The Best in the (North) West! (Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL))

Name: Raydar

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Product:	Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
Date:	31/07/07 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick and Easy. Well maintained.

Disadvantages: Dated boarding gates. Security Queues.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (formerly Liverpool Speke Airport) is a refreshingly modern and hassle-free location for traveling. The airport is mainly served by low-fare airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair, meaning that the focus here is getting people in and out on time. The airport has a few shops and restaurants, a small WH Smith store which sells mainly books and magazines along with a the standard tacky gambling arcade and faux-Irish pub. The terminal's food court is relatively well stocked but is typically expensive and of poor quality. The Burger King outlet seems better value for money, though I would advise eating before travelling to the airport.

Perhaps the main slip-up at John Lennon Airport is the handling of increased security, now a common factor at all UK airports (in theory). The security checks here are similar to Manchester International, i.e. inadequate, but the tiny customs area at the airport leads to massive queues at rush hour times. Flying on the early morning service to Belfast presented me with a queue that stretched the length of the departures lounge, though it did diminish fairly quickly. Still half the time of an average wait at Manchester.

The boarding gates at the airport are very dated now but it does look like things are being done to change this. Overall, Liverpool John Lennon is my preferred airport in the North West as it provides a quick and easy traveling experience. My view is that very few people actually enjoy being at airports, and the folks at John Lennon seem to understand this and attempt to make your stay as brief as possible.

Summary: Liverpool Airport is setting the standard for small airports.