Belfast Airport

Flew from Belfast International to Alicante recently Check-in staff ok. Security staff atrocious. We were made to feel very ill at ease. They were very rude and abrupt to everyone in general. The only reason we suspect the public take this treatment is the fear of repercussions i.e. missing their flight. They should be sent to Alicante airport to take lessons.

The security staff have actually improved over the last couple of visits but are still far more surly and domineering than most other UK airports. My real gripe here is the drop off charge - I get whoever is dropping me off to leave me at the roundabout beside the only Hotel at the airport its a quick two minute walk from there to the entrance.

I found the security area to be fast and without issue I had no problem with any personnel as a lot of people who have left reviews already seem to mention. In other areas of the Airport I found the food to be expensive in the cafe adjoining the security area and in the fed and watered bar but apart from that everything else was fine including check-in which was quick and straightforward.

I no longer use this airport as they consistently squeeze every last pound they can. Smokers - £1 trolley users - £1 plus £1 pp each time per passenger for set down and pick up. As for the food gourmet prices for greasy spoon quality just about sums it up. But what you should really ask yourself before using this facility is - given the extended time frame over which scores of other reviewers have lambasted the surly security staff attitude why have management not addressed the issue?

I dislike travelling through this airport. They revamped the security area yet still have minimal numbers of scanners open and you still have to lug your bags across a wooden table to get them on the belt. Security staff are shouty and in common with many other reviews complete jobsworths. There is a real lack of seating in the departure lounge. It's like to get a seat you have to buy something. Free seating is also really uncomfortable - metal with no cushions. And you have to pay for wee plastic bags for liquids. This airport really is about squeezing every last penny out of travellers.

What a shame. Belfast International used to be a lovely airport a real pleasure to travel out of. These days however the feeling you get as you walk through the door is that they want to squeeze every penny they can out of you. For a start most of the seating has disappeared only to re appear in the food outlet area so now to sit down you either have to be at the airport first thing or buy overpriced food. Add to this a £1 charge to pick up or set down £1 for a trolley and £1 to use a smoking room. I found security to be ok not as friendly as Heathrow but certainly not as bad as Newark. I found that the servisair people were quite rude I stood at the servisair booth for 10 mins before one of them acknowledged me and asked me to wait. Overall this is an airport that used to be pleasant to fly out of but now it really is a chore.

Small changes (yet again) from my last trip through. There is a new food area called 'fed and watered’ where 'Rankins' used to be (nice but usual airport high prices). Also after leaving security you are deposited into the recently refurbished original food court area looks nicer but is still over-priced. My personal impression of security (see previous reviews) was a little better than usual on this trip but only just and from observing interaction with other travellers it's still poor. The term 'officious' in previous reviews reflects my experience of security well in general. The web site shows that the current round of investment has now finished so that unlike the last few years the airport probably won't change layout every couple of months. Finally I have neglected to mention before my experience on return. UK boarder control has been excellent and the baggage hits the carrousel very quickly. However in stark contract to the departure experience this part of the airport hasn't changed in a long time and now feels old worn and tatty it really needs a lick of paint.

I recently travelled via Belfast International. I wanted to see if I was the only one with this poor experience. I wasn't and Mr Davis's review sums it up - The security staff at the Belfast International Airport obviously mistake officiousness for efficiency and really seem to enjoy the little power they have. I travel a fair bit 50k flight miles a year and I find Dublin and London security staff generally friendly and good and equally the TSA have really upped their game not Belfast Intl. Even to the point of making me unpack my backpack after it had been through the machine and being asked why did I have so many electronic devices. They'd already been rude and inefficient throughout the process to myself and others. It was a toss-up for me between flying to Heathrow from Belfast to get a direct flight from there to get home and a 2 hour train ride to Dublin for a direct flight and clearing US immigration in Dublin. Belfast Intl airport security have made that choice easy for me its Dublin for me from now on. One customer you have chased away and travelling is hassle enough.

I've have the misfortune to travel via this airport 3 times this year for business. The security staff at the Belfast International Airport obviously mistake officiousness for efficiency and really seem to enjoy the little power they have. As a country that relies heavily on tourism someone should realise that although they are doing an important function they are customer facing.

Arrived at Belfast Int. airport Easyjet check-in. Stood in queue for over 30mins. Only one girl on check-in desk. Off-loaded suitcases and went straight to security check with intentions of eating/ shopping once through. One item of hand luggage was targeted for searching items were scrutinised in detail. In total well over 10 mins must have passed from opening of this single bag to leaving security. By this stage we all had to make a dash for the departure lounge as boarding was commencing. As yet no drinks or food for the kids. And usual story with Belfast Int - passengers are despatched from the seating bay into the stairwell where they have to remain standing before being released (about 10+ mins). In past flights we've had to stand for even longer periods in these conditions. Total time to get through airport with no breaks: over 70 mins. It would seem many passengers are opting to make the short trip down to Dublin.