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Original poster

Birmingham Airport security queues, advice please.

66 replies

MuggedByReality · 28/04/2024 13:46

Has anyone flown out of Birmingham in the last few weeks, specifically on a weekday lunchtime flight? If so, how long did you have to queue for security? Did the building work cause major delays?

Thanks! 😀

OP posts:
Original poster
MuggedByReality · 28/04/2024 19:57

Worth a bump?

OP posts:
Peakypolly · 28/04/2024 20:02

I did a Monday (1/4) at 11am. I got a fast pass thing included with my flight so went straight through, but I don't recall huge queues.
Sorry, not very helpful.

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 28/04/2024 20:04

A couple of weeks ago. It was so bad I vowed never to fly through there again if it could be avoided. Absolute chaos.

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fivepies · 28/04/2024 20:05

I was there recently. Very long queues. Two lifts taking all passengers from check-in to security/gates. Confusing and time consuming. Allow extra time.

MalibuBarbieDreamHouse · 28/04/2024 20:08

My MIL flew out yesterday, her flight was at 11am she said it was madness and put alot of passengers under extra stress, staff were quiet ratty too.

CrapBucket · 28/04/2024 20:09

The trouble is it is very variable- for months its been the case that it can be a total breeze or it can be utterly packed and slow.

Original poster
MuggedByReality · 28/04/2024 20:11

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Looks like I need to allow time for serious delays just in case. The place is a shambles. 👍

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/04/2024 20:20

I was there a few weeks ago and it was awful. Agree with PP that some of the staff were very rattled too - it can't be fin for them. The worst bit is trying to get into the lifts to get upstairs - there's no system and it felt a bit of a free for all.

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 28/04/2024 20:46

Sounds like it’s very variable. We went on a Friday lunchtime a few weeks ago and it’s the quickest I’ve ever been through. The lifts were fine, then literally no queuing until you go into the main bit where the scanners are (no queue in that corridor bit on the slope if you are familiar with the airport).

Pineapplewaves · 28/04/2024 20:50

Wednesday late afternoon 50 minutes, they were pulling people out of the queue who were running out of time and sending them forward which meant the queue didn't seem to be moving for everyone else.

I think the advice at the moment is get to the airport three hours before departure.

ARichtGoodDram · 28/04/2024 20:53

The building work seems to be causing chaos. The last twice we’ve been there they’ve been pulling people out of the queue to get them to their flights on time

notanotherrokabag · 28/04/2024 20:54

Easter holidays flight and I was glad we had paid for security fast passes, and the equivalent through passport control on the way back.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/04/2024 21:22

Thank you so much for this thread @MuggedByReality .

We are there tomorrow afternoon - and I had forgotten they were doing work on the airport.

I had been thinking it may be fairly quiet as it's normally busier first thing - but we'll get there a bit earlier than we planned. Especially as we want to eat there .

Chouette77 · 28/04/2024 21:30

This week - I have never seen the like of it, queues everywhere. Never again!

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/04/2024 21:40

Isn't just because of the building work though? I've not normally experienced delays or bad queues there - apart from when things got going again after Covid .

Babysharkdoodoodood · 28/04/2024 22:02

I've booked into the Hilton garden inn for the night before. Early flight with TUI and I'll do twilight check in. Also got a fast pass.

Flight is at 0655 so I'm aiming at for getting up around 0330 just to beat the sodding queues. I can sleep on the plane.

RecruitmentGuru · 28/04/2024 22:04

OP a quiet early Sunday AM, but I tell you why it was quiet cos the chaos was in the bloody security queue! So glad we bought fast pass! Do it it'll be the best money spent lol!

RecruitmentGuru · 28/04/2024 22:05

Lifts were fine albeit confusing although we had remembered them from December.

HollyBerri · 28/04/2024 23:31

There are some steps to the right of the Jet2 check in desk’s if the lifts are really busy.

Zingy123 · 29/04/2024 07:00

It was absolute chaos when we were there. Staff sending people in the wrong direction. Leave plenty of time.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 29/04/2024 14:29

Updating from the airport now! If you are with Jet2 there is no problem at all - zipped through - bagged drop off, lift next to jet2 check in and security - all done very quickly .

Don't know if there are more queues if you are travelling through the other side of the airport .

GCAcademic · 29/04/2024 14:35

A family member flew from there last week and nearly missed her 8am flight (domestic) despite checking in at 6am. There were lots of very angry passengers apparently and staff were basically admitting that some people wouldn't make their flights.

TakeOnFlea · 29/04/2024 14:44

Oh dear. Have never flown from there and have just booked to fly with Ryanair.

Was planning to get the train in, had assumed a similar set up to Manchester where the station is a short walk to the terminals?

NotmySundaybest · 29/04/2024 14:51

How long is the building work on for?
If it's still I going in August it'll be hell

MissyB1 · 29/04/2024 14:59

NotmySundaybest · 29/04/2024 14:51

How long is the building work on for?
If it's still I going in August it'll be hell

Google says to be completed by June 2024 but I’ve no idea how likely that is! We are due to fly July 7th 😩