I have flown from many of the European airports, but Cardiff is one of my favourites.
Check-in is always uncomplicated, without long queues or overcrowding and as there are very few check- in desks, it is easy to find one's way around.
As a single woman traveller, who is also fearful of flying, the layout and set up in the airport would enable, even the most unexperienced traveller, to get through check-in and onto the plane without any trouble.
I have found with the other big London airports, its often hard to find out exactly where you are supposed to be, they are often overcrowded, people rushing about. The same cannot be said of Cardiff Airport! It has a very relaxed feeling to it.
I usually check-in 2 hours/40 mins before flight (depending on airline) and once I am bag-free I go up the first floor to change my money and have a stiff drink in the bar, before proceeding to departure lounge. (There is a lift for disabled access to the first floor)
The departure lounge caters for everybody. There are gaming machines to keep the children happy, a small bookshop/newsagents (which is great for buying books for holiday reading) and a bar or coffee area. I have always found that both the bar and coffee area have plenty of seats available, to have a nice relaxing drink before boarding the plane. There is of course, also a small duty free shop, which sells most things, as well as things you may have forgotten to pack, such as travel plugs!
To date I have not experienced any delays. There are clear announcements for every flight, and you don't have to walk far from check-in to departure (unlike Palma Airport!!!!)
I have found that as the car parking is quite expensive, its a good idea to park one's car in a nearby town and get a taxi to the airport. It certainly works out cheaper than paying the airport car parking charges. I usually arrange this with a local taxi firm before I go away.
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Aug 24th, 2004
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