Summer may be winding down, but many travellers are already thinking about their next trip. A new survey from consumer group Which? has revealed the UK’s best and worst airports — and
the results may surprise you.
More than 6,000 passengers rated airports on everything from security queues and baggage wait times to seating, food options, and customer service. The verdict? Smaller airports are stealing the show, while some of the country’s busiest hubs are falling flat.
Manchester: bottom of the list (again)
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 landed in last place for the fourth year in a row, earning a disappointing customer score of just 43%. Passengers gave it one star for queues, seating, shop prices, and food options.
One frustrated traveller summed it up: “Now Ryanair puts most of its flights through there and it’s absolutely not set up for that number of passengers. It’s impossible to get a drink or something to eat — and much worse, there’s nowhere to sit.”
Terminal 1, which is due to close this year, didn’t fare much better with 47%, while Terminal 2 scraped a more respectable 53%. Some passengers did note shorter queues and helpful staff at check-in, but overall Manchester’s reputation remains rocky.
London Luton: poor layout, pricey food
London Luton came out as the lowest-rated London airport with a score of 51%. Passengers complained of cramped seating, high prices, and a confusing layout. One traveller described it as “disorganised and confusing” with “overpriced food and drink options.”
There is hope for the future, though: the government recently approved a £2.4bn expansion, which could bring much-needed improvements.
Other London airports — Heathrow (across all four terminals), Gatwick, and Stansted — all scored between 53% and 59%. Common complaints included poor customer service, lack of seating, and sky-high shop prices. Heathrow alone handled nearly 84 million passengers in 2024, so some crowding issues may be inevitable.
Exeter: small but mighty
At the other end of the table, Exeter Airport came out on top with a glowing 80% customer score. Handling just half a million passengers a year, Exeter impressed with five stars for customer service, security queues, check-in, and baggage handling.
The only downside? A limited selection of shops and restaurants. But for many, that’s a small price to pay for a calmer travel experience. One traveller praised it as “relaxed and stress-free — a welcome change from larger airports.”
Liverpool & London City also shine
Liverpool John Lennon Airport, now serving 5 million passengers annually, took second place with a 78% score. Travellers highlighted its efficient security, friendly staff, and easy navigation. One regular flyer called the security process “consistently quick and hassle-free.”
In third place, London City Airport scored 76%. It was the only airport to earn five stars across all queue-related categories, although passengers were less impressed with its toilets and limited shopping options. Photo by M901QX, Wikimedia commons.