Frequently Asked Questions
At Manchester Airport, it’s our mission to make your journey as smooth and simple as possible, so we’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions – and a short answer to each.
Start by choosing a category from the drop-down menu below, then click on a question to jump straight to the answer.
We’ve tried to cover as many popular topics as possible, but if you can’t find the answer to your question here, please get in touch.
- Baggage restrictions - what are they exactly?
- Can I take my sandwiches through security and onto my flight?
- Do you have any maps of the airport and directions on how to get there?
- How do I transfer between terminals?
- I checked on a flights arrival time before leaving home, by the time I had arrived at the airport it had changed and I now have to wait which costs me more car parking fees – how could this happen?
- I have a pacemaker fitted, what special arrangements do I need to make for going through security?
- I have had a recent operation and now have metal implants, what do I need to do to prepare to go through security?
- I have restricted mobility, how do I arrange assistance?
- I lost something at Manchester Airport, what do I do?
- My baggage didn’t arrive from my recent flight, what do I do?
- What facilities are there at the airport?
- What is Express Check –in?
- What shops are at the airport?
- Where can I fly to from Manchester Airport?
- Where can I smoke at Manchester Airport?
- Who do I contact if I have lost something at the airport?
- Why did I have to wait so long for my bags to be delivered to the baggage reclaim hall?
- Why do some security regulations seem so strange?
Following guidance from the Department For Transport (DFT), Manchester Airport changed its security regulations on the 6th November 2006 to ensure that you are up to date please see the latest Security Procedure.
Foodstuffs may be taken through security as long they comply with the current security regulations, in particular those concerning the carriage of liquids.
Full information regarding our security regulations
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/SecurityProcedure
For your convenience you are able to use the skyline walkway to transfer between terminals 1 and 2. Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1. Please allow 10-15 minutes to walk from terminal 3 to terminal 2.
The various flight information systems at the Airport (including Ceefax, Teletext and the various online systems) are run by the Airlines handling agents, it is upto them to ensure the correct information is available.
Manchester Airport does have special procedures in place for passengers with pacemakers (and for those passengers who, for medical reasons, cannot use the walk through metal detectors), please tell the security guard as you approach the search area and he will advise you what to do.
You do not need to make any special arrangements but please be aware that if you activate the walk through metal detectors you will have to submit to a manual search, if you are concerned about this you may request a private search area.
Manchester Airport provides a full range of assistance services
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/All+Content/AirportAccessibilty
If you left some property on your flight you should initially contact the airline you flew with airline contact numbers
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/airlinesandtouroperators
If you lost your items in Manchester Airport please call our lost property company on
T1/T3 : 0161 489 3643
T2 : 0161 489 6031
Although rare, sometimes a passenger’s baggage is not reunited with them at the airport, should this be the case you will need to report it to your airline or their baggage handling company as soon as possible, see contact details
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/LostOrDelayedLuggage
There are 3 terminals – all offer catering and shopping areas so you can relax and enjoy your time at the airport. See our full list of facilities.
Express Check in is available across all terminals please visit to see if your airline participates in this service.
With Express Check in there are no queues, it’s quicker than a traditional check in desk and you are able to print your own boarding card by entering your passport and credit card.
We have a wide range of shopping and eating and drinking facilities at the airport you can buy last minute essentials to design brands. For a full list of shops by terminal please visit;
Smoking areas are available outside all three terminal buildings and are clearly signposted.
There is a smoking area in Terminal 2 airside located at gate 300 and is clearly signposted.
Airside smoking areas for T1 and T3 will continue to be investigated.
If you have lost items within the airport itself please contact the lost property office in either Terminal 1 or terminal 3 Please do not leave items unattended whilst at the airport.
The delivery of your baggage is your airlines (or their appointed handling agents) see contact details
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/LostOrDelayedLuggage
The security procedures at Manchester Airport are handed down to us by the Department for Transport and we have no flexibility in their application, sometimes they can seem strange but please be assured they are there for passenger and staff safety, if you wish to discuss the procedures you experienced please ask to speak to a Security Team Leader in the search area. Full details of the security procedures
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/SecurityProcedure