Birmingham Airport security queues, advice please.

[MuggedByReality]

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! 😀

Oh god, absolutely dreading this. Travelling with 9 month old and 3 year old in two weeks at 8am. Fast pass doesn't seem to be available. We have arranged to leave the car at the long stay at 415am, so we should be at the airport by 5, but really can't get the kids up any earlier.

So frustrating as we trawled through flights options endlessly and booked a hotel to try and avoid this insanely early start, but we're having to do it anyway!

We flew late afternoon on a Sunday earlier this month and it was horrendous. My 4 year old autistic child didn't cope well at all and I was in tears by the end of it.

I fly soon. Is fast track definitely worth it? Last time the fast track queues were longer than the normal queue. Also does anyone know if Easyjet are allowing people to check bags in earlier than the usual 2 hours to account for this?

I would absolutely get the kids up earlier. The alternative (explaining you have missed your holiday) would be much much worse. I am dreading the airport too now and this is coming from someone who usually prefers Birmingham over most other airports

My dad had a flight from there this morning. Think he was flying at 9am.

He said it was manic, not enough staff to deal with all the passengers and took just over 2 hours from dropping off bags to get airside. He was pleased he arrived 3 hours in advance, but said he was so stressed he probably should’ve arrived earlier still!

Is Jet2 separate from other flights? We normally fly from E Mids, but we're going somewhere that you can't get to from there. I noticed car parking was really expensive too compared to E Mids. We're not flying til mid June so hoping better by then!

Fast track isn't available at the time I need it. Getting really anxious now. I hope Easyjet will allow me to check my bag in before the 2 hours it says on the website

@sandrapinchedmysandwich you're right 😬we've just changed the long stay start time to 315, so we should be at the airport 4 hours before the flight. I feel physically ill at the thought of 3 hours stood in a queue with the kids at 4/5/6am but it can't be helped!!

Last year at Manchester they were preventing people from entering the building unless you were 3 hours or less to your flight (short haul) and 4 hours or less (long haul).

Birmingham have put this on their website now too with the clarification that getting there any earlier than that will not mean you can pass through security earlier. You'll be out in the cold until 5am potentially. With kids as young as that you'll be pulled through I'd say

It's so difficult knowing what to do for the best. 2 years ago when the airports were bedlam we were trying to anticipate when to join the massive queue to ensure we reached check in for the 3 hour mark. I was terrified if we got it wrong they would make us rejoin the queue. We did get it wrong by about 15 mins but luckily they allowed us to check our bags in.

Hopefully excitement will get the 3 year old through the airport easily and they both might sleep on the plane. When do you go?

Glad that you made it through smoothly! Hope you enjoy your holiday. I’m flying with Jet2 as well, so I’m cautiously optimistic now after reading your post 😂 Do you know why you managed to get through security quicker than others? Does Jet2 have its own security queue?

@sandrapinchedmysandwich this is my concern - that we will get there too early and not be allowed in! From the sounds of things on social media though, it's complete bedlam and the staff don't seem to have control over any of it. So I think we will end up getting there somewhere between 3-4 hours before the flight, this seems like a reasonable time to arrive without being ludicrously early and denied entry.

We fly Tuesday 14th 🤞🤞🤞

We had booked special assistance to come back through Birmingham a couple of weeks ago and it was absolute chaos. DS had an enormous meltdown because we had to wait over an hour in a noisy terminal building. It seemed that the problem stemmed from the special assistance queue also being the crew queue, and there were so many people with special assistance booked, but only one customs desk.

On the way out there is always an issue because once you get through the security gates, you there are two queues which merge into one further down the line, but noone wants to merge. The queue system isnt helped by the security staff who seemed to be checking every bag. We waited early 45 minutes to get DS's tray checked as he carries rescue meds that always get flagged.

It wasnt even organised chaos, just chaos and a total contrast to Malaga airport where special assistance were really helpful.

In fact Birmingham may have pipped Stansted on my list of 'Airports I hate'!

Yes, it is.
Well, I don't know Manchester, but the station is a short walk from the airport, yes.

Looks like I need to allow time for serious delays just in case. The place is a shambles.

In their defence, they are trying to do a rebuild whilst still operating, and of course contend with the high security all travel needs now.

From experience of friends recently, it is variable. Some have no problems at all, but common sense suggests allowing enough time - a lot of people don't, or cut it so fine, then are surprised they can't get through on time.

Fingers crossed for you. Maybe if you have the funds, buy some nice snuggly wearable blankets for the kids so they are all toasty while you wait. It might help them to sleep on the plane too.

Which social media channel is talking about it? I am the worst person for trying to read everything then panicking but it's almost a compulsion. There really is no help for me 🤦‍♀️

Came through security yesterday at 4am. It was SO quiet - we purchased a fast pass but really no need as the main queue was possibly only 10 mins? No queue downstairs or for the lifts at all.

@sandrapinchedmysandwich lots of people talking about it on X! Also the Birmingham airport fb page comments. Apparently this morning was particularly awful.

I'm hoping the baby will go back to sleep in our arms- no pushchair as we're hiring one at the resort. The three year old will 100% not cope with standing in a queue for any length of time so we'll be breaking out the plane goodies early I think!

Just saw you're flying with easyJet - have seen others online worried about the 2 hour prior bag drop opening time! They will surely have to let you check the bag earlier?! I don't see how anyone with a suitcase is making their easyJet flights otherwise!!

"Yes, it is.
Well, I don't know Manchester, but the station is a short walk from the airport, yes."

Thank you. I might continue to use them once the security refit is done. They are the only airport scheduled to be done by the deadline so it's a little pain for lots of gain if you ask me.

The fact you can purchase security fast passes show they are never going to sort the queues out.

Off tomorrow with Jet2
Flight 07.15
I'll let you all know

Placemarking as we fly from Birmingham at 2:30pm on Wednesday, two kids in tow 😬 Wish us luck!

I guess one of you can queue while the other walks around with the 3 year old. Still not ideal though.

Yes the 2 hour check in window is concerning. I guess everyone will be in the same boat though. I am clinging to this thought like a life raft.

There is an American website I found earlier which shows flights from any airport for the next 9 months. You might find it helpful to see how many planes are taking off at round about the same time

To get from Birmingham International train station to Birmingham International Airport use the free Air Rail Link, no need to walk.

www.birminghamairport.co.uk/directions-and-transport/by-train/