Rome Fiumicino Airport

Arrival at Terminal 1 was pretty good, no passport check and only hand baggage so I was out very quickly. Getting the bus into the city was a bit chaotic (ticket offices just seemed to close at random) but once on the bus it was OK and cheap. Departing was another matter. I caught the train from Termini, it is a bit faster but not really worth the extra expense and it's a long walk from the station to T1. The self-service check-in did not work and the queue for desks was very long indeed, a nice member of staff suggested that with hand baggage I should go through security and act as a transfer passenger which worked except they could not allocate me a seat. The gate was being used for another flight and as soon as that finished boarding staff disappeared. The replacement appeared with about 30 minutes to departure and several of us waiting to be allocated seats. He was very distracted, dealing with one person and then walking away, the same with boarding, he would check half a dozen on and then do something else (to be fair he was alone but it was very inefficient and frustrating). We were boarded on a bus, there appeared to be only one so we had to wait while it went and came back. Once on board we waited for 10 minutes while nothing happened, on a very hot day. Finally the flight left over 30 minutes late for no real reason except poor organisation, a 20 minute wait for take-off put us about an hour late.

We spent 3 hours 10 minutes queuing at the designated check in desk for UK flights. Although we arrived very early in the morning, there was already a long queue of approximately 200-300 people. There were 2 people behind the check in desks processing all our check ins. There were also people just trying to drop off bags, this section processed one couple over the hours we were there, and all they wanted was to leave suitcases. People were generally good for the first hour or so, but a few disagreements broke out occasionally as to who might be next in the endless queue. There were no announcements, no apologies for the waiting. People who could not take the heat or the standing sat around on the closed check in baggage areas, a few people sat on the floor. Even a supply of water from the staff there would have been a help, especially to those elderly, young or travelling alone. It was a depressing, and exhausting experience, with the lack of any support whatsoever. We will never use this airport again.

We arrived early to the airport. We looked at the boards and went to the assigned desk. To our surprise there were several people in front of the desk and only a couple behind it. We joined the line. Quite soon we noticed that the line didn't move at all. In one hour no more than 10 people passed through the desk. Note: we had done check-in, all we wanted to do was drop the luggage. It took us more than two hrs to do a luggage drop. It took us four hrs to go from Sorrento to Rome. Our experience at the airport was crazy. Let me also add that the flight was late in leaving the gate.

Beverages and food really expensive, staff rude and indifferent to the customer. The air conditioner machines were dripping liquid, delays for the transit when we arrived here.

The day for boarding to international flight, we arrived at FCO airport 3.5 hours before. But arrived to the boarding gate was only 15 minutes before flight. On the long long way to the boarding gate, we just waited like a fool in unknown space (crowded with a tons of people) of the way to the gate - it took 2 hours to go to the gate.

The worst thing is baggage claim upon arrival. I waited for 2,5 hours for my baggage. First they changed baggage claim lines 3 times and then they let us wait for more than 2,5 hours by the wrong line. Not to mention how crowded it was. When I was departing from FCO my flight was delayed and I missed the connecting flight in Vienna. The airport is constantly crowded and noisy, queues everywhere. The signs could be clearer. Security check was relatively short but I waited for boarding one hour. Only bright side is unlimited WIFI, although slow. Connection with Rome is decent, you can choose train, multiple buses or taxi.

This is possibly the worst airport in Europe. We passed through yesterday returning from holiday and were treated with disrespect and indifference. Due to flight cancellations we were forced to spend over 7 hours here. Firstly upon arrival we were very rudely told to sit outside in what could best be described as cattle pens exposed to constant traffic noise and fumes, and cigarette smoke from airport staff. Absolutely no information whatsoever was given as to why we were put there or for how long. I eventually ventured into Terminal 5 and approached BA desk and staff told me to go back to the waiting area, I was told I could not re enter the terminal until 1215 - 3 hours later. Eventually we were allowed into the terminal and were shrugged through to a queue to check in - we duly queued after checking we were in the right queue at right time and this confirmed, we got to the counter and were told we could not check in because they were still checking the flight before ours. We were furious by now as one might understand however went to back of long queue. I then approached a BA staff member and he sorted things out quickly and we got checked through within 5 minutes. The next 3 hours were a little more tolerable but the damage was done.

I have travelled through this airport and never failed to be appalled by the staff and facilities. In the good old days one could take walking sticks on board the aircraft - now one has the indignity of having to put them in the hold with the subsequent delay of 1 hour to retrieve them. I have watched the baggage handlers from the terminal and in anyone's language they are so slow - they make a snail seem fast. Staff walking around with arms around each other and continual chatting as if customers do not exist. My process this time was appalling other than for speed of immigration. T3 is poorly designed and getting to the car hire with luggage a nightmare, with lifts out of action. Sadly I don't think a wake up call is the answer.

Rome Fiumicino really does need to lift it's game as the major airport for the capital city. I fly regularly in and out of this airport, so my comments are based on experience. However, my recent experience would have to take the cake. The airbridge did not work and it took quite some time for ground staff to arrange stairs for passengers to disembark the aircraft. The baggage claim area in terminal 1 was chaotic and passengers had to wait for 1.5hrs for their bags to arrive. It was terrible and not what you want to experience after a long haul flight. There were no personnel around to offer any explanations as to what was happening on when passengers could expect their luggage. Travellers missed connecting flights, train connections and I was delayed 3 hours on arrival. The toilets were not clean and the general appearance of the airport is becoming more tired and lacks a friendly welcoming approach from staff - if you can find them. Not a great experience at all for a major European city that welcomes so many visitors. Not a great first impression.

Our flight to London was required to use Terminal 5 due to a recent fire damage to Terminal 3. We required disability assistance and arrived early, so as usual when arriving too early we did have to wait for other flights to clear before we proceeded through check-in, border control, etc. Terminal 5 is not as luxurious as 3, however the facilities were reasonably comfortable and although very few of our fellow passengers were stressed, the airport staff did well to assist us and certainly took notice if asked politely for help. (It is also most important to travel with an airline that provides assistance and liaison with the airport). When I said I was leaving the waiting area to buy some water, I was told that free bottled water was available and this was brought quickly and offered to everyone waiting. In due time we were transferred by shuttle bus to the normal departure gates in the satellite, where first class facilities are available.