Our Review of Mumbai Airport (BOM)

Our Review of Mumbai Airport (BOM)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

Sources of Review Information

• Google Reviews data from sites that compile user ratings and comments, reflecting hundreds to thousands of individual traveller experiences. 
• Skytrax official airport rating, which evaluates airports globally on facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverage, and staff service. 

Summary of Reviews – What Travellers Really Say

Positive Highlights

Modern and Impressive Facilities
Many travellers praise the modern and spacious design, especially of Terminal 2, noting its cleanliness, art displays, high ceilings, and ample space for shops, lounges, and dining. 

Good Shopping & Dining Options
Feedback commonly mentions a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, and retail outlets, including duty‑free options for international flights and comfortable seating areas. 

Strong Awards & Recognition
Skytrax certifies Mumbai Airport as a 4‑Star Airport, appreciating comfort, cleanliness, and facilities overall.
In travel awards like Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Airports, BOM ranks among the top airports globally — underscoring a generally positive reputation. 

Assistance Services
Some reviews specifically commend wheelchair assistance and staff friendliness, especially for passengers needing help at check‑in or security. 

Criticisms & Common Complaints

Overcrowding & Long Queues
A frequent theme is long lines at check‑in, security, and immigration, with some passengers reporting waits that nearly caused them to miss flights. 

Customer Service Variability
While many staff are helpful, several reviews mention instances of poor communication or unhelpful personnel, leading to frustration. 

Terminal Connections & Signage Issues
Inter‑terminal transfers (for example between T1 and T2) receive mixed feedback, with some finding the shuttle services inefficient or infrequent. 

Connectivity & Practical Challenges
Some travellers report that Wi‑Fi access can be tricky, particularly for international visitors without local numbers, and that directions or signage aren’t always intuitive. 

Parking & Transport Hassles
Comments include complaints about parking costs and confusion, and occasional issues with airport taxis or ride‑hailing pickups — though these are more about ground transport than the airport itself. 

Overall Traveller Sentiment

• Google/aggregated traveller rating: ~4.3 / 5 with many high‑scoring reviews but also some critical ones.
• Skytrax rating: Certified 4 stars, reflecting generally good facilities and experience. 

Frequent travellers often describe BOM as impressive and efficient in its main areas, but note that crowds, queues, and some service inconsistencies can detract from the experience. 

Final Score & Justification

Overall Rating: 4.1 / 5

This score balances:

-Strong infrastructure, modern facilities, and award recognition — the airport is widely appreciated for its design and amenities. 
-High traveller satisfaction with dining, shopping, and lounges, especially in Terminal 2.
-Common pain points with queues, crowding, and occasional service issues, especially during peak travel times. 

Summary: BOM is highly regarded overall — a modern, award‑winning airport with excellent amenities — but like many busy hubs, it can be crowded and challenging during busy periods. Good planning (arriving early, knowing your terminal, and booking services ahead) will help smooth most travellers’ experiences. 

Pros and Cons of Mumbai Airport (BOM)

Pros

• Modern Terminal 2 (T2) – Spacious, well-designed, and equipped with premium lounges, shopping, and dining options.
• Extensive Connectivity – Serves domestic and international flights with many airlines, making it a major hub.
• Good Retail & Duty-Free – Wide selection of stores, souvenirs, electronics, and tax-free shopping for international travelers.
• Transportation Options – Taxis, ride-hailing apps (Ola/Uber), buses, and nearby metro provide multiple ways to reach the city.
• Family & Accessibility Services – Facilities for travelers with reduced mobility, children’s play areas, and baby-changing rooms.

Cons

• Crowded & Busy – Especially T1 and peak-hour times; long queues at check-in and security can be frustrating.
• Traffic Around Airport – Heavy congestion can delay taxis or ride-hailing pickups significantly.
• Older T1 Terminal – Domestic low-cost terminal is cramped and less modern compared to T2.
• Signage Can Be Confusing – Navigating between terminals or finding lounges and gates can be tricky for first-time visitors.
• High Prices for Food & Parking – Dining and short-term parking can be relatively expensive compared to city standards.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is Mumbai’s main airport and one of India’s busiest. Serving both domestic and international flights, it connects Mumbai to major cities across India, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The airport has two main terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): Domestic – Low‑Cost Carriers
• Terminal 2 (T2): Domestic – Full‑Service Carriers & International

T2 is modern, spacious, and handles most international traffic. It’s also home to premium lounges, duty-free shops, and a wide range of restaurants and cafés.

Terminals & Facilities

• Check‑in & Security: T1 and T2 have separate check-in areas; plan extra time during peak hours (2–3 hours for international flights).
• Lounges: Multiple airline and independent lounges in T2 for relaxation, business work, and meals.
• Wi-Fi & Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals.
• Baggage & Lost Items: Lost & found counters are located near arrivals in both terminals.

Shopping & Dining

• Duty-Free: T2 international departures offer perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, and electronics at tax-free prices.
• Retail & Souvenirs: Fashion, accessories, books, and local crafts are available throughout both terminals.
• Restaurants & Cafés: From quick coffee at Starbucks to local cuisine at Haldiram’s or Vaango, and casual dining at McDonald’s or Olive Bistro. Many outlets operate 24/7.

Transportation

• Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Prepaid counters and app-based rides (Ola, Uber) available outside both terminals.
• Buses & Shuttles: BEST buses connect the airport to key Mumbai neighborhoods; a free shuttle links T1 and T2.
• Metro & Train: Metro Line 1 is accessible from nearby stations; suburban trains connect to the wider Mumbai area.

Parking

• T2 Parking: Over 5,000 spaces for general and premium vehicles. Rates start around ₹160 for 30 minutes in general parking.
• Short-term, long-term, and premium parking options are available near both terminals.

Quick Tips

• Confirm your terminal before arrival.
• Keep ID and flight documents handy for check-in.
• Use prepaid or app-based taxis for safer and smoother transfers.
• Explore duty-free shops and lounges if you have a layover.

Summary:
Mumbai Airport is modern, well-equipped, and provides options for shopping, dining, and comfortable transfers. With careful planning, navigating T1 and T2 is straightforward, and you can enjoy a stress-free start or end to your journey in India’s bustling financial hub.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Mumbai Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Mumbai Airport (last month)