Bordeaux Airport

✅ Trip Verified | We fly in and out of this airport about 6 times a year. It has never been a nice experience nearly always queues. It was so bad once we did not get through passport control in time to get our plane, there were others in the same situation. They have improved it very slightly last year, but it just feels as though no one is in charge and they just don’t care. I don’t think they could make the experience any worse.

✅ Verified Review | No long queues at security, efficient and friendly staff. Car rental very close to the terminal, and a nice quite business lounge. I flew in last week with Aer Lingus from Dublin, and had an equally good experience. Was surprised to read some of the reviews here.

❎ Unverified | Travelled through Billi terminal as a family of 5 last week in October. Arrival at 18.00 was fine with no passport queue and the baggage arrived promptly. Having read the reviews on this site I arrived for my 21.40 departure 3 hours early. There were no queues for the baggage drop or the separate conveyor. However, that then meant that I had the pleasure of 3 hours airside with extremely limited seating. Both operational and catering staff were polite and helpful. This was the last flight out of the terminal and I noted a number of the seasoned travellers on this flight arriving arriving late, probably in the knowledge that queues would then be limited and they would not have to endure airside for an extended period. Consensus of some was that you should perhaps do your baggage drop in good time and then utilise Starbucks, just outside the Billi terminal, or the main terminal which has more facilities then go through security just prior to your flight.

❎ Unverified | How does one say it was the worst airport I have ever had the misfortune to enter, long queues, people pushing, dirty, unhelpful staff, nowhere to sit. Sign board for flight departures not working correctly, I could go on. Had a great holiday, just wish that I didn't have to have come home via this place, lovely city, the airport lets it down big time!

❎ Unverified | Avoid this terminal at all costs! Awful experiences both arriving and departing. By far the worst aspect on arrival was only one official processing passports. Very slow, long queues. Totally unacceptable. Nasty cheapskate building with minimal facilities.

❎ Unverified | I've just returned from a holiday on the coast near to Bordeaux. I read the reviews of the Bordeaux Billi terminal with trepidation before I flew. It turned out that my worries were unfounded. Arrival was quick and easy. Short queue to get through passport control and luggage arrived quickly too. Again, departure was quick and easy. Yes, you do have to check luggage in and then go to a separate area to actually have your baggage scanned and sent to the aircraft but again this was quick and easy. Security and passport control were just like any other airport - no great queues. Once through security there is a (very expensive as they always are) cafe and a duty free shop. Once at the gate there is very little seating so expect to stand for a while! The terminals low cost roots are clear as it is pretty basic but it was a hassle free experience for my family and I.

✅ Verified Review | Nothing wrong with Billi terminal. I was afraid after reading horror reviews on this website. There is a StarBucks at the entrance of the Billi terminal. First hall was air conditioned, baggage safety checking was easy. Second hall was air conditioned, waiting line for customs went quick. You could wait before going through customs and go to a third hall which was less air conditioned but had sandwich and beverage service as well as newspapers and books. Perfume and alcohol. Numerous mobile phone charging points.

❎ Unverified | Why doesn't Bordeaux airport hire more passport control people? The wait is appalling. Arrived on easyJet flight from Gatwick at 22.00. Queuing back to the aircraft. It's 2017 - French customer service at its best. Tired Of waiting. Bad first impression.

❎ Unverified | Arrival was OK but I would suggest you avoid departing from Bordeaux Airport at all costs. We flew Ryanair from Bordeaux to Edinburgh. Checked-in on our phones - which was not straightforward using the Ryanair app for three passengers, but we managed to avoid the charge for checking in at the airport. We arrived quite early, dropped the hire car and expected a straightforward bag drop. We found the Billi terminal which is a big shed packed with snaking queues. It is not fit for purpose and really gives meaning to "cattle class" Once we found the queue, we stood with our bags while it inched forwards (one, then finally two staff on the desk) for maybe 90 minutes. They don't take the bags there though, you need to queue again to deposit the bags yourself. Then queue again to get through security. By the time we were through, the screens directed us to the gate, then we queued for passport control, then we queued at the gate to get through and then queued again at the gate. The last of our queues was spent in a hot tube waiting to go to the tarmac and board. In all it was three hours standing in line, without refreshment, toilets or a seat. Children were crying and exhausted, I don't know what an older person would have done. Hellish. Never again.

✅ Verified Review | The Billi section is the EasyJet "home" and is truly atrocious. Signposting is poor but nearly as dreadful as the place itself. Little more than a warehouse, everything is reduced to the minimum. Check-in and then take your baggage yourself to another check-in. Go the boarding areas and seating inadequate while catering is almost non-existent. Passport control is slow and tedious next. We went through and down to an outside staircase where we stood for 20 minutes and watched the refuelling of the plane. We then walked to the plane as airport transport whizzed around us. We arrived with BA to the main terminal and this was good, but Billi is dreadful.