Arriving Passengers

Once in the terminal, follow signs for arrivals. If you arrived on an international flight you'll need to clear passport control and Customs. If you've used our Shop & Collect service you'll pick up your shopping at the desk in the check-in area.

Domestic arrivals:

Please follow the signs for UK Baggage Reclaim – this is a new facility which is located past the Granite City bar.

International arrivals:

The new International Reclaim area is situated directly after passport control.

Please check the monitors above the carousels for information on the bags that are being delivered. There may be baggage from more than one flight on the carousel.

Please refer to the screen above the reclaim belt for your expected waiting time and for information on the relevant handling agent who will deal with missing bag enquiries.

Can’t find your baggage?

Your airline takes great pride in carrying your bags safely and speedily to your final destination and we sincerely hope that your baggage arrives without any issues but sometimes passengers’ property does go astray.

Thankfully this is rare, however if you find that your baggage has not arrived, please follow the advice and process found on our delayed, lost and missing baggage page here to report the issue.

Head towards passport control, which will be clearly signposted on your arrival.

There are two queues – one for British, European Union (EU)*, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals, and a second for all other nationalities.

At the passport desk a UK Border Force officer will ask to see your passport or travel document and any supporting documentation necessary for your visit. Please remember that your passport must not expire during your visit to the United Kingdom.

For details of entry requirements into the United Kingdom, please visit the UK Border Force website.

With tougher checks now in place at the border you may have to wait a little longer to get into the United Kingdom, especially at peak times.

Want to speed up the process?

If you are part of a group you may be able to travel under the group travel scheme, which can speed passage through the border. See the Home Office website for details.

* EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

Which exit?

If you have goods to declare, please go to the red Customs point.

If you have nothing to declare:

• If your journey started in a European Union country (your hold baggage will have a green-edged tag), use the blue exit.
• If your journey began outside the European Union (your hold baggage will have a white tag), use the green channel.

Connecting passengers

If you're transferring between two international flights at Aberdeen, you may be able to have your baggage tagged through to your final destination. You will still need to declare any items in your hand baggage which are liable for duty.

If you are connecting from an international flight to a UK flight you must clear Customs and immigration at Aberdeen.

For more information please visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

Travel advice

For your safety and quick journey through the airport, please note the following advice.

• Never carry anything into the UK for somebody else.
• Never bring goods which are prohibited into the UK. If in doubt, ask at the Customs inquiry point.
• If you are unsure about your duty/tax-free entitlement, go to the Customs enquiry point

We do our best to make your transfer trouble-free but please help us by allowing plenty of time between your connecting flights, especially if your baggage has not been checked through to your final destination.

If you are connecting from an international flight to a UK flight you need to pass through passport control.

Please be aware that there isn't anywhere to sleep in the airport. You must therefore make stopover arrangements if your connecting flights are separated by an overnight stay. If you haven't yet found somewhere to stay you can book an airport hotel with us.

Passengers who are stopping over simply need to leave the airport via passport control, baggage reclaim and Customs, then check in as normal the following day.

Aberdeen flight connections FAQs

Do I need to collect my baggage at Aberdeen?

Your baggage may be through-checked to your final destination, but please confirm this with your airline as not all airlines offer this service. In the event that your baggage is not through-checked you must collect your cases from the baggage reclaim hall in arrivals and then check your bags in as normal for the second leg of your journey.

Where do I get my boarding card?

Usually you will have been issued with all necessary boarding cards at your original point of departure. If this is not the case please contact your airline for advice.

What is my minimum connection time?

Minimum connection times vary depending on your route and your carrier. Please confirm this information with your airline.

What should I do if my flight into Aberdeen is delayed?

If you are delayed and are likely to miss your onward flight, go to your airline desk on arrival. Your airline representative will be able to advise you of your options.

Who can I ask for help?

Please send a free text message to 80800 starting with the word 'airport' and stating your question or feedback.  A member of the airport team will be able to assist you further.

Buses to Aberdeen, car park courtesy buses, and taxis all stop on the terminal forecourt.

Major car hire companies have offices just a 2-minute walk from the main terminal. For details of rental firms at the airport, or to hire a car in advance, visit our car hire page.

The railway station is two miles from the airport and easily reached by taxi. From there it's a ten-minute train journey to Aberdeen.

For help planning your journey, visit our Transport and directions pages.

Experience our brand new Aberdeen hotel Hoppa service when staying at an airport hotel. In collaboration with the local luxury coach company Premier Coaches and airport hotels, we offer a convenient service to/from the airport terminal, hotels, and heliports. Find the Aberdeen Hotel Hoppa bus shelter located in the lower forecourt, right in front of the terminal.

Click here to find the next available bus.