Cardiff Airport Lounge in The Vale of Glamorgan

Always like to travel from Cardiff if I can. Generally not too busy and with friendly staff. Bit of a trade off in that it would be good if it served more locations and had more regular flights, but then obviously it wouldn't be as quiet and easy to navigate!

My husband and I flew out of Cardiff Airport on the morning of May 28 as we returned to the U.S., and we just had to share what a truly delightful experience it was. We arrived early for check-in and were immediately welcomed by a friendly, professional woman at the counter whose warmth set a positive tone for the rest of our time there. Afterward, we explored the terminal and were charmed by the large red dragon statue at the entrance—a popular photo spot that we couldn’t resist either. One of our favorite surprises was the whimsical beach scene with the oversized chair. It gave us a wonderful moment to sit and reflect on our trip. What made it even more special was Robert Lewis, a member of your team, who kindly offered to take our photo. He didn’t just snap one—he made sure we had several great shots to choose from. Thanks to him, we now have one of another fond and unique memory of our vacation. We also stopped by the Sheriff’s biltong booth, where the woman there enthusiastically explained the treat to us. She was a great ambassador for Welsh flavors and hospitality. Everywhere we went—duty-free, restaurants, shops—we were greeted with smiles. And I must say, your sundries shop deserves special praise. I had forgotten to pack footie socks for the flight and was amazed to find several options there. It’s so thoughtfully stocked—a true haven for travelers. I’m from Miami, where our airport is large and busy, but I genuinely prefer the experience at Cardiff. Your airport is clean, welcoming, and filled with kind people who made the final moments of our vacation truly memorable.

Very well maintained staff always helpful keep up good work

The new security section at the sirport is so much better than before and brings up to date with other airports

Got to be the worst airport in Britain. An absolute joke run by the Welsh government. Don not get an evening flight as nothing will be open 😡

Really impressed with Cardiff Airport on my return. The place was clean, tidy and well looked after. It literally took me five minutes to get through, and everything was smooth and hassle-free. A pleasant, easy experience.

Carry on bags only so from when the plane landed to outside in the taxi was just 20 minutes

I have to compliment the special assistance, wheelchair, service we had for my 92 year old Mum for departure and arrival flights at Cardiff airport. Excellent service with extremely friendly and helpful staff.

Pleasantly small airport with friendly staff

Landed and picked up bags within 30 mins

Small but everything you need airport. Slightly let down by some of they very grumpy rude staff at bag drop.

Nice local airport. Very quiet. Wish there were more flights to make it viable.

Security staff extremely rude. I had a phobia of radiation and millimetre waves, my human right is to refuse going through a scanner and have a pat down instead, when I communicated this to the security staff they replied in a rude unfriendly tone that 'The machines are safer than mobile phones' while I may agree with this statement, they also pose a minimal risk to passengers and some concerns remain about the safety of these machines, while trying to protect myself and my family by requesting a search I am entitled to as a law abiding individual, I should not be treated awfully by staff who have no knowledge of the real risks these machines could pose. This issue needs to be dealt with

It was very efficient and pleasant to walk through but security refused to hand check some cameras with film in it so now that's a lot of money down the drain.

Very big car park, with disabled parking spots visible and plenty of space.lots of helpful staff to get you through the terminal building. Greggs is situated on first floor, then through security and off you go!

Absolutely amazing service for the disabled. A lovely man named Ben helped my gran, and I as a special assistance support. We were so nervous at first. But Ben talked us through step by step and stayed with us right up until we got on the plane. Fast, efficient, friendly service. We are so very appreciative to Ben and the airport team. Amazing 🌟 ✈️

nice clean efficient a pleasure

The car parking is so poorly signposted and convoluted as if it is deliberately meant to confuse. From the Llantwit Major side you are forced through a 3GBP charged section with no advance signage and no turnaround facility.

Convenient small airport! Will take another hour and a half to reach Cardiff by train or bus.

Airport so easy to get through,& staff are always there for you

Unfortunately, nothing happens here.

There are no buses to go to the city. There is a schedule, but they just don't come.

Well what can I say absolutely superb Cardiff Airport! Meet and Greet increbible two minutes walk to the entrance thank you very professional! Check in staff very knowledgable and efficient . Security went through in 2 minutes then straight into the executive lounge staff very freindly and super efficient.

Small and easy to get through. Duty free shops and a few restaurants and cafes and bars

Thanks for professional service , and instrument approach training, ATC so good here , highly recommended , massive rw good facilities. Thanks GCLRW

Very clean toilets upstairs, nice seating at Gregs before security, Check-in was very fast and easy

A good experience flying out from and returning to Cardiff airport. All quick and efficient with no queues or hold ups. It may have helped that we were on an organised trip with a chartered aircraft but everything was good. It's a shame there are not more tour operators flying out of Cardiff. Maybe one day the politics and process will be sorted out and the likes of Jet2 will start running packages from Cardiff. One day maybe.

We only live 25 mins from the airport, so it's a lot easier to get to than Bristol. Just wish they did more flights from there (today, Feb 7th, only schedules flights throughout the entire day. Come on Welsh Gov, Wales needs and can do better than this for its people.

A very busy airport but just finding workers helped me locate the terminal I needed to find but was not documented on the ticket. That was an airline ticket document error that was fixed for me by the Cardiff workers.

All facilities look good, but almost empty airport 😕 Cardiff needs to attract more flights and visitors

Extremely disappointment decision by the airport authorities with the £3 drop off few for 10minutes. Very disappointing amount too as it could be £1 instead : it’s already so difficulty to her to the airport from the city centre, as public transport unfriendly unless you fancy travelling on a bus for 90mins from the city or a train followed by a bus which again takes an hour! Car is the only option! Very empty check in area- only Logan air counters open. Upstairs to departures- much better now, More organised and smoother security without waits as previously with more security aisles. Duty free still the same size albeit missing champagne deals. Three options for seated food and drink: tap and brew, y Castell and Costa Coffee. WH Smith around the corner. The lounge only accepts dragonpass and not priority pass.

No signage to get to carpark 1, many cars going through £3 parking barriers by mistake. Just paid over £20 for a luke warm breakfast and cup of tea. Bristol airport in future

Horrendous 4hrs sat on plane runway lights not working Back into lounge another 3hrs wait for our 3hr flight to lanzarote No information, poor management of why runway has no lighting Change over of crew didn't even know if we were getting a pilot Another 8hr delay so disappointing

Excellent welcome again at this lounge. This is our 2nd visit in a few months and the service is outstanding from all. Food very good.

The cleanest airport ive been in, very well kept lovely staff

Excellent Service, fantastic staff. Warm and welcoming, perfect for waiting for flight, very quiet and peaceful! Would highly recommend!!

We didn't fly out of Cardiff but were diverted there instead of Bristol due to bad weather. The staff there were brilliant, friendly, helpful and efficient. Kept everyone there informed and opened up a tuckshop to supply everyone with free tea and coffee and biscuits. If it had been down to Ryanair we'd have basically been abandoned (they sent through a £3 voucher per booking for use in any of the closed shops/cafés two hours after we arrived and then said they couldn't sort anything and make our own way home -at 10pm on a Saturday night in snow)but the staff at Cardiff sorted transportation home for everyone. Very impressed with the staff there! Thank you.

I personally wouldn't recommend this executive lounge. There are nicer venues in the departure lounge. Although the staff were polite and friendly, the lounge lacked atmosphere and felt very clinical. Guests are escorted to a table and cannot move around freely. There are no views while seated, except for one window that overlooks the arrivals area. When I went to another room with views of the runway, I was asked to leave because my access was restricted to the first room as rooms are used on a flight allocation. The food options were very limited—not worth the £34.99 fee. While the sausage & egg muffin was acceptable, it didn't justify the price. I do appreciate that the lounge offers local Welsh products, but that's about it. Crisps were served in a bowl rather than in bags, and the brownies and Welsh cakes were unimpressive. When I asked for a glass of prosecco, I was told this wasn't possible because they wouldn't open a bottle for just one person and didn't have enough customers to warrant it. This says a lot about the lounge's success if they can't open a bottle of prosecco. I could buy a bottle if I wanted, but I shouldn't have to pay extra. You have to leave the lounge to use the toilet which is out in the departure lounge. The lounge didn't feel worth the money spent, and the atmosphere wasn't pleasant. You just listened to staff chatter and the sound of morning television. It felt more like adhering to COVID restrictions—being told where to sit and waiting for slow service, likely to limit consumption. Beer wasn't served in fully measured pint glasses either. Overall, a disappointing experience. Nathan Dixon (_travellingwelshman) on Instagram.

Cardiff airport is surprisingly small. We arrived around 5pm and it was like a ghost town. I assume most people had family pick them up because there were a few of us tourists desperately trying to get a ride to city central (about 35 minutes away) and COULDN'T. There was a tiny taxi service that announced no taxis would be available for at least 45 minutes. Apparently, it's a good idea to arrange a taxi service ahead of time, which could still be an issue if your flight is an hour late, like ours were. I recommend you research the bus/train and travel light.

Very friendly. Clean and tidy. Very quiet. Several drink options. Glad we called in as it was very quiet with comfy seating. Well done

I know the airport is having trouble making ends meet - but it’s sad to see that it seems they’re resorting to finding ANYTHING to fine you on. It’s The only Ryanair hub where I’ve been asked to present a boarding pass and if I didn’t have it, 55€ fine! It’s the only airport I know that enforces this policy. Also the only Ryanair hub where I had my backpack checked as well and they check your size and weight too at the gate. Feels like a bunch of scammers trying to swindle money out of you. I avoid this airport when I can. I added a star because the security is high tech and quick

Why are your Web sites crashing all the time. Very poor service.

Wonderful handling. Small and clear

All round a decent very airport , very expensive drinks but then we are still in rip off britain i suppose.

Excellent airport, just need more traffic! Fly from here to Rhodes as often as we can. When the price is right! Very good airport though.

Useless Security! Despite their shiny new scanning equipment they were hand checking 2 out 3 trays for no real apparent reason without the trained staff to support it! Everything seemed so disorganised. If they adopted the same approach at Bristol the queue would’ve been out through to the carpark. Please re-train the scanning staff!

Update Dec 2024, Yes they have changed the parking again, might be a good idea to add signs on the road to the airport. More improvements going on inside, I just wish there were more flights available as all told it's a handy place to travel from, but there again the eco warriors frown on travel. Use this airport as often as I can and the experience just gets better all the time. Easy check-in and the facilities are always improving.

Good. Not exactly in Cardiff but close enough!

Very welcoming. Very accommodating and helpful staff, always made sure we had everything we wanted. Ali was exceptionally helpful.

Old shabby and lots of steps with suitcase or trolley to car park/ pick up points

Convenient but not very "international", can only get a coffee from 08h00.

Really enjoyed my first departure from here on KLM to Amsterdam. This is how airports where meant to be experienced - physical and psychological space for us, not just surrounded by boozy Brits early in the morning like in many other regional airports in the UK. Ban the alcohol before 1700 in transport hubs!

Very small airport but so relaxing too.

Two years ago my review would have been a one. But this November the airport worked just like it should. Efficient and friendly. We went though all areas quickly, no ques. Then on return the same. Really was much better. Well done guys.

Nice and cool Airport with beautiful scenery. Ample parking space with less crowd. Staff are friendly with adequate security check point

Limited hot food choices, only allowed four alcoholic drinks, no Prosecco unless you pay extra, plus side staff are very good. A gentleman tried to purchase a glass of wine outside of the limited four drinks and was told he would have to purchase at the main bar. Don’t use unless you get free access through loyalty programs as very poor value for money.

Linda and Katie gave us a very warm welcome and excellent service while we were waiting for our KLM flight to Amsterdam. Even though we were only with them for a short amount of time, they made sure that we had whatever we needed. Nothing was too much trouble. Thanks very much both!

small, functional and fast airport

Lovely airport no issues going through it

Took an hour to unload our baggage. No staff around or updates and no seating Couldn't cope with 2 flights arriving. Shambles

Friendly staff in coffee shop and departures although was disappointed liquids equipment not installed yet and so still have to be separated. Boarding was quick and efficient and departure on time and arrival early.

What a crappy location for an airport... never again. Busses to the closest train station to Cardiff run once every 2 hours. The chance to get an Uber is very rare and then there's the taxies which there might be one there by chance. No comments on the airport itself because the location trumps anything good I can say about it.

Quiet airport especially after morning rush so no delays through security and no crowds in the departure area. Facilities in departure a bit limited but adequate.

From start to end, the whole process of getting away on your holidays are made so easy via the quite excellent standards that Cardiff Airport uses. All meet with above and beyond expectations. Very efficient and user friendly. Especially compared to other international airports. 👍

Expensive, relatively speaking.

Quick service. Pleasant and attentive staff. Table service with a smile A special mention to Max who looked after us very well

Nice airport, i like the shops.

Cardiff airport has to be the single most useless airports when it comes to ground handling and baggage carousel - ten mins stuck behind the “iron curtain” aka carousel C

Lovely staff but food choices minimal and VERY

Very nice and clean environment

Visited a lot of lounges in a lot of airports and this is really one of the best (good enough to review). Staff make it worth a visit if you get chance. Good Welsh produce and locally produced food, etc. Always look forward to visiting here when I get chance.

Nice and chilled environment, and the food was really nice and fresh. The staff go above and beyond. Our sun really enjoyed the fresh fruit and snacks available

Smooth check in, fast security Good exec lounge.

Arrival is quick. Also, picking up the luggage is quick and organised. I guess few people arriving on this airport or it was just in my time to travel that few people. The exit is easy to find. Bus stop is near the exit. Depending on the schedule of the bus you can choose any bus going to the city centre. You can choose bus 905 from Cardiff Airport going to Rhoose station. Then from Rhoose take train and it will go to Cardiff Central.

Pretty good overall for an airport, quick though security. Everything was clean.

It's ok not much fly's out from there

Great Airport currently undergoing renovations. It's a bit quiet compared to other airports in the UK.

The Sun newspaper TODAY advertised Cardiff to Iceland for £53 RETURN. I just checked website for PLAY AIRLINES. It was £93 to fly out and £87 to fly back. The CRAZY thing is, on there website after end of October there are NO FLIGHTS advertised. MADNESS!

I think it's disgusting how they can charge £3 for dropping off,I was there for 3 minutes.no wonder people prefer Bristol or Heathrow

Greatly improved and a lot cleaner than last time we flew from there, but the prices being charged for food and drink are exorbitant. Costs families a fortune before they get to their resort.

If I farted there they would probably want to change me for that , very expensive there ,

The small but nice aeroport. Profesional staff.

Working more efficiently these days. Some improvements in security and passport checks. Handy airport if you're local because there aren't enough flights for it to get too busy......

Has had a refurb. Very lovely. The lounge serves lovely food. Checking in stress free and security very smooth.

Awful place.. New pay as you leave System not working so expect a wait. They get it working soon though won't want to lose money...taking money off people who use the airport .

The ongoing refurbishment is making the airport more presentable, however, I agree with comments by a previous review. We had a 3 hour delay from Kos and on arrival were kept almost an hour waiting for baggage. There was no one from the airport staff in arrivals to discuss the issue with. With stiff competition from Bristol airport it needs to be a bit more professional or will loose customers.

Parking was close easily walkable to the terminal. The airport is small so easy to navigate around with good facilities. I must give a special note to all the special assistance crew .For a small airport outbound and inboard they couldn't do enough absolutely brilliant way better than any other airport so thanks very much for being so helpful with my wife .An overall good experience compared to other UK and overseas airports will use again and again .highly recommended

Quite a pity they're going to be adding further charges to pick up / drop off. Due to the overall low demand of the airport I can't see this being overly lucrative for them in the grand scheme. They should probably work on making the airport more attractive to people rather than less?

Always support Cardiff Wales, parking facility and staff always helpful reception and security efficient and the departure room and bar facilities are clean and staff overall great. Biggest issue with return to UK early morning is limited baggage crews meaning a 55min wait this is a regular occurrence and baggage staff are quite rude and could not give a damn, probably short staffed and no job satisfaction. Big shame as i embrace the small airport feel, will continue to use this airport however any future early morning flights will use Bristol.

Very comfortable airport. It's just a shame there's not enough flights out of here

I have never seen a smaller and emptier airport than Cardiff. When I arrived, my plane was the only one on the entire runway and when I returned to Spain it was the same. The hallways were all empty. There are plenty of seats at this airport because there are hardly any flights or people taking planes from there. My return flight was the only one that left all afternoon and in the morning there had been only one flight to Amsterdam. Not many Spaniards come to Cardiff. On my Ryanair flight, I was the only one Spanish. The others were all English and there in Cardiff I didn't hear anyone speaking Spanish either

Not at £50 to park at Cardiff last saturday. Twh hours twenty one minutes for £50 outrageous.id rather drive to bristol. Ripped me off.

Enjoy using Cardiff airport, no fuss (because it is never very busy). There was quite a delay in the baggage reclaim upon arrival, and I don't know what the problem was. I will continue to try and support the airport.

Nice airport shame there's not more flights and destinations

The passenger assistance team were absolutely brilliant. I Required assistance outbound but no wheelchair was necessary but on my return I needed it & the team were so kind. They even took myself & Husband on a bus to the long stay car park. You are all an asset & thank you.

Fantastic place. VERY easy to use and great staff

Sofar everything going smoothly, check inland security was seemless.

I didn't actually use the airport myself just dropped my wife off however, I have to say that it's so much nicer to drive to CWL than Bristol and the fact that you're not charged to drop someone off is brilliant. C'mon guys let's get behind this airport and make it great again.

Took an age to get through security, but that's probably because of the work going on to improve things. Had food and drink in Y Castell and in fairness, considering the amount of people in there the waiting time to be served and our food to arrive was quite impressive

Had to wait over 30 mins for our cases to be available to us. The walk from the plane to baggage collection was up and down stairs, not good for people with mobility issues, however there are lifts available .