London Stansted Airport

Judging by previous comments the Stansted experience seems to boil down to timing and perhaps just luck and mine held for a 0645 flight out on a Mon and a return on Fri Sep at 1255. I was fortunate in that I had a lift to the airport so there were no parking issues and arriving at 0520 I was air- side at 0600 ready to board. Coming back I was through passport control (note though I went to the far left where queues were definitely shorter rather than just joining the ones seen straight ahead from the shuttle-train doors) reunited with my bags and starting home by 1330.

What can be said that hasn’t already been said? There’s always a worrying wait for the car park bus then a long journey. If you’ve not done it yet allow 40 minutes in case you’ve just missed a bus. Exit signs out of the car-park are inadequate even when it’s an airport you know. Outbound journey was delayed on 29.07 so there was a gate change and inevitable rush to join the new queue not popular with ‘first come first board’ airline passengers. The return journey was also delayed resulting in a half hour wait on the tarmac. If the passengers knew what time the rescheduled landing was it’s a bit worrying that Stansted didn’t and so did not have ground staff available. What if there had been an emergency? It can be no surprise to the airport authorities to find a plane has landed. Just hope it’s not two at once that are late which given that the delays were attributed to air traffic control seems pretty likely. Passport control is an utter insult with a scrum to join the queues while non EU citizens get through with little delay. There are no toilets in the area which is also a disgrace after delays. Avoid the toilets in the baggage area! The ladies’ toilet stank of urine and the cubicles are tiny even for a fairly small adult. Once through passport control without luggage it’s a matter of luck how long it takes to get to your car. Last night (31.7.08) it was a fairly typical one and quarter hours from landing to car longer than it took to drive the 60 miles home. Stansted expand? It can’t cope now so forget it.

I was pleasantly surprised that for our journey to and from Stansted how well everything went. I found it superior to Heathrow. Security fine immigration fine and airport facilities were good. My expectations weren't high but really there was nothing I could complain about.

I was surprised to get through Stansted security into the departures lounge in about ten minutes flat. There seemed to be more scanners working and staff ensured the passengers were divided up between those open. Thankfully I did not have to take my shoes or belt off either so I found myself airside without the ordeal I remembered from a previous visit. It is worth noting Boots the chemist has a retail outlet airside as well as landside and both have the ‘Meal Deal’ at the food section. One can pick a snack a sandwich wrap or salad plus a drink for £3.49 which is much cheaper than many of the other airside outlets. The gents toilets could maybe do with a bit more cleaning but all in all it was a nice easy journey through the airport.

While hardly the best or most exciting airport in the world as a local resident (I live 15 minutes away by train or bus) I find it perfectly adequate even while hoping - as someone who lives under the flight path - that it doesn't expand further. Yes it looks a bit like a permanent construction site on the inside and yes it can be crowded but I prefer it to Heathrow. On the other hand I never use Ryan Air or Easy Jet (my last flight from STN was on Turkish) so maybe this helps. I've never had a problem with immigration or security and I even like the little trains from the main terminal to the gates. Stansted is nothing special; there are better airports in Europe and it can't hold a candle to the major Asian airports but it's certainly better than most American airports of similar size.

Arrived back in UK on Friday afternoon and was met with a huge amount of people waiting to go through the UK/EU passport control. Joined a queue and waited my turn. Noticed that the queue to my right the first queue nearest the 'Other than UK/EU passport holders' was progressing much quicker. When I eventually got to the desk I noticed that the queue to my right was being handled by three immigration officers whereas the rest of the queues were handled by one. When I mentioned this to the official on the desk was met with rude arrogant unhelpful reply. (Great to be back in UK!). Why does Stansted airport treat UK/EU passport holders so poorly whereas the rest of the world go through immigration quickly with minimal delays? Will certainly look to use airports other than Stansted in the future. Immigration at Stansted is one big let down!

Until recently Stansted airport has offered a reasonable arrival experience. Now however it has become a nightmare! Going through passport control recently took me two hours (at 11:30pm!) and a few weeks later an hour and a half (also in the evening). We were herded like cattle standing shoulder to shoulder in a cramped and badly ventilated area with queues and staff moving at snails pace. Avoid it at all costs!

Stansted travelling to Dublin. A worryingly long wait for the transfer coach even by STN usual standards. Check-in queue very slow but security went smoothly. As so often there was virtually no shopping time and the gate number changed. However as frequent travellers this was no surprise. The return journey from Dublin made a pleasant change as there weren't the same immigration formalities. I'm not sure that this is actually the right thing however in the current climate. The return coach transfer was a bit quicker than on recent occasions.

Second time through Stansted and again I had big trouble with the pick-up procedure at Arrivals. For a first timer you will need to keep your wits about you. After collecting your bags you face a very very long trip to retrieve your car from the Long stay. Expect your wife and kids to wait a good 45 minutes for you to return. The problem is the pick up point is effectively outdoors and your companions may freeze to death waiting for you. But if they wait in the terminal how are you going to find each other once you return etc.? In practice you have to negotiate some confusing signage to find the 15 minute pick up zone amongst many similar zones. Choose the wrong one and you've got another lap to do. Once parked sprint as fast as you can to find your companions in the airport - the clock is ticking. Sprint back down again with all your trolleys then the next challenge is to find your car. Stansted offers you a number of exit points all designed identically and impossible to distinguish from each other. You will come out at the wrong one the coaches Zone XX eventually you find your car. Load up as fast as you can and sprint back to the ticket machine before the 15 minutes expires. If you're lucky you will make it. If you're unlucky the queue at the ticket machine will be too long. And the object of all this? Is to obtain £1 from you.

I usually use Stansted to go in London because there is a cheap flight from my city (Forlì). But to be honest Stansted is not really a confortable airport - it's far from the city (45 minutes by train) and the organization of the staff isn't one of the best. The baggage check out is so long.