Worst UK airports for security queues: where do Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Bristol rank in Which? survey

Leeds Bradford Airport has been named the worst airport in the UK for security queues by a consumer watchdog.

A new Which? survey found that passengers waited 35 minutes on average to clear security at the West Yorkshire airport between February and August, with more than a quarter (27%) saying they waited for more than an hour.

Researchers asked almost 1,300 people who travelled from a UK airport over that period how long they queued for at security. In August, Leeds Bradford installed electronic screens to provide passengers with live updates on estimated waiting times.

It came as airports across the country faced major disruption earlier this year amid huge staff shortages and a growth in demand for travel after Covid restrictions were lifted. This resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations, problems with baggage handling and long security queues.

Leeds Bradford said it was “transparent” about these issues and “worked hard” to address those to ensure minimal disruption. A spokesman for the airport said: “Earlier this year, like many airports across the UK, we had periods of long queueing due to the rapid resumption of international travel after the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

“We were transparent about these difficulties at the time and worked hard to address those short-term issues. We have since significantly reduced queueing in our terminal. We remain committed to delivering the best possible passenger experience at Leeds Bradford Airport and being an outstanding airport for our region.”

Travellers reported security queues in excess of an hour at nine airports in total across the UK, including Bristol (17% of respondents), Birmingham (11%) and Manchester (8%). A total of 7% of all those surveyed said they missed a flight because they were stuck in a long queue.

On the other end of the scale, London City was the best performing airport in the research, with an average estimated security queue time of just 12 minutes. Half of the airport’s users reported a wait time of between five and 10 minutes. Belfast City and Glasgow International were ranked joint second, with an average wait time of 13 minutes.

Guy Hobbs, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “Travellers this year have borne the brunt of unprecedented chaos at UK airports, with huge numbers enduring long queues and some even missing a flight due to excessive wait times to clear security.

“Your choice of airport shouldn’t make or break your holiday – but for too many travellers this year, that has been the case. We’d recommend choosing an airport with a better record on queues and treatment of passengers, even if that involves travelling slightly further from home.”

A spokesman for trade body the Airport Operators Association added: “The UK had one of the most restrictive travel regimes in Europe until March and the aviation industry faced significant employment challenges as international travel reopened.

“Our airports have worked tirelessly to alleviate these staff shortages and the overwhelming number of passengers were able to enjoy the summer holidays with minimal disruptions.

“We recognise the impact any delay or disruption can have on passengers and the aviation industry is continuing to work together and with Government to recover from the impacts of the pandemic – and the near-total closure of UK aviation – to ensure that all passengers enjoy the service that passengers have rightly come to expect of UK aviation.”

Which are the best and worst airports for security queues in the UK?

Listed is the average reported security wait times at UK airports between February and August, according to the Which? survey:

• 1. London City - 12 minutes
• =2. Belfast City - 13 minutes
• =2. Glasgow International - 13 minutes
• 4. Newcastle - 15 minutes
• =5. Gatwick - 16 minutes
• =5. Edinburgh - 16 minutes
• =7. Stansted - 18 minutes
• =7. Belfast International - 18 minutes
• 9. Luton - 19 minutes
• 10. Heathrow - 20 minutes
• =11. Manchester - 24 minutes
• =11. Birmingham - 24 minutes
• 13. Bristol - 30 minutes
• 14. Leeds Bradford - 35 minutes