Jayne Hampton

Review of Orlando Int'l Airport for 24+ ...

Have visited this airport twice in recent years. ...

Have visited this airport twice in recent years. The first time on arrival we claimed our suitcases and made the mistake of putting them back on the conveyor belt for transit to the next terminal (to avoid taking them up the escalator). Big mistake as they were delayed for an absolute age. Next visit we learned from this mistake and took all 4 suitcases up the escalator to avoid delays, but this is quite dangerous (wrestling with 2 suitcases and a cabin bag each), and surely asking for an accident to happen.

There was chaos at our departure gate (80). The space and seating at the gate was inadequate for the number of passengers, and so they sprawled out into the walkway behind (no doubt impeding the smooth flow of passengers to the other gates). When the announcement was made by the gate staff saying who/which rows should board first, none of the passengers could hear (even when stood close to the gate desk) because announcements from adjacent gates completely obliterated what was being said, and when we shouted that we could not hear, the announcer just shrugged at us! Very poor arrangement. Don't remember having the same problem at other airports.

Very long queues to pass through security, though the reason for extra checks/vigilance is of course understood. Instructions at security could have been clearer (shouted more frequently) too. At our UK airport, as business class travellers, we had our own separate and very quick (short queue) security check. Not at Orlando. Yes, there was a separate desk to go through with your boarding pass, but then it merged with the normal queue, which was very long.

Inadequate amount of shops in the departure lounge (including a tiny duty free shop).

Overall, could do a lot better!