Luton Airport

We got to passport control having arrived from Barcelona. The queue was massive and took us 40 mins to get through - this represented about a third of the journey time. I find this wholly unacceptable: if they can not sensibly cope with the amount of traffic they should decrease the number of flights they handle.

I agree with the suggestion below that this is arguably the worst airport in the UK. The revolving doors at the entrance to departures struggle to cope with the footfall and are incredibly slow. There seems to be a massive lack of check in space with spiralling queues and airline staff struggling to keep queues and check-in under control. Sprinkler system activated and leaking water all over emergency doors in departures. Food outlets over-priced and food poor quality. Security queue an absolute disgrace in terms of amount of time you are expected to wait. I refuse to pay for the express service - you should not have to wait more than 15 minutes regardless of whether you pay extra. Many of us waited over 40 minutes in the normal security line. Airline staff constantly having to shout out flight numbers so certain passengers could be brought to the front of the queue to ensure that they don't miss their flight. Not professional and not a good image of the UK to be sending to the world.

At 6 am on a Sunday morning in April there was a queue of traffic from the terminal back to the Ibis Hotel roundabout. Took the risk of being dropped off on the road to avoid missing our flight despite the warnings of penalties for doing so. Once through the embarkation check point we found the combs before the security check were absolutely packed with anxious travellers so we 'relanded' and paid to use the security 'priority' channel. The walkways were full of highly stressed people running for their gate presumably delayed by the security queues. Moral - dont assume that there are any quiet times and give yourself 3 hours just in case. Just glad we had no luggage to check in.

I checked in online and was only carrying hand baggage so unable to comment of queues at the check-in security was quick through in 5-10 mins. Good selection shops restaurants and foreign exchange. Great thing with the airport is the walk to your departure gate is no more than five minutes. Arrived back around lunchtime and airport was very quiet took only 10 mins from disembarking the aircraft to exiting the terminal. Airport is 29 miles from Central London but unlike other London airports the railway station is not actually on the airport site and have to take a five minute bus ride to the station.

This is a budget airport and is 50 miles away from London. Transport to and from the airport is quite easy - you can get the half-hourly coach from London Victoria bus station or the train from a wide number of stations. The pre security check in halls are big and very airy and a large number of food/drink outlets. The toilets that I used were clean and security was quick though this was at 5:30am. Also security were very helpful when I lost my boarding pass and reassured me that I would still be able to fly and they did seem very professional. Once through the security airside not as bright or airy but quite big with enough seats. The pre security bit needs more seating for passengers and in the early hours it was quite cold. I didn't like the fact that they charge for the plastic bags at security when other London airports had them for free. The gate areas need more seating and more staff cohesion - someone repeatedly opening and closing the doors to a freezing airstrip at 7 in the morning when everyone is tired is not good. The airport website indicates that the coffee shop is closed but just to be on the safe side I'd go to one of the Costa or Nero stands or wait until you are airside.

The destination map on the airport website used to show which airlines served each destination. Now all you get is a timetable which does not show the airline or airline code and you have to click on the airport portal to make a booking presumably through an agent of the airport company. I queried this on the airport website but did not get a response. Also the 'live flight information' is not very' live' for example the EZY flight to Edinburgh today was showing 'depart at scheduled time' on the Luton Screen when the BAA screen at Edinburgh was showing a 30 minute arrival delay for at least an hour before the scheduled departure time from LTN. Indeed the Luton screen never showed any delay and the flight details simply disappeared from the screen about 30 minutes after the scheduled time. Not very helpful.

Luton seems to want to make a statement that although it's a lot smaller than Heathrow and Gatwick it can handle everything just as well if not better. Certainly having travelled through Luton several times mostly transferring between easyJet flights I have been impressed by the efforts made to make the passenger experience as enjoyable as possible - the modern and clean terminal provides a good range of shops cafes and other services on both sides ample seating and signage is clear. This airport is ideal for the less experienced traveller who likes comfort and convenience and would prefer shorter walks to the boarding gates. Over 30 miles from London but frequent rail services will get you there quickly.

Nightmare trying to drop off or pick up a passenger - you have to pay £1 to drop off/pick up. If you are not sure of your passenger arrival you better not go in the pick up zone until you are sure your passenger/s are waiting for you at the pick up point as you only have 10 mins waiting time for the £1 you pay otherwise you may receive a fine in the post as cameras are operating everywhere. You can wait at the medium term car park for free for the first half hour. Absolute rip off and un-necessary worry when trying to pick up somebody. Personally I wouldn't use Luton airport unless I have absolutely no other choice. You are better off paying a bit extra on your ticket and using another Uk airport.

Luton airport has a mixed reputation and in particular it likes to charge travellers for as many additional things as possible including £1 for dropping passengers off at the terminal £1 for four plastic bags for your liquids (although you are only allowed to use one) £3 for fast track security etc. On the Wednesday morning we flew out the airport was operating efficiently. It took 20 minutes from parking our car in the long stay car park to walking into the terminal queues at non-fast track security were very short and we were through in a few minutes. Actually getting onto the plane was the usual scramble and it was disappointing to see the ground staff at the gate responsible for shepherding us onto the plane deliberately and obviously ignore the requests of a mother whose arms were full of children buggies and bags for help in getting onto the plane. Our return back through the airport was very quick – 15 minutes from landing to the bus (a wait of less than 10 minutes). The airport looks scruffy but for us it worked well.

This is probably the worst airport in the UK. From the outrageous non refundable trolley charge of £2 to the £3 charge to fast track through security (non payers are penalised by huge queues and having to haul suitcases up the stairs as the escalator is for the sole use of the fast trackers) to the horrible messages on continuous loop and signage not to mention the hundreds of stairs and long corridors you have to stagger along with your suitcases - this airport is a disgrace. I can only think that people are so numbed and appalled by it that they have lost the will to complain and just want to get out - quickly. The security staff don't realise that they only have jobs because passengers are there to be checked. I have lost count of the intrusive body friskings I have endured - and the sight of frail old people in wheel chairs having hands thrust down the backs of their seats in search of god knows what has to be seen to be believed. Don't use this airport unless you absolutely have to - if we all vote with our feet then perhaps something will be done!