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Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Rating Details »
10701 Lambert International Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63145
(314) 426-8000
St. Louis, MO 63145
(314) 426-8000
- Nearest Transit:
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Lambert Airport Main (MetroLink)
42 reviews for Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
As airports go, St. Louis is a mixture of good and bad, mostly bad. It's kinda small and needs to be renovated. Restrooms were designed with a lot less traffic in mind. You know it's bad when you see men queuing up and it's not that busy. I really feel sorry for women passengers. The TSA screening has only two lanes which means there's always a line waiting to get processed.
Returning your rental car is a nightmarish process of following signs to the various companies. One slip and you're back on I-70 and have to circle back to navigate your way to the maze.
The staff I interacted with were friendly. Other than that, not much is sticking out as this airport being particularly good.
The best thing I can say about this airport is that you get to leave it. Valets just stand there with their thumbs up their butts and the TSA people are not only the rudest security people i've ever been in contact with, but they all think they walk the moon.
Story 1:
BF and I were waiting in line to have our tickets and ID's checked so we could proceed through security checkpoint. In front of us was a hearing impaired girl who was trying to go through security and was running late for her plane. The woman checking her ticket was yelling at her saying that she would have to wait in line with everyone else. It was her fault she was late. She tried to explain that her car had broken down and that was why she was late. So the TSA checker called over another guy and said "can we let her through the 1st class line...she's not 1st class and she's running late". Excuse me? I started to say something, but BF pulled me back. Smart move buddy. I really do need to be at work tomorrow. So...the other guy starts snapping his fingers and waiving at her so obnoxiously if you didn't know she was hearing impaired, you would have then. Horrible. When it was finally our turn, my BF said under his breath "That was so rude." The woman checking his ticket goes "Sir, please do not disrespect my coworkers again and PLEASE take off your sunglasses." He replied "Oh, sure. I'm not hearing impaired, so you don't have to scream and snap your fingers." YEEHAW! Don't mess with TX. She just looked at him.
Story 2:
They have 7...yes 7 security lines available. However only 2 were open (1 of which was 1st class). The line was so obnoxious for an airport that doesn't even seem that busy. When we get to the front, about ready to put our stuff on the x-ray belt...4 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, cut the entire line. (Sidenote: We had already been waiting about 20 min.) 1 was lucky enough to cut right in front of me. I mumbled under my breath (something I won't repeat here) and she looked at me and goes "ma'am, please don't be upset. We have to go through security like everyone else. Our planes can't leave without us." I answered "Yes but our planes will." She goes "Well we were running late." I said "That's not my fault." She just stared at me. My BF started laughing. We make a good team. :)
OH...AND a friend of mine who was also at the airport, had choice words to say as well. She also told me that when she got to her gate and opened her bag and noticed she had a BOTTLE OF WATER in her bag...which obviously got through security. She had forgotten it was in there. The point is...she got through no problem. Way to keep it alive St. Louis!
The only saving grace of this horrible airport experience was the lovely lady at the Starbucks, gate C19. You go girl.
Oh and the flight attendant that made my day was on my flight. She served me coffee. Joyous.
Flew in last week and have to say, while it isn't the most beautiful or new, it is easy to get in and out. Generally, airports get pretty bad reviews, so a three star is pretty good! Granted, I was there on a Wednesday, but I did fly out Saturday back to LAX.
Security was friendly, and the gates were easy to find. The baggage claim was quick and easy to find. Outlets were easy to find. The only thing stopping me from giving 4 stars is that the rental car companies are pretty far away and a lack of eating choices; a Taquileria and a Wolfgang Puck express thing. I'll pass...
One cool thing were the big blue rocking chairs in the various gates. I just though that was pretty cool, I posted a pic of one, not the best pic, but you get the idea. Overall, good experience going in and going out. Way better the Little Rock!
I hadn't been to STL in more than a dozen years until this weekend... man, talk about a shadow of its former self.
The Southwest terminal was nice enough, though $5 for a bagel and cream cheese seemed like a little much. I noticed that, as of the end of last year, they've completely closed off access from other areas of the airport to the Southwest terminal. This involved blocking off a large block of empty gates.
St Louis is a nice, reasonably-sized city, but this really shows what happens when a heavily-dominant airline goes down the tubes.
As airports go, I have had a good experience at Lambert-STL International. By the time I arrived and got to the baggage claim, my luggage was already out! I found it was easy to navigate around the airport.
Departing from STL, there was a cancellation in my flight. The staff at Lambert-STL was very helpful in getting me a new flight on the same day. During a time that could have been tense and unpleasant, the staff was suer friendly and helpful.
During the security checkpoint, I accidentally did not have my "approved liquids or gels" in a Ziploc bag, but the man who searched my bag was so friendly and nice! I did not get "in trouble," he just gave me a Ziploc for the next time! What a nice man!
The gate areas have food and shops and nice, clean bathrooms. I was also able to find an outlet rather easily, so I could plug in my electronic devices. :)
Overall a very friendly airport!
It was best back in the days when it was just TWA here, and they didn't have that damn annex all the way to Southwest airlines. This really was an airport built ad hoc, and it is a royal inconvenience to fly in and out of here. Food choices are subpar too.
I first flew through STL in 1972. I last flew out of it last week. Nothing has really change in those 37 years, except for the East terminal. Oh and the fact that it has 80% fewer daily flights.
I have been flying every week out of either O'Hare, SFO, or one of the NY airports for the last twenty five years. Each one of those owes me several years of my life back for the delays and constant bouts of stress. After a relocation, STL is now my base airport, making over 30 trips through it last year. Despite its age, STL is a little gem in comparison to its bigger brothers. However, except for Chicago or DFW, there are very few direct flights.
I have grown to love:
- Getting to the airport in 25 minutes during the day, regardless of hour, versus 45 min to 3 hours in NY (and visa versa)
- Being able to park right outside the terminal and walk right in (you can park in main parking at the level of security)
- Cheap parking
- Mostly friendly staff
- East terminal
- Landing to the gate in 3 minutes
- No queues on the runway
Don't like:
- Food selection is lousy
- American seems to fly their oldest and most broken down planes into STL
- More and more flights are flown with commuter planes
- The aforementioned connection requirements
- In the same vein, if your direct flight is cancelled, you may not have another one until the next day
- Entry to C gates can be a crowded mess (tip - go to B security and walk around)
- American's baggage claim is HORRENDOUS. Be prepared to wait 30-40 minutes for a bag (Southwest is fairly fast in comparison). Tip - when flying American into STL, take your bag on the plane if you can.
- Feeling like I am in time warp in the main terminal
I can't say that I am a "fan" since I generally hate airports, but it's o.k.
I've flown in and out of here a few times each year for the past two years.
I like that Metrolink stops at the airport directly. And I like that mural near the baggage claim that details St. Louis' aviation history. Especially that map of the world with St. Louis at the center. It's kind of sad and pathetic, because I don't know anyone who would consider St. Louis the center of anything. Maybe the Anheuser-Busch empire? But not anymore...
The airport itself is kind of dingy and smells stuffy and stale, and I don't like walking around the main terminal. It feels like you're walking through a series of underground tunnels.
The Southwest terminal is newer and a bit more upbeat, however. But overall I am not a fan.
I can't believe the Schalfly restaurant closed. I've used this airport more times than any other. I've gotten so used to it. It could use a touch up here and there.
It's not the best airport, but I've been at soo many that are much, much worse (LAX, Phoenix). Its easy to get around, it's never really a hassle to find the gate, so overall its alright.
If you're going to be stranded in an airport while you're flight home is delayed, this isn't a bad place to be stuck.
The main terminal is definitely nicer than the Southwest terminal. There are more shops and places to eat, and generally more foot traffic which makes for good people watching if you're into that kind of thing, which I am. They also have a few rocking chairs at each gate, which is a nice change from the seats if you're lucky enough to get one (which I have never been). Yesterday I noticed that they also have TVs at the gates, and ours was tuned to various football games which made all the men happy.
The gate agents are always really nice. Yesterday when my flight kept getting pushed further and further back, the agents kept coming on and apologizing profusely and telling us as much information as they knew. When things go wrong at an airport people can get crazy, and it can escalate depending on how airport employees handle it, and they handled it beautifully. Everyone on my flight remained relatively calm, and I didn't see anyone get huffy, despite the fact that many people were going to miss connecting international flights.
The one downfall of this airport is the security. Each machine is set up so you can put your items into the plastic bins on either side, but ultimately there is only one x-ray machine and one metal detector in each lane, so while you think it will move fast it really doesn't. I feel like it actually takes longer because you have people on either side taking turns or trying to shove their stuff on the belt out of turn... not fun. Also, they should really add more lanes or make them less confusing.
STL is indeed in need of a overhaul. There are places to grab food at that you'll never see unless you're going to a particular location. Everything is just OLD.
However, this is probably the easiest airport I've had in terms of getting in and getting out. Granted, that probably has more to do with the size of the airport and the % utilization than anything else. Most gate areas have a TV that is usually playing sports if a game is going on.
The fact that this place doesn't have free internet does make it a bit unnerving, though.
Before coming here recently on a connecting flight, I hadn't stepped foot at this airport since the mid-90's, when TWA was still around and made STL a lively hub. Now it's rather sad that it seems like a significant amount of the airport is boarded up and many gates being unused. There weren't very many shops or restaurants around, and the ones around did not seem all that impressive.
The airport seems rather aged, but at least it's clean...which is a big plus. Also, it was fairly easy to get around. Overall, STL is useful for its purpose.
I quite liked the STL, altho my destinations usually didn't have the direct flight luxury from here, but that was something I could tolerant.
The Metro Link station directly is GLUED to the airport, it never required a lot of walking from the station to here, and also so convenient to take the mass transportation than taking your own car paying for the parking. Word of advice: don't sit backward on Metro Link trains, otherwise you will get the worst car sick of your life.
Ticketing counters are on second floor.
All the gates entrances are on the main floor, easy.
I am constantly in and out of Airports...and for those in the US; St. Louis was somewhat of a pleasant experience. In fact...here is a major shocker...the TSA were actually nice. To my utter surprise, they seem to enjoy their job and not treat travelers like cattle and prod them thru security.
Although, security process too way to long due to lack of additional station. The Airport it self is small and old. But it was a pleasant surprise to see the TSA folks with a sense of humanity.
Been through this airport a million times and I don't have many memories of each time because I was in and out of the place rather quickly. Good thing, I suppose, because that means I didn't have many long waits each time.
STL is a small, older airport. While new, nice and clean are always great this one serves it's purpose just fine.
Poor St. Louis lost out when American bought TWA and lost the TWA hub.
All in all it's an easy place to fly in and out of, the rental car facilities are close to the airport and the people are Midwest friendly making a good experience.
Home continues to be my least favorite airport. I have trouble figuring out how to walk directly to the main terminal train on arrival even when I've done it multiple times that month.
Nothing here was designed for the airport-goer to find where they are going. I feel more oriented in O'Hare.
Worst security lines in the country. Get here early.
So much better for layovers that O'Hare. Didn't have to change terminals -- no feeling like I need to be like OJ jumping over the luggage in my way.
Sorry, I can't say more ... it provides somewhere to layover since I can't seem to fly anywhere directly.
Sign-age is awful. Trying to navigate this airport either inside or out (driving and parking are horrible experiences) is frustrating to the nth degree. If you don't already know where to go or where things are - you won't find out unless you ask someone.
If you are stuck in the airport for any length of time, availability of food and other services is sparse. They also close up shops and restaurants very early so any late night travelers are out of luck.
The place is also very dirty and hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
For smokers, there are "aquariums" inside which are convenient for smokers and they typically keep the smoke contained so don't bother non-smokers.
The only plus to this airport is that it is usually pretty quick to get through once you do know your way around and the skycaps are generally friendly and helpful.
Who desgined this place? You'd have to be a moron to plan out something this confusing and obnoxious. Also, if you're going to HAVE escalators, their main purpose is to work, so people DON'T have to climb them like stairs.
When my friends met me at the airport, after lugging my luggage up one flight of (escalator) stairs and down another non-working escalator, they were met with me screaming, "Where's the f&$king baby? I wanna know when David Bowie in tights is gonna pop around the corner!!!!" This airport is a labyrinth not made for the weak at heart. The bathrooms suck too.
Arrived at midnight, baggage claim was quick, and so was hailing a cab. And the cabs take credit cards. And get this. A man, dressed in a Lambert Airport polo, DIRECTING people and answering "where do I?" questions. At one am. Dude. I LOVE that.
Security for our return was quick (at least at 6am) and there's a smoking lounge inside the gates. I heart the state of Missouri.
Just arrived back in good 'ol St. Louie and for what seems like the millionth time, I had to fly into Lambert. I'm not a hater....but this place really does suck. It's frightfully embarrassing that my friends and family have to fly in here to visit.
Because I've been in and out of this airport so much, I have it down to a science, so it doesn't take that long for me to get in and/or get out. I've also never had luggage lost/stolen/misplaced and generally people are helpful and the lines move pretty quickly.
However, the place looks like it's straight out of a bad 70's film. It needs MAJOR renovations and it could definitely use an overhaul with food service, janitorial...the list could go on forever. It's a shame because this used to be a cool airport - WAY back in the TWA days...but as soon as American waltzed in...everything went down the crapper.
The one thing I'll say is that at least it's not as crowded and awful to fly into as O'Hare in Chicago - that place is a disaster zone.
It's an older airport that doesn't get improvements often enough, but a dated decor shouldn't earn it such a bad rep. You've got easy access to Metro (which gets you downtown cheap), connected covered parking or shuttles to much cheaper parking, and without it's major hub status, it's typically a breeze to move about the terminals without massive crowds.
It's a transportation checkpoint, not a hotel, get over yourself.
they tore open my lady's bag twice and then almost ripped the handle off of my bag. the security check is not just thorough, they're downright invasive, and they're pissy about it.
now wait, i know its security, security is not supposed to be your pal when they're checking your stuff, right... but everywhere else they "try" to be civil and respectably quick. these guys are slow and mean and i would have no qualms about shoving them through their own X-Ray machines, and then kicking the machine while they pass through. i watched them take a cane from a guy and push him limping through the metal detector.
now.. i haven't even talked about the food and service in the shops or the dangerous freaking shuttle drivers. but, the girls at the Starbuck's (all of them) were very nice. is there any way to make this star i'm forced to give them like, a starbucks star? or a pentagram, or perhaps explode in flames and stinking vomit?
I haven't used this airport in a long time. Maybe six years. But for awhile, it seemed that every connection I had was in St. Louis. I can't really say much positive or negative about the airport. I've had to run crazily from one end of it to the other to make a connection, but that's more the airline's fault than the airport's.
One problem I have with the airport, and you'll think I'm crazy for mentioning this, but hear me out, is that the local Air National Guard uses its runway for its F-15s. I'll put aside for now the fact that I'm a pacifist and that I don't really like that half of our tax dollars go towards the military, which isn't noble at all because its purpose, plain and simple, is to kill people. There's nothing noble about killing people. You might think it's necessary, but please don't glamorize it. OK, the thing I find odd about siting an Air National Guard at a civilian airport is that it puts civilians at risk. I realize that no one is likely to attack the US from the air anytime soon and that even if they did, they probably wouldn't get to the middle of the country without getting shot down first. But please keep civilian and military runways separate. That way, when our enemies attack our civilian infrastructure purposefully the way we attack our enemies' civilian infrastructure purposefully, they can't claim that the civilians that got killed were collateral damage.
I think Lambert has taken quite the hit along with the rest of our fair city with the closure of businesses...I remember when I was little, you could get a flight direct to Paris, London, Frankfurt, Rome....a little older you still could get direct flights to most American destinations...now I can't remember the last time I flew direct to anywhere but Chicago or Dallas-Fort Worth. When TWA ended, so did the glory days of Lambert St. Louis International Airport I fear.
The downsides: The airport is pretty run down. It seems a little dirty and a little neglected. Most of the staff that works there seems like they hate their life and they would like nothing more than to make your life miserable too, but that's just air travel in the 21st century. There is a really poor selection of restaurants, and there seems to be a complete shortage of quick places to pick things up. Not that I am the biggest fan of fast food, but it's hard when you are starving, know you will be on a plane for the next 2+ hours and you don't have time to hang out at Chili's Too....sometimes Pizza Hut to go is a complete necessity. Finally, the parking garage quite frankly scares me to death. It's being held up by wooden planks...that can't be good! I just never feel safe leaving my car in there...though those guards they have "checking your car" as you drive in certainly make me feel safer....
The good things: It's not a jam packed airport so security tends to be no problem at all. I usually can to the airport an hour before my flight, print out my boarding pass, check my luggage, get through security, get a bottle of water for $9 at the Hudson News and be at the gate with ample time. Can't do that in most cities. The metrolink is attached to the airport. I know the metrolink is not the best public transportation in America, but it's right there, no shuttle bus, no long walk....just hop right on and get at least closer to where you need to be. That's a pretty nice thing that you don't get in many cities. Also, the airport is small, so if you need to connect (which really, who is connecting through Lambert, but whatever) you will very likely make your flight. Finally, although I said the people that work here seem to hate their lives, the TSA agents seem to be the exception to this rule. They actually will make jokes and don't make the process quite as painful as it is in say....Seattle...where you feel like you are be scrutinized in customs. Just make sure you take your zip up hoodie off...that does seem to irritate the TSA here.
It's not that Lambert is bad, it is decent. However, it's so expensive to fly in and out of this place now it almost hurts. If it could go back to being a hub, update itself a little, and give me more than Cinnebon to eat, I may up the star count...
I flew out of the terminal with the rest of the airlines (minus Southwest)the other day, & it was slightly better than the Southwest terminal. The food selection was a little bit better. But still the same freaking restaurants as the Southwest terminal! How is it that this terminal gets a USBank office & the other terminal doesn't???? Overall design is a bit better.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/3/2008
Food selection inside the Southwest terminal both before & after the TSA security check in was… Read more »
This airport is something less than acceptable. The baggage claim here takes longer than any airport in the world. No kidding. You receive your bags quicker flying into Beijing, Hong Kong, London, or O'Hare! And those are some of the busiest airports in the world. It might just be that my flight times are bad, but usually they are late evening arrivals. You cannot get your bags and get out of the airport for AT LEAST AN HOUR after you arrive (even at 10PM when there are no other flights arriving)! This applies to BOTH terminals.
As noted by everyone else the concessions here are not good, and the terminals were last decorated before I was born. As far as I'm concerned most domestic airports are just public transportation, and the decor has to be accepted. But if they can't seem to unload baggage in any reasonable amount of time, they could at least have a nice place to wait. NOT HERE. No free Wifi, and the furnishings are bad.
Oh, and it would not be a good place to stay overnight . . . probably too cold or hot (in St Louis it always one or the other : ) However, there are a lot of hotels close, and the metro connects to downtown (with more upscale hotels).
i was only here for an hour or two stop over and a friend and i wanted to get a bite to eat. this review is for the CPK inside the airport.
we walk up to the register and the lady just gives us this look like "what the hell do you want" my friend asks "i'd like a thai pizza please" the lady turns around and yells "miss yo-lan-da! may i have a taaahh pizza puulleeezeee" rings us up and sticks out her hand for the money. my friend gets her change and says thank you and the lady doesnt even look at her or say anything. geez, and i thought people were rude in LA. i dont know if it was because it was st louis or because she works in an airport and hates it or if it was just her. i was just surprised with all that attitude.
I spent a lot of time in Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in April of 2008 due to my wedding. I first went to pick up a friend from the airport a few days before my wedding. I had never picked anyone up from the airport, but was easily able to find my way to the cheap parking. I walked in and went to the East Terminal to pick her up for her first trip to St. Louis. ...only, people had tickets out and had baggage with them. Nuts! I stopped one of the security guards, and she happily explained to me where to go and my options on getting there. The train had just left, but I could take the bus, which comes every few minutes. I make my way to the general direction she had said, and then got confused as to which of the four buses I needed. So, I did what any self respecting St. Louis girl would do - I climbed right on the first bus and started explaining my predicament. The man laughed pleasantly, and told me the bus I wanted was just pulling in. He even wished me good luck and waved. I hop onto the correct bus, and the lady was nice. She dropped me off at the correct place, and the security guard was happy to tell me where to wait.
A few days later we visited again to leave for our honeymoon to Walt Disney World. We got there early in the morning, and once the baggage check in guy heard it was our anniversary, he took my bag from me and carried it over himself to make sure it was within size restriction limits. It was, and he wished us a happy honeymoon. The security check points moved very quickly, and the guards were all friendly, some were even very outgoing and funny. We had a very easy time with our visit to the airport.
On my visits, the bathrooms were all very clean. Perhaps 2007 was a bad year for Lambert? I don't know. I do know that as of April of 2008, things have really changed.
Probably about 80% of the times that I have flown into/out of St Louis have been on southwest, so I'm usually at the commuter terminal, not the main terminal, which makes a big difference.
The most golden thing about that terminal is that I have never had to wait in line at security. I couldn't care less what the place looks like, I just hate waiting around in line. It's inefficient, and I don't like inefficiencies.
I've perfected my process. I drive to the airport, park at the Parking Spot garage, and the shuttle drops off right at the terminal. Since I've checked in online the night before, I walk right up to security (no line!), and then go straight to my gate. It usually averages a total of 20-25 minutes from when I park my car, to when I'm at the gate. The traffic while I'm driving is way more of an irritation than my time at the airport itself.
That said, if I had to fly in and out of the main terminal more often, I would have given it fewer stars. The underground area (with the Starbucks and Bookstore) is dim and claustrophobic, and there's not a lot in the way of food choices.
I love an airport that has public transportation conveniently located on its grounds. Lambert has Metrolink right there and the convenience is a welcome sight. Its a large airport, what you would expect in a large city. The airport shows off its rich history on its walls throughout the building, its nice to look at and appreciate. From the gate we were around there didn't seem like there was a lot of variety in terms of food but what we had was fine. Overall good experience.
I've only flown into this airport once, but during that one and only time, I was a little unimpressed. Coming off the gate, the walkways were dark and dingy. I seem to have remembered walking past abandoned shops on the way to baggage claim. Though I do like that there are plenty of reminders of the rich aviation history in St. Louis, considering I'm an aviation buff. Major points for the MetroLink station at two terminals, making going to and from the airport fairly stress free.
My head almost hit the ceiling when i came off the plane it's so short, well, kinda, it did as i jumped from shock from humidity and stir crazy midwest stickiness. Yucky shops, at least in AA terminal. Really bleh.
For as much as I love St. Louis, I really dislike the airport. It's hell getting to it because it's roughly 30 minutes out of town, and the traffic on the way there is crazy. Once you get there, you have to guess which part of the airport your flight is at because there aren't any airline signs, which baffles me. The airline workers are rude as all hell, and some will even insult you. Security lines are always long and UGH.
Booo there is no wireless internet! Check-in here was sooooo easy. In n checked in 3 minutes. The airport is alright looking. Nothing special. I just wish they had wireless internet! Other than that the staff and security are all friendly and very helpful! They have a smoking lounge which is good for me!
Maybe I am just not in a good mood since my flights were cancelled yesterday because of a storm in Dallas so today when they said that our flight will be 40 mins delayed, I told myself I can handle that and then 40 mins became 2 hours! Anyhow, I spent 3 hours in this airport, bathrooms are pretty dirty...I went to 3 different BRS and they were all the same...
I gotta agree with Andrew S. This is a terrible airport. In addition to all the problems mentioned by Andrew, the layout sucks too. In particular, Terminal D (which appears to be mainly American Airlines, the biggest airline in this airport) is a super long terminal that just goes on and on. Although it has some people escalators, it can take forever to make it from one end to to the other. If possible, avoid flying through here.
Compared to some of the other shitholes I've flown into while traveling for work, Lambert Int'l was an absolute joy -- and I'm saying this on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, a notoriously shitty travel day. Although the terminals could probably use a bit of an update, especially in the seating department, I found it to overall be pleasant and not nearly as crappy as some of the other reviewers have indicated.