Our Review of Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)

Table of contents: Our Review of Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) Pros and Cons of Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews Summary

Overall Sentiment: Milan Bergamo Airport receives mixed reviews, with recurring themes highlighting both positive and negative aspects of the passenger experience.

Positive Aspects:

Good Value Airlines: Many reviewers appreciate the airport as a base for budget airlines like Ryanair, making it a cost-effective option for travel.
Efficient Check-in: Some passengers have noted efficient check-in processes, especially when traveling with only hand luggage.
Convenient Location: Its proximity to Bergamo and reasonable distance from Milan make it a useful access point for the region.
Good Public Transportation: Regular and affordable bus services to Bergamo and Milan are frequently mentioned as a plus.

Negative Aspects:

Overcrowding: A consistent complaint is overcrowding, particularly during peak seasons. This leads to long queues at security, check-in, and passport control.
Limited Seating: A recurring issue is a lack of seating in the departure areas, forcing passengers to sit on the floor.
Poor Organization: Passengers often find the layout confusing with unclear signage, especially regarding gate changes and directions to services.
Basic Amenities: The limited number of food and beverage options, coupled with long queues, is a common source of dissatisfaction.
Off-Site Car Rental: The inconvenience of car rental services being located off-site, requiring a shuttle, is a frequent gripe.
Cleanliness: Some reviews mention issues with the cleanliness of restroom facilities.

Overall Rating (Estimated):

Given the balance of positive and negative feedback, and focusing on user experience factors, I would estimate the overall rating for Milan Bergamo Airport to be around 3 out of 5 stars. This suggests that while the airport serves its purpose and offers some advantages, significant improvements are needed to address overcrowding, organization, and passenger comfort. Keep in mind that this is an estimate based on common themes in reviews and may not reflect a precise average.

Pros and Cons of Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)

Pros

Extensive Route Network: The airport offers over 140 destinations across 42 countries, making it a key hub for leisure and business travelers.
Customer Satisfaction: It has a high customer satisfaction index (4.3/5), ranking second in Italy, with notable praise for ground connections, staff efficiency, and terminal accessibility.
Ongoing Infrastructure Improvements: Major investments are underway, including terminal expansions and advanced security systems, which aim to enhance passenger experience.
Affordability: The airport is known for its competitive pricing on parking, food, and shopping options compared to other Italian airports.
Growing Leisure Travel Opportunities: New routes to popular holiday destinations like Dubrovnik, Skiathos, and Cape Verde have boosted its appeal for leisure travelers.

Cons

Congestion During Peak Seasons: Passengers frequently report overcrowding in check-in areas and long queues at security and passport control, especially during peak travel periods.
Limited Seating: Insufficient seating in waiting areas often forces passengers to sit on their luggage or the floor.
Poor Signage and Organization: Many travelers find the airport’s layout confusing, with unclear directions for gate changes and car rental locations.
Off-Site Car Rental Facilities: Car hire services are located off-site, requiring shuttle buses, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming for passengers.
Basic Amenities in Departures: The departures area has limited food options and facilities, leading to long queues at the few available kiosks.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Milan Bergamo Airport is a bustling hub in Northern Italy, serving over 17 million passengers annually. It offers a convenient gateway to the Lombardy region and beyond, with flights to more than 140 destinations across Europe and beyond.

Key Features

Route Network: Extensive connections to major European cities and popular holiday spots.
Infrastructure: Ongoing improvements include terminal expansions and enhanced security systems.
Awards: Recognized for customer satisfaction and accessibility.

Travel Tips

Arrival & Departure: Plan ahead for peak seasons to avoid congestion.
Transportation: The airport is well-connected by bus and taxi services to Milan and nearby cities. Car rentals are available but located off-site.
Amenities: Limited seating and dining options in departures; plan accordingly.

Navigating the Airport

Terminal Layout: The airport has a single terminal, making navigation relatively straightforward. However, signs can be confusing, so it’s a good idea to check the airport map beforehand.
Security: Allow extra time for security checks, especially during peak travel periods.
Shopping & Dining: While options are limited, there are some unique Italian eateries and shops offering local products.

Insider Advice

Use the airport app for real-time updates and navigation.
Consider arriving early to account for security queues.
Take advantage of affordable parking options.
If you have time, explore the nearby city of Bergamo, which offers stunning medieval architecture and scenic views.

Additional Services

Assistance for Passengers with Reduced Mobility: The airport provides dedicated services to ensure a smooth journey for all travelers.
Currency Exchange & ATMs: Available throughout the terminal for convenient access to cash.
Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected while you wait for your flight.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation