London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) serves Southend-on-Sea, Essex, GB. It has 28 scheduled routes to 27 destinations in 15 countries, operated by 4 airlines.
- Efficiency and Speed: Many travelers report incredibly fast check-in, security, and boarding processes, with some getting through the entire airport in under 10 minutes,,.
- Streamlined Security: The airport utilizes a new security system where liquids and electronics do not need to be removed from bags, significantly speeding up the process. Staff are often described as efficient and friendly, without "barking instructions".
- Cleanliness and Signage: The terminal is consistently noted for being "spotlessly clean" and "well signposted," making navigation easy.
- Friendly Staff: Numerous reviews highlight the exceptional friendliness of airport staff, from check-in to border control, with specific mentions of staff going out of their way to be helpful and engaging,,.
- Quiet and Uncrowded: As a smaller airport with fewer daily flights, it offers a more relaxed experience with minimal queues and crowds compared to larger counterparts.
- Skylife Lounge: The Skylife lounge is praised for being pleasant, uncrowded, and having good alcoholic beverage options, a stark contrast to often packed lounges at other airports.
- Limited Food and Beverage Options: A recurring complaint is the lack of diverse and affordable food and drink choices, particularly before security. The Sky Cafe is often criticized for expensive, poor-quality food and cold coffee,.
- High Parking and Drop-off Costs: The cost of parking and the £8 drop-off charge are frequently mentioned as significant drawbacks,. A money-saving tip suggests getting dropped off at the nearby McDonald's to avoid the fee.
- Limited Amenities Post-Security: Beyond the lounge, there isn't much to do for extended waits, leading some to recommend timing arrival closer to departure.
- Reliance on Train for Access: While convenient, if the Greater Anglia train experiences severe delays, travelers can be stranded, as step-free access isn't always as straightforward as at other London airports.
- Sources researched: essexlive.news, yelp.co.uk, uk.trustpilot.com, thealviator.com*
Bottom line: London Southend Airport is highly recommended by travelers for its exceptional efficiency, friendly staff, and stress-free experience, making it a preferred choice over larger, busier airports despite its limited retail and dining options and high parking fees.
Routes from SEN
27 nonstop destinations · 4 airlines.
Airlines at SEN
4 carriers operate scheduled departures.
Route Network Map
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Airport routes
London Southend Airport (SEN) offers 28 flight routes operated by 4 airlines. Major carriers include easyJet, Av8jet Charter, Eastern Airways and others. Popular destinations from Southend-on-Sea, Essex include Palma de Mallorca Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol, Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, Charles de Gaulle/Roissy, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport.
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Common questions about SEN
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from SEN?
London Southend Airport has 28 scheduled routes to 27 destinations in 15 countries, operated by 4 airlines.
Which airlines fly from London Southend Airport?
4 carriers operate scheduled departures, including easyJet, Av8jet Charter, Eastern Airways.
Where is London Southend Airport located?
London Southend Airport is located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, GB, at an elevation of 49 ft. Its IATA code is SEN and ICAO code is EGMC.