Never thought I'd write that as a title.

OK, full disclosure: LTN is my closest airport, apart from CBG - and I don't need a very expensive flight to GOT right now, so LTN it is. A predictable 30-minute, cheap taxi ride frome home. So that's brownie points already, but I realise it doesn't apply to everybody.

So, my regular route has gone from having no flights from LTN to having two airlines on the route. So I thought I'd give it a try - the timings are right for work, and LHR, particularly T5 has been pretty poor recently. I like LGW S these days (yes, really) but the Thameslink diversion make it all rather tedious. The BAEC changes making it all but impossible for me to keep even Bronze status sealed the deal.

Got there right in the middle of peak time, 6:30 on a Monday morning. Didn't opt for premium security, and so was dumped out into a giant hall that was one massive snake of Tensabarriers, a good couple hundred people in there. But, what's this? The BP checkpoints are all manned. So are the security checkpoints. And so the queue keeps moving. Literally - I don't think I stood still.

At the checkpoint, I was politely asked if I had any other electronic items, and directed to use multiple trays. Less experienced flyers were talked through what they needed to get out without blocking the queue. None of it was patronising. This shouldn't seem exceptional, should it? Then I heard that beep and realised my bag was going down the other belt. Oh no...

...ah, maybe not so bad. It's taken straight away, and they go for the bag of cables I have with me. Ah, I nod. They put it through, and I'm away 30 seconds later. Whole thing, from entering security, takes under 10 minutes. At peak time, in a budget airport.

So, breakfast? Easy, you come right out in the departures lounge where you have Starbucks, Pret, Benugo, Francie & Josie's and a bunch of others right there.

And this is where the joy ends. You're then faced with the slightly undignified walking race to the gate when its number appears (about 45 minutes before departure) - and the FR gates (yes, I'm on FR) are a fair old hike, you queue stood up if you want to board first, and spend some time outside (not so great at 7am in the depths of winter).

However, I was very pleasantly surprised all in all. The fact I know I can arrive an hour before departure and comfortably make it, and generally get spoken to with a smile makes a massive difference in my book. The £2.50 drop-off/pick-up charge does rather take the mick, mind.

Arrivals aren't too bad either - they're rebuilding the e-passport gates (I may even get a compatible passport next year) but in the meantime, the main gates are remarkably well staffed (a good 7-8 positions regularly open in the EU/EEA section). They're rebuilding the arrivals area with an exit-through-the-gift shop, which is slightly tedious, but the meet & greet area is much improved, and there's a decent Marks & Sparks. Getting dumped on the 'wrong' side of the forecourt is a little bizarre, but it may be temporary.

Anyway, I was actually quite impressed. Did I have particularly low expectations, or have others had similar experiences?