Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Common Complaints

• Excessive Security Wait Times: This is the most frequently cited issue, with many travelers reporting "utter chaos," "horrendously long waits" of up to 2.5 hours, and nearly missing flights, particularly in late 2024 and early 2025. Despite the airport reporting average wait times of under eight minutes in March 2025 with new security lanes, traveler experiences remain highly variable and often negative.
• Ongoing Renovation Disruptions: Extensive building and renovation work contribute to a confusing layout, mess, and diversions, impacting the overall passenger experience.
• Unhelpful or Rude Staff: Multiple reviews mention security staff being rude, impatient, and unhelpful, adding to passenger stress.
• Dirty and Broken Facilities: Toilets are a recurring complaint, described as dirty, broken, or smelling bad. A lack of seating in departure lounges has also been noted.
• High Parking and Drop-off Charges: The cost of parking, especially drop-off charges (e.g., £6 for 15 minutes at the terminal drop-off as of late 2024), is a significant complaint. The free car park is often considered too far from the terminal.
• Baggage Reclaim Delays and Air-Rail Link Issues: Passengers have reported long waits for luggage. Additionally, the Air-Rail Link (monorail) has experienced issues, with one report in July 2025 stating only one link was working, leading to long walks.

Overall, Birmingham Airport is undergoing significant changes and while some travelers have experienced improvements and appreciate certain amenities, the pervasive issues with security queues, staff behavior, and the impact of ongoing construction often overshadow positive aspects. Many recent reviews suggest travelers are reconsidering using BHX for future journeys, opting for alternative airports due to the stressful experience.