Heathrow "world's worst airport"

[preiffer]

It's (semi) official!

Heathrow's reputation took a further knock yesterday when it was voted the world's least favourite airport. It came joint top with Chicago in a survey of 2,500 travellers by the travel organisation TripAdvisor.

I have to say, I REALLY don't mind Heathrow - I don't actually see what the problem is. [:?]

I have to agree Paul - never really had an issue with LHR.

Mind you, I wouldn't want to connect Via LHR.....escpecially with checked baggage...

Originally posted by preiffer


I have to say, I REALLY don't mind Heathrow - I don't actually see what the problem is. [:?]

It's certainly not up in my top 10 but I'm of the same mindset as you Paul, I quite like the place for all it's quirks and inperfections - It could be a hell of a lot worse...

90% of my trips in the last 20 years have departed from LHR I like it, probably just become familiar with its deficiencies.

[Decker]

Yeah like it could come without Clubhouse access...

[mitchja]

I also think LHR is not that bad.

OK T3 was not good when they where doing the development work a few years ago within the departure lounge and it was like a building site.

Even without CH access T3 is now pretty good.

I think T2 could be the problem here dragging the rest down, never used T2 but that terminal does sound pretty grim.

Regards

[Darren Wheeler]

I've never really had much problem with T3. OK, compared to T4 and soon-to-be-opened T5 it's very much the Ugly Sister but not that bad. IMHO the biggest gripes are the screening queues and the chaos outside. Once beyond security, the shopping is OK if a little overwhelming and even the furthest gate is only 15 minutes or so away at a steady pace. Even the departure delays are nothing like as bad as JFK.

[Decker]

Split "Which airport do WE think is worst" into a new thread here

[RichardMannion]

Actually, no it is a dump in some ways.


Stupid prices for a drink/food given BAA's greed. Slow security, and awfully rude staff. T3 - what is it, 35m passengers thru a year and look at the state of the car drop off area. Useless.
Yes the travellators are often broken.
It has grown past its capacity; number of times sat on the ground at depart or landing just waiting.


It should have been razed/modernised a long time ago. Anyone that has been to SIN, KUL, HKG will know what a good airport looks like. BAA have simply reaped the profits and have done little to modernise as such.

I admit the queues and T2 may be shockingly bad, but apart from that, LHR is my favourite airport to fly through. CH, one of the best duty frees (although GJ, PS at T3 is simply awful IMO), huge variety of people, airlines and a/c and a definite buzz that you just don't get at many of the airport's more modern counterparts. In fact, I think the updated gates (eg. 3) in T3 are the worst; give me character over a sterile veneer anyday.

45.

if I had a choice Heathrow is the last airport in to depart/arrive UK that I would choose to fly from I prefer Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Gatwick in that order

I feel torn when it comes to LHR.

I love the place- call me sad- but it does give me a buzz when I am there and I always think its great to have such a major airport in the UK.

But.......In its current state its not that great. Once all the work is finished on T3, t5 is open then we are game on I feel.


I do love the regional airports in the UK but I also enjoy the experience of flying and whilst being in your call at EXT 15 mins after landing is nice, its not that great for soaking up the atmosphere of the airport!!!

I love the place- call me sad- but it does give me a buzz when I am there and I always think its great to have such a major airport in the UK.

Don't worry, Will; this if vf - sad comes with the pink anorak[:p]

I pretty much feel the same way about LHR as you.

45

So, how many people here who think LHR isn't that bad spend any time outside of Lounges and don't use fast track whilst there?

True, for my flight to BOM last week I was dropped off at 5:30pm, went to the arrivals left luggage to retrieve a suitcase, then back across to Virgin Check-in through the madding crowd, and was airside and past the shoe sniffer by 6pm. Not bad considering.

BUT, for once I was in a shopping mood, so spent some time ambling around the shops and was taken aback by just how busy it was in the main waiting area, with very few spare seats available should you want one.

Even the clubhouse was "heaving" in my opinion.

And don't even get me started on T2! - not a place for us six and a half footers.

Good point, Simon - if I had to travel through normal security all the time, the experience would probably be not so good[:?]

45.

I have no problem with T1/2/4 but T3 is hell if you are not privileged enough to have lounge access. Sitting/milling around that holding area surrounded by shops, with if I remember correctly - or maybe it was impossible to tell, no natural light just is mind numbingly horrific.

We tried to avoid travelling through LHR for next years return visit but due to increased costs to fly in elsewhere we couldn't avoid it. Fortunately we are flying J so we can avoid the scrum.

The 'best' thing about LHR is no charter b&s lowlifes [}:)].