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Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan, Italy · Europe

Solid mid-tier European airport with efficient rail links but dated facilities and occasional peak congestion.

Airportist Score

7.2/ 10

Passengers

28M

Security

18 min

9 photos

Terminal 1 at Milan Malpensa Airport with its tall control tower and curved glass facade under a clear sky. — Photo: Arne Müseler
CC BY-SA 3.0 de Source

Wide view of a bright departure hall inside Milan Malpensa with polished floors, shops, and passengers moving toward gates. — Photo: Pierre André
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

A Malpensa Express train waiting at the Malpensa Aeroporto station platform under a covered concourse. — Photo: revi
CC BY 2.0 kr Source

Aerial view of Milan Malpensa showing parallel runways, terminal buildings, and open countryside around the airfield. — Photo: Olivier Cleynen
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Ground-level entrance at Terminal 1 with signs for rental cars, parking, and passenger pickup areas. — Photo: Hidvégi Balázs
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

A white electric Cobus apron bus labeled for Milan Malpensa drives on the tarmac near Terminal 1. — Photo: Bahnfrend
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Three wide-body jets from Ethiopian Airlines, Thai Airways, and Air China parked in a row along Terminal 1. — Photo: Bahnfrend
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Passenger view from inside Milan Malpensa Airport looking out toward the terminal complex and airfield. — Photo: Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom
CC BY 2.0 Source

Sunset light over Milan Malpensa Airport with warm colors above the terminal and surrounding airfield. — Photo: Rehman Abubakr
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2.5h early for non-Schengen

Security rarely exceeds 20 min but check-in queues can hit 45 min at peak.

Fast Track (€10-15) cuts it to under 10 min when lines form after 7am.

Terminal

T1 for Star Alliance/long-haul

T2 only for EasyJet and select low-cost; free shuttle runs every 15 min.

Non-Schengen departures concentrate in T1 Boarding Area B.

Food

Eat landside before security

Better value and variety in departures hall than airside.

Airside options limited after 9pm; many close early.

Status

Star Gold or Priority Pass for lounges

Independent lounges in T1 Area B accept both; day passes ~€40-60.

Monteverdi and Pergolesi frequently praised by travelers for showers and quiet zones.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for MXP.

Updated Jul 20, 2026

Two main terminals (T1 primary, T2 low-cost/EasyJet)
Star Alliance hub for Lufthansa/ITA; many long-haul non-Schengen flights in T1 Area B
Malpensa Express direct to Milan Centrale/Cadorna every 30 min
Fast Track security available via app or kiosk
Free shuttle between T1 and T2
Annual passengers ~28M pre-2025 recovery

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort6.8

Navigation7.5

Food6.9

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

28M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

72%

Avg security

18 min

Best For

Direct rail to MilanStar Alliance long-haulFast Track security

Watch Out For

T1 non-Schengen crowdsLimited airside dining lateShuttle dependency for T2

Nearby airports

Other airports within about 150 km.

9 photos

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2.5h early for non-Schengen

Security rarely exceeds 20 min but check-in queues can hit 45 min at peak.

Fast Track (€10-15) cuts it to under 10 min when lines form after 7am.

Terminal

T1 for Star Alliance/long-haul

T2 only for EasyJet and select low-cost; free shuttle runs every 15 min.

Non-Schengen departures concentrate in T1 Boarding Area B.

Food

Eat landside before security

Better value and variety in departures hall than airside.

Airside options limited after 9pm; many close early.

Status

Star Gold or Priority Pass for lounges

Independent lounges in T1 Area B accept both; day passes ~€40-60.

Monteverdi and Pergolesi frequently praised by travelers for showers and quiet zones.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for MXP.

Updated Jul 20, 2026

Two main terminals (T1 primary, T2 low-cost/EasyJet)
Star Alliance hub for Lufthansa/ITA; many long-haul non-Schengen flights in T1 Area B
Malpensa Express direct to Milan Centrale/Cadorna every 30 min
Fast Track security available via app or kiosk
Free shuttle between T1 and T2
Annual passengers ~28M pre-2025 recovery

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort6.8

Navigation7.5

Food6.9

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience7.0

Key Stats

Annual passengers

28M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

72%

Avg security

18 min

Best For

Direct rail to MilanStar Alliance long-haulFast Track security

Watch Out For

T1 non-Schengen crowdsLimited airside dining lateShuttle dependency for T2