Bristol Airport Reviews 

A really shambolic experience at Bristol Airport. There were so many people going through security and only two security lanes open... Such a poor experience caused by airport management looking to minimise costs. A very short-sighted approach to running a business.

The security area was a shambles staff either didn't speak or shouted at you. The bald lady with glasses was extremely rude to my teenage daughter, bordering on abusive in the way she spoke to her. If this had had happened in a different situation I would have reacted and asked to speak to management, but due to the ridiculous queues we didn't have time. Management need to look at this, I can see it's not a first.

Appalling experience. Rude security staff who shout at the passengers, ordering them around like cattle. Extremely hot and overcrowded departure lounge with infrequent cleaning. The airport gave the green light for departure and then announced a 40 minute delay with no air conditioning allowed in the aircraft. Not the airline’s fault: Bristol airport does not allow aircraft to run their engine in the stands, so no air conditioning until the plane is taxiing… No joke in the summer heat. Oh and do not use the cash machines in Arrivals: my credit card was debited but no cash was issued. Had to claim it back through my credit card, the staff are the airport hasn’t a clue whose cash machines they were.

Beware all arrivals and people dropping off, the access road and parking is a honey trap for some private parking company on behalf of the airport, at a minimum you will get charged 10 pound for just passing through, also there is a strict no stop policy on approach road with 100 pound fine....not the easiest place to navigate and set up to catch and cash in.....been once to the area via Bristol airport and hired a car but will never use the route again....

I think at least one circle of hell is shaped like this airport. 40 gates, but very few seats. It's difficult to find a seat early in the morning. Security checks are extremely slow. The displays are updated too slowly and at the last minute, and you risk missing your flight.

My wife and I left to go to Poland on a weeks excursion.Initially no major problems going but coming home my wife who is waiting for a new hip commented that the walk from the airplane to baggage then passport control was a long winding corridor
With no seats no toilets no escalators plenty of stairs no dispensing machines and no travelators or even staff driving mobility pick up buggies like you get in most U.S. airports.She has travelled all over the world and said that Bristol airport is by far one of the worst shes come across,myself i think its just badly laid out with poor facilities.

I have been fined for stopping at a stop sign at the airport. No one behind me not causing any inconvenience but been careful pulling out of an area which under high levels of construction. The airport cited I took too long at the stop sign . This airport is driven not by a desire to be a resource for the south west but by sheer greed. If you can avoid this airport!

Drop off - £8.50
Pickup - £8.50

Delighted that our flight arrived 25 minutes ahead of schedule at 17.25, but ....

Then everything went downhill

Firstly there were ‘technical problems’ with the steps which resulted in a fifteen minute delay in disembarkation.

After disembarkation we boarded a very overcrowded bus to take us to the terminal. The situation was not helped by the fact that we were treated to a tour of the airport, first, to reach what must have been the furthest entrance gate into the airport buildings. Amazingly, on the way the driver had to swerve to avoid cases which had accidentally deposited on the roadway!

Once in the airport we were subjected to a walk of several hundred metres to get to Passport Control.

Things didn’t get much better here as several of the e-gates were out of use.

The lowest ebb of the whole experience was in the gloomy and extremely depressing baggage reclaim area. Our cases only appeared on the belt after an inordinate amount of time. Things were not helped by ever changing and conflicting messages on the information screens. Even the staff were confused as to what was actually happening.

Eventually reached the grandly named ‘Transport Interchange’ at 19.00.

Boarded yet another overcrowded bus back to grossly over priced ‘Silver Zone Parking’.

Eventually left the airport parking at 19.25 some to 2 hours after landing.

In conclusion the worst experience we've ever had at a U.K. airport. Bristol is truly not fit for purpose in its current state.

Still rubbish!
Shoe scanners still pass one shoe then question the second.
This time my wifes Elizabeth Grant face serum failed a random explosive test!!
Lucky escape; and for £10 they will carefully store it for a few days and she can pick it back up on the way home.

Went through Bristol Airport recently and it was a genuinely horrible experience from start to finish.

It started with the drop-off parking: £8.50 for just 10 minutes. That is outrageous by any standard. Worse still, there's no exemption for disabled passengers — blue badge holders are charged the same as everyone else, which frankly feels discriminatory. Disabled travellers often have no choice but to be dropped close to the terminal, and Bristol Airport is profiting from that.

Then came security. One member of staff (a bald lady with bright yellow glasses) was screaming at passengers — I'd honestly describe it as borderline abusive. There was zero patience and zero compassion, even towards my young child, who found the whole thing distressing.

I understand security is a stressful job and rules need to be followed, but there is no excuse for shouting at families. We are paying customers — I can't think of any other company that would treat people with such disrespect and get away with it.

Between the greedy parking charges and the way staff speak to passengers, Bristol Airport needs a serious rethink. Would avoid this airport if we had a realistic alternative.

Security staff were extremely rude. The gentleman working on the walk through metal detector barked orders at people making comments such as ‘next’ and ‘move on’. The security staff did not speak to people and communicated through making hand gestures. No assistance for people at the metal detector. Very very poor and staff need to remember this is members of the public looking to travel through their airport and not cattle being herded

Having broken my shoulder and had to wear a collar and cuff I was manhandled after the first body scan, my collar and cuff was torn off me, my shoes were taken off me and I was standing barefoot whilst people were walking around me and my personal belongings were at the end of the trolley for anyone to take. I was then quite violently frisked by a woman who seemed to think I could be hiding a gun or a knife down my pants. Never again. When coming back from Seville I could not have been treated better by friendly and respectful staff in Spain. What a contrast.

What can I say going through security was nightmare you were pushed through like cattle I understand it was summer and busy but definitely no need for that
There was a good variety of shops but the food area was extremely crowded and prices charged were extortionate especially in the Burger King 11 pounds for 9 chicken nuggets is ridiculous I know airports are expensive but they are getting out of control

Expensive and only interested in extracting money...no 10 minutes free 'Kiss & Fly' zones as most European airports have. Avoid

Departures, not too bad. Arrivals an absolute joke. The distance between getting off the plane to passport control is way too long a walk. I have breathing issues & there was no warning the distance had increased until some workman informed me. I sincerely hope when work is completed, maybe consider moving walkways.

When going through scanning I had a small tissue in my pocket, the 2 women security persons shouted at me for having a small piece of dirty tissue in my pocket. Then I had to be frisked absolutely over the top.

Horrendous. Used to fly from here all the time around six years ago and it was a fairly chilled out experience. This time was chaotic, dirty, uncomfortable due to no seating. Security were rude and the process confusing. Car parking was a nightmare with poor signage. Arriving back there was a delay getting off the plane, then we had to wait for a coach which they massively overcrowded. when we finally reached baggage reclaim we had to wait over an hour. We will never fly from or to here again.

Edit: finally left the accursed place and the final kicker was that we had been directed to park in the multistorey carpark as the one we'd booked was full. There was a £290 parking charge waiting for us. Awful.

I parked my car there for 12 days from June 25th. On my return the car was covered in yellow spots which I believe to have been caused by tree resin.
On returning home I tried contacting their customer services team by phone and on line chats.
Eventually I emailed the issue claiming 3 car washes as the first one made no impact.
Result; Can't help as I didn't notify the reception before leaving!!
My thoughts;
1.They have before and after photos taken on entry and exit
2. I and my family had been travelling/ waiting for 12 hours before getting to the car, without the 2 hour drive home.
3. I have no problem with my car being moved from where I parked it but now wonder where it's been parked as there are no trees in the car park.
4. £130 parking charge gave me peace of mind the car was safely parked. WRONG!