Leeds Bradford Airport

This is my local airport and we use it regularly. It is a small regional airport- don't expect fancy shops and restaurants here. In fact don't expect any shops apart from WHSmiths. The parking as other people have mentioned is a farce. Expect to have to walk from miles away if you are in the long stay. We always use the valet parking option which is marginally more expensive but you do get to pull up and collect in the drop off zone (at an additional cost of £2 obviously). Security queues are usually okay last time we were there a few weeks ago the queue stretched the entire length of the terminal and staff were having to ask if people were e.g. flying to Malaga as if they were they would have to be pulled out of the queue and sent to the front or they would miss their flight. Never ever seen it like that before. There are very few places to sit unless you'd like to pay for the Premier Lounge - is there a theme here? Don't use up all your energy walking around all those WHSmiths as you will be walking down the side of the apron to your plane and up the steps. Just like they used to in the 1950s! The arrivals process is also retro. The escalator up worked last time I was there I nearly took a photo. It has been broken for approximately 30 years. Then the queue for passport control- this is always pretty speedy to be fair but when you end up queuing in a corridor it feels like it's a long queue and out of control even if it isn't. Overall the airport has expanded flights beyond its capacity to deal with them. Charging people for everything- dropping off going through security at a reasonable rate sitting down - is not the way forward and merely creates resentment. Witness the number of people being dropped off at the main road to avoid paying £2. They need to increase landing fees and improve seating areas and shopping. I will pay for a drink and a snack if I can sit down to eat it If I am going to have to camp on the floor like a refugee I won't bother. If you think going on an aeroplane is still a romantic and exciting thing to do LBA will disabuse you of the notion. If you think airports are merely jumped up bus stations then you will feel right at home here.

Sadly it's my nearest airport but the roads to get there are all poor. Booked the long stay car park a couple of months ago and on arrival at 4.30 am long stay one was closed off just as it was in May 2013 yet through the trees cars and spaces could be seen. Long stay two was very full with cars driving round searching out the last few spaces. It was a Friday so many were off on stag and hen do's. After finding one of the few remaining spaces and unloading the luggage it was off to the bus shelter where more were standing outside than in. Eventually two silly little busses came together and we're off. Got dropped near to the building but had to drag cases across broken tarmac. A disgrace. In the building the signs told us two desks were open for the flight but there was only one miserable girl there and she was having to help the next closes girl due to her printer having packed up. Eventually we get through the check in and security to find the place heaving mainly with the weekend party folk drinking in the extended bars. Very little seating now and no chance of hearing any announcements. Food availability next to zero so waited to get some on board. Went to the loo and heard the call to gate one got there and stupid barriers all over with staff at the gate not giving any direction as to best way through the obstacle course. Once on the plane the captain welcomed everyone and apologized for the delay which was due to the airport not having any transport available to get the crew to the plane. On our return we were fine through immigration the problem began at baggage collection. One belt not used another one with just one flight on it and ours with three flights on it. Out of the building across the broken tarmac to the bus stop with one waiting. No driver on and no sign saying where it was going so took a chance and got on. Fortunately the right one. Got off the bus to be confronted by a grassed earth bank separating the bus rout from the car park so had to find a way round that. Manchester East Midlands or even Birmingham next time all of them easier to get to and far better facilities. This place was better run when the local councils owned it and I never thought I would say that.

Could not find a parking space in pre-paid long term car park after driving round for 20 mins. When explaining problem to person sent to assist he was more concerned that I was raising my voice in frustration rather than apologising for the company's failings. He let me into another area with some parking. In the airport it was the same problem of too many people in the airport for their facilities. This was at 6am so what its like at peak times I dread to think. On return the passport check queue was massive and took around 40 mins to clear a British passport from the EU flight. To add insult to injury they were apologising for the wait because it was due to not enough staff for the expected flights arriving at this time. - My simple recommend solution is get enough staff for the programmed flights arrivals! Its what they get paid for is it not?.

This is my local airport so choose to use it for convenience but I really don't like it especially since they "redesigned" it. The area for check-in is ok. The staff at check are a bit gruff though. It's once through security that I get depressed. I find the whole area claustrophobic as the ceilings are very low and very few windows to look out of. The 'restaurants' seem to be of the dark pub variety not something I want to experience early morning. In order to get to any seating you have to follow the black path which to takes you through a narrow duty free shop where obviously people are browsing and so can make for a slow journey through. Once through that area there is very little seating and it all seems to be hot and stuffy. On return have found in the past that passport control can be slow.

Leeds Bradford Airport on the whole is not that bad "apart from the staff in the premier lounge". The main problem is the parking and that is very annoying but overall the staff and check in staff in particular are very helpful. I travel from here a lot and believe me there are a lot worse places to fly from "Liverpool" is a prime example however the worst part of Leeds Bradford is the "Premier Lounge" experience. If you want a quiet and relaxing time to include a complimentary drink and snack before you board your flight £20 doesn't seem an unreasonable amount to pay but beware as you approach the reception you are likely to be met with disdain from the untrained and ignorant staff who will try their best to make you feel like you really don't belong there.

Flew to Faro and back a week later both flights on a Sunday with Jet2. Parked in mid stay which costs £20 extra . Literally 2 mins walk from Jet2 check in which was efficient 10 mins 4 adults and a baby plus pushchair. 10 mins to get through security which was a shuffle rather than a queue pleasant staff at both check-in and security helped by having a baby. Terminal crowded but bearable found a seat for coffee and croissants no queue. On return at gate 14 the furthest for a walk (not a bus) to the terminal 10 min queue for immigration and 15 min wait for luggage compares well with other airports. Drove out of the airport 50 mins after touching down.

I underwrite all the comments here about the appalling rip-off parking arrangements. The signing when you arrive by car the first time is confusing and bewildering. The "temporary free drop-off car-park" is tucked away at the furthest end of the site a very long walk from the terminal. I would never use this airport if it were not convenient for where I live.

I use this airport a lot not through choice but it's local. The experience starts when you arrive. The airport has a deal with a taxi firm. If you use them then you get the privilege of being dropped off at the door. Otherwise you have to park a long walk away and hike across busy roads in a gale and your drop off driver gets to pay £2 for the privilege of driving through the car park and stopping for 30 seconds. Once in I generally don't take luggage though I imagine its the usual airport cattle grid arrangement to drop off. Security another opportunity to fleece the traveller is not lost on the airport and a fee is charged if you'd like to bypass the security queue and 'fast track'. Security is a compulsory activity so I see no reason why you should be able to pay to bypass your fellow travellers. Fair enough on optional activities but immoral on enforced ones. Queue up and you get the privilege of being spoken down to by their rude and surly staff. Once through duty free - selling the usual stuff and then the opportunity to visit not one not two but three separate WH Smiths outlets all selling exactly the same. I assume they couldn't find anyone else to let their stores. Anyway - a boring shopping experience is guaranteed. Food and drink to be fair is pretty well catered for though finding a seat can be a challenge. Once through the gate for most flights you have another long walk to the aircraft through a metal 'shed' style corridor arrangement. It just about keeps the rain out but it's cold and windy. Then across the tarmac in the rain and up the stairs. Yes they still use them! On return the passport queue is often quickly built up but rarely more than a few mins wait. The passport staff are officious but courteous. I firmly believe their baggage is the slowest of any airport I've ever used and have stood there for in excess of an hour on occasion. Also on my last flight (last week) we stood on the plane for over 10 minutes waiting whilst someone turned up to guide us across the road and into their magic corridor. The steps had arrived long ago though I can accept they can't let people off the plan unattended. Presumably they didn't know we were coming so weren't ready. Finally exiting the car park. We have a blue badge so can drop off for free. But the exit isn't manned so you have to stop press the bell and wait blocking up one of the 2 widely separated exits whilst an attendant wanders down from the terminal to let you out making you very popular with your fellow captives who by this time are stuck behind you and can't move to the other exit. I assume they hope you'll just pay to avoid the embarrassment. On principle I won't. All in all one of the worst airports in the UK.

The airport has a lot of potential but has 2 main issues with it. Firstly you get charged £2 to drop someone off at the airport. It defies logic to annoy people before they even start their holiday and this stinks of greed all round and makes you feel unwelcome and that they are doing you a favour by allowing you onto their property. Secondly they have spent a lot of money smartening the departure side of the airport up. It is a good area now compared to previous. However the problems start on your return as it simply cannot cope with passengers arriving back at the airport. There are about 4 passport desks and you end up waiting ages to get through to your bags. To make it worse you get this patronising announcement apologising due to large number of flights. This is a con and I have used the airport for years now and they always play the same message no matter what time you arrive you end up in a massive queue. The issue is they cannot cope with the number of passengers going through it and sadly each time seems to be worse than the last.

Haven't used LBA for some time and reading some of the reports I was concerned but did not need to be. A very good experience. Sure it is a small airport and at peak times when we travelled it can get busy outside of peak I would imagine its a very pleasant experience. The Jet2 check in hall is well organised used fast track security and was worth it tbh. Found somewhere to sit and have coffee. Well organised at the gates and soon on the aircraft and left on time. There were a number of other flights going at the same time as well. On return true there was a bit of a delay with bags but otherwise very good and will use again. I find the recent comments re Manchester as just laughable. They clearly have not used it recently. Now they do specialise in long queues and no where to sit. Well done Leeds.