Birmingham Airport

Departure eight days ago was just acceptable, although as usual signage is still poor and new customers to the airport are still confused. Arrival on 24 Sept meant total chaos at Passport Control, walked off the plane straight into a massive queue, more than 100 metres long and 10 person wide, which took an hour to clear. EU and non-EU passport holders queue split at top of stairs, then merged together again at the bottom. Eight passport-check positions un-staffed, electronic checking totally overloaded. Disgraceful introduction to the UK for foreign visitors, an International airport unable to cope with three flights arriving at the same time.

This airport gives the impression that only those who spend money in shops and cafes count. The public areas are shabby. The ladies loo in terminal one has locks hanging off, cracks and dirty paintwork etc. Please invest more in the places that are shared by all.

The cleanest places at the airport are the shops and any other cash grab amenities naturally. Luggage claims, queuing areas (which can stretch for kilometres) and the loos are disgusting and unkept. This airport is designed for animals (that can spend cash of course), not humans. People are free to push past in queues so long as they dont mind putting up with tuts and '...really?' looks because nobody else is there to stop the free for all. The building is just a good opportunity to put your own autopilot on until you reach the otherside because it's not an experience that you'll want to take with you on hols, or home.

Arrival: OK Departure: a claustrophobic shopping centre that produces a sensation reminiscent of the worst of being trapped in Ikea stores. Over-the top, deadly slow security, insisting everyone puts their shoes through the scanner, changing people's transparent liquid bags to ones that suited them better. Why can intelligence never come with security? We pay a fortune for the (dis)service, after all. Seating minimal with harsh, wooden seats the sole option. Wifi wouldn't connect. This is an airport designed to make its customers feel unwelcome.

Awful delay for baggage for two flights, always very slow at Birmingham Airport, has been like this for years, I have numerous letters from them over a twenty year period having complained re long wait at reclaim. Still nothing is done the airport pass the buck to handling company and vic/versa. they usually blame two/three flights landing at the same time.

A very good airport. Check-in and Security were very fast and all were polite and professional. There is a good range of shops and places to eat/drink. The flight departed on time. The only fault is you have to wait for a while at baggage reclaim. On the whole, Birmingham is a great airport.

Horrendous wait on baggage - over 1 hour on flight from Inverness and 45 minutes from Alicante. Disgusting, unclean toilets - poor service for incoming travellers.

I agree with earlier reviews about the confusion in the airport itself and the lack of people to ask information. My worst experience was passing through customs on arrival back from my holiday. Although my son and I are US citizens, we are permanent residents of the UK. Upon arrival at the airport from Germany, we were sent to the Other Passports line. Although I tried to explain that we had residence permits and could line with the Europeans, we were told that the agents knew nothing except to separate us in this way. OK. There were only about 20 people ahead of us. Well, one hour later, after 5 European flights were cleared, we finally made it to the customs official. The practice of letting about 10 Europeans and then 1 "other passport" through is not really justifiable in the modern travelling world. We were extremely disappointed with the service, and competence/attitude of the employees at the airport. Ruined an otherwise lovely vacation.

The good things - no queues either at check in or security. The okay things - cleanliness, not terrible. Food and beverages are overpriced but as expected. Shopping looks alright. The bad things - you could probably get lost if you hadn't been before. It's not a massive airport, it's just the directions and signs aren't great. Good luck finding a seat. WiFi, the speed is okay, the sign up process is not. It feels like they're trying to use your personal information for their own good. Finally, the staff. They're miserable when you can find them. The departure board said "Gate open in 5 minutes" for a good half hour or so. The worst part is that if you wanted to ask about the delay, you can't. There is nobody wearing anything that suggests they work for the airport. They might be there somewhere, but have fun finding them.

We were going to Bulgaria and were flying with Balkan Airways. We arrived at the airport which is always clean and tidy. We checked in 2 hours before the flight which was very quick. We went through to departures where we had a meal at burger king which was expensive for what it was. The departure lounge was very clean with TV's around informing your of all the arrivals and departures. The service was very easy and quick when we went through to the aircraft. Arriving back we had a similar experience. Very well organised airport.