I won't travel with National Express again!! We had to fly back from London, after a nice couple of days of vacation. The bus arrived at the right time, as noted on our tickets, to take us back to the airport. The bus was empty. Because this bus was the actual bus BEFORE 'ours', we couldn't get it. This bus was 40 minutes late. Without any hesitation, empathy or whatsoever... the bus driver told us that 'rules are rules' and left us standing there. With my printed tickets (allready paid in my home country, same exact price!!!) and luggage. 'Your bus will arrive shortly'. EHM, I don't think so. I can't help it that you're delayed!! Our bus was also 40 minutes late, plus 40 minutes of traffic... Result; we missed our flight!! The doors of our plane allready closed. We had to rebook tickets and I had to call my boss to tell him I won't be able to come to work. 1,1/2 hours away from the centre of London... our next flight was TWO DAYS later!! We had to pay for new tickets, plus two extra nights in a hotel. This has cost us more in total than the entire trip! I understand that bus drivers like to 'stay in control', but this was the rudest thing ever. We would've been home that evening if he'd let us in. Therefore I'd like to suggest; leave with national express 5 hours before your flight departures, or go by tube. You'll get better service there. It was absolutely ridiculous.