Leeds Bradford: Passenger Reviews, Q&A, and Travel Advice

[BCFC]

You would have thought with all the negative feedback, members on here would think twice before using the lounge rather than continuing to use the lounge only to then complain about it.

That will be my last time, I’d rather pay and get something decent.

You would have thought with all the negative feedback since openining they would have had time to sort the issues by now.

Obviously not….

 

[Aviador]

I don't ever use airport lounges. Not for med hops anyway but what stands out for me with these new lounges is not the number of alcoholic drinks you can get, but the lack of comfort. From the images the airport have shared, the seating doesn't exactly look comfortable. Surely most people who use the lounges first and foremost want piece and quiet with a comfortable lounge style seat. They can then relax and unwind before their flight. A good choice of hot food and snacks is important with free access to WiFi. Alcoholic drinks should be available but I agree with the airport that three pre flight drinks should be more than enough when more drinks can be purchased onboard most flights.

 

[Len Fish]

Well at least when members on here use the lounges and find them lacking at least it confirms all the negative reports we see in the press are not being made up.

 

[SierraHotel]

I'm hearing a growing level of criticism about the unacceptable length of time it's taking inbound pax to disembark their aircraft and pass through baggage reclaim. A lack of airside buses (or drivers) appears to be one of the issues as does a lack of ground staff offloading baggage. One family I spoke to yesterday who had arrived in from BTS had taken 1 hour 25 mins from arriving on the stand to exiting arrivals.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I'm hearing a growing level of criticism about the unacceptable length of time it's taking inbound pax to disembark their aircraft and pass through baggage reclaim. A lack of airside buses (or drivers) appears to be one of the issues as does a lack of ground staff offloading baggage. One family I spoke to yesterday who had arrived in from BTS had taken 1 hour 25 mins from arriving on the stand to exiting arrivals.

The info from the CEO (via WH and also at community events) said buses were rarely being used now (3/4 a day) so their flight must have been an exception. Congestion in baggage claim is something I've heard too, especially at peak arrival times. Having said that it was always an issue and I dont think right now they have any more than the 3 belts they had in the old arrivals. This will increase to 5 when the integration is completed.

 

[White Heather]

The info from the CEO (via WH and also at community events) said buses were rarely being used now (3/4 a day) so their flight must have been an exception. Congestion in baggage claim is something I've heard too, especially at peak arrival times. Having said that it was always an issue and I dont think right now they have any more than the 3 belts they had in the old arrivals. This will increase to 5 when the integration is completed.

It's 3 belts for now but double the size of the old ones and considerably more space. The age old problem is though, that if aircraft all arrive at once due to ATC and other delays, neither Swisspoirt or Jet2 will have sufficient ground staff to deal with them all at the same time. There are bound to be some flights which have to wait. Personally, I've always expected that and dont find it a big deal. Obviously some do and will always moan about it.

 

[Sputnik1]

From a Jet2 standpoint, there's almost always enough staff. There have been issues with the reclaim belts/system though. Either:

The belts are getting "clogged" after only 40 bags (average flight could have 120-180, belts are designed for 2+ flights), which engineers have been working to fix

Or they're being overrun when 4+ flights land at once, which is usually in the early hours.

This week it's been a combination of the two.

I've also heard that recently, when multiple flights land and park at remote stands, one bus has been sent to meet each flight, rather than multiple buses offloading one flight at a time. This has caused baggage reclaim to be very disorganised and the belts aren't being cleared as quickly as they would normally.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

From a Jet2 standpoint, there's almost always enough staff. There have been issues with the reclaim belts/system though. Either:

The belts are getting "clogged" after only 40 bags (average flight could have 120-180, belts are designed for 2+ flights), which engineers have been working to fix

Or they're being overrun when 4+ flights land at once, which is usually in the early hours.

This week it's been a combination of the two.

I've also heard that recently, when multiple flights land and park at remote stands, one bus has been sent to meet each flight, rather than multiple buses offloading one flight at a time. This has caused baggage reclaim to be very disorganised and the belts aren't being cleared as quickly as they would normally.

Thats very interesting. So the negative reports we have been hearing are true. Lets hope they get it sorted asap, it sounds like the new improved arrivals facility is actually worse than the previous one!

 

[Aviador]

When we came back into Manchester the other week it took well over an hour to collect our cases. When the cases eventually arrived, the belt was full and cases were being placed on the belt stood up sideways on. So as you can see all airports have similar problems.

 

[The Pole]

When we came back into Manchester the other week it took well over an hour to collect our cases. When the cases eventually arrived, the belt was full and cases were being placed on the belt stood up sideways on. So as you can see all airports have similar problems.

Manchester! You flew from Manchester how dare you 🤣

 

[Aviador]

Manchester! You flew from Manchester how dare you 🤣

I know, and with a forbidden airline! 🤣

 

[Finger66]

There are of course multiple reasons why someone will fly from/to an alternative airport such as cost, timings, frequency, operators, available destinations. The latter, as I have said before is a reason Mrs Finger and I fly from Manchester - the destinations we want just aren't available ex LBA. The good thing is though that 4m plus are happy with destinations available ex LBA. Going back to our own baggage reclaim experience arriving at MAN in early July, whilst not a rammed belt, it was still a slow process so agree with @Aviador that this is not something unique to LBA. We also have to remember there are still additional terminal works on going which affect overall functionality. Now whether there needs to be more "we apologise for any current disruption" signs around LBA could be another question altogether.

 

[HX3]

Thats very interesting. So the negative reports we have been hearing are true. Let’s hope they get it sorted asap, it sounds like the new improved arrivals facility is actually worse than the previous one!

Let’s have it in context though, rather than this blanket negative reports are true. At certain times there have been issues, they are no doubt refining processes, and as stated the arrivals facility is not fully open.

This is no different to other airports at normal times, so actually LBA being part way through significant development, they seem to be doing relatively well.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Let’s have it in context though, rather than this blanket negative reports are true. At certain times there have been issues, they are no doubt refining processes, and as stated the arrivals facility is not fully open.

This is no different to other airports at normal times, so actually LBA being part way through significant development, they seem to be doing relatively well.

I agree, we are in an interim phase at the moment.

Most of the reports I've heard are relevant to arrivals in the 'early hours'. I am hoping that when all 5 belts are working there wont be any bottle necks elsewhere that impact upon prompt retrieval of bags.

The publics expectations of smaller airports is that they will be processed faster than at a large one so it needs sorting.

 

[Aviador]

I agree, we are in an interim phase at the moment.

Most of the reports I've heard are relevant to arrivals in the 'early hours'. I am hoping that when all 5 belts are working there wont be any bottle necks elsewhere that impact upon prompt retrieval of bags.

The publics expectations of smaller airports is that they will be processed faster than at a large one so it needs sorting.

When the plans were originally released they showed a very different flow through the terminal which would have lead to passengers turning back on themselves to exit the arrivals hall after collecting their baggage. The airport subsequently changed this so there is a continuous flow through the terminal. The same largely applies to departures too so reducing the need for passengers to turn back against the flow.

 

[michael]

When we came back into Manchester the other week it took well over an hour to collect our cases. When the cases eventually arrived, the belt was full and cases were being placed on the belt stood up sideways on. So as you can see all airports have similar problems.

Not necessarily LBA related but following Aviador's message - It's nothing new waiting for cases at Manchester, or anywhere else for that matter. The last time we returned in to MAN T2 from Orlando we were waiting over an hour for cases, that's 7 years ago .......... and we'd flown Premium Economy so in theory our bags came off first - or at least before economy. Whereas in Orlando by the time you've negotiated immigration- which doesn't usually take that long, the cases are merrily going round in circles on the belt.

 

[Jerry]

Does anyone know which lounge KLM uses at LBA? Can't seem to find out if its a specific one or just both and KLMs website names a lounge that's not on LBAs website.

 

[Jetset257]

Does anyone know which lounge KLM uses at LBA? Can't seem to find out if its a specific one or just both and KLMs website names a lounge that's not on LBAs website.

Avro lounge sadly.

Recently flew out to Skiathos with Jet2. Nice to experience the new departures, definitely feel the space and nice to see out over the apron and runway.

Security queue was long, luckily we have DragonPass so can use fast track which took about 15 mins. Heard someone in the other queue saying they’d been there half an hour with a fair bit to go. Main hold-up seemed to be rejected bags at the X-ray machine.

For our sins we nipped into the Avro lounge thanks to Priority Pass membership, as we thought it might be fine for a morning coffee and snack. I know it’s been discussed to death but I really really wouldn’t pay to enter. Awful clinical sterile lightning, not the comfiest seats and no view which was disappointing. Just a window out to the car park. Plates, cups and cutlery very grubby. Sausage sandwich was alright and the one staff member was doing his best to serve and tidy up. But overall it did feel worse than the previous lounge offerings.

Flew home to Manchester with EasyJet, really impressed with their onboard product so here’s hoping they expand more at LBA. Only downside is the tight legroom on the NEOs compared to Jet2s 737s. Very noticeable!

 

[Jerry]

Avro lounge sadly.

Thanks, never used it so don't know what its like. Why KLMs website says the Yorkshire Lounge idk.

 

[White Heather]

Thanks, never used it so don't know what its like. Why KLMs website says the Yorkshire Lounge idk.

Not updated to reflect the new lounges in the terminal extension.