Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Limited Seating: A frequent and significant complaint is the overcrowded "holding pen" (departure lounge), leading to a severe lack of seating, long queues for bathrooms, and sometimes running out of supplies like bottled water, especially during delays.
• Security Wait Times: Security screening can be inconsistent, with reports of long wait times (30 minutes to an hour) attributed to staff training and equipment limitations. Recent estimates place security wait times around 29 minutes.
• Baggage Handling Delays: Travelers have reported excessively long waits for baggage reclaim, sometimes up to an hour after landing.
• Lack of Airline Lounges: The absence of airline lounges is a common point of dissatisfaction for many travelers.
• Expensive Food & Drink: As with many airports, the cost of food and beverages is considered exorbitantly expensive by some.
• Poor WiFi Reliability: Some travelers have experienced unreliable and slow free WiFi services.
• No Aerobridges: The requirement to walk across the tarmac to board or disembark aircraft is a recurring inconvenience, particularly in unpredictable weather.
• Public Transport Limitations & Parking Costs: While public buses serve the airport, their operating hours may not cover all flights. On-site parking can also be perceived as expensive for shorter stays, although online booking can offer discounts for longer periods.

Overall, Sunshine Coast Airport offers the advantage of direct access to a popular region, but its current infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapid passenger growth, leading to frustrating experiences for many travelers. The ongoing terminal redevelopment project, scheduled for completion in 2027, is anticipated to significantly improve capacity, streamline check-in with self-service kiosks and automated bag drops, and enhance the overall passenger journey, potentially transforming the airport experience in the coming years.