Faro Airport

✅ Trip Verified | If Portugal gives you an amazing holiday, Faro airport is the price you pay. Despite Covid and airlines recommending that you "arrive in good time" they are still only opening checkouts 2 hours before the flight (or even a few minutes late). Ridiculous. They seem to have no understanding of the impact on stress levels this puts on passengers, many of whom might be hoping to check in early, get through security, and then relax, feed the kids and do some shopping. There is also an extra passport check after security, so keep your passport handy. I don't know why they bother having any stores, you get no time to use them by the time they check everyone in. And don't expect empathy or patience from them if you step out of line. Their automatic reaction is to attack, inconvenience and put people out as they feel untouchable (many of the check in staff are not employed by the airlines which makes it harder to complain). Compared to airports in the UK it is rather parochial. I've used it a number of times and knew that things were never rushed, but to not open early with Covid is crazy. The building works have made it look more modern and clean, its just the staff that need a customer service update.

Not Verified | I don’t even know where to begin but I’ve never had such a lazy, poor check-in in all my years of travelling. The staff members took up to 30 minutes checking in just one customer. Despite the queue building up and not moving their pace still remained the same. There’s clearly a lack of training. It’s actually embarrassing. When trying from London all check in is so fast and efficient, I feel the staff need better training. One staff member had 3 other assistants helping him as he was struggling with something? This isn’t rocket science, especially as the majority already had boarding pass and all they needed to do was check in the luggage. Painful experience. Honestly a 1/10. Do better Faro.

Not Verified | Having a house in the Algarve I use Faro Airport often and has never been a pleasant experience but this evening has been awful. I took my partner for the evening London bound flight and after check in I accompanied him to the security level staying well away from the entrance but waited to say goodbye by the eye level fence which allows view to the security area, only to be confronted by a very angry police staff member and taking in consideration there are no signs that one can not wait in that area his behaviour and level of verbal aggression was unexpected and unnecessary. If only passengers can be on that floor then there should be a security staff member at the bottom of the escalators that give access to that level. I am Portuguese and I'm embarrassed of the lack of training some of the staff have, especially an airport policeman. This is definitely abuse of power.

Not Verified | I am disabled and had what can only be described as a dreadful experience at this airport. Initially we found it difficult to access any assistance, it is only available two hours before your flight. Then when we went through the security check the security person insisted I remove my shoes - something that no one else was required to do - I cannot remove my shoes in the normal way - as I tried to explain this the person became more and more derisive making me feel humiliated and embarrassed. Their whole procedure should be reviewed and their security personnel should be trained to treat those less fortunate than themselves with some degree of empathy. I will not be that eager to return.

Not Verified | We have a house in Portugal and come here 3 to 5 times a year for 20 years. Like many many people we were appalled from lack of airbridge and celebrated when it was granted as we love the Algarve and the people. When we landed, we were greeted by a queue that snacked around arrivals with hundreds of people and two people checking our passports! We believe 3 UK planes arrived during this time. The electronic passport checker was closed. I have never seen such appalling service. Does Portugal not want us back. This was around 9pm at night.

Not Verified | Despite paying for Fast Track and business class. The check in was chaotic and disorganised. I wasted my money as I priority check in was non-existent. When I arrived at security regardless of paying for Fast Track there is none. When I questioned security and the on site Information desk they were rude and disinterested. I spent the next 20 min waiting in a queue at security. If you want to be herded and treated like cattle then this is the airport for you, just don’t pay for anything to make the process less problematic as Faro don’t care.

Not Verified | It’s the worst airport I have ever visited. Today despite a business ticket they would not open fast track so I queued 35 minutes for security. The place is disorganised and unfriendly.

✅ Trip Verified | I really cannot understand the continued poor reviews of this airport. I fly, a lot, and this airport is by no means a 1 or 2 out of 10. As someone else has identified, the security on arrivals is rather poor and they do need to address the non-functional e-gates. However, other than that, I find the staff cheerful and helpful, and they are very family friendly (letting us to the front of the passport queue!). Yes, water is expensive, and they should take a lead from others by providing a refill station rather than a vending machine. The duty free area is slightly more expensive than a supermarket for wine, I noted a couple of wine brands that were €2-3 more than Intermarche. It is a bit of a pain going up and down stairs, but I think this is a more of a product of updating the existing design than bad planning. I’ve never had any issues with the lifts or escalators when travelling with the family. Getting better, slowly but surely.

✅ Trip Verified | Faro Airport is a very poor example of modern planning. Enormous, empty halls and outside areas but the facilities and transfer arrangements from check in and baggage drop to departure gate are abysmal. Everything is arranged over different levels and I find the constant climbing up and down stairs very tiring. On 23rd January 2020 after boarding card checks (twice in 20 yards) I headed for the lift to gate 320, lifts not working for able bodied passengers, reserved for several wheelchair users! Escalators out of order! I had to option but to climb about 60 marble steps although it felt like 90 steps with my carry on. On arriving on the next floor I discovered that gate 320 is on the ground floor, another 20 steps down to that. To board the plane there are another 20 metal steps. Why? Why not join the 21st century and build a new Airport on one level?? The Algarve attracts many retired and disabled passengers why was that not taken into consideration when building this new Airport? Only one lift built and that reserved when there are wheelchair users? The Duty Free prices are astronomical as are the prices in the Bars. All in all a very unpleasant experience.

Not Verified | I have just returned from my trip to Portugal and I wanted to just say that based on my experience in the airport I don’t think I’ll be returning. The experience I had at departure was disgusting. I have a severe nut allergy and board with the speedy boarders but was told that I wasn’t allowed and was spoken to in the most disgusting way by the staff. I questioned why and was told I was disturbed people and the flight. I asked for the gentleman’s name and he refused to give it to me. The way that the passengers with special assistance we’re treated from the flight from Faro to Luton was a disgrace and based on this experience I won’t be returning to Portugal.