Worst Airports in Europe 2016

sleepinginairports.net — Europe’s worst airports are the ones that fail to provide travellers with basic amenities – like chairs, clean bathrooms, and a semblance of temperature control. Like last year, this list is top-heavy with Greek airports and, while we’re sympathetic to the country’s woes, the airport experience made a few voters wonder if they’ll ever return to the otherwise stunning islands. Other offenders on this list are voted on thanks to the fact that they fail to provide reasonably priced restaurants – or even vending machines. Couple that with patchy-but-allegedly-free-Wi-Fi and you’re sure to push voters beyond the brink of sanity.

Here are the Top 10 Worst Airports in Europe based on overall airport experience, as determined by voters in our 2016 Airport Survey.

They ranked their experiences based on:

• Comfort (Rest Zones & Gate Seating)
• Services, Facilities & Things to do
• Food Options
• Immigration/Security
• Customer Service
• Cleanliness

1. Santorini Thira National Airport, Greece (JTR) (world ranking 5)

To start, you have to wait in one of 3 lines in the heat. There is no one to tell you which line to go in so you just have to wait for an hour and hope you picked the right one. – survey respondent

2. Chania International Airport, Greece (CHQ) (world ranking 6)

We had to stand in line for one hour to get our boarding cards, another 20 minutes to leave our baggage and finally 15 minutes to the security check. – survey respondent

Last year, Chania wasn’t one of Greece’s worst offending airports. This year however, voters have something else to say about this worn out terminal. Long lines and chaotic security processes aggravate travellers immediately upon arrival. Once airside, life hardly improves. With one basic food vendor selling mediocre sandwiches at inflated prices, you’re unlikely to feel inspired to buy a meal. Chairs too are limited, meaning that you’ll probably be stuck leaning against a wall, or sitting on a less-than-desireable floor. The lack of air conditioning only makes things worse for those who spend ample time here, given that local temperatures are often well over 30 degrees Celsius.

 

3. Crete Heraklion International Airport, Greece (HER) (world ranking 7)

Advice: break it down, and build up a new airport somewhere else. Not possible to make something out of it. – survey respondent

The third worst airport in Europe is once again, located in Greece. Heraklion Airport on the island of Crete secures this position thanks to long lines, crowded gates and no air-conditioning. Sweaty and cramped voters are further distraught by the the exorbitant food prices at one of two restaurants and by the sorry state of the bathrooms. Sadly, the staff do little to ease these grievances. Travellers vent about poor customer service just as much as they complain about the uncomfortable chairs. All in all, a sad way to end a visit to an otherwise delightful island.

4. London Luton International Airport, England (LTN)

5. Rhodes International Airport, Greece (RHO)

Rhodes Airport improved a few points relative to last year – though we can’t be sure if that’s due to improving conditions at RHO, or worsening conditions elsewhere. In any event, the complaints here echo those filed in Crete, Chania and Santorini: long lines, dirty/broken bathrooms, no air conditioning and massive crowds.

6. Beauvais-Tille International Airport, France (BVA)

7. Berlin Tegel International Airport, Germany (TXL)

 

8. Berlin Schoenefeld International Airport, Germany (SFX)

 

 

9. London Stansted International Airport, England (STN)

 

10. Rome Ciampino International Airport, Italy (CIA)

On the plus side, Athens international is listed at number 8 in the list of  BEST airports in Europe.

And we hope that with the improvement works nearing completion at Chania, the Crete airport will improve its image and quality of services offered very soon.