In August 2017 the new terminal building opened at Bergen Flesland airport in Norway replacing, or rather complementing, the old terminal building. The old terminal opened 20 years ago with a capacity of 2.6 million people but it handled over 6 million in 2016. By the end the old building was very old and worn and incredibly cramped with no space for either any more gates or any more facilities or passenger services. The new terminal building, inaugurated by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, really makes a huge difference in both the passenger experience and the future possibilities for growth.
The new terminal building is located next to the old one which is still in use today but now only as a concourse with gate areas.
The departure hall is very spacious with a modern design and a high ceiling with effectful natural light. The check-in area is designed with two check-in waves, one for check-in (using self-service machines) and one for baggage drop. There are 28 self-service check-in machines and 28 baggage drop counters (of which 12 are only for self service), 4 are combined (manned or self-service) and 12 are manned check-in desks.
It is quite obvious that they want most passengers to check in using machines and then drop off their luggage themselves at a baggage drop counter. During the visit in the afternoon there was not a single check-in agent to be seen anywhere in the check-in area, although there was a service centre where you could probably get some assistance.
After passing through the rather spacious security control (where there is a fast track channel) you enter the transit hall, which is combined for both domestic and international passengers and which is just as airy, modern and spacious as the departure hall.
In total there are now nine bars, cafes and restaurants at the airport and as well as six shops and four kiosks. A significant increase compared to the old terminal.
Also the gate areas are very spacious with lots of seating and all the gates in the new terminal building have an apron view through the large panorama windows and a distant view of the mountains.
Passengers travelling in SAS Plus or in business class with another Star Alliance carrier or holding a EuroBonus Gold or Diamond card or a Star Alliance Gold card can enter the new SAS Cafe Lounge. It is a surprisingly nice lounge with the latest SAS Cafe Lounge interior. You can read a review of the lounge here.
The old terminal is still in use, mainly for international departures. There is a corridor connecting the two terminals and it takes around 3-4 minutes to reach an international gate from the main transit hall. The old terminal is also where the non-Schengen area is located and consequently also the passport control areas.
The old terminal still has a taxfree store open for international travellers, which you pass through on the way to the international gate areas.
The gate areas in the old terminal building really give a feeling of being old and tired in comparison to the new ones. Hopefully they will get a well-needed facelift in the next couple of months.
The arrivals hall and baggage reclaim hall are also located in the new terminal, divided into an area for domestic arrivals and one for international arrivals.
In April 2017 the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen) extension to the airport was inaugurated with a direct train link from the airport to the city centre
Overall the terminal is a huge improvement. It feels very spacious with the high ceiling and the large panorama windows. There are several shops, restaurants and plenty of seating and for the first time there is space for a lounge at the airport, a much appreciated addition for frequent travellers.
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