The UK’s Worst Airports In 2022 Revealed

Charlie Europe Immigration updates Lifestyle in London Lifestyle in UK Living in the UK News & Events Studying in UK Travel UK Uncategorized Visiting UK 29 October 2022 | Updated On November 1, 2022 | 0

Small airports in the UK have beaten their big-name rivals to be crowned best in the country this year as many larger hubs were crippled by excessive delays and cancellations

Manchester Airport’s three terminals have taken up the bottom three spots in a list of the UK’s best and worst airports.

Which? Travel ’s ranking of the UK’s aviation hubs saw Manchester’s terminals 1, 2, and 3 rank in the three lowest places, followed by Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4.

The fifth worst was Belfast International, followed by Heathrow Terminal 3 at sixth from the bottom. Travellers dissatisfied with their experience at the terminal described it as ‘chaotic’, ‘heaving’, and ‘an end-to-end shambles', with many expressing rage at long queue times, not just through security, but even for refreshments.

Other airports at the bottom included Heathrow’s Terminal 2 along with London Luton, Leeds Bradford, and London Stansted.

The list was produced by Which? based on a survey of 7,469 people rating 7,963 airport experiences during the peak travel month of August 2022.

UK’s Best-Ranked Airport

At the other end of the scale, Doncaster Sheffield Airport topped the consumer champion’s survey for the fourth consecutive time. However, Doncaster Sheffield airport is due to close indefinitely next week.

According to a statement from Which? “travellers praised the ‘fantastic, helpful staff’ and ‘faultless service’.

Joint second were Exeter Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with each given an 83 percent customer score in the survey.

For comparison, the bottom-rated Manchester terminal (3) received a 38 percent rating from customers polled.

“This year we’ve witnessed unprecedented chaos at many of the UK’s largest airports. Travellers reported extensive queues and unhelpful staff, with resources pushed to breaking point.
Guy Hobbs, the editor of Which? Travel

“Just a few years ago, travellers may have paid little attention to their choice of airport – but now it may just make or break your trip. Wherever possible, we’d recommend opting for smaller airports, which have generally offered a smoother and less stressful experience for their passengers over the last two years.”

Full List of UK’s Best Airports

Doncaster Sheffield (closing 31 October)
Exeter
Liverpool John Lennon
London City
Southampton
Bournemouth
Newcastle
Cardiff
Inverness
Belfast City (George Best)
East Midlands
Glasgow International
London Heathrow T5
Edinburgh
Birmingham
Bristol
London Gatwick North
London Gatwick South
Aberdeen
London Stansted
Leeds Bradford
London Heathrow T2
London Luton
London Heathrow T3
Belfast International
London Heathrow T4
Manchester T2
Manchester T1
Manchester T3

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