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

[White Heather]

There must be some reason for this but why is border force based on Kirkstall Road and not near to where international travellers arrive into the city. It's not as though Eurostar trains come into Leeds so why not have them based in an office near or next to the airport where they can quickly respond to issues when a number of flights arrive at a similar time due to delays or air;ine scheduling rather than busing staff up and down from the current location. Is this me being to simplistic or is there a reason for them being based on Kirkstall Road?

Border Force are just a branch of Home Office, who have their Leeds offices in Kirkstall. They deal with far more than what goes on at LBA.

 

[Cookridge resident]

Came through from TFS this afternoon. Big queues. However, BF had 8/9 staff working and it went relatively quickly.
A weird thing did happen though. We had the long walk to Immigration down the various corridors into the main hall, and another flight disembarked closer to the hall and came through another door directly into the hall itself.
This meant that the two sets of pax came head to head in the hall where the zig-zagging starts.
I was very lucky and got into the “zig-zag” area just before the other flight but people behind me were less lucky and were further delayed by a flight which arrived after us.
No doubt there’s a reason for this but it does seem strange that some pax can effectively “push in” when people have been queuing for 20 minutes already.

 

[Aviador]

Came through from TFS this afternoon. Big queues. However, BF had 8/9 staff working and it went relatively quickly.
A weird thing did happen though. We had the long walk to Immigration down the various corridors into the main hall, and another flight disembarked closer to the hall and came through another door directly into the hall itself.
This meant that the two sets of pax came head to head in the hall where the zig-zagging starts.
I was very lucky and got into the “zig-zag” area just before the other flight but people behind me were less lucky and were further delayed by a flight which arrived after us.
No doubt there’s a reason for this but it does seem strange that some pax can effectively “push in” when people have been queuing for 20 minutes already.

Similar happened to us last year in TFS just at the point when you joined the main queue. As for Leeds, I don't know the reason why but it sounds like it's done to avoid having one long queue going outside. On the plans there is access to the immigration hall from both sides one side will eventually link with the old immigration corridor so effectively linking from stand 1 - 9 and then the otherside links from possibly stand 11 - 24. Possibly including stand 10 unless they have access from in front of the building. I'm guessing where buses are used passengers maybe dropped at different points to ensure people stay in the building. I could be wrong though. Someone who currently works there will need to confirm how it works.

How was the baggage collection process, bare in mind it's not fully built yet?

 

[Cookridge resident]

Similar happened to us last year in TFS just at the point when you joined the main queue. As for Leeds, I don't know the reason why but it sounds like it's done to avoid having one long queue going outside. On the plans there is access to the immigration hall from both sides one side will eventually link with the old immigration corridor so effectively linking from stand 1 - 9 and then the otherside links from possibly stand 11 - 24. Possibly including stand 10 unless they have access from in front of the building. I'm guessing where buses are used passengers maybe dropped at different points to ensure people stay in the building. I could be wrong though. Someone who currently works there will need to confirm how it works.

How was the baggage collection process, bare in mind it's not fully built yet?

I travel light so didn’t use the carousel. It was busy though. That’s only to be expected at this time of the year.

 

[EX9]

There must be some reason for this but why is border force based on Kirkstall Road and not near to where international travellers arrive into the city. It's not as though Eurostar trains come into Leeds so why not have them based in an office near or next to the airport where they can quickly respond to issues when a number of flights arrive at a similar time due to delays or air;ine scheduling rather than busing staff up and down from the current location. Is this me being to simplistic or is there a reason for them being based on Kirkstall Road?

UKBF staff are still based at LBA to conduct their primary role. They still can and do go offsite for other business.

 

[Gray Ham]

Outbound to REU last Thursday. Arrived in priority queue for security just before 07.00. Cleared security within 5 minutes. Old departure lounge was heaving; nowhere to sit. New facility poorly signposted ; there are temporary signs but the inconspicuous door to access the new facility was signposted “Gates & Lounges”. The new departure lounge is a huge improvement, higher ceilings give an airiness and sense of spaciousness in stark contrast to the claustrophobic atmosphere of the old terminal. A massive upgrade on what we have been used to. However, it was remarkably quiet compared to the old departure lounge through which you have pass to reach the new one, so it seemed apparent that most travellers were unaware of the new resource. Some passengers would become aware of the new building if they had to traverse it to reach their departure gate, but many gates still accessed via old departure lounge. I guess many people will have transited the airport with no awareness of the improved facility. The temporary signage could be much clearer

 

[White Heather]

Outbound to REU last Thursday. Arrived in priority queue for security just before 07.00. Cleared security within 5 minutes. Old departure lounge was heaving; nowhere to sit. New facility poorly signposted ; there are temporary signs but the inconspicuous door to access the new facility was signposted “Gates & Lounges”. The new departure lounge is a huge improvement, higher ceilings give an airiness and sense of spaciousness in stark contrast to the claustrophobic atmosphere of the old terminal. A massive upgrade on what we have been used to. However, it was remarkably quiet compared to the old departure lounge through which you have pass to reach the new one, so it seemed apparent that most travellers were unaware of the new resource. Some passengers would become aware of the new building if they had to traverse it to reach their departure gate, but many gates still accessed via old departure lounge. I guess many people will have transited the airport with no awareness of the improved facility. The temporary signage could be much clearer

The airport are aware of this. They have also posted stewards in high vis jackets to direct passengers.

 

[Aviador]

I imagine once the old lounges are gutted, refurbished, and reopened it will become clearer and easier to find.

 

[White Heather]

I imagine once the old lounges are gutted, refurbished, and reopened it will become clearer and easier to find.

Plenty seem to have found it already given the large numbers stood by the windows on Friday when I was watching the Blue Sky Aviation livestream.

 

[arry]

I’m on the FR2457 this afternoon and have just made it into the new lounge. Security, although busy, was efficient and the new e boarding card readers are improving with the help of extra LBA staff. The old terminal was very very busy and hot. People crammed in and it was as unpleasant as usual and stifling. Nothing changes until you reach the old Gate 5 where there’s some small signs to the “new terminal”. You pass along a short corridor into a modern, air conditioned Nirvana and it’s excellent. I guess 60-70% of passengers today do not know about what’s available just a few metres away. I’m not going back in to tell them.

 

[Aviador]

How do you rate Leeds Bradford Airport? Your poll answer can be changed each time you use the airport to reflect your most recent visit.

We welcome comments explaining why you voted the way you did and give details on what would make your experience better next time.

 

[LBA787]

I passed through the new arrivals area in the early hours last week and overall had a good experience. Three flights landed at the same time, yet the facilities coped well – I was out and back to reality just 30 minutes after landing, which was impressive.

Positives:
The new setup is infinitely better than what was in place before – a huge step forward. Looking forward to seeing it fully completed!

Negatives (though mostly minor):
Unfortunately, the flooring already looks quite worn, with scuff marks and some rather unpleasant stains – one of which could have been blood, excrement, or vomit. Not ideal, especially considering the area had only been open for four days. One of the men’s toilets was also out of order, possibly linked to the above. It doesn’t inspire much confidence in terms of durability or maintenance at this early stage.

On exit, you’re directed through a temporary prefab door and routed either down to the one-hour free drop-off (which takes you through what is effectively a building site) or towards the main terminal drop-off – also surrounded by construction due to ongoing Phase 2 works. While I know this is part of the wider improvement plan, to the average traveller it currently just looks like a building site.

In summary:
It’s a definite improvement and the potential is clear – but some early maintenance issues and the building-site feel on exit are things to keep an eye on. Here’s hoping in 12 months’ time we’ll see a completed, polished finish… preferably with a more durable floor!

 

[Aviador]

Great review @LBA787 I hope LBA take note of some of your points.
I have to admit, I have been disappointed with the flooring. It appears to be of the cheap vynyl type which is notorious for bubbleling over time. Admittedly ceramic flooring is incredibly expensive but usually expected in modern terminals.

 

[HX3]

Anyone who decided not to use LBA and fly from MAN or LPL may be regretting their decision today. https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/

 

[Jetset257]

Arrived last night on the LS412 from Naples. After a chaotic experience boarding in Naples, and having the stress of having our hand luggage at row 8 and us sat at row 1, I was slightly twitchy about arriving into Leeds. Especially as we were delayed and right behind a KLM and 2 Ryanair flights.

The new facility felt functional but spacious, if a little clinical. Personally not a fan of the ‘open ceiling’ industrial look. As previously mentioned, there were already signs of wear especially on the floor. However it was nice not to be funnelled up the narrow staircase/escalator in te old arrivals into that narrow corridor.

The queue looked long but it took no more than 10/15 mins and people were being processed quickly by friendly Border Force staff - only noticed 2 unoccupied booths.

So from aircraft doors open (and a bus journey) to leaving terminal it was about 25 mins which felt very reasonable given the quantity of flights that had arrived within 10 mins of each other.

Looking forward to trying the new Departure area in August!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

There must be some reason for this but why is border force based on Kirkstall Road and not near to where international travellers arrive into the city. It's not as though Eurostar trains come into Leeds so why not have them based in an office near or next to the airport where they can quickly respond to issues when a number of flights arrive at a similar time due to delays or air;ine scheduling rather than busing staff up and down from the current location. Is this me being to simplistic or is there a reason for them being based on Kirkstall Road?

Border force will not be based at the airport - because they are more then just border force at the border (West Yorkshires border).

They deal with a lot of other work within the city; cities of West Yorkshire and what not. Deporting, detaining, drug offences, smuggling the list goes on. Though they don't do much on the Norfolk beaches ...

 

[Len Fish]

Bring back H.M. Customs & Excise!

 

[leedslad]

Used the new terminal for the first time today.

Queues for morning security small and earlier issue with ticket scanning gates seem solved (albeit some low IQ types trying to go through two at a time).

I think the Leeds United shop gone unless I missed it.

As others mentioned it'd be hard to find the new part if you weren't looking for it.

Suspect the seating area for Burger King will be far too small.

I do wonder whether they limit the area dedicated to seating to nudge people to use the bars etc. However it seems to have the effect of people nursing one drink to keep a seat and blocking seats which in turn means others can't sit to eat/drink in the designated restaurant/cafe seating.

Looks worlds away and a vast improvement on the old terminal parts though and a transformation. Very impressive.

Still ugly outside.

 

[The Pole]

Middle son and girlfriend using airport today. Through jet2 check-in and security in less than 30.
Went into new extension and neither of them had a phone signal one on O2 the other on Vodafone.
They had to back to old part to get signal
Anyone else Aware of this issue?
Not good passenger experience.
Will this be sorted?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Middle son and girlfriend using airport today. Through jet2 check-in and security in less than 30.
Went into new extension and neither of them had a phone signal one on O2 the other on Vodafone.
They had to back to old part to get signal
Anyone else Aware of this issue?
Not good passenger experience.
Will this be sorted?

Ive heard this criticism too. Cant they call over the internet? (assuming theres internet in the new bit)