Our Review of Basel Mulhouse Airport (BSL)

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

Our Review of Basel Mulhouse Airport (BSL)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.

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.

Pros and Cons of Basel Mulhouse Airport (BSL)

PROS

Location: BSL Airport is just outstanding - it is situated on both French and Swiss territories, 3.5 km northwest of Basel city center in Switzerland, 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mulhouse in France, and 46 km (29 mi) south-southwest of Freiburg in Germany. Its unique location provides for quick access to three countries, making it an important hub for regional tourism.

Hub: BSL airport is the main hub for EasyJet Switzerland and Corendon Airlines Europe. Top 10 international destinations from Basel Airport include Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, London (Gatwick), London (Heathrow), Pristina, Hamburg, Porto and Frankfurt.

Tri-National Gateway: Basel Airport, which serves Switzerland, France, and Germany, is an ideal starting place for international tourists who want to experience numerous countries from a single location.

Public Transport Access: Basel Airport is well-connected to public transit, with buses running directly to Basel and other cities, making transfers simple and affordable. Also there are private transportation options like taxis, car hires, etc.

Modern Facilities: On recent upgrades, Basel airport now provides modern amenities such as duty-free shopping, cafes, and lounges for both pleasure and business visitors.

Efficient Security and Baggage Handling: The airport is known for its quick and efficient security procedures, which result in minimal wait times, particularly during off peak hours. Baggage handling is usually smooth as well.

CONS

Overcrowding During Peak Times: Due to its small size, the airport may get crowded at busy times during the peak travel time. This can result in lengthier lines at passport check and security.

Confusing French/Swiss Sectors: First-time visitors may find the airport’s division between French and Swiss sections confusing. Passengers must ensure that they pass through the appropriate customs, depending on their destination or place of entry.

Parking Can Be Expensive: Long-term parking can be costly, especially on the Swiss side, and availability may be restricted during peak traffic times. Pre-booking is typically required to secure a space.

Seasonal Delays at Immigration: At peak periods, particularly during tourist seasons, immigration lines can get fairly long, causing delays and irritation for passengers.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Single Terminal: Basel Airport just has one terminal, making it easier to navigate. However, it has distinct Swiss and French sectors, so make sure you know which side your flight is departing from to avoid last-minute confusion.

Transport to and from Basel: The airport is easily accessible from the city and neighboring areas via several modes of transportation, including buses to Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg. The regular EuroAirport shuttle buses make it easy to get to the city center. Taxis and private transportation services are also available. Keep in mind that public transportation may be less available late at night.

Check-in Areas: The check-in counters are located on level 3 of the terminal. There are obvious signs pointing you to the correct carrier. After check-in, you will find departure area access to boarding gates 1–87.

Facilities: Basel Airport has a range of stores, including duty-free options, as well as cafes and restaurants where you can relax before your journey. The airport’s structure makes it simple to find food and shopping options following security.

Family-Friendly Services: The airport has family-friendly amenities, such as baby changing rooms and children’s play spaces, to ensure a comfortable experience for families traveling with children.

Lounges: There are lounges available for travelers who want a more pleasant wait. Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages while relaxing in an inviting environment prior to your flight.

Additional Information:

Wi-Fi & Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the terminal - you can stay connected while waiting.
Important Note: Because of its unique tri-national status, make sure to check customs and immigration rules, especially if you’re moving between the French and Swiss sectors.

A summary of other reviews

Overall Sentiment:

The reviews for Basel-Mulhouse Airport are overwhelmingly negative. Recurring themes include poor organization, rude staff, lack of seating, cleanliness issues, and overpriced amenities. Many reviewers express disappointment and a preference for alternative airports, even if it means longer travel times.

Key Complaints:

Staff Rudeness & Unprofessionalism: Numerous reviewers mention rude and unfriendly staff, particularly at passport control and security. Some describe the staff as unhelpful and exhibiting a lack of courtesy.
Disorganization & Long Queues: Disorganized passport control and security processes lead to long queues and waiting times, causing frustration and delays. The airport is described as a "rabbit warren" with confusing layouts.
Lack of Seating: A significant issue is the limited availability of seating, forcing many passengers to sit on the floor.
Cleanliness: Several reviewers highlight concerns about the cleanliness of the airport, particularly the toilets.
Overpriced Food & Shopping: Food, beverages, and shopping options are often described as overpriced, even by Swiss standards. Additionally, some reviewers mentioned cafes being closed late in the evening.
Poor Communication: Flight delays and cancellations are poorly communicated, with a lack of updates and assistance for affected passengers.
Outdated Facilities: Some reviewers feel the airport is dated and uncomfortable, lacking modern amenities like sufficient charging points.
Immigration Issues: Inconsistent immigration policies and unpleasant interactions with immigration officers are reported.

Positive Aspects:

Business Center: One reviewer highlighted the Business Centre as a positive area, praising its efficiency, courteous staff, and functionality.

In Conclusion:

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg appears to have significant issues with customer service, organization, and facilities. The negative reviews suggest a need for substantial improvements in staff training, terminal maintenance, and passenger communication to enhance the overall airport experience. The airport’s management seems to need to take a serious look into these recurring issues, as it is clearly impacting the satisfaction of its passengers.

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