Blackpool airport has beaten off competition from its bigger rivals to be crowned favourite by Which? Holiday, in the biggest survey of its kind.

Despite flying to fewer than 20 destinations, tiny Blackpool airport towers over much of the competition with Which? members awarding it an overall customer score of 80 per cent. London City airport came in a close second, with an overall customer score of 78 per cent.

Both airports received five stars for the efficiency of check-in, the time it takes to clear security and distance from check-in to the gate, and the overall airport experience, including signage, design of the airport and attitude of staff.

However, their larger BAA owned rivals in the South East brought up the rear of the results table, with London Heathrow Terminal 1 faring worst, scoring a paltry 31 per cent. Both North and South terminals at Gatwick, and Heathrow’s Terminals 2, 3 and 4 complete the bottom six.

Lorna Cowan, editor of Which? Holiday, says: “It seems clear that Which? members prefer the experience of flying from smaller regional airports to using the larger ones. So it is well worth looking into the routes offered from smaller airports when planning a holiday to short-haul destinations.