Working in the cabin for a UK charter operator out of LTN, I'm experiencing a high volume of complaints from customers about the distance to walk to the gates :
Charter airlines only use the new pier which is the short walk. Ryanair passengers and some easyjet passengers get the long walk so I don't know why your passengers are moaning.
An extreme shortage of seats airside
Agreed this is a real problem that can’t be resolved in the new lounge due to the lounge actually being a shopping centre. Shops earn money for the airport while seating doesn’t. What passengers don’t realise is that the old lounge is still open and has several hundred empty seats but it’s a 15 minute return walk to access them.
Sometimes an excessive number of steps
poor design but at the end of the day people are lazy now and don't like walking up and down stairs.
EZY cabin crew have now been instructed inform passengers on descent that they may experience delays at immigration, and recommend they use the toilets before landing. Not exactly giving a great first impression of LTN. Passengers are now getting lost in the baggage hall because they have to do a 180 degree turn to enter the customs hall. Saw loads wandering around looking for the exit.
It's not finished yet and should improve in a few weeks. Don’t know why there is a problem with immigration as it is twice the size of the old facilities with 9 desks. Might have more to do with a lack of staff but that is an issue for the government.