London Stansted Airport

First Time I have used 'Express Drop-off' area having used the airport for years (since my honeymoon in 1973). This will be the last time I will use this airport! The recent change of drop-off is nothing but a transparent scam to raise even more money from the abused traveller. It is unpleasant and at £2.00 for 10 minutes so exorbitant that it ought to be in Westminster. Add to this the very threatening presence of a vehicle removal company it is just another example of how little the operator cares for the traveller as opposed to their money. Everything at the airport is aimed solely at taking more and more cash from the inadequate seating (except in refreshment areas where effectively you pay to sit) to the excessive number of shops taking up space that could be used by any caring operator to make the public more comfortable. What a rip-off!

I have just returned from Stansted airport to see off my mother-in-law and son who were flying to Germany with Ryanair. Having checked in online I was not expecting the lengthy queue at baggage drop off. After waiting about 45 mins to drop off one suitcase we proceeded to the departure security gate. Another lengthy queue and delay. When my mother-in-law (who is 80 years old and disabled) and my son (16 years old) reached the front of the queue they were directed back to the fast track lane as she has a metal walking stick (single crutch.) My son was informed he had to accompany her as they were together. We went to the fast track desk only to be informed my son had to pay £5 for fast track. The girl on the desk would not listen to our explanation that my son had been told to come here and he had to carry his grandmother's hand luggage but we refused to pay the charge. They would not listen to reason. Eventually a supervisor arrived who sensibly listened to us and apologised that we had been given incorrect information. She took my mother-in-law and son through. I have never experienced such a stressful time just dropping someone off for a flight and I will never use Stansted Airport again. I'd rather pay more and travel further than deal with uncaring jobsworths.

Flew from Stansted for the first time in 2 years. (Having used Stansted regularly over the past 15 years before that) I noticed a steady decline in the airport. I couldn't be dropped outside the door of the airport anymore. Forced to pay £2 for 10 mins to park in the car park just to get my bags out. I have a leg injury and wasn't pleased that I had to walk all the way up to departures. The trolleys are coin operated and having spent the last of my change already had to go without. Check in was fairly smooth and friendly but then to security. Queues were unbelievably long. The line took 30 mins to get through. I am used to traveling and had my laptop already out of the bag etc but the security woman still insisted on asking me several times if I had a laptop. Through security I went to Starbucks to get a coffee staff were exceptionally rude making it clear that you were an inconvenience to them. The duty free and shop selection is quite good but flying Ryanair I couldn't buy anything with their strict cabin baggage allowance. I was disappointed at the lack of free wifi a facility I have encountered in the majority of airports across the world. £1 for 10 mins internet is excessive I think. A long walk to the gate and a lot of bag checking and weighing by Ryanair staff more sets of stairs and I was finally onboard. Glad to be leaving the airport and the stress behind. I am very disappointed at Stansted it used to be a lovely airport to fly from. It's extremely stressful now and the customer service in general is very poor. I will avoid Stansted in future.

Having returned from newly renovated Billund Airport in Denmark early on Monday morning we returned to a very tired and shabby looking Stansted. The new passport entry facility for those with the new type of passports only let two out of each ten people through the automated gates the others having to queue like the rest of the hordes of arrivals. The people in security are surly and unhelpful using gestures to move people around the poorly marked areas where you are meant to wait for your fellow travellers who have failed to negotiate the automated gates. Compare this to the English speaking security guard who stopped me in Billund to check my case who apologised for keeping me waiting and could not have been more courteous. The ride back to the mid stay car park in the bus with the faulty speakers so you couldn't here the driver's instructions to be charged £51 for three days and then to see the litter blowing around the access roads is a terrible advertisement for visiting the UK.

I've used this airport around 6-8 times in the last 12 months. It gets very busy on a Saturday morning (departing) and Sunday evening (arriving). On the last 3 occasions I've used it I've done arrival only on a Wednesday or Friday at approx 10pm. One these 3 occasions there has been no queue for passport control and I've been out and away easily. On the few occasions I've landed on a Sunday evening (approx. the same time) it's been a different story - the arrivals area has been packed with long queues for passport control. So I'm giving a good satisfaction score for my recent arrival experiences and I won't be planning a Sunday evening arrival in the near future!

I use Stansted currently 4-5 times a year and in the past more frequently. Unfortunately it is the only London Airport that has flights to my regular destination. Public Transport links are poor and overpriced as far as rail services are concerned - particularly if trying to get to the airport from the south coast for a departure before 10am. Bus services to/from central London reasonably priced and frequent but the same problem of how to get to Central London early enough by train to reach Stansted for a pre 10am flight. The terminal is tired and not a good advert for Britain particularly as on exiting the arrivals hall passengers find themselves in a burger bar. It is not any better when you step outside under the canopied area as it stinks of cigarettes. Toilets too few for passenger numbers overcrowded and not cleaned frequently enough. Security checks often suffer from overcrowding and can be slow. Charging £1 for plastic bags is a rip off. Border Control overcrowded - queues frequently spill into the corridors approaching the area and staff in recent times seem to have been generally trained to be officious in their demeanour rather than official - a polite smile and thank you costs nothing and does not in any way inhibit a person's ability to do their job properly.

Having used this airport many times in the past they have changed the set down area. The old system of a separate road that worked successfully has been closed to only "authorised" vehicles and is now empty. You now have to use an Express set down area with a charge! This is unclear until you have passed it and the confused motorists are harassed by a Parking Enforcement vehicle! The early morning drop off became a stressful experience which I will not repeat - other Airports will benefit. It does not take a genius to work out how much "simple revenue" is being raised for an inferior service. My main objection is that it takes much longer for a simple drop off. The old system was superior.

Sadly this is an airport which arrogantly seems to think its customers owe it thanks and which is not aware that there's a choice. The facilities are tired the security is slow aggressive and pedantic. As for drop off and collection you cant get near the airport building now without huge extra charges (eg over £5 added to valet companies' charges £2 for car access both for dropping off and for pick-up with punitive rates if you over-run). Its all dressed up as some kind of ecological drive to discourage travellers arriving or departing by car but in truth its just a financial scam. Its a thoroughly unpleasant airport and deserves to sink probably along with its main user Ryanair. I use Stansted over 30 times a year because I need to go to a destination only served from there. But rest assured if there comes a choice!

Great infrastructure but is mismanaged. Fleecing the passengers of their money seems to be the primary concern. They actually charge people 1 pound for the see through bags for security check. They also charge GBP1 to use scales to ensure that your bags are not over weight limit and have the most expensive left luggage fee I have seen (10 pounds a day). On my visit the toilets were filthy despite the airport being very quiet. I saw no attendants. Shame on you Stansted airport.

Some good things some bad. Departure generally a good experience security queue less than five minutes with helpful and pleasant staff staff in shops and cafe friendly. Arrival though was very poor: first we were kept waiting on the aircraft for 15 minutes as 'the terminal doors were locked' in mid-afternoon (was nobody expecting us?). There then followed a very long walk indeed to the truly dreadful passport control area (always extremely crowded) we joined the queue for the automatic readers though an official said it would probably be quicker to queue for a conventional check - he was right. The long-stay car park is very expensive given its distance from the terminal (a 10 minute bus ride) and has the most confusing numbering system for the bus stops known to man - as I have said before be very careful to note exactly where you park your car and which bus stop you use.