24. July 2025
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Southampton Airport (SOU)

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Southampton Airport (SOU)

Southampton Airport (SOU)
4.3

Rating

 4.3/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice network
  • Effective services
  • Train station very close

In late June 2025, I had my 210th airport experience. Going to Brighton in Southern England, the early morning KLM connection to Southampton (SOU) felt being the most sensible one. Of course, exploring an airport which I haven’t flown before somehow made the decision even easier. Here is my review of the British airport.

 

Southampton Airport (SOU) – Location & Access

Southampton Airport (SOU) is located North of city center. It is quite conveniently located, very close to the M21 motorway. The airport also features an airport hotel, the Premier Inn Southampton Airport (SOU). There are not too many other services like stores in a close distance.

The airport strikes in regards of public transport connections. The local bus provider Uni-Link offers connections to the city center every ten to fifteen minutes. A key feature of the airport is the train station Southampton Airport Parkway, which is just across the street. It offers connections to Southampton Central and London Waterloo every half an hour. The train station is basic, but due to the elevators very convenient, even if you travel with luggage. Travel time to London Waterloo is about 70 minutes, which turns Southampton Airport (SOU) even into an option if you want to visit the British capital.

 

Southampton Airport (SOU) – Connections

The airport’s building is rather minor, but it does have some really nice connections. For international travel, the Aer Lingus route to Dublin (DUB) and KLM’s Amsterdam (AMS) service are likely the most attractive ones. However, there are also interesting domestic flights like various connections to the Channel Islands, Northern Ireland or Scotland. Especially in summer, there are also a few vacation flights. On the day I arrived, there was an Easyjet flight to Faro (FAO) in Portugal, for example.

 

Arriving at Southampton Airport (SOU)

Southampton AIrport (SOU) does not feature jetbridges. Thus, you typically walk from the plane to the terminal. Major flights are also served by buses. Arrivals are split up into international, Irish / Channel Island airports, and domestic connections. The first two use the same luggage belt area, but flights from Ireland and the Channel Islands bypass the passport control, which is done manual. What a refreshing old-fashioned way to immigrate by having a chat with the officers.

 

Departing from Southampton Airport (SOU)

The check-in counters are rather in the rear of the airport. They typically open 120 minutes before departure – the Channel Islands flights might even open later. Southampton Airport (SOU) is equipped with modern scanners, so that you don’t have to remove your electronics and similar items. After security, you pass the duty free store. If you don’t feel like walking stairs or taking the elevator, there are also the toilets on gate level. After passing the duty free, all services apart from a stationary are in fact on the upper level. This includes a cafe and a pub-alike restaurant. The cafe offers quite nice views over the runway. In the rear of that level, you also find the lounge and the other airside toilets. The gate area itself is less charming. It is a building made for purpose. Similar to arrivals, you typically walk to the plane.

 

Southampton Airport (SOU) – Service

People and services at the airport are very friendly and relaxed. On the upper level of the airport, there is The Spitfire Lounge, which I will review separately. There is complimentary WiFi. You have the choice between lower speed (free) and duplicate speed (small fee). At least the free WiFi is not able to connect to e-mail servers, which I felt a bit of bothering. It is limited to two hours, but I could easily renew it.

 

Southampton Airport (SOU) – My View

The architecture of Southampton Airport (SOU) is definitely not really causing too much love. However, the place strikes with effective and fast services and especially the very good public transport connections. It is definitely a nice opportunity to reach that part of England, including London. I liked my flights to and from there.

 

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