Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport (GNB)

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Lack of Capacity: The most significant complaint is the airport's inability to cope with the high volume of passengers, especially on winter Saturdays. It's frequently described as too small and operating beyond its design capacity.
• Excessive Wait Times: Travelers consistently report extremely long queues for check-in, security screening, and immigration/passport control, often lasting 2-3 hours or more. Queues can extend outside the terminal building.
• Inadequate Facilities and Amenities: The terminal is criticized for insufficient seating, limited and often unclean toilets (sometimes with construction reducing availability), and very limited food and drink options. There are no 24-hour dining services.
• Poor Organization and Management: Many reviews highlight a general lack of organization and poor management, leading to chaotic scenes at check-in and security. Lack of clear signage and inefficient passenger flow contribute to confusion.
• Frequent Delays: Due to the operational strain and insufficient staffing, flights often experience delays, particularly during peak times.
• Tarmac Boarding/Disembarking: Passengers frequently have to walk across the tarmac to and from aircraft, which can be unpleasant in adverse weather conditions.
• Parking Limitations: Parking is unattended, and advance reservations are not possible, which can be inconvenient during busy periods.

Overall, while Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport offers the advantage of proximity to ski resorts, the overwhelming consensus from recent traveler experiences is that its inadequate infrastructure and operational inefficiencies lead to a highly stressful and unpleasant journey, particularly during the busy winter season. Many travelers recommend considering alternative airports like Lyon or Geneva despite the longer transfer times.