European airports with the best and worst pre-flight experiences have been revealed, with Berlin Brandenburg, Munich Airport, Brussels Airport, Hamburg Airport and Stockholm Arlanda Airport making the top five
A major European airport has been named the worst to get stuck in in the Continent.
Going on holiday or travelling is normally always exciting, but when travellers get to their airport usually a few hours before their flight, a lot of boredom can kick in. Picture this – you just got to the airport and it is 4am. All you are dreaming of is a good coffee to take the edge off your tiredness. But instead of being greeted by fast wait times and a cosy café, you see a lengthy security queue and no sign of a coffee shop.
To try and help reduce airport dismay this summer, the travel experts at eurochange have revealed the airports with the best and worst pre-flight experiences in Europe. Analysing the 40 busiest airports across Europe, airports were scored for their number of flight delays, average security wait times, array of restaurants and shops, the cost of an airport lounge ticket, and even the presence of unique attractions.
Henri Coandă, Bucharest
At the bottom of the pile is Henri Coandă in Bucharest. The Romanian airport has been ranked as the most ‘boring’ airport on the Continent, it doesn’t get better when it comes to prices around the airport. An airport lounge ticket will set travellers back £40 per person making it the second most expensive in Europe for airport lounge tickets, behind Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
On review website Skytrax the airport has been awarded a meagre 3/10 from more than 100 reviews. One unhappy customer wrote: “This is the worst airport. There are no sitting areas at all. People sit on the floors, on rails, stairs. I had a business class ticket but because I arrived too early to the airport I couldn’t use the business class lounge Because the check in for my baggage was an hour before the flight! Shame on you! Total disappointment.”
Another joined in the kicking, adding: “I recently had an extremely disappointing experience. The airport was eerily empty, creating a rather unwelcoming atmosphere. But the real frustration began with the inefficiency in handling our luggage. It took them over an hour to offload our bags from the plane.
“This caused us to miss our connecting flight. Their lack of urgency and disregard for passengers’ schedules was appalling. The entire ordeal was not only time-consuming but also added unnecessary stress to our journey. I strongly advise travellers to consider other options if possible.”
A third wrote: “Horrible experience, long queuing times especially at security, and rude, unprofessional staff. Flying is already a stressful experience, every time I am at this airport it makes it an absolutely horrible experience. Would definitely not recommend, and a shame for anyone visiting Bucharest to have this as a first point of contact.”
Other travel airports named among the worst were Porto Airport in Portugal, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France and Warsaw Chopin airport in Poland. Bristol airport came 38th out of the 40 airports assessed, scoring zero for both kids attractions and unique attractions.
Berlin Brandenburg, Germany
The number one airport on the list for the best pre-flight experience is Berlin Brandenburg in Germany. The airport has the fewest delays, in fact, you’re least likely to be delayed at this airport in the first place. An impressive 80% of flights depart on time and its average security wait time is just 7 minutes.
There is also lots to do at Brandenburg including options for kids, such as an entire playground and a special children’s TV corner. For the art lovers, make sure you look up at the ceiling when they check in — it features a beautiful Magic Carpet art installation.
For many, a good alcoholic beverage makes being stuck in that two-hour limbo period waiting to board a place, more bearable. At €4.90 (£4.17) for a large beer, the airport scored full marks for its beer price, compared to Copenhagen, where it will set you back 249 Krona (£18.31).
Munich Airport, Munich, Germany
Munich airport closely followed behind Berlin Brandenburg, where the average security wait time is just five minutes. Munich also has plenty to offer while travellers wait including the world’s first airport brewery, where you can even get a guided tour before you fly. It also has an observation deck on level five, above the terminal two check-in area.
Brussels Airport in Belgium followed in third, Hamburg Airport in Germany fourth and Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden took the fifth spot. London Heathrow narrowly missed out on the top five by just one point, scoring well on its shops, flights departing on time and its average wait times.
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