Lisbon's Airport Scenario: One Or Two?

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is the main international airport of Portugal. It is located 7km from the historic centre of Lisbon and handles around 34 million passengers per year, making it the 12th largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1, which handles all arrivals and most international departures, and Terminal 2, which serves as the departure terminal for low-cost airlines. While Terminal 1 is older and dated, Terminal 2 epitomises everything that is bad about budget flying, with long queues, basic facilities, and unbearable crowds at peak times.

Lisbon Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1, the main terminal, has been in operation since the airport opened in 1942 and serves both arrivals and departures. Terminal 2, on the other hand, only serves departures and was constructed in 2007 to handle the increasing traffic as a new airport was being built in Alcochete. It is worth noting that Terminal 2 is exclusively for low-cost airlines and is located 1km to the west of Terminal 1, with no direct metro connection.

Terminal 1 is the older of the two terminals and is generally fine for travelling through. It features large landside and airside areas with shops and service facilities. It consists of two check-in halls, with the older one converted into a self-check-in area for TAP Air Portugal and the newer one housing 68 desks. The joint departures area has 47 gates, 17 of which are equipped with jet bridges, and 21 designated for non-Schengen destinations. Terminal 1 also has several duty-free shops, lounges, and restaurants.

In contrast, Terminal 2 epitomises the negative aspects of budget flying. It is extremely crowded at peak times and has long queues for everything, from bag drop-off and security to passport control and food services. The terminal is much smaller and newer than Terminal 1 and is used exclusively by low-cost carriers. It is located away from Terminal 1 on the southern border of the airport perimeter and has 22 check-in desks and 15 departure gates. Basic facilities, a few shops, and service counters are available. A free shuttle bus service connects the two terminals, departing every 10 to 20 minutes.

When travelling to or from Lisbon Airport, it is important to note the differences between the two terminals and plan accordingly, especially if you are departing from Terminal 2.

Terminal 1 is the older of the two terminals and handles all arrivals and most international departures

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is located just 7km from the historic centre of Lisbon. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the older and more established of the two. Terminal 1 has been in operation since the airport opened in 1942 and serves a different function to Terminal 2, handling all arrivals and most international departures.

Terminal 1 is the larger and main complex of the two terminals, with two check-in halls. The older of the two has been converted into a self-check-in area for TAP Air Portugal, with the newer hall housing 68 desks. The terminal has a northern and southern gate, with the northern gates designated by an 'N' and used for flights leaving the Schengen region. The southern gates, designated by an 'S', are for flights within Europe. The terminal can be confusing to navigate due to the many minor expansions and alterations that have been made to maximise space. However, the gates are the most logical aspect, and it is important to follow the signs, not the other travellers, to get to your gate.

The departures wing is to the south of the terminal, with the arrivals area on the eastern side on a lower level. Both areas feel like completely different airports, with arrivals being modern and spacious, and departures feeling older and more cramped. Terminal 1 has all the facilities expected of a large international airport, including duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, ATMs, and car rental agencies. However, the long queues for passport control and general passenger confusion in the waiting areas can cause issues, especially at peak times.

Terminal 1 is the main hub of Lisbon Airport and is connected to the metro, which is the recommended form of transport to and from the airport.

Terminal 2 is exclusively for departures and is used by low-cost airlines

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, has two terminals. Terminal 2 is exclusively for departures and is used by low-cost airlines. It was constructed in 2007 to handle domestic Portuguese flights, but since 2015 it has been used for departures of low-cost airlines. The terminal is small and lacks the range of facilities offered by larger airports. It is located 1km to the west of Terminal 1 and has no metro connection. There is a free shuttle bus that runs between the two terminals every 10-20 minutes.

Terminal 2 epitomises everything that is bad about budget flying. There are massive queues for everything, the facilities are basic, and the terminal is unbearably crowded at peak times. If you are departing from Terminal 2, always leave yourself enough time to navigate the many long queues – be it for bag drop-off, security, passport control, or even getting food. The entire terminal was constructed for efficiency, with passenger comfort as an afterthought. There are basic facilities, endless queues, and it is extremely busy during peak hours or if there are delays.

The terminal building consists of two giant rooms connected by a subterranean security area. It is as basic as it gets for an airport terminal. Terminal 2 suffers from significant queues for everything, often self-inflicted by the low-cost airlines themselves, and a total lack of space once through security. Always give yourself plenty of time and expect a lot of standing around. Once through security, there is a McDonald's for inexpensive food and drinks.

The low-cost airlines that use Terminal 2 include Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Transavia, Transavia France, Vueling, Eurowings, and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

A free shuttle service operates between the two terminals

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, has two terminals. Terminal 1, the main terminal, is located within the main building and handles all arrivals and most international departures. Terminal 2, located to the south of Terminal 1, handles departures for low-cost airlines.

A free shuttle bus service operates between the two terminals, running every 10 to 20 minutes. The shuttle departs from Terminal 1's departures hall and stops outside Terminal 2. The route is not suitable for walking, as it follows the exterior perimeter fence. When travelling to Terminal 2 by metro, it is important to factor in the additional shuttle bus ride, which can add 15 to 20 minutes to the total journey.

Terminal 2 was originally constructed for domestic flights but now serves as a temporary solution to handle increasing traffic as a new airport is built in Alcochete. This terminal is accessed by its own road, which connects to the Alameda Comunidades das Portuguesas next to departures. It is characterised by long queues, basic facilities, and overcrowding at peak times.

Terminal 2 is criticised for its long queues, basic facilities, and overcrowding at peak times

Terminal 2 at Lisbon Airport has been criticised for its long queues, basic facilities, and overcrowding during peak times. The terminal, which exclusively serves low-cost airlines, was constructed in 2007 for domestic flights but has since become a hub for budget carriers. The shift from its original purpose has resulted in a disconnect between the terminal's design and its current function, leading to operational challenges.

The design of Terminal 2 prioritised efficiency over passenger comfort, resulting in basic facilities and an abundance of standing queues. The terminal's small size and lack of amenities contribute to a sense of confusion and frustration among travellers. The check-in area offers limited options, including a gift shop, a café, ticket sales desks, and vending machines. Passengers often proceed quickly through this area due to the scarcity of amenities.

Once passengers pass through security, they enter a waiting lounge that becomes crowded and congested during peak hours. The lack of seating and limited space in the lounge further exacerbates the issue. Adding to the congestion, passengers must go through an additional queue for immigration before boarding their flights. This process can be time-consuming, as a large number of passengers rush to clear immigration, which is often staffed by only two officials.

The boarding process is efficient for airlines due to the small terminal size and proximity to the aircraft. However, for passengers, it involves enduring lengthy queues and a general sense of urgency while waiting. The low-cost airlines' strict enforcement of hand luggage restrictions further adds to the overall inconvenience.

To summarise, Terminal 2 at Lisbon Airport has been criticised for its long queues, basic amenities, and overcrowding during peak travel times. The terminal's design, initially intended for domestic flights, now struggles to accommodate the high volume of passengers utilising low-cost carriers. This mismatch between design and function has resulted in a less-than-ideal experience for travellers, who must navigate through crowded spaces and lengthy queues to reach their destinations.

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