Fast track at Stansted - worth getting?
Discussion
Just booking Stansted parking for our summer hols to Italy. Dear old Ryanair air have rescheduled the flight so instead of a fairly civilised 11.45 departure we now have to get there in the middle of the night for 7.45 plane.
Wondering if paying extra 30 quid for fast track security and passport control might be worth it? Has anyone got any recent experience?
My general view is that such extras are of little/zero value to the customer (esp with current staff shortages etc) and I never usually pay for them. But if it saves an hour then maybe it would be on this occasion. Difference between getting up at 3am and 4am is quite marked for me these days;)
Will be travelling early August.
Wondering if paying extra 30 quid for fast track security and passport control might be worth it? Has anyone got any recent experience?
My general view is that such extras are of little/zero value to the customer (esp with current staff shortages etc) and I never usually pay for them. But if it saves an hour then maybe it would be on this occasion. Difference between getting up at 3am and 4am is quite marked for me these days;)
Will be travelling early August.
steveo3002 said:
we always get it , feel its worth it and can time it to arrive at the airport and then a short wait until the gate is announced
last couple of times the way back into stansted has sucked , so possibly consider that instead?
Tks. How much quicker do you reckon it is on the way out? last couple of times the way back into stansted has sucked , so possibly consider that instead?
I am not so bothered about passport delays etc on the way back, as that will be middle of the afternoon not middle of the night;)
dontlookdown said:
Tks. How much quicker do you reckon it is on the way out?
I am not so bothered about passport delays etc on the way back, as that will be middle of the afternoon not middle of the night;)
fast track is through in a few minutes , i look over at the non fast track and theres always a long queue , im guessing saves 20-30 mins ? i typically fly out 6am ishI am not so bothered about passport delays etc on the way back, as that will be middle of the afternoon not middle of the night;)
steveo3002 said:
fast track is through in a few minutes , i look over at the non fast track and theres always a long queue , im guessing saves 20-30 mins ? i typically fly out 6am ish
Tks, probably worth it at that time of the morning. I may have to break my own rule and buy an extra for once!steveo3002 said:
horrible airport , are you getting dropped off? that'l be £7 lol
keep an eye out for your gate asap , some are a long walk or messing about on a train so allow time to get to the gates
Yes am a regular there, Stansted at 6am is a special kind of hell. Was looking forward to a civilised flight time for once, l should have known it was too good to be true;)keep an eye out for your gate asap , some are a long walk or messing about on a train so allow time to get to the gates
dontlookdown said:
steveo3002 said:
horrible airport , are you getting dropped off? that'l be £7 lol
keep an eye out for your gate asap , some are a long walk or messing about on a train so allow time to get to the gates
Yes am a regular there, Stansted at 6am is a special kind of hell. Was looking forward to a civilised flight time for once, l should have known it was too good to be true;)keep an eye out for your gate asap , some are a long walk or messing about on a train so allow time to get to the gates
Timbo_S2 said:
I went through Stansted two weeks ago - Got the train nice and early as I'd heard horror stories about delays. Went through security in about 10 mins...
Went through a month-ish back and I almost missed my plane due to the security queues and I allowed the appropriate and recommended time.f
king hate Stansted but it’s the closest airport to me and one big rip off from parking to departure.I'd get both the outward security fast track and the fast track passport control pass coming back. You may well look at the normal lines and think you didn't need it but you may also be very glad that you did. For the money, it's worth the gamble.
Don't bother with the lounge. I've got a Priority Pass but even with that I prefer sitting in Wetherspoons for an an hour or two. Small, nearly always crowded and a wait to get in - and lousy grub when you do.
As others have mentioned, Stansted has gone from being a decent, pain free airport to the opposite. They try and cram as many flights in as they can and I'm certain would land three at a time if they were allowed. There's a new arrivals terminal on its way but will be some years yet before we see any benefits of that.
Don't bother with the lounge. I've got a Priority Pass but even with that I prefer sitting in Wetherspoons for an an hour or two. Small, nearly always crowded and a wait to get in - and lousy grub when you do.
As others have mentioned, Stansted has gone from being a decent, pain free airport to the opposite. They try and cram as many flights in as they can and I'm certain would land three at a time if they were allowed. There's a new arrivals terminal on its way but will be some years yet before we see any benefits of that.
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