Wetherspoon Express - Liverpool

One piece of advice when flying out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL : If you 're hungry, don 't make a dining decision until you go past the Duty Free shops. The ride from the heart of downtown Liverpool is quickest by car (25 min ... not the long slog of London 's Gatwick and Heathrow. I love the entryway ... it 's easy to make your way in without the usual bustle around an airport. Liverpool does a much better job selling its favorite sons (The Beatles than back the first time I was here in the 80s, and LPL is no exception. While the wife was buying booze in Duty Free, I spent just as much time and money in the With Love from Liverpool , Beatles gift shop. Don 't forget to check out the statue of John Lennon in the airport (called Above Us Only Sky on the Lower Level , as well as the Yellow Submarine out front (like you can miss it! . So, back to eating. Our first time at LPL, we 're starving. We see a sign for Frankie and Benny 's. Being American, we 've never heard of it, looks like a great family restaurant. Well, cut to an hour later, and the worst Caesar Salads ever in our recent past, we get past the Duty Free, go down an escalator, and see (for the first time , The Estuary Bar Grill, The Kissing Gate, Caffè Ritazza, The Beer House, a Starbucks, and even a Subway. ARGH! So yeah, power through the Duty Free (you have to go through hit to get to the terminals for better dining options. Hey LPL: Make more clear signage about the restaurants you have!!!

I've traveled through John Lennon Airport several times over the years, and I've never encountered any issues. There are plenty of buses leaving regularly right outside the terminal door, and I've rarely seen the airport overly busy. The only downside I experienced during my return flight was that the bar was significantly understaffed, so I had to wait in line for quite a while to get a pint. Additionally, duty-free prices for alcohol and perfume weren't that low, so don’t be tempted to buy thinking you’re getting a great deal!

A small airport, sized more like a bus station, with friendly staff and quick check ins. Especially valuable when compared to it's nightmare of a neighbor, Manchester airport. Also, really nice that it was named for an artist and not a politician.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport may not be the biggest of airports but for a small city like Liverpool, locals should consider themselves lucky to have domestic airlines that fly to common tourist hotspots within Europe. There's even the convenience of flying around the UK, for those of you who don't want to travel on wheels! In terms of services and facilities in general, you should expect it to be quite average, as this is not really an airport for VIP. There isn't much to do while you wait for your flight, apart from a few cafes and common shops to explore. Whilst I'm here, I will share a tip for football fans flying into the airport (to attend an Everton or Liverpool match). That is, if you catch the 501 bus to Liverpool South Parkway station, then take a Northern Line train to Sandhills, you can further connect with the Soccerbus service for just £1. Hardly VIP, but you couldn't ask for more!

I agree with the review before mine on many accounts, including the fact that it's called John Lennon Airport. Where would Liverpool be if the football teams wer relegated to the Championship or League 1, and if the Beatles were actually from down South. Anyway, getting to the point, there really isn't a lot at this airport in terms of amusement while you're waiting for your flight. I am quick to criticise the airport for it's lack of entertainment, however it is a very small aiport with only six airlines flying out of there. Manchester International Airport is only around 20 miles down the motorway, so it's not really necessary for a huge airport. In terms of parking, it will cost you an arm and a leg for short stay car park as only the first 20 minutes are free. I must say that although I have criticised the airport quite a lot, I have never had a bad experience any time I have ever flown from or to there. Flights have always been on time with no hitches.