British airport facilities criticised
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITISH airports have taken a buffeting over their poor facilities in a survey by Holiday Which? writes Esther Oxford.
The consumer magazine described the check-in at Heathrow's Terminal 2 as 'bunker-like with a claustrophobic low roof', Terminal 1 was 'simply too busy to be pleasant', and Gatwick's North Terminal was 'scrum-like'.
Luton, Cardiff and Newcastle received the most criticism. Luton's departure lounge was 'dated', the green carpet and yellow walls 'redolent of the Seventies'.
Cardiff airport was 'showing its age', with a 'shabby and garish' restaurant and a 'claustrophobic and gloomy' departure lounge. The panel advised: stay on the 'land- side' as long as possible. At Newcastle, building work made the check-in desk 'cramped, noisy and dusty'.
The survey of 13 airports rated facilities for the holiday-maker 'heading abroad'. It took in food, shops, financial facilities, the comfort and atmosphere of lounges, and parking and public transport.
The major city airports were generally praised as 'light and airy' with 'as many shops and restaurants as a town's shopping precinct'. The top six - Heathrow 4, Gatwick North, Manchester 2, Glasgow, Birmingham 1 and Stansted - were commended for their tasteful interiors, luxury shopping, restaurants and cafes and 'pleasant atmosphere'.
The smaller, regional airports, many owned by local authorities, tended to be overcrowded and old- fashioned, although long-term parking rates were usually cheaper. Fourteen days of car space at Heathrow cost pounds 98, compared with pounds 16 in Belfast.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments