More than half of people say that airport processes are the worst thing about travelling overseas.
The 55% figure rises consistently with age and reaches 70% for those 65 years or more.
When asked what would make the biggest improvement to their airport experience, the top choices were:
*quicker check-in facilities (63%)
*quicker queues in security (54%) and
*being able to escape the crowds in an airline lounge (36%).
A larger baggage allowance was only popular with 33% of travellers (37% of women).
Twenty two per cent of 1,000 air travellers polled for add-ons company Holiday Extras said that flight delays are their top anxiety with 20% stressing over potential lost luggage.
The results of the poll came in the week some UK airports were given permission to relax the single carry on bag restriction imposed following a terrorist alert in 2006.
Holiday Extras web and marketing director Matthew Pack said: “We all love holidays, but getting there is a stressful experience, and queuing is a big part of that.
“The best thing airports can do to improve customer satisfaction is cut waiting times. They must not lose sight of that whilst relaxing restrictions on hand luggage.”
Survey results:
Central England
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 45%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 57%
Quicker security queues 43%
Larger baggage allowances 34%
Northern England
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 54%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 65%
Quicker security queues 55%
Larger baggage allowances 33%
South East England
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 59%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 65%
Quicker security queues 61%
Larger baggage allowances 32%
South West England
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 62%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 65%
Quicker security queues 45%
Larger baggage allowances 27%
Wales
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 56%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 56%
Quicker security queues 51%
Larger baggage allowances 28%
Northern Ireland
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 36%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top three things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 36%
Quicker security queues 18%
Larger baggage allowances 18%
Scotland
Airport processes are the worst thing about overseas flights? 57%
(passport and immigration queues, luggage collection)
Top things to improve airport experience
Quicker check-in facilities 63%
Quicker security queues 59%
Larger baggage allowances 44%
by Phil Davies
