Exeter Airport — Local services in East Devon

Update to my comments below. Have just used Exeter again about a year later July 22 & what a difference that year has made. The service from the moment we arrived to getting in our seats on the plane was fantastic. First off the cafe in the check in hall was open & the member of staff who served us was freindly, welcoming & very helpful. The assistance counter was manned by Abi, who was the complete opposite of the staff we encountered in June 21. Again very freindly, helpful and happy to be at work, this made a world of difference while travelling with my mother in a wheelchair. She then passed us to another member of staff(unfortunately I did not catch her name) who was a supervisor again very freindly & efficient who made sure we were kept informed & arrived at our seats. WELL DONE EXETER AIRPORT & STAFF it was a pleasure to use this trip Please keep up the Great service### Could be a nice local airport with many destinations. Travelling at the end of June 21 to Alicante. First be aware if dropping off travelers to use the airport drop off zone costs £3 even if it's a person with mobility issues. Once we made it into the check in hall the assistance counter was closed, a A4 sign directed you to ask at the check-in counter. We were flying with Ryanair but it was not open so asked at next counter. Was told to wait until the Ryanair counter was open(we had already done the online checkin and was travelling with hand luggage only) we waited a further 1/2 hour then asked again at a different counter and was told that a request would be sent or I could get a wheelchair and push my mother to departures myself(with the 2 small suitcases and 2 shoulder bags). We decided to wait for the help promised. Waited a further hour and watched a number of airport staff walk by trying to look busy without making eye contact. We wanted a drink but the cafe was not open, I decided to struggle with the wheelchair ect on my own(we did make note of at least 6 members of staff behind the check-in counter not doing alot other than chatting). We made to security were again there were at least 5 or 6 members of staff not doing anything other than watch me struggle to manoeuvre us and the bags ect. We finally made it to the departures hall 1 & 1/2 hours before the flight was due to depart. I went to find a drink, the only place was the VIP lounge. This was not a cafe but a table set up in the doorway of the lounge offering a small selection of chocolate bars ect and a member of staff who took drink orders(she then had to disappear further into the lounge to make the drinks!!) But the price was as expensive as ever. I made back downstairs to my mother with 2 hot drinks. We were just getting ready to drink this when a passenger service staff member arrived to say that we were being loaded onto the plane and had to go now. We were then rushed to the gate where we were left by the door for 10 mins. The attitude felt like we were a nuisance and she had better things to do. We were then taken to the aircraft and asked of we would need help up the steps to the plane( when you book assistance you have to detail the level of help needed. Again the member of staff did not look happy that she had to push the wheelchair up a ramp to the plane door. I would say that we have had far better service at other airports and Covid can't be an excuse for poor attitude/planning when we arrived in Spain we were met by a member of staff who knew our names had a chair ready and waiting. Help us through the airport all the way to the hire car. If only Exeter could learn from them it would be a far...

Always slow on the security checks antiquated systems. Reminds me if a bit scout club.

Check in is sparsely manned, you are encouraged to use a check in machine but their level of sophistication is not high and they hang up at the slightest problem .

Update: Used the airport since my last post, here are the highlights of that visit:

1. Because I chose not to use the super expensive airport licensed taxis who are the only people allowed to drop you at the airport entrance, I walked across the carpark (1 GBP minimum charge!) c/w baggage, got soaking wet and nicely ruded up by some airport jobsworth at the door

2. The checkin machines, 1 - out of order, 2 working, both failed to recognise my passport and booking data.

3. Stood in a long que watching the, wait for it - 2 checkin staff stare into space at hidden screens while the paint on the walls dried off nicely.

4. After the usual boy scout, wink wink, nod nod, giggle security club The usual arrival in the hope you spend some money on our super expensive products area, c/w barrier to prevent you going direct to gate, more staring into space....ho hum...!

5. Finally my flight boards, late of course!

Owner seems upset, what can I say...failing to plan, means planning to fail.

Update: So I have used Newquay Airport since the end of the Pandemic and I can testify its a much nicer place , less nonsense and more efficient. I have been forced to use the Airport at Exeter today and.., well all I can say is I think it's owned by Greedy and Greedier, they have increased the drop off charge to £3.00 and they have done everything possible to prevent drop offs within walking distance. I asked my driver to drop me outside and I walked in with bags. I knew it would be this way so I kept my bags light so as to deny Shilock and his greedy brother the delights of filching my britches, I brought my own sandwiches and water to avoid buying anything and I flew economy. It has become a...

We use this airport frequently, at least 20 times a year. It can be hit and miss. Security staff on our recent flight with TUI where pretty good, but for the most part, we have found them to be ridiculously slow, so many of them, standing around chatting, whilst the queues build up, they can be a bit too brusque and unhelpful. I appreciate that security is vital (I certainly wouldn't board a flight without it), but seriously, why do I have to take my earrings off? Why can't I keep my sunglasses on my head, but my husband can continue to wear his reading glasses?

Check in on our most recent flight was a bit of a nightmare, they have now decided the self check in stations aren't for them, and have dismantled them (shame). We had bought extra baggage allowance, and one of the cases went over the allowed limit, but the other was under, the girl on check in was very rude, and didn't seem to have a clue what she was talking about, she was telling us we would have to get an extra suitcase for the 2kg over, ridiculous. We pointed out that all we had to do was free some space from one suitcase (weighing 25kg) and put in the other, (weighting 17kg) but she didn't seem able to grasp this!!

Food in the cafe is generally good, nice coffee, decent breakfast and not bad value, but again, service can be painfully slow, but for the most part, they are charming (when the Eastern Europeans are working, service is generally better, and they are lovely staff).

The Airport offers a great service, especially for locals, but I do feel they need to weed out those staff that are past their sell by date, people can do their jobs in a professional manner, yet still be friendly and helpful, and if they can't, they shouldn't be employed in what is essentially a service industry.

We live 15 minutes or so from the airport, and it is one of the main reasons we stay in Exeter, we would be devastated if (god forbid) the Airport...