Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Uncleanliness: Many older parts of the terminal are described as "tired and shabby," "unclean," with "filthy walls and floors," and "grim and rarely clean bathrooms". Overcrowding, especially in departure areas, forces passengers to sit on stairs.
• Inconsistent Security Wait Times: Despite some quick experiences, security queues are a major pain point, often exceeding two hours even for those who paid for Fast Track. LBA was ranked among the worst in the UK for security queues, with an average wait of 35 minutes and 27% of passengers waiting over an hour.
• High Drop-off and Pick-up Charges: Travelers frequently complain about "rip-off charges" for dropping off or picking up passengers, even for very short stops near the terminal. A "free zone" at the Mid Stay car park is available but adds 30 minutes to check-in time.
• Poor Food and Drink Options: The selection of eateries is often criticized for being limited, offering poor quality food and drink, and being overpriced.
• Unhelpful Staff: Several reviews mention inept and unhelpful staff, particularly when flights are cancelled or issues arise.
• Night Flight Breaches: Campaigners claim the airport has repeatedly breached night flight limits, leading to noise disturbance for local residents.

Overall, Leeds Bradford Airport is undergoing significant transformation which has brought some positive changes, particularly in its new terminal areas. However, these improvements are not uniformly experienced, and many travelers continue to encounter substantial issues with overcrowding, cleanliness, and inconsistent security wait times.