Bordeaux Merignac Airport Departures (BOD)

The airport is located in the town of Mérignac, only 10 km (6 miles) from Bordeaux. The airport has a single terminal, which is divided into Hall A and Hall B. The terminal has multi-levels, and the halls are connected by a covered walkway. Hall A handles all international flights, while Hall B is for domestic flights. The arrival areas are located on the lower levels of the terminal, and the departure areas on the upper levels.

Bordeaux Airport is served by various airline companies, including Aerlingus with flights to Dublin, Air Algerie with flights to Alger and Oran, Air France with flights to many destinations, such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbonne, Lyon, Bastia, Nice, Paris and Rome, Chalair with flights to Brest and Rennes, British Airways with flights to Londres Gatwick and Bmibaby with flights to Manchester. Easyjet is another airline company offering many flights from Bordeaux. They fly to Bristol, Liverpool, Lyon, Milan, Londres Gatwick and Londres Lutton, amongst other destinations.

Certain airline companies offer their passengers the choice of checking in before arriving at the airport. The process can be done from your airline’s website, where you can print your travel documents (electronic ticket and boarding card) or from your mobile phone, whereby your reservation will be confirmed by SMS. If you have already checked in, you can go straight to the departure lounge if you have no luggage, or directly to the luggage drop if you must check in hold luggage. Advance check in services are not available however if you require special assistance, are traveling with a baby or animal, or if the passenger is a minor child traveling alone.

At Bordeaux Airport, passengers can check in at the self-service terminals (up to five hours before your flight) or at the check in desks. Information screens show which check in desk you should go to. Your airline ticket will indicate the check in time required for your flight, but the standard check in times before departure are as follows: One hour before an internal French flight, one and a half hours for Schengen country flights, two hours for charter flights, and three hours for international flights.

For safety reasons, it is recommended to never leave your baggage unattended, never take or look after someone else’s bags or even smaller packages, and inform airport personnel if you notice any abandoned luggage or other items. Within the airport terminal there is a network of security cameras and a permanent team of security guards, appointed for the safety and well-being of all the passengers at Bordeaux Airport.

Each airline has different regulations in regards to the size, weight and amount of baggage permitted per passenger. If you are unsure of their limitations it is best to make enquiries at the time of booking your flight. There can be penalty charges if your luggage is over a certain weight or size, or if you are carrying too many luggage items. Passengers may carry an unlimited amount of liquid products within their hold luggage, but liquid items are limited to a total of one liter for cabin luggage. Different liquids must be separated into 100ml containers and placed into a re-sealable, transparent bag. All liquids must be presented to the security officers for inspection. Liquid limitations are not applicable to baby foods, medicines, or other special dietary food requirements that will be needed during the flight. For medicines though, it is best to keep your prescription with you to prove that it will be necessary to take onboard the aircraft.

Passengers requiring special assistance at the airport, and on the airplane, should make arrangements with their airline company at least 48 hours before departure. The airline staff will then inform the airport of your special requirements. Passengers who need help to get to the check in desks can be dropped off outside the departures area, where they can then phone for assistance from the call points available. Assistance is available after checking in from the PRM point (nearby the help desk) in Terminal A, or from the PRM point (opposite check in desks) in Terminal B.

The airport offers their passengers a range of useful facilities and amenities for entertainment whilst waiting for departure. There is a gourmet restaurant in Hall A that overlooks the runways, as well as many other bars and cafes for refreshments and alcoholic beverages. Shopping outlets include Relay, Gastronomie et Cie and the Aeroboutique, which is a duty free store selling items such as perfume, cosmetics, alcohol and fine foods. There are currency exchange services, a full service bank, and ATMs situated throughout the terminal. Postal services are also available.

Business travelers can enjoy the Patio, which is the VIP Lounge, or book the conference room which can seat up to 180 people. There are also other smaller meeting rooms available, ideal for up to 8 people. Computers, internet connections, phones and other business equipment is available for use.

Passengers departing from Bordeaux will find the parking facilities to be more than adequate, with short-term areas and long-term areas available. Bus and taxi transportation is available for those who do not wish to drive their own vehicle to the airport. Additional enquiries can be made at the information desks within both halls of the airport terminal.