport review by John Oram
6 February 2006
I found the airport all it needed to be. No delays at check-in or
security. Food provided expensively as you expect at a BAA airport - BAA
are not the passengers friend. Reasonable terminal provides pretty
straightforward access to the aircraft although the walk back in from
the return flight was a bit pointlessly long and led to a locked door
which was released by our shepherdess.
Southampton Airport review by John Berry
1 September 2005
Flew to Southampton from Leeds. With the flight having been delayed by 4 hours
the last thing needed was inept ground crew but that's what we got. All passengers
off the plane and into the airport bus for the 40 second drive to the Terminal, but first someone had
to move the truck which was blocking the road. The 8 ground crew were far too busy playing
dodgems with the wheelchairs around the plane and the bus couldn't possible go airside of a parked and
closed down aircraft. Fifteen minutes later the bus went round and we got to the Terminal. Not a
good advert BAA.
Southampton Airport review by Sean Slater
15 June 2005
Just flew there on a same day return from Edinburgh. There seemed to be a lot of renovations going
on which should add some space eventually . The departure area was tiny, with 8 gates crammed into a
space, which in most airports would be for 1 or 2! Almost half of the area was taken up by a duty
free shop - profits over passengers?.
The food options airside were almost non-existent; a small cafe with sandwiches. Landside there was
a bar that did extortionately priced pizzas but that was about it. I would recommend you eat before
you get there, check in a late as you can and hope you are not delayed.
Having said that the staff were friendly and helpful, the airport was extremely convenient and from
disembarking to getting in the hire car took 15 minutes.
Southampton Airport review by Susan Paterson
11 May 2005
No doubt a handy little regional airport easily reached by public transport and vastly benefiting
the south coast of England, but for God's sake pray you never get delayed here. Food and drink
vastly overpriced, and nothing to do landside whilst you wait for your plane. Nowhere to stroll
outside either. Staff decided to close up the security area and lock the door to departures for the
night whilst I was still landside, forcing me to knock on the door to get in. Plus, the baggage
conveyor belt was broken and passengers had to take their own bags to the handlers' trucks whilst
FlyBE's check in girls smiled helplessly.
Great that I can fly here from Edinburgh instead of having to settle for Gatwick every time, but a
poor reflection on BAA.
Southampton Airport review by Nick Scales
8 April 2005
Don't go too early - the lounge is small and the only shop a duty free store making you wish
you'd stayed landside a little longer. That said, boarding is a breeze, parking on airport and the
rail connection heaven. Just a pity there isn't a greater choice of flights.
Southampton Airport review by Don Reeve
7 February 2005
I wonder if there
could not be a more vigorous promotion around the catchment area of southern England, many of whose
residents and business concerns are most likely unaware of the benefits which
accrue from use of the
excellent location. There is one disappointment, which I know is widespread both here in the UK, and
in Switzerland. That is the discontinuation of FlyBe's flights to Geneva into the summer. My family
are not great air-travel enthusiasts, but the So'ton/FlyBe experience has transformed the pain into
pleasure. This will be totally lost now we have to suffer the misery of a major London airport, and
a less desirable carrier. I see that FlyBe operate a winter-sports charter to that lovely little
airport at Berne (Belp) on Saturdays from Gatwick. If ONLY that could be continued into the summer,
and save the hassle of the many of us (our fellow FlyBe passengers) who have to make onward travel
to (e.g.) the Bernese Oberland, a time-consuming (much longer than the flight) journey,
notwithstanding the excellence of the Swiss railway system.
Southampton Airport review by Colin Holroyd
28 January 2005
Very disappointed to find recently that Southampton Airport management had closed the Public Viewing
floor which overlooked the runway. vGuess what , this is now an Exec lounge ,which is no doubt a nice
little earner for Southampton Airport. It was always a delight to sit in the room along with other
families waving hello / goodbye to friends / relatives. Prior to this disappoint I have always found
the airport a delight to use (collection time from an Edinburgh flight for luggage = 5 minutes).
Southampton Airport review by Richard Dalgleish
7 May 2004
Still an excellent airport but the Short Term parking has risen over the last year or so from I
think, £8 per day to £13.20 - a rise of 65%. If it continues like this many short stay travellers
like me will choose another airport.
Southampton Airport review by Andrew Mortimer
3 May 2004
Superb. First time I had ever flown out of Eastleigh even though I originally came from there! Same
level access very good. No nonsense and excellent connections from the motorway and railway. Would
have no hesitation using again.
Southampton Airport review by Michael Spender
28 April 2004
Southampton Airport, from which I fly regularly, is all of the things others have said of it.
Although the airport's management must presumably be good for it to work so well, its ease of use
and pleasing environment comes down to excellent design by the architects.
Southampton Airport review by Ricky Halpin
30 January 2004
Southampton, is the Airport of my choice always.
Easy Access and Parking, Railway station, quick check in, a
stress free experience.
Southampton Airport review by Richard Dalgleish
8 December 2003
Used Southampton over 30 times in the last few months and have to say it is my airport of
choice. Small enough to be friendly and big enough to have sufficient facilities. Parking, access,
time to get in and out all excellent but I have noticed recently that Aviance
always seem to be struggling if more than 2 planes arrive about the same time. They must be aware
when planes are due but it seems they are not. If this gets back to normal I will be very happy.
Southampton Airport review by Anthony Matthews
20 October 2003
I recently used Southampton on a business trip to Jersey. The airport is very conveniently situated
next to the M27 motorway. The terminal building is quite small, but the check-in area modern and
airy. Car parking was very convenient. After parking the car in the short term parking area, I was in
the terminal building within a few minutes. Once through to the departure lounge, though, I found the
area very small indeed. Not a great choice of eating/snack areas. But generally Ok for a regional
airport. On the return flight the same day, I had disembarked from the aircraft, walked to my car
and was on the M27 all within 15 mins (hand luggage only). Beat that, Heathrow or Gatwick!
IMPORTANT NOTE
Comments and opinions contained in these pages do not represent the views of Skytrax. All features contain unsolicited input from site visitors, and we
seek to exercise the minimum level of editorial control and censorship to ensure the widest debate and platform for customer opinions. We
will not publish submissions that contain abusive language. We cannot guarantee to publish all opinions submitted.
ADD YOUR COMMENTS HERE
These Review pages are designed to offer guidance and assistance to other travellers, and we ask
respondents to use an "informative" style of comment and share any travel tips for the airport in question.
Your First Name (or initial) and Family Name, and E-mail address MUST be supplied.
When submitting comments, please DO NOT insert paragraphs.
Please check you use Upper and Lower case only - submissions made all in CAPITALS will
NOT be accepted.
Comment submissions that require extensive text editing CANNOT be published.
|
