Tenerife South Airport Departures
Accessing the departures hall at Tenerife South Airport is very simple whatever means of transport you arrive by. If you are driving, the main car park is a three to five-minute walk and the rental car return area only a little further. The drop-off zone is next to the coach park which is just outside the terminal building. Taxis drop off close to the departures hall entrance and the public bus stop is by the arrivals hall.
For short-haul flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time but, particularly in the peak seasons during the school holidays, it is advisable to allow longer.
If you have to wait for check-in to open there are cafeterias, a coffee shop, a newsagent, post office and pharmacy. There is also free Wi-Fi and public computers with internet access.
Check-in procedures vary according to which airline you are travelling with. You often have the opportunity to check in online and print your boarding pass or store it on your smartphone via the airline's app. Some airlines actually penalise you for checking in at the airport.
If you have not checked in or you have hold luggage, check the departures information screen to see which check-in desks have been allocated to your flight.
Check-In
The check-in agent will request your passport and booking reference or boarding card. Your hold bags will be weighed and your hand luggage might be checked for size and weight. Airlines have different size allowances, so check their website to make sure you don't get caught out.
There are strict regulations with regard to goods that cannot be carried on an aircraft. Full details on allowances and restricted goods are available on the Civil Aviation Authority website (www.caa.co.uk). Included are such items as:
- Corrosive materials
- Guns, including toys
- Explosives, including fireworks and party poppers
- Matches and lighters
- Lighter fuel
- Flammable liquids
- Items containing mercury
- Portable gas stoves
- Gas cartridges and refills
After checking in you will be directed to the security screening area.
Security Screening
In order to avoid delays in the security screening area, it is worth being prepared. Firstly, have your boarding pass ready as it will need to be scanned.
Your bags will go through the x-ray scanner, but laptops and liquids need to go through separately. Any containers with liquids cannot be over 100 ml, with a total of not more than 1 litre, and must be in a sealable transparent bag. You are required to empty your pockets and place the items into the trays provided, along with jackets, belts and any metal objects.
If anything suspicious shows up on the x-ray scanner or you set off the metal detector, you will be taken aside for a closer examination.
Once you and your bags have cleared security you can proceed to the departures lounge.
Departures Lounge
Between leaving security and entering the departures lounge, you will pass through the duty-free store where you can buy perfume, tobacco, alcohol and gifts at lower than normal prices. However, bear in mind that you can find these goods even cheaper in the resorts in Tenerife.
In the departures lounge there are information screens showing flight and gate numbers, and details of delays. Check these regularly for your boarding details as verbal flight announcements are not made.
You can relax while waiting for your flight by visiting some of the many bars, restaurants and cafés. Or partake in a little retail therapy in the shopping area where you can buy electrical goods, fashion and sports clothes, souvenirs and gifts.
The free unlimited Wi-Fi will let you stay connected and there are charging points for your mobile devices.
Your boarding gate will normally be shown around forty minutes ahead of departure at which time you should go straight to the gate.
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