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Experiencing Southampton airport
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Jasper Kelly Friday 11 June 2010 |
I visited Southampton airport last week. It has changed since I was last there and I was impressed.
The terminal building has had a major face-lift and the passengers that I spoke to were enthusiastically positive. The work has been focused on passenger needs whilst meeting the goals of low-energy, environmental sustainability etc. The result is light and bright, effective and efficient.
I was personally pleased to see that the restaurants are named after RJ Mitchell, who designed built the Spitfire aircraft and tested the prototype there in 1936.
For those used to the horrors of accessing Heathrow and Gatwick, the simplicity of using Southampton will come of something of a surprise. A covered walkway and footbridge links the airport to the railway station and there is plenty of car parking. There is not much more to say. It just works.
One passenger who lives in London and travels regularly to Bergerac in France told me that he uses Southampton in preference to his local London airport. He explained that the fast rail access takes 66 minutes which sounds like a long time but his journey is overall quicker than using the big airports. He said the service is so much better and he feels like he matters and staff care which he never feels when he flies from a big airport.
Of course the routes are limited but I came away with a feeling that regional airports like Southampton have a great deal to offer.
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Garry Cole, Salisbury 11 June 2010, 03:44PM | |
I have used it and it is just as you say. Nice airport and nice people. Very convenient and I just wish they would add more destinations. | |
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Martin, Portsmouth 11 June 2010, 04:13PM | |
On average, I use Southampton regional airport twice a week, and I have done for nearly a year now. As an international airport it is limited to size of aircraft that can use it's one runway, so not much more than a 737 can use it. However, as a regional airport it is normally fast and convenient to use. Pity at times the carriers are not so quick or reliable. There are very good transport links via the M27, and there is a railway station adjacent to the terminal, and coach and bus services. | |
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Michael Robinson 11 June 2010, 04:28PM | |
Southampton is a great little airport, so much easier then LHR/LGW. From Portsmouth to the airport is just a 20 minute drive and with a 45 mins check in time it saves over 2 1/2 hours on the same trip. I was on the ground in Alicante before I would even have taken off from the London airports. You pay more for the flights and the queues at Flybe check in are a disgrace, but otherwise very convenient. Very limited shopping opportunity's so other than a sandwich, coffee and a paper, forget it. | |
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P Clifford 11 June 2010, 05:10PM | |
In many ways Southampton could be a dream airport but the experience is spoilt by the overzealousness of the check in staff employed by Flybe to disallow carry on baggage. Almost every passenger was challenged and when their bags were found to fit into they were then weighed. I had checked in online and had only carry on baggage but was still told that I had to go to the Flybe desk to have my carry on case checked by their staff. | |
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Steven T, Bath 14 June 2010, 12:41PM | |
I had a problem with advance booking of a car park space which I then took up with the airport's Customer Service Dept. The Manager I wanted to speak to was in a meeting but called me back speedily as promised and satisfactorily solved the issue. I was impressed by the courteous way I was dealt with from the first point of contact through to the 'boss'. Well done to the department concerned for listening to me and making me feel valued as a customer of the airport! A pleasure not to be made to feel a nuisance by a customer service operation. | |
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Martine Brangan, Kent 15 June 2010, 04:31PM | |
Southampton airport is an easy little airport to negotiate, with friendly staff. Good duty free shop with decent bargains in perfume and drinks. Viewing gallery in departure area. The only downside is the lack of variety of something to eat in the cafes, especially if one is connecting flights and has a long interval.. | |
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Janet, Bournmouth 16 June 2010, 05:09PM | |
Southampton Airport is fantastic. It really takes all the pain out of flying when you go from there. When we flew to Scotland we walked straight in, through the security no problems. We waited for a while before the flight, but in pleasant surroundings, nice and light. A small coffee shop and vending machines, selling the usual extortionately priced goods, but that is often the way. | |
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Brian Hill 23 June 2010, 10:49AM | |
Southampton Airport is a pleasure to use. Departure to Gateway couldn't have been easier and returning we were waiting on the railway station within 20 minutes of landing. | |
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George Sullivan, Portsmouth 29 June 2010, 11:59AM | |
Flew to Dublin on Flybe from Southampton Airport. Check-in time around 30 seconds. Walk to the Security check was about 30 yards - this airport is tiny which brings huge benefits but I can understand those who have been troubled by delays - there is no margin for error so if things are delayed it can become full very quickly. On return I had travelled from Ireland so no immigration check, had hand-baggage so no delay, through the building, turned left, crossed the small road and walked to the train station - three minutes only. Train time to London Waterloo is around 1 hour so if you're thinking of an alternative to Heathrow or Gatwick, consider Southampton - arriving is a breeze. | |
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