Belfast Airport

Travelled through the airport recently for the first time in 2 years was pleasantly surprised by the new layout the security staff couldn't have been nicer despite all the seemingly negative reviews here. Lots of space in the departures area though the strangford eating area is very over-priced with simple meals averaging £10.There is however a burger king and a nice bar and a few shops such as WH smith and boots as well as the duty free area of course. I used the business lounge but it was my first and last time in it as it simply isn't worth the money there are plenty of quiet areas to sit around in whilst waiting for your flight and the large window in starbucks lets you see out over the airfield.

New improved security area and the terminal is being re-furbished again. A lot of the comments about the security staff are true and this is the only downside of this airport.

I travel through this airport around 10 times per year. I would describe the overall facilities and cleanliness as average. The security queues are generally long. Following the recent refurbishment there is very little seating in the departures area although there is customer- only seating at cafes.

Being my local airport I have used Belfast International many times watched it develop and be refurbished over the years. The relocation of security was a good move as the search area is so much bigger now but it's a real shame that the staff can be so unpleasant when dealing with passengers I have had to have my bags searched the last two times I have travelled out and they didn't even give me a reason why they were doing it and seemed annoyed when I had to ask them. That aside the other services and facilities remain of a high standard and the modern departures concourse makes a pleasant start to your trip. Really pleased as well that easyJet and more recently Aer Lingus are continuing to expand their routes and you can now fly to a great range of European destinations without having to make a connection elsewhere.

My first trip through Belfast International since November and it's changed again. Just a little this time although thankfully for the better overall. Check-in was a breeze despite there being a number or flights checking in at the same time. Security however was the usual story. The officials that check documents before entering the main security area are polite friendly and efficient. However after this the lines in the main security section despite being short were painfully slow. Only 1 male and 1 female member present at the scanners meaning that if anyone set off the detector the queue was held up for people of the same gender for some time with chaotic reorganising of the line to sort it out. Staff were also as abrupt and surly as ever. After this though the latest reconfiguration of the departure lounge was actually quite good. The old duty free area is now opened up into seating for starbucks and other outlets giving a more light and space for travellers.

I have to say that the security queues and security staff at Belfast International airport compare very unfavourably with other airports. Queues are long and move at a snail’s pace (in spite of the fact that this was the smallest and least busy of the airports I used recently). Security staff rude and even abusive to passengers in the way they talk to them. They seem to treat everyone like some kind of criminal.

The most horrendous airport. Security over zealous and jobsworths. They make travelling by air the most unpleasant experience imaginable. Before they made changes to security I had never come across such a disorganised and unacceptable processing times - now it is quicker but equally ridiculous. Removing the landside retail outlets has taken away any remaining character it had although the food outlets were very poor quality. The only good thing there is Starbucks but that is looking shabby now and needs a clean/facelift.

Unbelievable experience with security. Do they really think a 60 something granny flying to Newcastle is a threat? They tested my creams - don't know what for or what it achieved body searched me twice etc. Place was empty - maybe they were bored. Then through to the one cash machine which never works. Poor selection of food. Poor seating - wire mesh.

Since my last trip earlier this year it has changed again. The long stay car park cost me about £25 for one week earlier this year - now £40. There is also now a £1 drop off fee for anyone getting a lift to the airport once you have turned off the main road in to the airport grounds it is a 1 way system and you are committed to driving through the system with no way of avoiding a charge of some description! Once inside the terminal the landside is the same as it has been since the changes started to be made. After the security check the airside has changed a lot. There is little space to relax now with far too much emphasis being placed on trying to ring money out of passengers though the retail outlets. Apart from a couple of rows of seating in the middle of the departure lounge all other space and seating has been given over to food and shop outlets. All in all travelling through Belfast International seems to become worse with each visit. There is no thought given to making it a nice experience travelling through and instead all changes are geared to shoehorning in more retail units. Since the start of redevelopment I've seen no changes that really the improve passenger experience.

Security staff could learn how to provide their service with a little more friendliness. I've never found them rude as such but from time to time a little abrupt. As the airport is in transition from old to new it's hard to give a real opinion as the last few times I've been it's been different on each visit. On the plus side the new bits are clean and bright. On the minus they have lost the great charm of the old airport and the addition of the new shop units in the airside section (that until recently was landside) now cover what little window area there was. I like airports that let you see the planes taking off and landing. The viewing gallery has been gone for some time now sadly closed but still there. No real change to the function of the airport and the passengers ability to pass through that is genuinely noticeable so for me what is mainly cosmetic change may look more modern but it has lost as many points of charm as it has gained in modern appeal. The only real gripe that I think would be the same for most would be the quality of food and its price! Starbucks is the only reasonable place to go. Inbound the walk from baggage reclaim to the exit is a little anonymous by that I mean you walk along a few blank empty corridors that leave you wondering if you've taken a wrong turn! Not a bad airport but room for improvement and I think the planners need to recognise this place had a charm and it shouldn't be buried in a drive to have a bright white clinical looking new layout.