Travel question: Is Bordeaux’s Billi one giant bungle?

Q I assume you have flown into and out of most airports but wonder if you have ever experienced Billi terminal in Bordeaux? Having had the misfortune to fly back to Bristol from this terminal I was appalled that what appears to be a modern, futuristic building from the exterior is in fact a shed without the necessary capacity to accommodate the passengers it claims to be serving.

How, in the 21st century, can a building be designed to such a poor standard with such limited capacity for the number of flights? On our easyJet flight there were elderly passengers who, having gone through to the boarding area, had little option but to stand whilst queueing to board the plane. The staff seemed indifferent to their plight. Even those who had paid for priority boarding were bunched together. Does this type of treatment comply with current fire and safety standards?

Jo L

A Shed-like airport terminals are popular in Continental Europe. They increase an airport’s capacity at low cost. And they also serve to help “full service” airlines such as Air France and British Airways distinguish themselves from budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair.

Marseille was one of the first, with its MP2 budget terminal. Lisbon has built a really big shed around the corner from the fancy main terminal; I actually prefer the low-cost version, because there are some ferociously extended walks to gates at the original. And whenever I arrive or leave from Copenhagen on easyJet or Ryanair, the walk is so long that it feels as though the plane is parked somewhere in southern Sweden.

From outside, Bordeaux’s “Billi” terminal looks rather like a cargo warehouse. But the airport seems rather proud of it, saying: “The 100 per cent low-cost Bordeaux terminal has been designed to offer speedy access to aeroplanes.” The name is derived from the initial letter of the airport and illico, French slang for “right away” – indicating speed and simplicity. (It also echoes billiger, the German word for “cheaper”.)

I imagine it certainly complies with all the relevant safety regulations, but I can also understand that, when busy, it feels crowded and uncomfortable. It is plainly a concern if older or infirm passengers are forced to stand, and I have sent your concerns to the airport.

On the point about priority boarding: responsibility rests with the ground handlers who are appointed by easyJet. Finally, my personal view of airports is that they are rather like prisons and hospitals: you want to get in and out as fast as possible. So I would not arrive until an hour before departure, to minimise time spent at the airport.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder