Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Stansted Airport - a warning!
I travelled from Stansted to Ireland last week and the experience was pretty terrible, partly thanks to Ryanair (I know, I know..) but also due to the fancy redesign of the airport. After queuing for 45 minutes to get through security, passengers are now channelled directly through the duty free shop in a narrow winding 'river', grind to a halt crowded into a small space where there is a flight display board, and then have to continue through a further meandering channel of shops until finally arriving in a waiting area which seems to have been stripped of most seats. If you then want to return to the shops, having deposited your family/bags etc somewhere, you have to fight your way back 'upstream'.
There probably isn't time to sit down anyway as by now you are having to run to your gate, which is as before, miles away down endless corridors or even at the end of a monorail shuttle.
Whoever designed this as a way of coping with vastly increased passenger numbers needs their head examining. It took me every minute of two and a half hours to get from arrival at the airport to the gate, just managing to grab a coffee en route, let alone stop and browse in the shops. Several people who had allowed the recommended two hours almost missed the flight. (I was forewarned, having flown to Greece in June, but without the additional long queues for Ryanair baggage drop - also at least 45 minutes.)
Coming home, I flew from Shannon in Ireland - immediate check-in, no security queue to speak of, pleasant waiting area. Then a rather long boring tube ride home from Heathrow, although much cheaper than Stansted Express - all in all I think that is the preferred route for me from now on.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Pike on
-
Going into the Olympic Park via Hackney Wick is a much more pleasurable experience.
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
-
Thanks Robert. Our most convenient route is one stop to Stratford via Tottenham Hale - a short walk from our home. But if we have the time we'll try your route for the next visit.
-
-
-
Check out Dubai - now there's a shopping center with an airport attached!
-
Permalink Reply by maggie on
-
Maddy you are right. Its so annoying as originally there was no distance from security to the waiting hall/ shop area and yet they have artificially produced this winding route on highly polished slippy tiles through a stinking perfume hall where you are besieged on all sides by people trying to spray you with smelly stuff and sell stuff. There seems to be every intention to get people lost, confused and late in order to create selling opportunities. Its supposed to be an airport not a 'mal'.
Stansted used to be the more relaxed of the London airports- not anymore.
-
-
Long ago I watched a jokey TV documentary showcasing the (then newish) Schiphol Airport.
It featured an awestruck presenter, rushing around and gushing praise for every possible delight available there. When the time came for him to take the plane back to London he mentioned a vague feeling there was something he'd forgotten. Oh, yes. Amsterdam.
-
-
Flying to and from Dublin,I usually go from London City Airport. I used to go with Air France but of late it's been City Flyer. The airport is in Zone 3,reached by DLR,small Terminal building,get there 30 minutes before flight departs and it's all very straightforward and hassle free. On return it's about 5 mins walk from plane through terminal building to DLR platform if there is no hold luggage to wait for. On the occasions I have had to wait for hold luggage at the Carousel it's never been for too long.
Yes,you will pay more for the flight but it's actually not that much more if you factor in the Stansted Express ticket cost and as far as I'm concerned it's well worth it for a more pleasant travelling experience. Last time I flew it cost something like £65 for the outward journey and £19.99 return.
I would always choose City Airport over Stansted or Luton any time if I could.
-
Permalink Reply by Hugh on
-
A shame to hear about Stanstead. Spot on with City Airport. It's is almost like a private airport. I love its compactness.
(If you want the real treatment though, pop next door and arrange to take a timeshare on a private jet at the Private Jet Centre. The car-seat to plane-seat time is just 30 seconds!
-
Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
-
....and I was just reading somewhere the other day, that City Airport would be closed in a trade-in for a new runway at LHR. Enjoy it while you can.
-
-
Sod's law - I can't find the article.. when I do, I'll link it.
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
