Luton-9
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems Luton was a tad overcrowded the other day. With the airport now seeking put even more passengers through the front doors they will be turning to Japan for answers.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/luton-airport-delays-flights-london-1665390
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/luton-airport-delays-flights-london-1665390
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Luton
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Magnetic
As LTNman has hi-lighted, London Luton Airport is becoming so popular there can be no reason to deny a second terminal. I think we need that new terminal now because it’s popularity continues to grow and grow and grow and the only thing holding it back is further facilities. Due to the proximity of London and its quick journey times anywhere north of the Thames that makes it...Magnetic.
Its certainly not a case of LTN necessarily being popular.......Its more a case of an ever increasing amount of passengers being squeezed into inadequate facilities (with profit being the obvious motivator!) The newish high end shops etc may give a superficial good first impression but your average family just want somewhere to sit!)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think we need that new terminal now
As LTNman has hi-lighted, London Luton Airport is becoming so popular
https://www.airlinequality.com/airpo...luton-airport/
Things are better but facilities are based on cramming people into a fixed space at minimum cost. Now they want to bust the terminals design limits for an even better experience.
What Luton does have going for it is location, location, location. The DART link will transform getting to the airport by public transport but once arrived at the terminal front door it will be down hill all the way.
Last edited by LTNman; 27th Jul 2019 at 21:22.
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Between the check-in desks
Posts: 445
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As LTNman has hi-lighted, London Luton Airport is becoming so popular there can be no reason to deny a second terminal. I think we need that new terminal now because it’s popularity continues to grow and grow and grow and the only thing holding it back is further facilities. Due to the proximity of London and its quick journey times anywhere north of the Thames that makes it...Magnetic.
Not in your lifetime mate.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Posts: 5,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nothing like having T2 close to established residential areas! Of all the places to build T2, on an environmental nightmare ex council tip, toxic to the core, and very close to residential homes, plus stealing their mature open space park.
Not it too sure who is advising, but Dick Turpin lives on!
Not it too sure who is advising, but Dick Turpin lives on!
Incidentally, the extremely poor terminal experience passengers endured during the last couple of Summers has also been cited as a reason why TUI have reduced flying from LTN. It remains to be seen what the long term future holds for TUI and LTN but I doubt the airport really care as long as they can get bums on seats (not necessarily in the terminal naturally!)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Somethings are clearly betting this year. Gone are the traffic queues to the terminal which was caused by a single lane drop off area with 4 pedestrian crossings. The new layout works but will move again in a few months time so the queues might or might not come back as submitted plans show the return of pedestrian crossings in the next drop off area although the layout could change.
The exit route works with the additional exit barriers but the buffer zone between the drop off area and the pay barriers will be removed when the pay barriers are moved to inside the ground floor of the new multi-storey. Any tailbacks will block the drop off lanes.
The passenger search area which is causing nightmares at Stansted and Southend seems to be working really well. I have yet to see any queues forming as passengers scan their own boarding cards before disappearing into the search area.
The problem is upstarts with too many people in what is still a small departure area with a new shopping centre attached. Plenty of seats though if you know where to look with most of them located in pier B but passengers wait to be called before heading down a pier.
The exit route works with the additional exit barriers but the buffer zone between the drop off area and the pay barriers will be removed when the pay barriers are moved to inside the ground floor of the new multi-storey. Any tailbacks will block the drop off lanes.
The passenger search area which is causing nightmares at Stansted and Southend seems to be working really well. I have yet to see any queues forming as passengers scan their own boarding cards before disappearing into the search area.
The problem is upstarts with too many people in what is still a small departure area with a new shopping centre attached. Plenty of seats though if you know where to look with most of them located in pier B but passengers wait to be called before heading down a pier.
Last edited by LTNman; 28th Jul 2019 at 06:26.
I don't think pax are choosing to avoid pier B seating of their own choice. The airport wishes to maximise retail income which requires keeping pax in the shopping area for as long as possible... screens showing gates across the airport deliberately discourage people from leaving the shops until about 45 mins before expected push back (and a delayed inbound means a gate isn't advertised until later).
Furthermore, it is not really in the interests of tge airport to provide many seats around the shops. Seats take up space where another retail unit could be, and pax who can't find a seat end up wandering around the shops to kill the time (and often spending money !)
Yes elderly, disabled and vulnerable people need seats, but why would an airport really want to provide more than the absolute minimum number of seats near shops or direct pax to area away from shops any earlier than necessary ?
Furthermore, it is not really in the interests of tge airport to provide many seats around the shops. Seats take up space where another retail unit could be, and pax who can't find a seat end up wandering around the shops to kill the time (and often spending money !)
Yes elderly, disabled and vulnerable people need seats, but why would an airport really want to provide more than the absolute minimum number of seats near shops or direct pax to area away from shops any earlier than necessary ?
Its not just the elderly and disabled etc who would prefer a seat whilst waiting for gate info. Whilst its certainly in the interest of the airport and shops to keep passengers near the retail outlets for as long as possible, the whole airside terminal experience is pretty miserable (unless you travel at one of the less busy periods) I regularly see passengers sitting on the floor in the corridors adjacent to the retail complex.
Last edited by boeing_eng; 28th Jul 2019 at 10:55.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Between the check-in desks
Posts: 445
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sometimes the airport operator makes a special effort to enhance bits of the terminal when a special visitor is coming. Today is such a day as Princess Ann is coming to unveil a plaque. The problem for the airport was that the unveiling was to take place under all the heating ducts, cables, trunking, pipes and angle iron that adorns the roof space of the new build. Problem solved as a really nice looking black false ceiling has been installed over the last couple of weeks but only over the bit she and the special guests will be standing under. What a shame the budget can't stretch to the rest of the new build as one little section has been transformed into something that looks really nice while the rest of the new build looks like the ceiling from a factory production line.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know what time she is arriving but yes indeed the airport have been shamed into spending some money. It was the same when Chris Grayling came to the airport in December. Only the broken floor tiles where he was expected to walk were replaced with new tiles. Some of those tiles had been broken for the best part of 20 years and replaced with grey filler that looked like elephants spat out chewing gum.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=545627922503517
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=545627922503517
Last edited by LTNman; 30th Jul 2019 at 05:36.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You know when someone important is arriving at the terminal when the cleaners watch the management clean the floors.
Missed a bit
Missed a bit
Last edited by LTNman; 30th Jul 2019 at 17:50.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They also claim they don't need any extra stands but they have tendered for 8 new ones. Those old check-in desks 201 to 208 will eventually go back in together with a remodelling of that end of the terminal although nothing else including the departure lounge will change apart from less space per passenger.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The second multi story which was having parking sold from August 19th has had that date dropped. There has been zero prospect of that car park being finished for a long time. At the time of writing not even the ramps have had concrete poured yet.