These are the best (and worst) airports in the UK, according to Which

These days, air travel in the UK seems to be putting many travellers through the wringer. From staff strikes and flight cancellations to air traffic control failures, loads of travellers are being left stranded in airports waiting aimlessly on when they’ll be able to resume their holiday plans.

Whilst some things about air travel are out of our control, you most certainly can pick an airport that is more reliable or better run than most. To find out which airports are the best (and worst) in the UK right now, Which spoke to nearly 4,000 passengers over the last 12 months and asked them about stuff including seating, staff, toilets and queue lengths at check-in counters, security, luggage drop-ins and passport control.

The title of best airport in the UK went to, drumroll please… Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Scoring an overall customer score of 82 percent, passengers described the airport as ‘first class’ and ‘well run’, with friendly and helpful staff.

Second place went to London City Airport, which boasted an overall score of 78 percent and was described in the survey as ‘relaxed’. Southampton Airport came in third, with one of the lowest security waiting times at just nine minutes.

On the flip side, Manchester Airport ranked the lowest on the scoreboard, with a customer score of 38 percent for Terminal 3 and 44 percent for Terminal 1. The airport has been described as ‘crowded, noisy and generally stressful’. Luton Airport and Belfast International were also amongst the worst airports in the rankings.

Here are the best airports in the UK, according to Which.

1. Liverpool John Lennon
2. London City
3. Southampton
4. Bournemouth
5. East Midlands
6. Newcastle
7. Glasgow International
8. Leeds Bradford
9. London Gatwick North
10. London Heathrow, Terminal 4

And here are the worst.

1. Manchester, Terminal 3
2. Manchester, Terminal 1
3. Luton
4. Belfast International
5. Manchester, Terminal 2
6. London Stansted
7. Birmingham
8. London Heathrow, Terminal 3
9. London Heathrow, Terminal 2
10. London Gatwick, South

If you’d like to find out more, you can read Which’s full study here. 

Plus: all you need to know about the UK air traffic control chaos, from cancelled flights to how to get a refund.

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