Our Review of Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Table of contents: Our Review of Glasgow Airport (GLA) Pros and Cons of Glasgow Airport (GLA) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Glasgow Airport (GLA)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other reviews Summary

It’s difficult to give a precise numerical rating without a structured scoring system on all platforms. However, considering the sentiment expressed across the reviews, Glasgow Airport likely hovers around a 2.5 to 3 out of 5 stars equivalent. There are definitely strong negative and positive experiences that pull the rating in both directions. The Google Reviews score is more positive than Trustpilot and Airline Quality.

Key Themes & Summary:

Across the reviews, a few key themes emerge, both positive and negative. It’s important to note that some reviews are quite dated.

Main Positives:

Helpful Staff: Several reviewers praised specific airport staff members for going above and beyond, particularly in assisting passengers with medical needs or mobility issues. The Google Maps review also highlights staff friendliness.
Smooth Security (Sometimes): Some travelers reported quick and efficient security experiences, especially during off-peak times. Some users find the quick security to be helpful during peak holiday season.
Easy Access to Glasgow: Some people find the location convenient for access into the city of Glasgow.

Main Negatives:

Drop-Off/Pick-Up Fees: This is, by far, the most consistently criticized aspect. Many reviewers feel the charges for dropping off or picking up passengers are exorbitant and unjustified. Many reviewers describe the airport as nothing short of an organization designed to part unsuspecting travellers with their money.
Queuing/Security Delays: Long queues and slow security processing are frequently mentioned, causing missed flights and frustration for travelers. One reviewer described an incident of security alert mayhem.
Overpriced Food/Drinks: Several reviews mention high prices for food and beverages within the airport. Bars are extorting customers with high prices.
Dated/Dreary Terminal: A common complaint is that the terminal feels tired, outdated, and lacking in amenities. One review describes how the terminal building looks very sad, dreary and like a big neglected shed these days.
Poor Signage/Road Layout: Some reviewers find the road layout around the airport confusing and poorly signposted, leading to accidental charges.
Wifi Restrictions: Some reviewers complain about the limited free wifi.

Summary Points

Financial Gripes: The airport is perceived by many as being overly focused on extracting money from travelers through various fees.
Inconsistent Experiences: The reports of long security lines and general chaos, are quite variable. Some have great experiences, and others have significant issues.
Staff Impact: While some staff are praised, it also suggests that there are significant operational issues.

Disclaimer: The average rating is an estimate based on the overall sentiment. A formal sentiment analysis would be required for a precise score. The information extracted is based solely on the provided text from the links. The reviews could be biased.

Pros and Cons of Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Pros

Convenient Location: Glasgow Airport is located about 8 miles west of Glasgow city center, making it easily accessible by car or public transport.
International Connections: It offers a range of international flights, connecting Scotland to major destinations worldwide.
Cultural Hub: The airport is close to Glasgow, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene and cultural attractions.
Modern Facilities: Glasgow Airport provides modern amenities, including a variety of dining options and shopping facilities.
Economic Growth: The airport plays a significant role in the economic growth of the Glasgow City Region, supporting local businesses and job creation.

Cons

Limited Public Transport: Currently, the airport is only accessible by road, which can lead to traffic congestion and limited public transport options.
Congestion Issues: The reliance on road transport contributes to traffic congestion on nearby motorways, particularly during peak travel times.
No Direct Rail Link: Unlike some other major airports, Glasgow Airport does not have a direct rail connection, which can make travel to the city center less convenient.
Climate Change Risks: The airport faces increased risks from climate change, including potential flooding and storm events, which could impact operations.
Dependence on Airlines: The airport’s viability is heavily dependent on airline operations and passenger demand, making it vulnerable to changes in the aviation industry.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Glasgow Airport (GLA) is Scotland’s second busiest airport, located about 8 miles west of Glasgow city center. It serves over 8 million passengers annually, offering flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.

Transportation Options

Bus: The First Glasgow Airport Express (Service 500) runs every 10 minutes to Glasgow city center (£10 single fare).
Taxi: Available 24/7, with a journey time of about 20 minutes (£16.50 to city center).
Car Rental: Major companies like Hertz and Enterprise offer rentals at competitive rates.
No Direct Rail Link: Use buses or taxis to reach nearby train stations.

Parking

Long Stay: Ideal for extended trips, with shuttle service to terminals (£50 for 3 days).
Short Stay: Convenient for short visits, located near terminals (£45 for 24 hours).
Fast Track: Includes fast-track security for premium travelers.

Facilities

Dining: Offers a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Shopping: Features duty-free shopping and local Scottish goods.
Lounges: Several lounges available, including Emirates and British Airways.

Popular Flights

Domestic: London Heathrow, Belfast City.
International: Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai.

Tips

Pre-book parking and car rentals online for discounts.
Use the Glasgow Airport app for flight updates and maps.
Always use official taxis for safety.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation