While West Yorkshire's Leeds Bradford Airport remains a popular spot to travel from for trips and holidays, the airport was recently named the worst UK spot to fly from.
Last week Bristol Airport and Leeds Bradford have been ranked as the top two worst airports in the UK in a survey of the 16 busiest airports carried out by The Telegraph. Leeds' airport was slated for queues and "hefty" drop off charges.
What's more, it was also criticised for its ageing buildings although it should be noted that plans are underway for a modern terminal at the Yorkshire hub. Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the airport said: "We are disappointed by this ranking. As an ambitious airport, we’re striving to do better.
"Looking to the future, we’re moving ahead with plans to dramatically improve our passengers’ experience through upgrades to our terminal, and we continuously work with airlines and ground handling agents to minimise delays and cancellations to flights."
London's airports took the top three spots, with London City, Gatwick and Heathrow coming first, second and third respectively. They scored highly due to convenience and the fact that most of their flights showed up on time.
And it appears Leeds Bradford is going to have to make a few changes to match the southern airports following the recent delays, due to "ongoing recruitment and training activities". The majority of Leeds folk will have heard about the ongoing "carnage" at the airport - leaving passengers waiting up to three hours in queues from check-in to security.
Reporter Lucy Marshall visited the spot for herself on May 11 to see what the airport experience is like for passengers at the moment.
I've been going to Leeds Bradford Airport since I was a child, so it is only in recent years I have noticed the good and bad qualities of the airport. I think what is nice about LBA in comparison to the likes of Manchester Airport is that it is smaller - meaning it is easier to get to your flight gate, and the shops and there aren't as many people in the airport.
I've always found it the easiest airport to get to. No doubt the price of parking your car there is extortionate, but I've always just taken taxis to the airport. And I just think you can actually get dropped out right outside of the airport and walk up to the main door with your bags, so while that might irritate some people that issue doesn't overly annoy me.
But recently the airport, which I usually find quieter than the likes of Heathrow and Gatwick, has been filled with a sea of people most days as queues stretch four hours and hours. So I don't really blame people for thinking 'let's try a different airport' or feeling more reluctant to go on holiday.
Waiting in the queue after check-in to get to security was a boring nightmare. Everyone is just stood there in silence, bored out of their brain, standing waiting for hours on end. Listen, as a typical Brit I'm all for a neat and tidy queuing system but there surely must be a better way to organise people.
Recently Leeds Live reported that West Yorkshire Police were monitoring queues at the spot on Wednesday morning, as well as staff members walking up and down to check everything was running calmly. I have always felt super safe in the airport and once you get through security things seem to move smoothly.
So you get to the other side and find the Duty Free haven, and some shops to look in while waiting for the flight. Cheeky Bucks Fizz and a full English breakfast? Well, it would be rude not to while going on your jolly holidays.
While most people are happy to loosen their purse strings a little while taking a trip abroad, the airport prices are ridiculous. The food is overpriced and frankly not worth it. They do a good breakfast in The Saltire - the one with the black mugs (if you know you know) - but £6.99 for a pint and an extra £1.29 for a splash of lime is taking things a bit far.
With the rising cost of living it wouldn't hurt if LBA said 'because of all the delays and rising cost of living we have decided to rethink our prices at the airport'. It's not like they're not going to still make loads of money - think how many people go to that airport every day.
Another area that could be improved is the women's bathrooms. I was at the airport around 8am so a few morning flights had gone out but it was still early in the day, and three out of the women's stalls were out of order.
I opened one of the toilet doors and the loo was blocked, there was a sanitary bin in disarray, and no toilet roll left. It's all well and good saying 'we'll get upgrades' in the terminal but why don't we start with the basics first? Let's sort out getting things actually functioning, cleanly, and affordable, and then maybe consider some fancy upgrades.
I have always enjoyed flying from LBA and would recommend it as an airport. But it is transparent why it has been voted as one of the worst airports in the UK due to issues which feel like they have been ongoing for years.
But with a few tweaks, I hope one day it will be rebranded as the best airport in the country. Do you think it can be done? Comment below.
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