Which airport would you rather fly from?

[Pip137]

Folks, just a random survey.  Belfast City released a survey stating that most people preferred to fly from Belfast City rather than the International.  In talking to my friends/colleagues it would appear that most actually prefer to fly from the International.  Therefore, I am asking to you forget about 'spotting' or any other aviation interest.  Purely from the 'normal' passenger perspective, considering airport facilities/comfort, etc, etc, what airport would you prefer to fly from?  (Assuming flight times/costs/etc are all equal).  Cheers!

[jasT1981]

I would rather fly from the city airport, I find the International a bit too far out for convenience. I also find security to be more relaxed in the City airport.

In saying that, the services to and from the city are horrible. Taxi drivers add another £2 onto the fee for the city airport and it cost us £10 each way from Stranmillis road were as the bus to the International was (not sure of price now) only £7.

Though for me the main reason would be Aer Lingus flying from the city direct to London Heathrow. No flight from the International goes right into Heathrow, instead its Gatwick, Luton or Standsted which is a pain to get into the centre of London from. Were as going from the City to Heathrow, jump on the tube and be in London 20 minutes later is very convenient.

[smudge]

City for me, just much more convenient; easy to reach on bus or train ( or bike ) or I can often cadge a lift with someone as it lies beside a main commuting route.

If all else fails I can hike home from it!  It has been done...

Aldergrove is so isolated that it feels like being trapped in Dublin.

[viking9]

City every time.

[AERTANK]

International, I live in the Glens of Gormley, so either Airport would be easy for me to get to, I just prefer the International (although not it's food court or shopping mall). I believe it better over all if all flights used the International and City closed!

[Angry Turnip]

I prefer BFS International,I don`t care about free wifi or fancy shops and cafe`s.I just want to get on my flight with minimum hassle.
BFS doesn`t have a curfew,has a better runway layout,and parking is cheaper-the fact that it`s a 5 minute drive from me helps as well,but BFS isn`t as far away from the city centre as some seem to think,30-40 mins by bus or 25 by car (tractors permitting).

[andy]

International for me.

Can't say I'm too impressed with the City.  A long walk in a dank corridor complete with water stained carpet tiles when you arrive doesn't create a good impression.  Long security queues.  Insufficient seating in the departures area in favour of shops it seems. 

Have tried the bus link but it took for ever to reach Gt Victoria St as it went all round the Titanic Quarter first.  Tried the train also but it's a fair old hike from the terminal to the station.  Fortunately, it was dry when I tried it but if it had been wet.............a real soaking.  Then there is the footbridge to negotiate with heavy luggage - mmm - never again.

They do have a very sensible system for being collected/dropped off at the car park though with the first ten minutes free unlike the International.

[Sneaky_Nikon]

Very seriously.  Couldn't care less, and you can probably lump Dublin into that too.

[Jamesmcil]

For me its 50/50 both have their pros and cons and are both roughly the same distance from Lurgan in terms of easy access to get to.

City Airport

Pros
-Its actually in Belfast!.
-Motorway access.
-Its got some decent aircraft (for me anyway).
-The view of Belfast and the apron from the departure lounge.
-Great spotting locations.

Cons
-I find that the price of flights in and out can be expensive.
-Lack of seating in departures.
-Security feels a bit claustrophobic when there are a couple of flights departing roughly at the same time.

International Airport

Pros
-Bigger aircraft.
-Nice selection of destinations.
-Openness of departures.
-There could a great opportunity to lure another north American carrier.
-Plenty of apron space.
-Check-in area is very spacious.
-Security is reasonably quick in my book.

Cons
-BELFAST International? that's false advertising in my book!
-Charging to drop off someone near the front door (or has this changed?).
-I'm not a smoker but charging £1 to access the air-side smoking area...ridiculous!.
-Other than Kilead church and Ballyrobin road there is no decent photography areas (without having to drive around to find one).
-No big push to entice more new carriers to use the facility.
-The lack of train station near to the airport would detract people not to use the facility (I believe).

[Dr Draken]

Dublin 

They actually have, international destinations!

[TCX49]

-Charging to drop off someone near the front door (or has this changed?).

You still get charged £1 to drop off but this is under investigation from new owners on what to do with it to scrap it or keep it.

-I'm not a smoker but charging £1 to access the air-side smoking area...ridiculous!.

Im not a smoker to but the Smoking Zone is for people waiting on a flight, some airports don't have this and people would have to wait to they land again so i don't think people would mind paying the £1 for a smoke.

-Other than Kilead church and Ballyrobin road there is no decent photography areas (without having to drive around to find one).

Yea not many places for Photos, have you tried the British Road?

-No big push to entice more new carriers to use the facility.

They have got new routes with Jet2, Virgin to Orlando, Wizz to Katowice & Vilnius and easyjet to Iceland.

-The lack of train station near to the airport would detract people not to use the facility (I believe).

I believe Translink are opening the railway that runs past the main runway for 2016 but not sure if they are planning to have a station at BFS

[TCX49]

Never flew from Belfast City Airport so i guess i prefer Belfast International Airport.

[Jamesmcil]

For 25 departures and arrivals I would use that unused car park at the corner of Ballyquillan road and the diamond road though parking is at a premium there as the car park is locked

[Dave]

I prefer Belfast City Airport.

Better location right within the city, and the security is a bit more relaxed than Aldergrove. I'm sick of getting my camera bag emptied and swabbed every single time I fly through Belfast International.

I thought Belfast City Airport had been awarded the best airport in the UK in the last year or two (or three)?

[NuttsC]

International every time – only use City if no alternative and as it has been several years since we have been there I can make no recent comment.    However the runway at City has not changed and my wife had white knuckles at takeoff and more so at touchdown when 737/Airbus seem to throw out all the anchors.  The usual runway at Aldergrove is a third longer and she is much more comfortable.   
Agreed, some things need to change -  I winch each time I enter the gents toilet at the customs baggage reclaim where the taps etc are so so much in need of refurbishment that passengers arriving from abroad must wonder what they have ahead of them. 

For ease of parking – there are several with a transfer bus direct to the terminal, plenty of space at checkin, security as everywhere is sometimes a pain, plenty of seating prior to and at the gates –all in all very user friendly for what we want – and your car waiting for you on your return.

Quote
“Though for me the main reason would be Aer Lingus flying from the city direct to London Heathrow. No flight from the International goes right into Heathrow, instead its Gatwick, Luton or Standsted which is a pain to get into the centre of London from. Were as going from the City to Heathrow, jump on the tube and be in London 20 minutes later is very convenient.”
Heathrow Express in 20 mins  maybe but the tube - London Underground to Central London will be 40 mins at least.

[wavecrest1]

I would never decide on a flight on the basis of which airport it flew from.
Although City is closer, the risk of getting stuck in traffic on the M3 bridge is higher and the cost of the taxi from each of the airports is much of a muchness.
Destination, time of flight, airline and price are the deciding factors for me.
Aldergrove's £1 drop off fee really p*sses me off. For that reason alone, I voted City.

I've actually flown more from Dublin over the last 2 years than from either Belfast airport. (Sad to say)

[LukeWilson757]

Belfast International - More destinations bigger departure lounge the only thing is is that it's a bit far out from Belfast apart from that it's good.