Heathrow service worst in world: Poll

Heathrow airport has come out worst for queues and topped the list of airports most likely to damage luggage in a poll by social networking website WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?).

But the airport comes out on top for security and friendliness.

USA immigration officials are considered the rudest, with 31% of British travellers describing US passport control staff as the least polite.

Jerome Touze, the founder of WAYN.com, said, "Our survey would suggest that the US customs and immigration need to address their attitude towards visitors.

"Simplify the form filling, generally be a lot more welcoming and better reflect the personality of the American people."

For passport control queues Heathrow came out bottom, followed by New York's Kennedy airport and Los Angeles.

The shortest queues can apparently be found at Amsterdam's Schipol airport.

Said Touze, "Our survey results may be pretty damning in terms of Heathrow's reputation for passenger service, but I guess all travellers would agree security is much more important."

"In this respect Heathrow can be proud to be considered among the best in the world."

Amsterdam and Rome were considered to have the least thorough security.

Despite concerns about privacy and embarrassment, 36% of those polled said proposed new "see-through" scanning measures would improve security.