|
|
Southampton Airport
 Location
»
Know
your Airport »
Airport
Structure »
Essentials
»
Airlines
operating from Southampton Airport »
Location -
The 20th largest airport in United Kingdom is just 4 miles from Southampton.
This airport is known as Southampton airport and is managed by the BAA,
he body which manages affairs for famous airports like Gatwick, Heathrow
and likes. The airport is not only close to Southampton but also to a host
of other places like Portsmouth and Winchester - all of which fall
into the 20 mile radius. The important roads like M27 motorway, the M3 and
A33/A34 links the airport to major parts of England and the rest of UK.
Know your Airport - Interim numbers suggest
that Southampton airport has handled more than 1.5 million travelers in
the year bygone. Owned and managed by the BAA plc. The Southampton airport
has humble beginnings from 1936. Established in Eastleigh, the airport served
as a testing ground for the Supermarine Spitfire. Recently it has undergone
a near about £5 million investment, which has transformed the look
and feel of the airport. The energy-conserving mechanisms on site have added
to the eco-friendly nature of the airport and Southampton airport can be
truly called a green airport. New projects are on anvil, which would increase
the current terminal and other facilities for departure & arrival to
accommodate the perceived increase of travelers using this airport in a
quarter of century. This would make the airport not only suitable for flights
but its facilities could be termed the very best in its region 25 years
from now.
Airport Structure
| |
Terminals
- There is a single terminal which has catered to the interests
of nearly 1.5 million passengers in 2005. Travelers from as much as
33 different destinations have found the airport facilities and also
the amenities outside a comfortable experience.
Transit systems - While there exists no specific transit
system inside the airport, the airport is on all bout one level. This
makes the airport much easier to navigate for the young, the old and
the differently abled. The absence of stairs and escalators has further
added to the friendliness if the airport as some passengers finds
it difficult to negotiate stairs as well as rapid stairs in the escalator.
Inside the terminals - The terminal facilities at Southampton
airport are remarkably traveler-friendly. Lets us start with the check
in. The check-in desks are in a straight line in front of the entrance;
it is the first thing that you will notice as you enter the building.
Please note that the check in times should be verified with the ticket
or with your airline. The general guidelines for check in procedures
at Southampton airport advise passengers to international and domestic
flights to be present at least an hour before departure. For travelers
going by MyTravel, TUI, First Choice and Thomas Cook holiday flight,
the minimum 2 hours before departure is a rule. The boarding might
begin 45 minutes before the departure but the check in usually entails
a lot many procedures. To avoid missed flights, flight departure information
as flight numbers are displayed on the television monitors located
all throughout the main public area. After the £5 million investment,
the new look airport terminal is like a cove opening only a little.
Lined by small plants and well-planned seating arrangements, there
is hardly a dull moment inside the terminal.
Safety - Please remember that improved security
procedures means that inspection in the airport can take a bit of
your time. Please be patient as the checking ensures unwanted events
to not happen. One of the main issues of concern has always been hand
baggage. At Southampton airport such issues are treated fairly and
passengers are advised to follow certain strict guidelines. The maximum
weight of any hand baggage should ideally be 7 kilos. The ideal dimensions
should not extend beyond 450cm in height, 35cm in breadth and 20cm
in depth. Please remember that most airlines have a hand baggage measurement
estimate at check-in so if you don’t comply to the requirements
stated above, it could lead to unnecessary delay in boarding. Please
ensure that you are not found in possession of flammable liquids and
solids, gas cylinders, infectious substances and harmful substances
of any nature as they will be treated as contraband if found within
your baggage.
Business facilities - The business amenities for the
business traveler have been carefully planned keeping in mind two
things: communication and freedom of thought. There is British Telecom
as well as Mercury telephones in the terminal area. Make calls as
you want when you want, when there is a problem with the mobile phone.
Freedom of thought or space for plans has been a bane for business
travelers all over the world. For training sessions or just important
business meetings that might require staying up to 3-12 hours, why
hire a hotel and make the costs expensive? The conference centre at
the airport can be hired and it comes loaded with a full range of
presentation equipment. Please pre-book as availability might be problem
if demanded suddenly.
Family interests - The Information Desk of the Southampton
airport can give you specific information about all the facilities
at the airport and can help you find your way, in case you are lost.
The toilets are cleaned at regular intervals and are categorized for
male, female and disabled. They can be easily located in the arrivals
and departures areas. As far as baby care is concerned, there is a
baby care room located in the main concourse. It contains arrangements
for feeding and warming food in form of a private feeding cubicle
and bottle warmer. For older children, the parents traveling with
children can accompany them to the unisex toilets, at all important
junctures of the airport. While at the airport, the passengers and
their families can catch some snacks or involve children in their
one of those ‘eating’ fiestas. Children are most welcome
in all airport restaurants and menus are specially ordered to suit
their purpose and easting habits. While everything is good about having
a family vacation or a short trip, small bruises must not be allowed
to dampen their spirits. This is why the Southampton airport terminal
has a first aid room with an attached toilet. Look for the one by
the arrivals exit in the main public area. After medical attention,
children are best calmed by the fantastic air-views of the airport
or airplanes flying by or landing at the airport. The viewing gallery
that is situated at the end of the passenger concourse is a good place
to just that. It is free of charge to all visitors and serves as the
best places for mommy and daddy to comfort their children as they
fly to work.
Parking options - Southampton airport is situated
outside the busy city center. Naturally the short stay parking is
ideal for travelers or family seeing off their relatives. Park for
only a couple of hours at the short stay car park just yards away
from the terminal. The long stay car park is situated north of the
Southampton terminal has three zones to accommodate all the vehicles
and the rush. There are recurrent transfer buses taking passengers
free of charge to and from the terminal building. You should allow
15 minutes from parking your car to arriving at check-in. |
| |
|
 |
| |
Extra information
- As mentioned before, the Southampton Airport is located on a single
level making traveling within the airport easy. Special facilities
for those traveling with special needs begin from lifts to conference
center. For those low on hearing, induction loops increase the volume
of announcements or conversations for the concerned passengers. With
payphones located at low levels in the terminal area, disabled will
have absolutely no problems in communicating. The airport directions
are given in colors of black on yellow to help those with poor vision
by lending their sight convenience and proper directions. There are
reserved seating areas for the special passengers and space is allocated
for wheelchairs and arm rests. Parking facilities for the disabled
are also available.
Leaving from Southampton airport - It is said
that Southampton Airport has one of the quickest times as far as train
to plane connection amongst all European airports. The nearby train
station Parkway has links with London and the journey takes under
3 hours. If you are leaving the airport by coach then you can opt
for National Express which operates coaches from the whole of UK to
Southampton city centre. Bus 101 or other lines of bus services can
provide you with quick transfers to and from the airport. 24 hour
taxi services are also available from the Southampton airport.
|
Essentials - Tickets and accommodation may be important
when traveling but other things are essential too. The Bureaux de Change
doling out currency foreign or otherwise is the first need of travelers
coming by international flights to Southampton. You can find one in the
main landside public area just located before security and adjacent to some
shops there. The cash dispensers are also important and can be found right
next to the currency exchange. Free baggage trolleys are provided to all
passengers in important areas at the terminal building. If you are one of
those looking to make a quick exit from the airport, use the car hire service
available at the airport. Just look directly behind you at the check in
desks.
Airlines operating from Southampton Airport
| |
The major airlines
serving Southampton airport are Aer Arann, Air France, Brit Air, Air
Scotland, Aurigny Air Services, British Airways, bmi, Eastern Airways,
Flybe, Isles of Scilly Skybus and Scot Airways. New airlines will
be added soon to keep up with the demands of the travelers.
|
|
|
|
contact
