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London Luton Airport (LTN)
by tripsandsmiles
I'm at a time in my life where I seem to go on quite a few holidays a year. This is partly due to the low cost airline boom but mostly because I don't really like where I live and am on a constant mission to escape.
Anyway, Luton Airport. When this trip was first booked (flew to Bratislava earlier this year for a long ... weekend) I was pretty apprehensive as I thought ti was just another low cost airport. LIttle did I know or expect the efficiency and friendly, professional nature of the staff!
We arrived in the very early hours of the morning, about 4 hours early for the flight (I know this may seem extreme, but I like to be early for travel, much to the dismay of my boyfriend) and as we checked in online we went straight to departures security. This is where I felt Luton Airport excelled! The first thing I noticed was the designated 'sort your hand luggage' area, where there were two tables and space available to get your liquids/laptop/boarding pass out without having to multi task this with following the queue. Going through security was so thorough, yet staff managed to stay friendly and even with a little sense of humour which can only be a good thing!
Going through to departures, I was happy with the selection of places to eat / shop and drink. Even at 4am we were able to get a bacon sandwich and glass of wine (it was my birthday, after all!). We had this at Est Caffe. The staff again were friendly and although got some of our order wrong, it was quickly rectified and they couldn't be more apologetic.
After a few hours of people watching (Est Caffe is brilliant for this!) we went to the boarding gate. We flew Ryanair, which is always a gamble, but on this occasion it was a pleasant experience with the plane boarding and taking off slightly early.
After a lovely long weekend away, it was home time.
Arrivals at Luton Airport was just as good, with security was much quicker than usual considering there seemed to be about 10 flights all arriving at the same time. They managed this very well, with all stations staffed. The connections from the airport to the car rental place were a little confusing, but as all the staff we approached were so friendly, it didn't matter.
All in all, brilliant airport!
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Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD)
by 12jane
I flew for the very first time in August, from Birmingham Airport to Budapest, with Ryanair. The flight went well and upon landing at Budapest airport we were escorted off the plane and onto two waiting buses. The heat that hit me as I stepped off the plane was a shock, I believe it was 39C!! Having never left the UK before this was ... quite a difference! The buses are wide but with all the people off the plane rushing onto them there was quite a squash for us all to get on.
After a drive across the airport we got off and went into the airport. To my surprise all the signs were in English and it was very modern. The airport is extremely clean, and the floor was sparkling.
The queue for passport control moved along quickly and everything was very professional and efficient, and it wasn't long before I was out the other side and heading to my taxi. I only travelled with handluggage, so did not have to wait for any luggage, but it seemed to be coming through very quickly for the other passengers.
I had prebooked a taxi but had several taxi drivers offering me a taxi, so I wasn't short of offers should I have needed one.
On my return journey, I arrived at the airport two hours in advance, which was enough time to not have to hurry. The airport is a nice size, with two terminals and even as an inexperienced traveller, it was easy to navigate. I went through security easily and purchased a few items from duty free, before heading to the plane.
All in all it was a pleasant experience and I will be flying to Budapest again next month and am looking forward to it.
UPDATE: There is now free WIFI in the departure area of the airport.
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San Diego Airport
by Listerbelle
San Diego International Airport - International Arrivals
I travel through this airport at least twice a month, usually arriving directly from London. This is a review of the international arrivals process.
***Background***
Despite being the eighth-largest city in the USA, San Diego, California has a ... small-town feel about it. This feeling extends to the airport, located at the edge of the San Diego downtown/midtown areas and next to San Diego Bay. Used by 17 million people each year, there are three terminals: commuter, 1 and 2. International planes usually arrive at Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is currently being extended/renovated. This building work is hardly noticeable and the facilities are clean throughout.
***Approach and landing***
The approach to the airport is nearly always over the gorgeous Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo, continuing close to several high rises and then low-flying over the I-5 Freeway before touching down. If you are an anxious flier, look out the left side windows to watch the pretty, little boats bobbing on their moorings in the bay.
The airport is prone to fog, especially in the early mornings and late evenings in Autumn. In this situation, the planes either approach from the ocean side, or alternatively are diverted to Ontario California (inland from LAX).
***"Deplaning"***
It goes without saying that the closer you are to the open doors, the sooner you will be off the plane. This is important when arriving from an international destination, as the next step in the process is immigration.
Note - I am one of few people who put all embarrassment and tiredness out of my head, and at this point I RUN! You will understand why after reading the next section.
***Immigration***
Ideally, you will have completed the necessary paperwork on the plane prior to your arrival. One custom form per family (to be shown here and later on), and if travelling on a visa (NOT a visa waiver), one white I-94 form per person. There are spares on the tables within the "immigration" area if you need them.
The immigration area is VERY small. From memory, there are lines for US citizens, visitors, one for visitors AND permanent residents/visas, one for crew, and one for the Global Entry program participants.
I happen to be a permanent resident of the USA, which means that there is only one line I can be in. Unfortunately this line can be the slowest to move. On one recent arrival, I was the 15th or 16th person to reach immigration (yes, I did count - I'm such a saddo!), and 6th in my line. Out of a full planeload of arrivals, I was the 3rd LAST person through immigration.
The immigration officer may ask you questions such as the length and purpose of your visit, what you do for a living, what items you have with you and which will remain in the USA, and other similar questions.
***Luggage collection, screening and customs***
Once through immigration, the luggage hall is a short walk away via stairs or an escalator. There's only one small carousel. Don't be too anxious if you cannot locate your suitcase at first; many of them are removed and placed just to the side by the airport workers. Oversized luggage collection is found easily on the far side of the carousel.
The next step is for all of your items, bags and luggage to be screened - just as your hand luggage was at your departure airport. Lots of patience is required here - 300 passengers for one little scanning machine!
Finally, all there is to left is to hand your customs declaration (one per family) to the officer located approximately 10 metres from the scanning area.
Go through the (only) set of automatic double doors, and you're here! If you are not sure where to go next, there are usually several "airport ambassadors" close by who will be happy to help you. Taxis and buses are a further 10 metres away.
As it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour from leaving the plane to getting through the arrivals process, it's important to know that the nearest loos ("restroom") are a very short walk away to the left as you exit the luggage hall's double doors.
If you are desperate for caffeine, there is a starbucks upstairs - follow the signs to "departures". This area is currently being renovated, so there are not many facilities there are the moment. There is free wi-fi throughout the airport.
Finally, if you are a true lover of airports who will be spending a few days in the area, try the free "Terminals to Tarmac Tour". According to its website, you can see behind the scenes of San Diego International Airport. The Airport Authority offers free tours of the airport and airfield, including up-close looks at the runway, endangered species areas and public art. Tours are two hours long and are offered every other week on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m
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