What to expect at Birmingham Airport

Arriving at the airport

The main goal at this point is to get yourself checked-in and through security on time. If you’re parking at the airport, we recommend you make a note of where you've parked whether this is the specific car park, floor and space number (painted on the ground). This will help you remember where to go when you return; you can even take a photo to help.

Luggage trolleys are available at trolley points on the ground floor of each multi-story car park, in the surface car parks, and outside the terminal. Birmingham Airport charges £2 per trolley, which is non-refundable, at vending points across the Airport, and only accept contactless payments.

Check-in

Signposts outside the terminal building direct you to check-in via Zones A, B, C or D depending on your airline. Check-in desk zones are displayed on the information screens. There are also several automated check-in kiosks available. If you’ve checked in online and have a boarding pass, all you need to do is drop your hold bag off (if you have one) at the relevant airline check-in 'bag-drop' area.

If you have oversize or extra luggage that you haven’t already paid for online, you can present these to the airline agent at the check-in desk for assistance.

Click here for more answers to FAQs about the check-in process.

Security

Airport security hall, including express lane security, is located on the first floor of the terminal building. There are two entrances to the security:

• One near the Check-in Zone A area, accessible by stairs, escalator, or lift; and

• Another near the Check-in Zone B area, accessible by stairs or lifts.

The security process is explained in more detail here. Information on the body scanners we use is available here. Information on how to prepare your hand luggage for security searches is available here.

Please prepare your hand luggage in accordance with this advice before arriving at security, as failure to do so may cause delays for yourself and other passengers.

Departure lounge facilities and boarding gates

Once you’ve gone through security, you can head to the departure lounge and the boarding gates. There are many options for shopping, dining, and currency exchange in the departure lounge, so you can make the most of your time before boarding. There are also four executive lounges available. Water fountains are available once you've passed through security; the locations can found here, or you can request tap water from any food or catering outlets in the departure lounge.

Birmingham Airport is a silent airport, so no gate or boarding announcements will be made. Therefore keep an eye on the departure boards for this information and ensure that you leave enough time to walk to the correct gate.

Please note that hot drinks are not permitted on the buses between the gate and the plane. Some airlines also don’t allow hot drinks to be carried on-board for health and safety reasons.

Special facilities at the airport

We offer a variety of special facilities at the airport to make your trip as comfortable and as convenient as possible.

• Assisted Travel must be booked with your airline or travel tour operator, more information about booking assistance can be found here.

• The multi-faith prayer room is open between 4:00 and 22:00 every day, and provides quiet space, wudu facilities, and items of worship.

• The Changing Places toilet is located in the departure lounge, behind WHSmith Books. The entry code can be requested via the OCS special assistance desk (phone number 0121 767 7878) or via the courtesy phone at the toilet.

• There are designated smoking areas outside the front of the terminal, but once past here, smoking is prohibited until you reach your destination.