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Original poster

Leeds Bradford Airport

55 replies

SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 18:23

I was just wondering if they use shuttle buses or tunnels to the aircraft?

OP posts:
tribpot · 14/07/2023 18:30

From what I can remember, it's a mixture of remote stands you bus to, nearby stands you walk to across the tarmac and sky bridges to the aircraft itself. I'm not completely certain I've ever used a sky bridge but I'm pretty sure.

I realise that's not very helpful if you were wanting one option and not the other! I think it will depend on airline and aircraft.

MotherAbigail · 14/07/2023 18:30

as far as I can recall you walk across the tarmac and climb the steps up to the plane. It’s a small airport. There are shuttle buses running between the parking and the terminal though

cathyandclare · 14/07/2023 18:35

Just flew from there, combo of walking and tunnels to the flights. Parking, if you pre book meet and greet or mid stay ( I think) you can walk to the car park which is literally just outside the terminus.

Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 18:47

Thank you very much. I'm anxious as I usually fly from Manchester and I like to be one of the first on the aeroplane so that I can get settled in my seat before anyone sits next to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 18:49

I was anxious that if it was a bus I might not be able to settle in my seat as early as I would like.

OP posts:
cherryassam · 14/07/2023 18:59

I think I have almost always walked across the tarmac and then up the stairs. I can’t remember if there have been buses there, perhaps on the way back but not on the way out.

It’s worth noting that some of the gates can be a bit of a scrum if they are holding everyone post boarding pass check before opening the doors to walk out to the plane. It’s worth making sure you’re stood right by the door, or I’ve found that they have a separate holding pen for priority boarders / premium seats which gets let out and across the tarmac first.

HighEndGrifters · 14/07/2023 19:01

I am so old, I remember when LBA was two portacabins. 😂

Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 19:10

Argh, I'm feeling so anxious and I usually love flying. I think it's because it's a new airport for me and I'm also panicking that there'll be no room for my case in the overhead lockers. It's not been a problem yet and I fly quite a bit, but oh my goodness, I can't stop stressing.

OP posts:
BIWI · 14/07/2023 19:11

HighEndGrifters · 14/07/2023 19:01

I am so old, I remember when LBA was two portacabins. 😂

... and it was called Yeadon!

HighEndGrifters · 14/07/2023 19:12

OMG yes.

cherryassam · 14/07/2023 19:16

If it helps, it’s really a very small airport. There’s much less there than at any of Manchester’s terminals and only very few gates.

I’m sure there will be room for your case in the overhead lockers - who are you flying with?

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 14/07/2023 19:18

SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 18:49

I was anxious that if it was a bus I might not be able to settle in my seat as early as I would like.

Mix of both

Campervangirl · 14/07/2023 19:23

Don't be anxious, it's a nicer, smaller airport than Manchester.
Every time I've flown from Leeds I've walked to the aircraft, last time was 3 weeks ago

BarbaraofSeville · 14/07/2023 19:55

It varies. Sometimes they make you walk down a long tunnel if the plane is down by the long stay car park.

I think I remember buses but not sure if that was departures or arrivals. Once we seemed to be taxing for ages on landing and DP was moaning and I said to him 'it's because the terminal is in Leeds but the runway is in Bradford' and got a chuckle from those around us.

But don't stress. Which airline are you flying with? If it's Jet2 there's usually plenty of room for cases in the cabin, because many people are on package holidays, which comes with a hold case, so they don't bother taking a big cabin case on the plane and will just have a smaller bag.

BarbaraofSeville · 14/07/2023 19:58

It's usually much less stressy than Manchester. We live between Leeds and Bradford and if we can't get the flights we want from Leeds, we look at Liverpool next, and only Manchester if neither Leeds or Liverpool suit.

Ignoring the distance, my preference is Liverpool, Leeds then Manchester so it's a shame that Manchester has the most choice.

cemma · 14/07/2023 20:16

They use both, depending on what stand the aircraft is on. If you have mobility issues then the team will assist with this as they have an airlift

Canthave2manycats · 14/07/2023 20:19

I don't recall ever having to get a bus. It's a pretty small airport. You could always book priority boarding?

Hoppinggreen · 14/07/2023 20:20

BarbaraofSeville · 14/07/2023 19:58

It's usually much less stressy than Manchester. We live between Leeds and Bradford and if we can't get the flights we want from Leeds, we look at Liverpool next, and only Manchester if neither Leeds or Liverpool suit.

Ignoring the distance, my preference is Liverpool, Leeds then Manchester so it's a shame that Manchester has the most choice.

We live not that far from you and our preferences are the same.
Love Liverpool Airport

Charlotteowensdodgydad · 15/07/2023 00:14

@BIWI oh god yes yeadon airport. Went to secondary school nearby and worked in a packing factory in the bowels of the airport back in the 80s during school hols ! Happy memories…

SeatonCarew · 15/07/2023 11:47

I was there yesterday OP. We had a shuttle bus back from the plane, but I think you normally walk to the plane as others have said.

It's a very relaxed and friendly airport, a world away from Manchester, which I really dislike and find very stressful.

Enjoy your trip!

Floofydawg · 15/07/2023 12:02

Interested to know why Manchester is stressful? Flying from there for the first time in ages soon.

I find LBA overly busy and too small for the volume of passengers.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 15/07/2023 12:10

SpeedbirdSquawker · 14/07/2023 18:23

I was just wondering if they use shuttle buses or tunnels to the aircraft?

Hahahahahahahahahaha

I've not read any other posts than the op.

More like it's a REALLY long walk in an open bus shelter to get to your budget airline plane parked at the far en of England's highest, windiest 'international' airport.

I've never, ever used a shuttle bus airsife and there are no tunnels.

tribpot · 15/07/2023 13:03

I find LBA overly busy and too small for the volume of passengers.

Me too @Floofydawg , it's a strange set-up as it doesn't really have a 'central bit' and then quieter gates.

Manchester I just find very large but it does have a better designed 'central bit' and feels quite airy compared to LBA.

Original poster
SpeedbirdSquawker · 15/07/2023 18:19

Thank you so much for all your posts. I feel much more chilled now.

OP posts:
SeatonCarew · 15/07/2023 18:35

Floofydawg · 15/07/2023 12:02

Interested to know why Manchester is stressful? Flying from there for the first time in ages soon.

I find LBA overly busy and too small for the volume of passengers.

Manchester is dirty, busy, grim and depressing. Security is a nightmare, chaotic, badly organised and the staff managing the queue constantly shout at passengers loudly and very rudely. Baggage collection is a disgrace and always slow, I have waited well over an hour in the past before our flight's cases arrived. There is inadequate lounge capacity. I feel ashamed that it is the first impression so many people get of my home country.

As it happens I was at Alicante airport yesterday. Despite being busy it was pleasant, clean and attractive. As always the lounge was available and pleasant, even catered well for my special diet. Security was quick, polite and well organised, as always. At various points of the concourse live musicians were playing cheerful music, to the obvious enjoyment of the crowds. It was a positive experience, and I said to my husband, "Manchester could learn so much from this airport".

My husband flew out of Manchester weekly for the best part of three decades, it is an airport we know very well indeed. It never gets any better, and since Covid it has got worse.