Belfast International Airport Reviews 

256
TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.8

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 49 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people reported issues with security, describing staff as rude and aggressive, leading to long queues and delays. Customers also experienced significant delays with baggage collection and reported instances of damaged luggage. Reviewers found the airport environment challenging, noting issues like difficult navigation with steep ramps and cold temperatures. Many felt that prices for food, retail, and parking were excessively high and a rip-off. However, some customers also noted that individual staff members were helpful, kind, and professional. A few reviewers were satisfied with the special assistance service, highlighting smooth transitions and lovely staff.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers had ambiguous experiences with staff, with many reviewers reporting rudeness, aggression, and a... See more

Location

Users describe ambiguous interactions with location, with some finding the airport difficult to navigate due... See more

Service

People report negative experiences with service, with many expressing disappointment, particularly in airport... See more

Facilities

Reviewers mention negative feedback about facilities, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the... See more

Price

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of price, with many expressing dissatisfaction over what they perceive... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

it just seems that no matter how many complaints are raised the standards still remain so poor. Waited again for luggage to come off flight yesterday - it took over 50 minutes in the middle of the day... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give no stars I would….staff in security are the rudest and most ignorant people, who should not be working within any job involving the public !!! Waiting on our trays while the machines h... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A poor airport that lets down Northern Ireland. Security slow (only one baggage lane open). The Causeway business Lounge is small with two drink limit and very limited food options. - do not pay for i... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Airport security are worst I’ve experienced in any airport, didn’t explain took my shoes and left me standing on a black mat waiting for over five minutes before someone came to do a scan of my body a... See more


Company details

  1. Airport
  2. Airline
  3. Airport Shuttle Service
  4. Flights Search Site

Information provided by various external sources

5 NM northwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Formerly known as Aldergrove Airport, after the nearby village of Aldergrove, Belfast International is Northern Ireland's busiest airport and the second busiest airport on the island of Ireland after Dubli...


Contact info

1.8

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

256 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

1.8

All reviews

(256)

49 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Belfast International Airport needs investment

Travelling through Belfast International this morning around 7am & disappointed, again, by the inefficient setup at security. The staff cannot be faulted but the system lacks investment & as such slows throughput. Surely management can observe & learn from other regional airports, like Bristol?? The airport continues to disappoint with dirty carpets, shabby “holding pens” for some gates and general air of tiredness. Sad to see & an embarrassment.

24 November 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Must be soul destroying to work at this…

Must be soul destroying to work at this airport. I have worked in public transport all my life and find the standards and service at this ‘International Airport’ disgraceful. The food areas must be close to qualifying as a health risk and the staff seem totally lacking in morale. There are obviously staff shortages in many areas as mentioned in majority of the reviews (baggage etc) but yet currently profits for this airport are in the millions. It is disappointing that N.I. residents and anyone visiting are treated to this and expected to accept it, why? Because we’ve very little choice.

1 November 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We came back from Benidorm 30th of…

We came back from Benidorm 30th of October, we were special assistance,my father is 92, it took 1 hour 25 minutes after we landed to get off the freezing cold airplane,we were told Belfast international airport has only one ambylift working and we would have to wait until it was available, doors opened wide on the airplane, my father now has a cold, I've never had a worse service in my life, a bloody disgrace, a lady sat in a cold corridor for 50 minutes waiting to get pushed to passport control, this airport is a disgrace.

30 October 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

It’s the dirtiest airport I ever been…

It’s the dirtiest airport I ever been to, very dated with the carpets, which are stained and really dirty, toilets got updated but they smell like floor was not cleaned for a month, it’s really sad to see, as the airport should make a statement and the statement that this airport gives is extremely low

26 October 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Belfast International Airport not fit for purpose

On getting off the plane at Belfast International Airport the queue for passport control took us 32 minutes to complete.I thought, never mind, the bags will be there when we get to the carousel. How wrong I was. The “squeaky” grotty device trundled on, but was missing bags. After some time it stopped. After about another 10 minutes it started again and the baggage began to appear. It was over one hour before we could collect our bags. This airport is an embarrassment for the people of Northern Ireland.

1 October 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incompetent bunch of ....

There should be an option for a 0 on these reviews. Worst airport in Ireland or Britain. Flight from Antalya wed 27/9/23 3am the only flight there, took them well over an hour to perform the simple task of putting bags on a carousel and left passengers with young children and the elderly waiting. A totally unprofessional bunch of amateurs. Disgrace .

27 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrendous queues

The queues at passport control were horrendous just over an hour ! I also question the safety of the queuing system if an emergency occurred the only way out would be at either end, there would be mayhem , come on BFS your customers deserve better. Ps don’t the powers be read reviews, or more worriengly are they just laughing at their customers??

26 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Left sitting on a plane for nearly an…

Left sitting on a plane for nearly an hour because no one to move steps when they finally appeared they couldn't get them on to the plane finally got off and now been waiting for luggage for nearly 40 minutes young babies have to be fed absolute disgrace trained chimps could do a better job

24 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

BFS charges you to deliver their customers : (

One of us works for a major airline and has traveled through countless airports around the world. Of these, only BFS charges to drop off passengers, who are also BFS customers: £3 minimum up to 10 minutes, and upward from there.

If we were return this way again (the reviewer who suggests taking a boat instead rings a bell) we could drop off on the main road in front of the airport, leaving a walk across the main parking lot to the terminal. But if the passenger is elderly? Not to accuse BFS of such intent, but unintentional age discrimination is still age discrimination.

Dropping off bus passengers is equally costly – or twice as much. The bus terminal precedes the air terminal drop-off. If the bus passenger has more than hand luggage, pay the £3 to drop them off at the air terminal and they can walk back to the bus terminal. If the passenger has heavier luggage, and/or is less agile, you might think to drop them off directly at the bus terminal – which costs £6 (?#*(&@!)

Bus passengers: expect to stand at a bus terminal with no seating and limited protection from inclement weather. Again, fine for kids but not for elders.

This started as a 1-star review, now upped to 2 to be fair to BFS, whose terminal is partly under renovation, and per banners that read "COMING SOON...A new extension to improve the passenger experience." Maybe some of the above is slated to be addressed.

24 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Arrived into the airport from our Holiday

Arrived into the airport from our flight to find a endless queue at border control, this area of the airport had filthy carpets and threadbare chairs, it took us 35 minutes to reach the front of the queue and honestly not a smile or any such welcome from border control we were only coming home from holiday but you would have thought we were all illegal immigrants. The baggage reclaim was an absolute joke we waited 45 mins for our baggage. The whole airport is dirty and unwelcoming, do the staff never attend customer service training??? It’s so embarrassing to think visitors to NI have to endure this dirty airport and such bad service.

20 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What an awful place

What an awful place. Plane landed at around 1.45. Doors locked in to main building. Eventually opened. Bags didn't come until 2.40 - soaking wet. Nobody about. Ladies toilet filthy. Then camera didn't recognize my numberplate to leave. Just demolish the place!

21 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

It takes as long to get off the plane and collect your bags as it does to fly from Luton

Arrive at airport on time. Left on plane for nearly 20 mins as stairs could not be located. Arrive into baggage reclaim and it takes another 40 mins to get bags. I’m sure it is not a surprise that planes where scheduled to arrive??? No one at the airport to update you. This level of service is just not acceptable and a poor reflection for first time people into (NI).

20 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Where do I begin .

Where do I begin .
I am embarrassed for visitors arriving at our airport .
Arrived in Friday evening had to wait on steps to disembark for 20mins.
Then had to wait 1 hour 20mins for our luggage we were the only plane in at that time and absolutely no staff to speak to.
Tried to ring swissport but of course went straight to answering machine .
This is the third time I have had to wait on my luggage and steps to get off plane .
Totally unacceptable why are we doing so bad as every other airport can manage !!!
Seriously thinking of flying out of Dublin in future !!!

15 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Wish I could rate Zero 😡

Absolute embarrassment every time.
Zero point in upgrading the toilets and the entrance if no staff and the place a disaster.
Returned after a 2 hour delay just before 2am this morning. One of the 1st of the plane so a pleasant 10 minute wait at passport control.
Over 1 hour 15 mins for our bags and surprise no staff around to support us . Then to come out and no Belfast airport taxis Available. This is why majority of our travels go via Dublin.

18 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute joke of an airport

Absolute joke of an airport, baggage late as usual. The place needs knocked down and rebuilt and new competent staff employed. Worst airport in the world and a real embarrassment.

18 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Grim and dirty as usual

Starting with security, the trays really need a deep clean. They have accumulated years of grime and dirt on them.
Next is the Causeway Lounge experience. Not a very pleasant one. For £30 per person we were told we were 15 minutes too early as you are only allowed into the Lounge 2 hours before your flight is due to leave. There’s an antiquated checking in system. A large number of the tables had reserved signs on them but very few people turned up to take these places during our time there. The tables that had been in use were slow to be cleared. At least 22 people were turned away even though the “reserved tables” remained empty.
The lounge itself is in desperate need of a good clean. The carpets are dirty and in need of a good cleaning. Unfortunately there’s no opportunity to provide photographic evidence here.
While the toilets in the Causeway Lounge are clean the same can’t be said for the main departure area.
Lastly there’s no one to take any complaints- just a nameless faceless bot. When you make a complaint BIA know who you are but you aren’t afforded the same courtesy from them.
A third world airport. Shockingly the first impression visitors see when they visit NI

5 September 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst airport.

Stuck on the tarmac for 20 minutes waiting on someone to direct the plane. A further 15 minutes waiting on a set of steps to get people off the plane only out the top door. Then a further 30 minutes waiting on baggage. Not one member of staff to be seen as I imagine they were hiding as they new it was a disgrace and new people would have something to say. I’m not playing staff I’m blaming the airline and the airport management, bosses!

10 September 2023
Unprompted review

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Get free account

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.

Learn more about other kinds of reviews.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look