Travel guide

Airport

Practical Information

Practical Information

Information

Parking Service

Luggage service For all complaints concerning your luggage you have to do it :

On airline website for :

  • Air France
  • Transavia
  • easyJet
  • Swiss
  • Edelweiss
  • SAS
  • Lufthansa

At the airport for :

  • Ryanair
  • Volotea
  • Luxair

Lost property Items of lost property are held on line biarritz-aeroport.franceobjetstrouves.fr

Mailbox  A mailbox is available outside the terminal building near the parking payment machine.

Cash withdrawal  An ATM is available in the terminal, next to the arrival.

First aid room The first aid room is located beside the information desk.

Lost items

Lost items

Lost items: For lost items, please proceed on line declaration https://biarritz-aeroport.franceobjetstrouves.fr/

Luggage

Luggage

Cabin luggage You are entitled to carry, at your own risk, one item of cabin luggage per person. Please contact your airline for restriction details.

Aircraft hold luggage All hold luggage must comply with your airline’s regulations. Different airlines may apply different restrictions or charges to large objects such as bikes, golf clubs, surfboards, etc. Please contact your airline for details.

Oversize luggage Large objects (bikes, golf clubs, surfboards, etc.) should be checked in at the oversize luggage desk (Arrivals hall). For security reasons at Biarritz airport, all bikes must be placed in protective cardboard boxes, the handlebars and pedals must be removed and the tyres must be deflated. Protective cardboard boxes for bikes are not available at Biarritz airport.

Luggage service For all complaints concerning your luggage you have to do it on airline website.

For lost items please proceed on line declaration https://biarritz-aeroport.franceobjetstrouves.fr/

 

Travelling with animals

Travelling with animals

In the cabin Certain airlines allow animals which weigh less than 5 kg and which are transported in an appropriate container, to travel in the cabin. As a general rule, excess baggage prices apply to the transporting of animals. We recommend that you inform your airline of your intention to travel with an animal when booking your tickets.

In the aircraft hold Certain airlines allow animals which weigh more than 5 kg and which travel in an appropriate container, to travel in the aircraft hold. As a general rule, excess baggage prices apply to the transporting of animals. Most airlines accept to transport guide dogs and other assistance dogs. However, please contact your airline for full details. We recommend you inform the airline of your intention to travel with an animal when booking your tickets.

Security measures

Security measures

Articles prohibited in hand luggage

  • Firearms or other weapons and, in general, any pointed or sharp-edged objects
  • Blunt instruments
  • Explosive and inflammable substances
  • Chemical and toxic substances
  • If exceeding 100 ml or 100 g : opaque containers, glass jar with juice or sauce, foie gras, soft cheese, jam, nougat (non-exhaustive list)

Products prohibited in both hand luggage and any luggage you check in

  • Explosives (including detonators, fuses, grenades, mines or pyrotechnic products)
  • Gases: propane, butane (including even the smallest camping gas bottles)
  • Inflammable liquids (including petrol, methanol, paints, solvents, glues and refills for lighters)
  • Inflammable solids and reactive substances (including magnesium, matches and cigarette lighters, fireworks and flares)
  • Organic oxidants and peroxides (like bleaches and abrasive substances)
  • Toxic or infectious substances (rat poisons, infected blood)
  • Radioactive material (including isotopes for medical or commercial use)
  • Corrosive substances (such as car batteries)
  • Engine parts which have contained fuel

All items which are prohibited from travelling in the cabin must be placed in checked baggage (hold). If these regulations are not complied with, you will have to return to the check-in desks to check the item into your hold baggage.

To help you to prepare your bags, you can use the application “AIRBAG”, developed by the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) : https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/articles-reglementes-ou-interdits-en-avion-et-en-helicoptere

Travel documents

Travel documents

Before your departure, please check that your travel documents are valid. A valid passport or identity card is required for all domestic and international destinations, including children. In certain countries, travellers must carry visas, vaccination certificates, prefectoral authorisations to allow children to leave the country, or a passport that will still be valid for several months after the scheduled return date.

Ryanair requires, for Non EU/EEA passengers, that their visa is checked and their boarding pass stamped at the Check Desk before going through security. If there is a failure to comply with this requirement, they reserve the right to refuse travel.

From January 15, 2017 minors travelling alone must carry a written authorization to leave the country for all international flights including european flights and the copy of the ID of the person who signed this authorization. Contact your travel agent or airline before travelling for more information.

Customs and tax removal

Customs and tax removal

Certain goods or products must be declared to customs or are subject to specific administrative formalities. For more information, consult the following website: www.douane.gouv.fr Your export sales forms must be stamped at your exit point from the European Union. If Biarritz airport is your exit point from the European Union and you could not get the export sales forms stamped there, you will have to send them for regularisation to the following address within 6 months of the date of purchase: Direction Régionale des Douanes de Bayonne – 6 rue Albert 1er CS 40002 – 64109 Bayonne – FRANCE

Passenger rights

Passenger rights

Please download this PDF file containing a description of passenger rights.

Unaccompanied Minors

Unaccompanied Minors

Children from 4 to 12 years of age may travel alone as unaccompanied minors provided they do not have a major handicap. Some airlines provide this service, which may or may not be free-of-charge, depending on the airline.

From Biarritz Airport:

AIR FRANCE

Domestic flights:

  • 12 years and over> can travel alone
  • From 4 to 11 years old inclusive> compulsory UM service

International flights:

  • 15 years and over> can travel alone
  • From 5 to 14 years old inclusive> compulsory UM service

Specifics: For a French minor traveling outside France alone or with a passenger who does not have the same family name: an authorization to leave the territory (AST) + copy of the identity card of the parent with the same name is required.

TRANSAVIA

12 years and over> can travel alone

Children aged 4 to 11 inclusive traveling alone must be registered as a UM or traveling with an accompanying person aged 16 or over.

Specifics: From 5 to 11 years old, a valid identity document is required.

EASYJET:

16 years and over> can travel alone

Children aged 2 to 15 must travel with an accompanying person aged 16 or over. There is no UM service.

Specifics: Children under 16 are not required to present an identity card, if accompanied by an adult.

RYANAIR:

16 years and over> can travel alone

Under 16> must travel with an accompanying person aged 16 or over. No UM service.

VOLOTEA:

12 years and over> can travel alone

Under 12 years must be accompanied by a person aged 18 or over and be on the same reservation. No UM service.

Specifics: Over 12 years old: National Identity Card, Passport. Less than 14 years old with an adult: no travel document required

SWISS:

Over 12 years old> can travel alone

Between 5 and 12 years old, compulsory UM service or must be accompanied by a person of more than 12 years old.

Specifics: Mandatory exit authorization for French minors / Signature of the parent with the same name (AST)

LUXAIR:

12 years and over> can travel alone

Between 5 and 11 years old = compulsory UM service

Specifics: French minors: authorization to leave the country + copy of the parents’ identity.

A minor can travel with another minor if there is a family relationship (brother, sister).

SAS:

Can travel alone from 18 years old.

No UM service due to Covid.

 

Check-in:Unaccompanied minors must check in no later than one hour before departure time. The adult who brings the unaccompanied minor to the departure airport must fill in an identification sheet containing the details of the person who will be collecting the unaccompanied minor from the arrival airport.  “unaccompanied minor” envelope containing his/her ticket and identification sheet. The child will keep this envelope for the duration of the flight.

Boarding Unaccompanied minors will board at least 30 minutes before flight departure.

Arrival The person collecting the unaccompanied minor from the arrival airport will be required to present an identity card or other form of valid identification. The unaccompanied minor will only be entrusted to the care of the person indicated on the sheet filled in at the unaccompanied minor’s departure airport.

Check-in

Check-in

Latest Check-in Time (LCT) The latest check-in time is specified on your ticket (IATA). We recommend you check in at least 2 hours before departure for national flights, and at least 2 ½ hours before departure for international or charter flights.

Self-service check-in You can check in on the internet or using the terminal check-in kiosks. Online check-in has many advantages:

  • Speed
  • Choice of seating
  • No queues
  • If you have no hold luggage, you can go straight to the boarding gate when you arrive at the airport
  • If you have hold luggage, you just have to drop it off at a specially reserved desk.

REMINDER: Online check-in is only for passengers:

  • with an electronic ticket
  • not travelling with infants
  • with no specific requirements at the airport (passengers travelling with pets, children travelling unaccompanied, etc.).

Online check-in

  • Go to your airline’s website (service available 24 hours before departure)
  • Choose your seat
  • Print out your boarding card
  • If you have no hold luggage, you can go straight to the boarding gate when you arrive at the airport. For passengers with hold luggage, go to the quick drop-off desk.

Checking-in using a terminal check-in kiosk This service is available 5 hours. before departure.

  • Choose a check-in kiosk inside the terminal
  • Choose your seat
  • Print out your boarding card
  • If you have no hold luggage, you can go straight to the boarding gate. For passengers with hold luggage, go to the quick drop-off desk.

Checking-in using a mobile phone You can do everything on your smartphone, purchase a ticket, check in and receive your boarding pass. For some medium- and long-haul flights* on departure from Europe, customers can then receive their boarding pass directly on their mobile phone as an SMS, MMS or e-mail from 30 hours before the latest check-in time. This free service is available on all types of mobile phone and provides significant time savings. The iPhone application also means customers can store a boarding pass and have direct access at any time, even when they are not connected. At the airport, customers show their boarding pass on their mobile phone to:

  • check in any baggage at the baggage drop-off counter,
  • go through the security checkpoint,
  • access the lounges for those allowed,
  • board at the gate, with optical reading of the bar code,
  • board the aircraft, by presenting the screen of their phone to the crew
Persons with Reduced Mobility

Persons with Reduced Mobility

A special transport support service is available for passengers with reduced mobility and other disabilities (PRM).

When purchasing your ticket, remember to ask the airline for PHMR Assistance. This service is free.

Everything will be specified to you at the airport when you check your baggage.

Special parking spaces for the disabled are also reserved in the P1 confort parking area, or dropp off area, just outside the entrance to the main airport building. There are no special requirements relating to disabled passengers boarding aircraft, but you should make sure that your airline has been informed with enough advance notice if you wish to benefit from all the airport services on offer. It is not necessary to request assistance for your entire itinerary on the day of your trip. You may call for assistance at either your departure airport or your arrival airport, as needed.

Self-service wheelchair : If you wish and if you have a travel companion, you can use a self-service wheelchair. You will gain autonomy and will keep the speed to get to the aircraft as you will use a dedicated path. Our personnel will provide you with all informations you need and will hand you over a user guide. Do not hesitate to ask for your self-service wheelchair at the PRM office.

Walking distances: The walking distances from check-in to the plane are very short: – All boarding gates are located directly behind the check-in area. – For most planes not connected to the terminal by a jetway, the walking distance between the boarding gate and the plane is less than 100 m.

Our quality-assurance commitments Our services extend from the time you park your car in the car park or are dropped off in the quick drop-off lane right through to your departure. Equally, on arrival, they extend from the time your aircraft lands right up until you leave the airport for the entire duration of the period of airport traffic opening hours.

Usual waiting times for PRM assistance : Upon departure with prior reservation: under 10 minutes for 80% of passengers Upon departure without prior reservation: under 25 minutes for 80% of passengers Upon arrival (after all passengers have disembarked from the aircraft):

  • with prior reservation: under 5 minutes for 80% of passengers
  • without prior reservation: under 25 minutes for 80% of passengers

Assistance may be requested :

  • at the entrance to the car parks (interphones at the car park entrance gates) – inside the airport building (at the entrance to the Departures hall)
  • at the check-in desks for each flight
  • At the reception desk for people with disabilities and reduced mobility

The airport authorities have installed communication facilities, notice boards and public information signs in the car parks and at the entrances to the airport building. Wheelchair-friendly facilities including ramps, toilets and lifts are also provided.

Staff training

  • Staff who provide direct assistance to people with disabilities and reduced mobility receive special training from the Association des Paralysés de France (the French association for people with physical disabilities), which enables them to meet each individual’s needs according to their particular disability or level of mobility;
  • Staff working face to face with the travelling public receive disability awareness and equality training from the Association des Paralysés de France;
  • Our staff attend refresher courses at suitable intervals

IMPORTANT: Please make sure you arrive at the airport at least ONE HOUR ahead of your scheduled flight departure time and at least TWO HOURS if you are travelling with a wheelchair equipped with an electric battery (as current Security Regulations require that all battery fluids be emptied before boarding). Only long-haul aircraft are equipped with wheelchairs and special toilet facilities.

FAQ

FAQ

What travel documents do I need to bring? Before your departure, please check that your travel documents are valid. A valid passport or identity card is required for all domestic and international destinations, including children. In certain countries, travellers must carry visas, vaccination certificates, prefectoral authorisations to allow children to leave the country, or a passport that will still be valid for several months after the scheduled return date. Contact your travel agent or airline before travelling for more information.

What is the latest time that I can check in by before my flight? The latest check-in time is specified on your ticket (IATA). We recommend you check in at least 2 hours before departure for national flights, and at least 2 ½ hours before departure for international or charter flights.

What am I not allowed to bring in my luggage (hand luggage or hold luggage)? Articles prohibited in hand luggage

  • Firearms or other weapons and, in general, any pointed or sharp-edged objects
  • Blunt instruments
  • Explosive and inflammable substances
  • Chemical and toxic substances

Products prohibited in both hand luggage and any luggage you check in

  • Explosives (including detonators, fuses, grenades, mines or pyrotechnic products)
  • Gases: propane, butane (including even the smallest camping gas bottles)
  • Inflammable liquids (including petrol, methanol, paints, solvents, glues and refills for lighters)
  • Inflammable solids and reactive substances (including magnesium, matches and cigarette lighters, fireworks and flares)
  • Organic oxidants and peroxides (like bleaches and abrasive substances)
  • Toxic or infectious substances (rat poisons, infected blood)
  • Radioactive material (including isotopes for medical or commercial use)
  • Corrosive substances (such as car batteries)
  • Engine parts which have contained fuel
  • Opaque containers of more than 100 ml or 100g are also

All items which are prohibited from travelling in the cabin must be placed in checked baggage (hold). If these regulations are not complied with, you will have to return to the check-in desks to check the item into your hold baggage.

Warning:  Restrictions on carrying liquids, gels or similar products in your cabin luggage can be consulted on the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) website (www.aviation-civile.gouv.fr).

I’ve lost or forgotten an item; who should I contact?Items of lost property are held on line biarritz-aeroport.franceobjetstrouves.fr

Who should I contact if my bag is lost or damaged? For all complaints concerning your luggage you have to do it :

On airline website for :

  • Air France
  • Transavia
  • easyJet
  • Swiss
  • Edelweiss
  • SAS
  • Lufthansa

At the airport for :

  • Ryanair
  • Volotea
  • Luxair

What are the formalities for travelling with an animal and who should I contact? In the cabin Certain airlines allow animals which weigh less than 5 kg and which are transported in an appropriate container, to travel in the cabin. As a general rule, excess baggage prices apply to the transporting of animals. We recommend that you inform your airline of your intention to travel with an animal when booking your tickets. In the aircraft hold Certain airlines allow animals which weigh more than 5 kg and which travel in an appropriate container, to travel in the aircraft hold. As a general rule, excess baggage prices apply to the transporting of animals. Most airlines accept to transport guide dogs and other assistance dogs. However, please contact your airline for full details. We recommend you inform the airline of your intention to travel with an animal when booking your tickets.

What services are available inside the terminal?

  • Shops: Departure area:   “Belharra bar” fast-food and and “Relay”. Boarding area: «Bidaïa bar» fast-food, and Relay
  • Car rental: Avis, Hertz, Enterprise rent a car, Europcar, Sixt, Rentscape
  • Persons with Reduced Mobility
  • Mailbox 
  • Cash withdrawal 
  • First aid room

What can I buy in the boarding area? Relay has a wide range of regional products: Pierre Oteiza, La Maison du Jambon de Bayonne, Maison Pariès, L’Atelier du chocolat, Chocolat Antton, la bière Belharra, la Cidrerie Txopinondo, le piment d’Espelette Lurretik, le miel Loretzia, le Patxaran Etxeko, le vin basque Txakoli, le linge basque Créations Jean Vier…Bidaïa Bar has a range of sandwiches and drinks.

How can I book assistance for passengers with reduced mobility? There are no particular conditions concerning passengers with reduced mobility boarding the aircraft. It is important however to inform the airline in advance to ensure that you can benefit from the services provided. A transport service for people with reduced mobility is available.

Special parking spaces for the disabled are also reserved in the P0 parking area, just outside the entrance to the main airport building Assistance may be requested:

  • at the entrance to the car parks (interphones at the car park entrance gates) – inside the airport building (at the entrance to the Departures hall)
  • at the check-in desks for each flight
  • at the reception desk for people with disabilities and reduced mobility

The airport authorities have installed communication facilities, notice boards and public information signs in the car parks and at the entrances to the airport building.

I would like to leave a comment with the airport, who should I contact? You can contact the Customer Services at the following address: ml.perez@biarritz.aeroport.fr After contacting the quality department, and if no satisfactory response has been received within 60 days, the customer may contact the French ombudsman for the tourism and travel sector (médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage) whose contact details and procedure for referral are available on its website: www.mtv.travel