Some documents how long the queue is at Birmingham airport

A couple have documented how long it takes to get through the ‘disappointment’ of a queue at Birmingham Airport.

Joining the security line stretching from the main entrance at 5:18am, Twitter/X users Wes and Pete shared images of the holiday table. They wrote in their first post: “Let’s see how fast we go.”

It took them so long, in fact, that they almost missed their holiday in Cyprus after hours spent on their feet. By 6 a.m., they revealed they had arrived at “the tent next to the slow-moving terminal.” They were in the building until 6.07am but said there was “more of a long queue” inside.

At 6.18am, an hour after joining the security line at Birmingham Airport, the couple found themselves “queuing to get to the lifts to get to the baggage check area”. Each part of the process saw passengers shoulder to shoulder, and by the time they “almost made it”, Wes and Pete had stood in line for a total of one hour and 45 minutes.

The final post in their thread read: “Well, we almost made it. We went through the security queue at Birmingham airport with the signs telling us ‘final call’. I don’t have time to buy anything, get food, go to the bathroom, use the salon I paid for or sit down after standing on our feet for over two hours.

“When baggage storage doesn’t open until two hours before your flight and it takes an hour and 45 minutes to get through security, it’s the most stressful start to a holiday. My advice to everyone is to get here three hours early, drop off your bag as early as you can, pack up, make sure you have drinks and food lined up – and promise yourself you’ll never fly out of this pit until when they will solve their problem.”

Fellow vacationers thanked Wes and Pete for their on-site photos and videos. One wrote: “Thanks for the post. I’m flying out on Tuesday morning so hopefully it’s for a weekend day and doesn’t reflect, but if you get the chance you’re disappointed.”

Birmingham Airport has come under fire this week as long queues were shared on social media. airport bosses claimed passengers who do not comply with the baggage rules could add 20 minutes to each person’s journey through security. This follows a new government directive which has temporarily reinstated rules preventing people from having liquids over 100ml in hand luggage.

Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “It is now imperative that all customers comply with the rule nationwide to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport. A non-compliant bag with liquids over 100ml can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger’s journey through security.”

Birmingham Airport has been contacted for comment.