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Verdict

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.7/10.

Score comparison

Metric Nice Côte d'Azur Airport East Midlands Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.6 6.7
On-Time Performance 7.4 6.5
Passenger Experience 7.5 6.6
Facilities & Comfort 7.9 6.9
Lounge Score 7.5 6.4
City Nice Derby
Country France United Kingdom
Terminals 2 terminals (T1, T2) 1 terminal
Annual passengers 14M+ 4M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy NCE — Nice EMA — East
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Nice, France · NCE · #1 in this comparison

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

2 terminals (T1, T2) · 14M+ passengers/year

7.6 / 10

How good is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores 7.6/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.4), passenger experience (7.5), and facilities (7.9). Lounge quality rates 7.5/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Nice NCE scores 7.6/10 — French Riviera gateway. Bus 98 to Nice centre ~20 min. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-france and /guides/nice-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.6 Very Good
On-time 7.4 Departure reliability
Experience 7.5 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.5 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.4
Passenger Experience
7.5
Facilities & Comfort
7.9
Lounge score 7.5/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to French Riviera — Monaco 30 min, Cannes 45 min by road
  • easyJet largest carrier from LGW/STN; BA from Heathrow; seasonal Jet2 from regional UK
  • Compare CDG (/airports/cdg) for Paris — Nice is leisure-focused, not a connection hub
  • EU261 applies; UK261 on UK-return legs

Overview

French Riviera gateway — easyJet, BA, and Jet2 from UK for Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Provence with dense summer schedule.

Riviera access

Helicopter transfers to Monaco available but expensive. Uber and taxis signed landside; traffic heavy Jul–Aug on A8 motorway.

For Provence lavender season (Jun–Jul), NCE is the primary UK fly-in airport.

Derby, United Kingdom · EMA · #2 in this comparison

East Midlands Airport

1 terminal · 4M+ passengers/year

6.7 / 10

How good is East Midlands Airport?

East Midlands Airport (EMA) scores 6.7/10 (Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (6.5), passenger experience (6.6), and facilities (6.9). Lounge quality rates 6.4/10. See full airport guide →

In short

East Midlands EMA scores 6.7/10 — Nottingham/Derby/Leicester gateway. Ryanair and Jet2 hub. Aspire Lounge for Priority Pass. Bus and rail via East Midlands Parkway. UK261 applies.

FlightLogic Score 6.7 Good
On-time 6.5 Departure reliability
Experience 6.6 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 6.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 6.4 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
6.5
Passenger Experience
6.6
Facilities & Comfort
6.9
Lounge score 6.4/10

Highlights

  • Serves Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and Lincolnshire without Birmingham or East Coast rail positioning
  • Ryanair and Jet2 base — dense Europe and Mediterranean leisure network
  • Aspire Lounge accepts Priority Pass — limited hours; pre-book recommended
  • UK261 on all UK departures; compare /airports/birmingham for Emirates long-haul

Overview

Midlands cargo and leisure airport between Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester — Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI with strong DHL freight operations.

Midlands positioning

EMA sits between the M1 and A50 with bus links to Nottingham and Derby. East Midlands Parkway rail station is a short bus ride — useful for London St Pancras connections via LNER.

For long-haul, Birmingham (7.2/10) offers daily Emirates to Dubai; EMA is short-haul focused.

More comparisons

Compare Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) against 59 other airports
Compare East Midlands Airport (EMA) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport or East Midlands Airport?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.7/10.

Which has better lounges, NCE or EMA?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores higher for lounges at 7.5/10, versus East Midlands Airport at 6.4/10.

Which airport is more on-time, NCE or EMA?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) has stronger on-time performance at 7.4/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.5/10.