Nantes Airport

Not Verified | Judging by the other reviews here I am not alone in my disappointment. In addition to everything others have mentioned I will add that I was flying with a well traveled backpack on which I had a 10cm long section of bike chain attached to it (impossible to take off without a chain tool or to cut the pack itself). Not even enough to put my fist through. It was used to pick up the pack and secure a lock to. I've traveled far and wide with this chain on the pack - even to the USA where Homeland Security is notorious for its scrutiny of such things. Well at Nantes at the security checkpoint they considered this small piece of bike chain to be able to be used as a weapon! They said I either needed to check the bag (EUR40) or cut it off. As the pack is not worth EUR40 I told them to cut it off - after giving them an honest, if not perhaps sarcastic, comment on how they operate their airport. After more than 20 years coming through this airport to vacation in and around the surrounding areas I am calling it quits. I will go elsewhere as all of my experiences over the years have added up to enough negativity that I no longer wish to spend my hard earned money in this region. Farewell!

✅ Trip Verified | I felt this is a sort of makeshift airport, a lot of missing and confusing information and works in progress, very, very limited seats, after I cleared security, which was quick, I felt I was on a war scene, with dozens and dozens of customers seating on the floor, some of them even playing cards or having snacks, seems they are used to this kind of situation. Gate is confusing the announcements in English are very poor and one can almost not understand anything, the only very positive thing from this airport is that public transport is free on weekends, both ways. Tip: local cafes serve the same quality cafe latte and snacks for half of the price if compared to international brands!

Not Verified | We had thought of a walking holiday but we got one free courtesy of this airport. After walking a long way to the departure portal, at the far end of the building, we had to walk another long way on the ground floor, up stairs and back along the same, but reverse route to get to security. The officers there were anything but friendly and it was obvious that they escalated their searches and arrogance if one responded with anything other than utter compliance. Not a smile or a 'please' or 'thank you' in sight. They all wore identity badges but would not allow me to inspect these. Utterly the worst goodbye I have ever had from anywhere. After more walking, we were directed down to the waiting area on the ground floor, which just happened to be adjacent to where we left our hold baggage. The signage is abysmal, amazing us that anyone got on the correct flight. Then more walking across the hardstanding and up yet more stairs to board the aircraft. Both my wife and I are over 80 years old and were completely exhausted by this pre-flight activity. We were so looking forward to using this airport - but found it abysmal, soulless even hostile.

✅ Trip Verified | An embarrassingly poor airport. The largest in Western France and a choice of six sandwiches and a couple of cakes from a buffet bar. The bread was frozen and the sandwiches were disgusting. Nothing else apart from a small duty free shop barely larger than a Proxi. With trains on strike, gilets jaunes blocking roads and this standard of service this is a country that knows how to take the mickey. As I am in the hospitality industry I reassure myself that this is the quality of the competition in France.

Not Verified | The worst experience ever. Very poorly organized and very poor quality. Lack of staff and lot of waiting. If you transfer remember that you have to go out and do the security check again which takes ages! Security are very grumpy and unfriendly. If anyone is planning to carry on a skateboard forget about it. Mine got confiscated due to the airport rules, even if I haven’t had any problem anywhere with this and I have been traveling with my skateboard for last 12 years. Avoid this airport!

What a shocker! So incredibly poorly organised. Little to no information. Understaffed with grumpy staff who are obviously resenting the fact they’re picking up the slack for non-existent colleagues. No efficiencies whatsoever - wouldn’t let the first bus leave gate 36 until the second one was full - so we had to stand around in a cramped bus. Really diabolical all round - avoid this airport at all costs if you can!

NotVerified | Worst experience at any airport ever. Avoid if at all possible. A cattle market is organised better! The disorganisation on the outside of the airport is worse on the inside. Only one cafe upstairs on the outside of passport control, big queues through passport control and only vending machines and a coffee kiosk once through passport control. Lack of information, lack of facilities and lack of brains.

✅ Trip Verified | Awful airport. Arrived well in advance and there was very poor signage. Arrived to the airport bar/lounge area which was filthy and flies flying on to the tables and food/luggage. No working WIFI. Once through security which was surprisingly okay, got to gate 38. Flight delayed by 1 hour which was not announced. Nearby gate had their flight cancelled. Our gate now became their gate and their gate now became our gate for bus transfers to leave the airport except none of us were told so passengers for the BA flight joined the queue at gate 38. At the last minute we were told our gate was now gate 36 were the cancelled Easyjet flight. Waited on the bus to Board the flight as they were still awaiting buses to take passengers and luggage from the arrived flight. Overall a very poor service and lack of communication. Will never fly in to or out of this airport again. Once was enough!

✅ Trip Verified | The worst experience I have ever had at an airport, and I travel through many. Overcrowded. Lack of staff. Unnecessary waiting despite having checked in online. 90 minute wait in severely overcrowded conditions after security to go through passport control. Flight delayed by nearly an hour waiting for late boarders due to the chaos. Avoid at all costs. Will not be flying to this airport ever again. My children were traumatised by the experience. Cannot rate services as there was no time to avail of them.

Not Verified | Worst airport experience ever trying to depart, took 90 mins to get through passport control after security check, complete chaos with insufficient staff around and no queuing control