Stansted-4
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Overall I’m pleased as it’s about time some money was spent by MAG on improvements at Stansted.
One thing to note however
Relax clearly doesn’t include more seating. This is what’s desperately needed. Relax in MAG’s terms is to fleece the passenger of their dosh with more shops and restaurants. Stansted resembles a shopping mall as it is. What is also needed is more lounge options. The current lounge is woeful and lacks any feeling of exclusivity. It feels like you’re in a canteen in some factory basement.
One thing to note however
Relax clearly doesn’t include more seating. This is what’s desperately needed. Relax in MAG’s terms is to fleece the passenger of their dosh with more shops and restaurants. Stansted resembles a shopping mall as it is. What is also needed is more lounge options. The current lounge is woeful and lacks any feeling of exclusivity. It feels like you’re in a canteen in some factory basement.
JW95 - if you're looking for spare seats, you should probably be going down the escalator near Itsu towards gates 90+ - there's a quiet seating area hidden away which usually has plenty of space.
It was refurbished a few months ago and the type of seats changed - so it no longer has the scruffy feel of a homeless shelter
It was refurbished a few months ago and the type of seats changed - so it no longer has the scruffy feel of a homeless shelter
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JW95 - if you're looking for spare seats, you hould probably going down the escalator near itsu towards gates 90+ - there's a quiet seating area which usually has plenty of space.
It was refurbished a few months ago and the type of seats changed - so it no longer has the scruffy feel of a homeless shelter
It was refurbished a few months ago and the type of seats changed - so it no longer has the scruffy feel of a homeless shelter
Good shout! I have been down there a few times on my last few visits to STN- but going into the long term, this (along with the seating area en route to satellite 3) won't be enough to cope with rising passenger numbers at STN, which are increasing substantially vs LHR/LGW/LTN.
The cynic in me says that the longer check-in times these days are as much to do with maximising ancillary spend per passenger as they are to do passenger processing.
exactly - you see less and less seats in any airport - often the best place is actually near the gate where shopping opportunities are restricted by low number s and timing
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Agreed. Satellites 1 and 2 actually have plentiful seating. Satellite 3 however lacks it, so could definitely do with some more near gate areas.
The Ryanair satellite often has plenty of empty seats at the far end - approx gate 52 or 54... but don't go down the escalator to the standing-room-only dungeon unless and until absolutely necessary - there be dragons there
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For reference Gate 52 or 54 are down stairs. Only gates 40-50 are upstairs.
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I agree. Whilst I don't mind the prospect of a few more shops/restaurants in an enlarged departure lounge at STN, the primary (and urgent) focus now needs to be additional seating provision. Currently, general seating is well below what it should be, resulting in many people having to sit on the floor- I've witnessed long lines of people sat on both sides at the beginning of the walkway from the departure lounge en route to satellite 3 several times. This will undoubtably continue to get worse until it is properly addressed, especially as STN has become the fastest recovering London airport as far as pre-pandemic passenger numbers are concerned. Also agree RE. airport and airline lounges, I don't think MAG will install any additional lounges in the terminal, but there is ample (and unused) space in satellite 1 and satellite 2 which could definitely be used for this purpose.
The Emirates lounge will be fitted out shortly in SAT1 and should be open to the back end of the year. Though this will only be usable by Emirates passengers.
SAT2 would have some space if they repurpose the small Weatherspoon's in the area. But this wouldn't be beneficial until a new link bridge to SAT2 is done as once your upstairs at the gate area its not the easiest to be able to get back if your flights leaving from elsewhere.
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SAT1 hasn't got that much space during peak departures. There are plans to look to get better gate usage out of the gates in SAT1 for next summer as its near capacity most mornings and afternoon peaks. Possibly splitting boarding gates up. For example LS1577 to HER and LS1511 to KGS both leaving at 0600 could both be boarding from the same gate area 11/12 which currently are joint together.
The Emirates lounge will be fitted out shortly in SAT1 and should be open to the back end of the year. Though this will only be usable by Emirates passengers.
SAT2 would have some space if they repurpose the small Weatherspoon's in the area. But this wouldn't be beneficial until a new link bridge to SAT2 is done as once your upstairs at the gate area its not the easiest to be able to get back if your flights leaving from elsewhere.
The Emirates lounge will be fitted out shortly in SAT1 and should be open to the back end of the year. Though this will only be usable by Emirates passengers.
SAT2 would have some space if they repurpose the small Weatherspoon's in the area. But this wouldn't be beneficial until a new link bridge to SAT2 is done as once your upstairs at the gate area its not the easiest to be able to get back if your flights leaving from elsewhere.
Once the terminal extension gets the go ahead, do you know if there will be any reconfigurations done to satellite 2, considering that there will eventually be a new skylink in place to replace the existing TTS route? It would be nice to see it modernised and in line with satellite 1.
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Two of those are the same flight, the Tailwind flight number is FR24 doing a bit of AI and getting it wrong. I hazzed a guess a charter getting guys home after training with UK services. Don't think FlyOne is sheduled for a Saturday yet, currently 4 weekly and did Thursday & Friday. Next flight should be Sunday. Chisinau Airport web site shows no departure. The overspill flights from Luton as they could not secure extra slots at Luton.
Usual thing with FR24, just because a flight plan has been made, doesn't mean it will actually run.
Usual thing with FR24, just because a flight plan has been made, doesn't mean it will actually run.
Last edited by pabely; 5th Aug 2023 at 17:03.
The airports Escape Lounge currently has windows overlooking a semi view of the apron or at least part of the transit.
With the planned extension of the back of the terminal will this particular lounge remain in situ.
With the planned extension to the back of the terminal surely it wouldn't be too difficult to build some new purpose built lounges on the lower level.
I for one would never pay to use the current Escape Lounge, it's absolutely soulless.
Building a satellite 4 would alleviate some of the issues with seating in the main terminal.
I for one and many others agree, there's no issues with shopping and catering outlets. If you enjoy using them, well use them. If you're a boring old sole who doesn't enjoy them, well you can sit on the floor. I have never been in a position where I have had to sit on the floor at STN. I've always found there's somewhere to sit if needed. But personally I'm the sort of person who prefers to stand up. I don't necessarily feel the need for a seat whilst I'm at the airport unless I'm using one of the many catering outlets.
Checking in online, arriving at the airport about 60 to 70 minutes before my flight has always been ample enough. I've only missed two flights in my entire life and I've taken hundreds of them. One in 1986 (LHR) and one in 2010 (LGW), none from STN.
Who actually checks in three hours or more before their actual flight?
Unless you're in a large group or with young children I personally don't understand that regardless of what the airport or airline suggests.
Sure when I was younger and a keen spotter I would arrive at the airport really early, but that was in the early 1980s. As I'm usually a single traveller arriving at the airport 60 to 70 minutes prior to my flight is ample enough.
With the planned extension of the back of the terminal will this particular lounge remain in situ.
With the planned extension to the back of the terminal surely it wouldn't be too difficult to build some new purpose built lounges on the lower level.
I for one would never pay to use the current Escape Lounge, it's absolutely soulless.
Building a satellite 4 would alleviate some of the issues with seating in the main terminal.
I for one and many others agree, there's no issues with shopping and catering outlets. If you enjoy using them, well use them. If you're a boring old sole who doesn't enjoy them, well you can sit on the floor. I have never been in a position where I have had to sit on the floor at STN. I've always found there's somewhere to sit if needed. But personally I'm the sort of person who prefers to stand up. I don't necessarily feel the need for a seat whilst I'm at the airport unless I'm using one of the many catering outlets.
Checking in online, arriving at the airport about 60 to 70 minutes before my flight has always been ample enough. I've only missed two flights in my entire life and I've taken hundreds of them. One in 1986 (LHR) and one in 2010 (LGW), none from STN.
Who actually checks in three hours or more before their actual flight?
Unless you're in a large group or with young children I personally don't understand that regardless of what the airport or airline suggests.
Sure when I was younger and a keen spotter I would arrive at the airport really early, but that was in the early 1980s. As I'm usually a single traveller arriving at the airport 60 to 70 minutes prior to my flight is ample enough.
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I first thought that with the particular livery aircraft being booked but they played all their Home fixtures in Warsaw last year so thought they had setup ship their, although the contract was to use stadium for 1 year so perhaps they are based in another Polish city this year.
Perhaps the guys off training went on the Air Tanker A330 earlier.
Perhaps the guys off training went on the Air Tanker A330 earlier.
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[QUOTE=Sotonsean;11479846] Building a satellite 4 would alleviate some of the issues with seating in the main terminal.
I'm also surprised that there has been zero mention/indication of satellite 4 at STN, considering this has been floated about for years. If ever there was a need for it, I'd definitely say it would be now, considering how quickly STN has been recovering from the pandemic. Although, I'm wondering if MAG are planning to increase satellite 2 utilisation first prior to satellite 4 coming into the works? Compared to satellite 1 and satellite 3, sat 2 does feel very under used with the occasional Ryanair, Lauda and easyJet departures.
I'm also surprised that there has been zero mention/indication of satellite 4 at STN, considering this has been floated about for years. If ever there was a need for it, I'd definitely say it would be now, considering how quickly STN has been recovering from the pandemic. Although, I'm wondering if MAG are planning to increase satellite 2 utilisation first prior to satellite 4 coming into the works? Compared to satellite 1 and satellite 3, sat 2 does feel very under used with the occasional Ryanair, Lauda and easyJet departures.
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[QUOTE=JW95;11479994]
SAT2 underused ? Not sure how or why you think this. First wave every stand is used same as SAT1 and 3 then thought-out the day it’s used just as much as the other two. The only exception would be the gates 81-88 are used a little less than gates 29-39.
Until plans are shared of the full extent of the extension it won’t be clear to see what’s happening in terms of changes to the SAT’s. In the last project for expansion pre covid. A new link bridge to SAT2 was going to happen and a full renovation to SAT2 was planned to have a similar design to SAT1. You’d imagine this would be the same to make the most of gate to stand availability during peak hours.
Building a satellite 4 would alleviate some of the issues with seating in the main terminal.
I'm also surprised that there has been zero mention/indication of satellite 4 at STN, considering this has been floated about for years. If ever there was a need for it, I'd definitely say it would be now, considering how quickly STN has been recovering from the pandemic. Although, I'm wondering if MAG are planning to increase satellite 2 utilisation first prior to satellite 4 coming into the works? Compared to satellite 1 and satellite 3, sat 2 does feel very under used with the occasional Ryanair, Lauda and easyJet departures.
I'm also surprised that there has been zero mention/indication of satellite 4 at STN, considering this has been floated about for years. If ever there was a need for it, I'd definitely say it would be now, considering how quickly STN has been recovering from the pandemic. Although, I'm wondering if MAG are planning to increase satellite 2 utilisation first prior to satellite 4 coming into the works? Compared to satellite 1 and satellite 3, sat 2 does feel very under used with the occasional Ryanair, Lauda and easyJet departures.
Until plans are shared of the full extent of the extension it won’t be clear to see what’s happening in terms of changes to the SAT’s. In the last project for expansion pre covid. A new link bridge to SAT2 was going to happen and a full renovation to SAT2 was planned to have a similar design to SAT1. You’d imagine this would be the same to make the most of gate to stand availability during peak hours.
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[QUOTE=STN406;11480330]
SAT2 underused ? Not sure how or why you think this. First wave every stand is used same as SAT1 and 3 then thought-out the day it’s used just as much as the other two. The only exception would be the gates 81-88 are used a little less than gates 29-39.
Until plans are shared of the full extent of the extension it won’t be clear to see what’s happening in terms of changes to the SAT’s. In the last project for expansion pre covid. A new link bridge to SAT2 was going to happen and a full renovation to SAT2 was planned to have a similar design to SAT1. You’d imagine this would be the same to make the most of gate to stand availability during peak hours.
Could just be the time of day maybe? (most flights I've boarded from SAT2 have been in the afternoon), and it does feel noticeably quieter around that time, whereas SAT 1&3 appear busier during the same time. Definitely looking forward to seeing the plans when they are released though, and I am hopeful that now MAG are investing into STN once more, some of this will be directed towards a full SAT2 renovation. There's a great design mock up showing what MAG had intended SAT2 to look like prior Covid, I'm hoping something like this will be back on the cards soon, as it definitely could do with some modernisation work:
https://www.westonwilliamson.com/pro...-modernisation
SAT2 underused ? Not sure how or why you think this. First wave every stand is used same as SAT1 and 3 then thought-out the day it’s used just as much as the other two. The only exception would be the gates 81-88 are used a little less than gates 29-39.
Until plans are shared of the full extent of the extension it won’t be clear to see what’s happening in terms of changes to the SAT’s. In the last project for expansion pre covid. A new link bridge to SAT2 was going to happen and a full renovation to SAT2 was planned to have a similar design to SAT1. You’d imagine this would be the same to make the most of gate to stand availability during peak hours.
https://www.westonwilliamson.com/pro...-modernisation
HiSky (or CA HiSky SRL to be formal) is an airline based in Moldova that flies commercial scheduled passenger flights. It is part of the same group of companies as HiSky Europe, a Romanian airline.
When flying between Moldova and Israel, one often sees an aircraft registered to the Moldovan airline and on the Moldovan register operating the flight. When flying between Moldova and Stansted, one sees ONLY aircraft registered to the Romanian airline and on the Romanian register operating the flight.
How do they get away with this from the CAA ? Don't they have to at least make a reasonable attempt at following nationality rules ?
When flying between Moldova and Israel, one often sees an aircraft registered to the Moldovan airline and on the Moldovan register operating the flight. When flying between Moldova and Stansted, one sees ONLY aircraft registered to the Romanian airline and on the Romanian register operating the flight.
How do they get away with this from the CAA ? Don't they have to at least make a reasonable attempt at following nationality rules ?
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Terminal extension
MAG have updated the airport website to confirm that the planning application for the terminal extension has now been formally submitted. Hopefully it won't be too long before we hear more