Advantages: quiet and small
Disadvantages: long way to the gates

...I have to say, I am not overly impressed with Stansted airport. It can be nice and quiet at times, that would be an advantage I suppose... But what has always troubled me at Stansted is that all my flights are late each and every time! I think I have never taken off from Stansted airport on time. As a first time Stansted passenger it is very helpful to know that you need to take the airport train to the departure terminal. If you do not know about that and expect the "normal" times you are used to from other airports to check in, get to the gate and board, you will be surprised because it takes quite a while to get through the huge queue at the customs desk and then to get to the gate. Once they wouldn't even let me check in anymore even though I still had plenty of time left before the actual boarding time would have started, just... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap flights, goodish connections from Liverpool Street
Disadvantages: A bit out of the way

...Stansted will be excellent once the new Stansted Express train service is up and running. As it is the service from Liverpool Street is tolerable, but a direct non-stop service will help a lot. Because of the fact that it is a tourist airport primarily, the facilities are geared up to tourists, i.e. cheap and cheerful, although there are a good selection of shops at Stansted. If is clean, safe, and check-in times are fine. It is worth taking a detour and going to Stansted to take advantage of many of the budget flights that are ex-Stansted. I have used it quite a few times, as it has made flights from Edinburgh to the continent much more affordable, and also because Buzz fly to Vienna from here, and it offers by far and away the cheapest flights to Vienna.I have only ever had problems getting there once, and that was when the train... Read review

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Advantages: spacious, relaxed, well equipped, modern
Disadvantages: few

...Stansted has changed a lot over the years. It's now a very smart looking airport, rather futuristic in it's design - both modern and clean. It's not too big that you can't find your way round, but does exude a feeling of size and openness. It's well laid out inside, so that no matter how crowded it is, there is still that same sense of space and it's so easy to get about. The check in areas are clearly marked, making it easy to find the airline you want. After going through to the departure area, there are plenty of seats, good shops and restaurants. The shuttle train is excellent for getting to the gates which are further off in the other building - automated and fast! Stansted is handy to get to from London - take the train from Liverpool Street station and if you fly with Ryanair there is a discount on rail tickets too, I'm told... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, convenient, friendly
Disadvantages: Stansted Taxes

...London to Frankfurt - 4 pounds return ticket. Ryanair are doing a fantastic job to keep air travel in Europe as cheap as possible. So what, if there are no frills? Does it really matter, when most flights are less than 2 hours duration? I would rather have a ticket as cheap as these and pay for a drink on board. If I am travelling in a group, I know that I can survive seperation from my friends for 2 hours or so. I and my family travel regularly between Stansted and Frankfurt (Hahn). The facilities at Hahn are basic but the airport is clean; you can get a coffeee and a snack; newspapers, books and magazines are on sale; check-in is fast, efficient and friendly; baggage reclaim is faster than at most major airports. Somewhere there is something that spoils the whole picture. I can't sing the praises of Ryanair loud enough. So where... Read review

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Advantages: Good Transport/modern
Disadvantages: can be full in summer(currently being expanded to eliviate this)

...I actually work at Stansted airport and so feel I am in a position to give an up to date apprasial of the current situation. First of all Travelling to the Airport. There are currently roadworks on the M11 just south of the Stansted Airport turn off(Junction 8)so allow yourself an extra half hour to an hour travellling time if travelling from the M11 London or from the M25. Parking at the Airport is slightly cheaper than at Gatwick or Heathrow.There is a long stay car park which is situated about 3/4 mile from junction 8(some 3 miles from the terminal.If you park there a free bus service brings you to the airport every 10 minutes.The short stay car park is situated at the front of the terminal with easy access to the building. Once inside the terminal the check in desks are directly in front of you.The information desk is situated... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, Frequent
Disadvantages: Expensive

...Before the Stansted Express you could choose the car and drive to the airport from Central London. This is a nightmare in rush hour traffic and then you have to go through the perils of Long-Stay Parking. Or you could take a bus or coach but these too would become caught up in the traffic. Or you could take the local train but these are almost invitably delayed or cancelled meaning you would miss your flight. The Stansted Express is a train service but unlike the rest of the British network. It is fast, frequent and more importantly on-time though it does have the cost of the British Railways. Trains leave from Liverpool Street Station direct to Stansted Airport (apart from also stopping at Tottenham Hale - is you are travelling into the West End take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale and then you can take the Victoria Line... Read review

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Advantages: very cheap
Disadvantages: had to change at Brussels, pretty much everything else

...Virgin Express seems to have received some pretty good reviews on this site. My journey with them may have been a poor one-off, so I apologise in advance to Virgin Express fans out there! I was flying from Stansted to Barcelona, changing flights at Brussels. The outward journey was OK, leg room was adequate, the flights left on time and the price was very cheap (about £90 return). On the return journey the flight from Barcelona was delayed and so when we arrived in Brussels the connecting flight to Stansted had gone. This did not stop the Virgin Express representatives making me run through Brussels airport to try to catch a flight that had already left. "Not to worry", they said, "you can catch the Virgin Express flight to Gatwick and we will transfer you to Stansted". To cut a long story short, when I arrived at Gatwick... Read review

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Advantages: Great new airport
Disadvantages: underused and undersold

...If you live North of London or East of London, you used to have a real job getting to a decent enough airport to take you on your holidays every year. Sure you do have Luton but its not exactly international class. So when the plans to extend Stansted into London's "3rd Airport" were announced, I was quite happy. It was going to be goodbye to the arduous trips around the M25 to Gatwick and Heathrow and instead, a 25 minute drive through pleasant country roads to my nearest airport. And what a Joy it is to fly from. Its nowhere near as big as Heathrow or Gatwick but it is much more modern and geared towards todays modern traveller. Its all under one roof at the moment too which makes travelling around the airport much easier. The Check in desks are straight ahear of you as you enter the main terminal. The terminal has actually swopped... Read review

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Advantages: easy access
Disadvantages: none

...Stansted is my airport of choice, and these days they fly to most destinations worldwide. Although it is getting busier by the week this airport is clean modern and comfortable. Situated off junction 8 of the M11 motorway near to Bishop's Stortford this airport is easy to reach by road. An excellent Rail link from Cambridge and Liverpool Street, London afford great access making this a very accessible airport. Staff are always friendly and polite. Everything seems to tick along here quite nicely. One sore point is that it is the designated Hi-Jack airport for the UK but they don't happen often, but when they do they can cause a little chaos.... Read review

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Advantages: smaller and more friendly
Disadvantages: not all destinations catered for

...I have used Stansted on a number of occasions over the last few years and have always been impressed. It is less bust than the other London airports and has a more relaxed feel about it. There is not as much to do but because the ease of transition through the airport is so good you don't need so much. The range of shopping is adequate and the food on sale is overpriced but good. It has a direct link to London via rail and is close to the M11 for London travel. The range of destinations is also less than the other airports so it may not be an optionfor long haul flights but it is perfect for flights to short and mid distance destinations. A good airport and a model the others should take a good look at... Read review

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