The new terminal is part of the first phase of Leeds Bradford Airport’s £100 million terminal expansion project
Passengers at Leeds Bradford Airport have hailed the new terminal as ‘brill’ and even ‘better than Manchester Airport’ on its opening day.
The airport’s £100 million terminal expansion project has unveiled a host of new facilities, including additional seating, two new lounges, an improved baggage reclaim area, and an upgraded passport control.
From Tuesday, all passengers arriving and departing via LBA will move through the upgraded terminal facilities. The terminal expansion includes a modernised arrivals process, including a new baggage reclaim area and an upgraded passport control facility incorporating advanced security technologies.
The new terminal has 83% more seating, an “food and drink offering” and two premium lounges, including the brand-new Six Eight One Premium Lounge.
Travellers heading to Krakow on Tuesday, June 17, shared their thoughts on the new amenities and how they stack up against Manchester.
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Polish couple Szymon Machynia and Agata Koc, who were off to a religious ceremony related to their Rodzimowierstwo faith, which inspired elements in ‘The Witcher’ Netflix series, praised the new setup, reports Leeds Live.
Szymon, a mill operative, expressed his disdain for Manchester Airport: “I hate Manchester, I despise that airport. It’s hard to get in there, it’s easy to get lost around. If they change something you suddenly have to go from one spot in the airport to the other. It’s awful.
“Leeds is nice and small. Security was brill, it was fast and simple. The new gate was great and the new machines improve the process. I still had to take my shoes off – but maybe one day we’ll get there.”
Agata, a photographer, also shared her approval: “I think this terminal is better than the other one. The old one was small but this one is open and everything was [clearly] signposted where to go.”
Doncaster-based plumber Filip Dziegielewski, 39, set to embark on a European jaunt with friends, praised the convenience of his departure point, remarking, “It looks very nice and tidy, very modern. Good connections. Security was very fast today, everything was working.”
He added, “Leeds will be better than Manchester once they finish work on the bus from Doncaster to Leeds. It’s 40 miles but it takes one and half hour. Manchester is busy and here it is very quiet.”
Wakefield local, technical logistics supervisor and father-of-three Slawomir Baokowski, 38, on his way to see family, expressed enthusiasm about the airport. He said “It’s fantastic, honestly. It’s really nice and fresh, good job. There’s loads here. Honestly, and it’s the first time I say this, but it’s better in Leeds than Manchester Airport. In Manchester, there’s too many people there.”
Alan Brytan, 23, who specialises in quality control, heading to reunite with relatives, was not aware work was underway.
“It’s quite surprising, to be honest, I wasn’t aware of it. It’s come together really nicely. This was completely new news to me. I got a notification on my phone saying ‘gate seven’, and I asked some guy about it. It’s a whole new terminal, like a whole new world. It looks much nicer.,” he said.
“If you want to travel, it’s still better just to go to Manchester. If you’re going closer to home then this is the better airport.”