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After safely getting to Birmingham Airport, especially when travelling with children, disabled persons or those with special needs, you want to make the most of your pre-flight time. Use our guide to air-travel to help you enjoy your holidays! |
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Air Travel Planning & Preparation ... |
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Here you'll find a wealth of unofficial information put together specifically to help passengers travelling from Birmingham Airport get their travel holidays off to a flying start that includes getting to Birmingham, parking at Birmingham, travelling with children or persons with disabilities or special needs and staying comfortable during your flight.
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Getting to Birmingham Airport ... |
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Passengers will find Birmingham International Airport located seven miles from Birmingham city centre, with the airport's access road clearly signposted from the A96 Birmingham International to Inverness road.
Short and long stay car parking is situated at the front of the Terminal building. .
Visit the ‘Getting to the Airport’ section of this Information Guide for more unofficial information on travelling to Birmingham by:
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Parking At Birmingham ... |
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Whatever your length of stay, budget or level of service required Birmingham Airport has car parking options to suit every traveller.
If passengers are being collected or dropped off, or are only departing for a short period of time the airport's short stay car park is recommended.
Those passengers travelling for longer periods of time should opt for the long stay parking where two different options are available. Choose from long stay parking with a transfer to the airport terminal, or meet and greet valet parking for extra ease and convenience.
Valet meet and greet parking is available at Birmingham Airport and means you do not need to worry about timely transfers from a remote car park to the Airport Terminal.
Passengers choosing valet parking just leave their car at a pre-arranged time, at their departing Airport Terminal, where their meet and greet Rep takes the car to a secure and safe car park. On the passenger's return the car can be found, ready and waiting, outside the Airport Terminal with the meet and greet Rep.
Valet meet and greet is a sensible choice for families with young children, people with heavy bags or sports equipment, corporate travellers, and people with disabilities.
Reasonably priced, passengers can expect to pay around £83 for one week and £118 for two weeks for the valet meet and greet service.
Pre-booking valet parking is advised to ensure availability. |
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| Alternatively a Fast Track parking option is available from the Airport. Offering a quick and convenient link into the terminal, prices start from £11.00 for 24 hours or part thereof. The Fast Track under cover parking area is located within the short stay car park. |
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Upon arriving at Birmingham Airport it's best to proceed straight to check-in (leaving any shopping or refreshment stops until afterwards). This way you are not rushing for check-in and you can drop off your main luggage for loading into the aircraft hold.
Do bear in mind that in recent years airport security has increased considerably and therefore check-in and security checks can take a long time, especially in peak periods.
It is vitally important to arrive at the Airport in good time before your flight:
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Type Of Flight |
Check In Time |
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Long Haul Flights |
3 HOURS before departure |
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European Flights |
2 HOURS before departure |
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UK & Northern Ireland Flights |
1 HOUR before departure |
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When arriving at the airport it is hugely important that you keep your luggage with you at all times and that you do not let anyone carry your luggage for you other than those members of your party.
Likewise, never look after another passenger's luggage whilst at the Airport, and do not, under any circumstances carry anything else onto the Aircraft for another passenger.
Alert a member of staff at the Airport if you notice any unattended package or notice any suspicious behaviour.
Once through security control, and in the departure lounge, do keep an eye on the display boards that will show your flight's boarding gate.
It's worth noting that some boarding gates can take up to 30 minutes to reach in large international airports so leave plenty of time.
Visit the Airport Safety and Security section within this Fly Guide for more unofficial information on airport security checks. |
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Whilst we are excited to be getting away, there's no getting away that flights can be long and boring. Especially for children. Read on for top tips on making your flight more bearable for all.
So what will you need on your flight - think about this carefully and pack it in your hand luggage. Hand luggage isn't just for passports and tickets. Think about any prescribed medication you might need to take. If you suffer from travel sickness, make sure you have packed remedies, i.e. pills or wrist bands. A good book or magazine to break up the time, a stereo and some CDs. Even pack some snacks and some water as in-flight meals can be fairly small portions so it is worth having a good meal before you get onto the plane.
Keeping comfortable can be easier said than done, especially when the cabin pressure and atmosphere can cause swollen hands and feet and dry skin.
It's important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and reducing the amount of alcohol you consume both before and during the flight. Carry some moisturiser to help prevent dry skin.
Let your feet breath a bit by removing your shoes.
The cabin will get cold so pack (if not wearing) a warm jumper (it can also double up as a pillow if you want to try and get some sleep).
Earplugs and an eye mask are great for blocking out noise and light so you can try and get some sleep.
There is evidence that long-haul flights, especially when passengers have little or no exercise, may increase the risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs.
To avoid DVT try to make a conscious effort to walk around on the flight, especially if travelling on a long-haul journey. Stretch your legs, wiggle your toes in order to help the blood circulate.
For more advice on DVT, who is more at risk and how to help prevent it, visit the Department of Health website.- Click Here
Here are our top tips for a comfortable flight:
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Staying Comfortable When Flying |
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1. Upgrade |
A Business Class or First Class complimentary upgrade will make for a comfortable flight - if you don't ask you don't get. |
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2. Front Row Seats |
If you don't get upgraded (they are rare) request a front row seat or a seat by an emergency exit as both benefit from additional leg room. |
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3. Aisle Seats |
Again, aisle seats can offer you a little bit of extra leg room too. It does make things easier when getting up and down to stretch your legs (avoid DVT) and aisle seats mean you can get to the bathroom without having to climb over other passengers next to you. |
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4. Pillow |
If you don't want to pack your own small pillow you can buy a blow up neck supporter pillow to save on space to make things a little more comfortable when trying to get some sleep. Ear plugs can also help to shut out some of the onboard noise and an eye mask blocks out light, both aiding sleep. |
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5. Painful Ears |
Special earplugs such as Earplanes help painful ears by equalising the air pressure on each side of the ear drum. You'll find these ear plugs are especially useful if you have a cold or allergy / sinus problems. |
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6. Dehydration |
Make sure you drink plenty of water before and during your flight to stay well hydrated. Take your own bottle of water onto the plane with you, just in case. |
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7. Snacks |
Pack some snacks in case you get hungry (even if you have an in-flight meal as they can be small). |
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8. Anxiety |
Don't panic if you suffer from flight anxiety. Learn some simple breathing skills can help and you may find that by keeping your mind occupied, such as a crosswords or a book takes your mind off things. If you think your anxiety is too intense, talk to your Doctor who might be able to recommend something to help keep you calm before and during the flight. |
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Travel With Young Children ... |
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Travelling with young children, toddlers or babies - take on board some of the following advice, made up of concerns expressed by many parents.
Pack plenty of things for your children to do - lightweight items such as colouring books and crayons, soft back books and sticker books are a good idea.
Chances are your Airline will offer your child an in-flight activity pack. These are great but don't rely on them, especially on a long flight as they will only keep your child amused for a small period of time.
It might feel like you need to pack everything but the kitchen sink in your hand luggage when travelling with a young baby. You don't at all - just make sure you have these times and you should be fine: plenty of baby food or formula milk, finger food and nibbles, cold water sterilising tablets, dummy, nappies, baby wipes, muslin cloths and toys. Do pack some warm clothes for your baby as the temperature drops in the cabin whilst flying. |
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Disabilities / Special Needs Travel ... |
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Nowadays airlines are readily equipped to assist passengers travelling with disabilities or special needs. However, do check that any special assistance required is included in the ticket price, and that the airline is aware of your disability or special need.
if in a wheelchair you could be asked to transfer into one of the airline's own. If you'd prefer not to do this advise the airline in advance of your travel to see if this can be arranged.
With large distances between the departure lounge and some boarding gates do leave plenty of time to board the aircraft.
Should you require a special assistance vehicles it is worth while pre-arranging this to avoid any delays in the airport. |
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