Share Liverpool John Lennon Airport has emerged as the top-ranked UK airport, earning praise for its "first-class" experience from travelers. London City Airport secured second place, with

Southampton Airport ranking third. In contrast, Manchester Airport's Terminal 3 landed at the bottom of the list, repeating its last year's position.

This ranking was established through a survey conducted by Which?, which asked almost 4,000 travelers to evaluate their encounters at 24 UK airports and terminals over the past year. Participants rated airports across eleven categories, including staff, seating, toilets, check-in queues, security, passport control, and more. The results were used to calculate a customer score based on overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the airport.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport clinched an impressive 82% score, earning five stars for security and check-in queues, indicating an exceptionally smooth experience. The airport also received four-star ratings for its staff, baggage reclaim, passport control, and bag drop queues. Respondents praised the airport's "friendly" employees and efficient processes. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that the airport has received the coveted Which? Recommended Provider status.

London City Airport secured second place with a score of 78%, garnering praise for its accessibility and "relaxed" ambiance. The airport earned five stars for check-in and security queues and stood out for its quick and efficient security procedures. However, it fell short in toilet facilities, earning a rating of only two stars.

On the other end, Manchester Airport's Terminal 3 received a dismal score of 38%, placing it at the bottom of the rankings. Travelers reported issues such as overcrowding, long queues, and low-quality facilities. The terminal scored no higher than two stars in any category.

The survey highlighted the importance of selecting the right airport for a positive travel experience. Smaller airports generally fared better in terms of queue times and customer service, offering travelers a positive start to their journeys.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport - 82% London City Airport - 78% Southampton Airport - 77% Bournemouth Airport - 75% East Midlands Airport - 72% Newcastle Airport - 72% Glasgow International Airport - 62% Leeds Bradford Airport - 58% London Gatwick North Terminal - 57% London Heathrow Terminal 4 - 57% London Heathrow Terminal 5 - 57% Bristol Airport - 56% Aberdeen Airport - 55% Edinburgh Airport - 55% London Gatwick South Terminal - 54% London Heathrow Terminal 2 - 54% London Heathrow Terminal 3 - 54% Birmingham Airport - 53% London Stansted Airport - 51% Manchester Terminal 2 - 50% Belfast International Airport - 49% London Luton Airport - 49% Manchester Terminal 1 - 44% Manchester Terminal 3 - 38%

Source: Which?

The survey results underline the importance of providing a positive airport experience for travelers, impacting their overall perceptions and satisfaction with their journeys. Photo by Reflection on Liverpool John Lennon Airport by Richard Hoare, Wikimedia commons.