Leaving from Palma Terminal A November 2025

[Lorenzo]

Well, we had an interesting transit through Terminal A yesterday for our return flight to Gatwick. We got all of the way to the passport control area, only to be advised that there were no facilities open in the departure lounge area in Terminal A. If we wished to have something to eat or drink, then we should go back up in the lift to the main shopping and food outlet area. We had plenty of time to do this, and ended up having a bite to eat in the McDonalds (please don't judge us!!) . We then returned to the passport area.....none of the machines were in use and the area was deserted, apart from the lines of tensa-barriers. We were directed to a desk where there was a member of border force . He kindly scanned and stamped our passports and we were on our way! It turned out that Burger King was actually open in Terminal A plus one small gift shop but nohting else. So if you plan to buy and 'duty free', it might be worth getting getting it in the new large shop at the top of the escalators just after security. Only a small part of the new shop was open when we went through yesterday.

 

[bobley]

I'm surprised they're still using terminal A at this time of year.

 

[Lorenzo]

I'm surprised they're still using terminal A at this time of year.

Yes, we were surprised too.

 

[bobley]

I'm guessing they're going to drip feed as many folks through the EES machines as they can over winter.

 

[Twocats]

We also flew back to LGW yesterday and Terminal A was quiet, but there were very few flights. There were quite a few Mitie branded 'guides' to direct passengers through the new passport control machines. One arriving passenger was concerned that she was being directed towards these machines even though she had a long stay visa. I guess her concern was that once registered she would be bound by 90/180 day rule even though she could stay longer, however the guides appeared not to understand her concern. The guides also said that passport stamping would continue, which doesn't make sense to me. It maybe the process is being introduced gradually but i think there will be issues during peak travel days, and if you have a long stay visa then i hope you don't let down by the system.

 

[bobley]

We also flew back to LGW yesterday and Terminal A was quiet, but there were very few flights. There were quite a few Mitie branded 'guides' to direct passengers through the new passport control machines. One arriving passenger was concerned that she was being directed towards these machines even though she had a long stay visa. I guess her concern was that once registered she would be bound by 90/180 day rule even though she could stay longer, however the guides appeared not to understand her concern. The guides also said that passport stamping would continue, which doesn't make sense to me. It maybe the process is being introduced gradually but i think there will be issues during peak travel days, and if you have a long stay visa then i hope you don't let down by the system.

EES doesn't replace stamping. EES is the data gathering the precedes ETIAS which will electronically log you in / out and replace the stamps.

 

[Daniel Hatchford]

My son flew in yesterday on a U.K. passport. Straight through.