Birmingham Airport

My first use of this airport since 2004 and I was pleasantly impressed it has improved since then. It started when I arrived at the long-stay car park which I had pre-booked to be told I had been 'upgraded' to medium term at no extra cost. So a two minute walk to the terminal. However note very carefully where you have parked if you use these car parks the numbering system is very confusing (at least to me) - I wrote it down correctly but it took me ages to find my car again on my return. As others have noted there are plenty of shops and cafes and also seating. If you arrive early you can use the viewing terrace free too. No major queues anywhere on departure or arrival a good experience.

Smooth and easy transfer from train to the airport terminal buildings seem about the right size with good shopping facilities. Today's experience Flybe to Isle of Man from Terminal 2 however was just shockingly bad entirely down to an apparent complete lack of any control management or oversight of the security process. A security queue of 50 minutes only a single scanner operating the harassed staff clearly not in control of the situation and no-one managing them or the queue of whom most were on "final call" by the time they reached the front. Several passengers on the same flight as my own were rushed through security yet when I asked to join them I was told that the other passengers would be able to hold my plane and I should wait in line? When I finally reached the front of the queue the checkers had clearly hit a problem were arguing between themselves and not actually putting any bags through the scanners. Utter chaos.

Arriving by train the airport is just a short (free at the moment) shuttle ride away which is one of BHX main plus points. This means that a passenger can avoid rip-off parking and disembarkation fees. Check-in was swift and efficient; in my experience the check-in staff do not concern themselves if your suitcase is a little overweight. The departure lounge is reasonably spacious with adequate seating and a wide range of shops. My main criticism is that on too many occasions passengers are bussed to or from their aircraft rather than being able to walk.

I have just returned from BHX airport. The airport itself is nice and airy and plenty of places to eat. There are several hotels just outside the building within walking distance. Its easy to find your way around the building. However the majority of the staff at the airport are not that friendly. A smile seems too much of an effort. The airport security staff seem to have the biggest attitude problems. I realize they have a responsible job and take things seriously but I think it sometimes goes a bit too far. Instead of the 20 x 20 cm plastic freezer bag for carry on liquids I unfortunately had a 23 x 15 bag. (Who honestly measures this bag before packing?) I was scolded by a female staff member who obviously wasnt too happy at this time of the morning (0730) and was told to go over to a machine where I could purchase 4 plastic bags of the required size for GBP1. I wasn't alone there where several passengers being forced to do this. Strangely enough I had come through Frankfurt Hahn and Glasgow Airport prior to this and my plastic bag hadn't been a problem at all.

I have just returned From Birmingham Airport having taken my wife to catch a flight. She regularly flies to various destinations around the world usually from Heathrow. I always stay with her until she goes through to security why wouldn't I? At Heathrow I have stayed for up to three hours and have never paid more than 10GBP. My less than one hour stop at Birmingham airport has just cost 17GBP. When I pick her up next week I'm going to drive around and around the roundabout until she calls to say she's outside the terminal building. Just to pick up will even cost a quid! Last time I was at Heathrow it was free to pick up. BHX certainly knows how to rip off it's customers.

ServiceAir Premium check in crew for EK were wonderfulg. Fast Track immigration for J passengers. Serviceair lounge was packed as EK put all their economy wheelchair passengers and families in their too. Boarding a nightmare as the flight to DXB was rather like the Polar Express and children wheelchair and J passengers all go in the same pen. On the whole its good to fly long distance from a local airport.

Refreshingly the long stay parking is very near to the terminal. Check in/Immigration was speedy. Departure lounge was roomy with lots of shopping/catering choice. Me and my husband both agreed we would actively look for destinations from this airport again for weekend breaks.

Birmingham Airport is awful for the disabled! My husband requires special assistance when we go on holiday due to his mobility difficulties. Every time without fail he falls through the cracks at some point. Birmingham (BHX) is not capable of providing a seamless special assistance service for the disabled traveller.

Get ripped off while you're dropped off! What other airports expect their customers to pay for the privilege of merely arriving at this airport? Avoid these charges by dropping off at Birmingham International rail station (next door) and taking the shuttle which takes you to the centre of the airport. Make arrangements to be picked up the same way on return.

Check in was a nightmare. It took us over 1 hour to check in. The main reason for the delay was that at check in if cases were even a tiny amount over weight they were forcing the mainly elderly passengers to re-pack from one case to another sending many to the back of the queue again and reaping a small fortune in excess luggage charges. The queue grew longer and longer with many passengers clearly distressed and nobody managing the situation. Eventually I asked for the supervisor and was pointed to a young man who had his head buried in a check in machine for 45 minutes - showing no proactivity in managing the situation. Generally prices to Malta are higher from Birmingham than elsewhere. Drop off zone is a rip-off.