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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