Get the most out of your airport experience with these top tips
There are lots of ways your pre-flight experience can be part of your holiday - if you know where to find them. Although we can’t guarantee an upgrade on your flight, we can help make your journey even more special from the moment you step foot inside Manchester Airport.
From speeding through security, to knowing where to get some well-deserved pampering, our travel experts reveal how to get the best out of your time spent at Manchester Airport. (Keep reading to discover a UK first for those in the know…)
By booking into an airport hotel the night before you travel, you can start your holiday in a peaceful state of mind without having to worry about getting to the airport on time. Wake up in your comfortable hotel room, throw on your travel outfit and enjoy a relaxed breakfast knowing that you’re just minutes away from the terminal. Many airport hotels offer free cancellation, great prices and even park & stay deals.
If you’re flying with Virgin, TUI, Jet2.com or Ryanair, you can use a the Twilight Bag Drop service and check your bags in the evening before your morning flight. That’s another thing ticked off your to-do list!
We offer parking solutions for every length of time and budget, so your car will be in safe hands while you’re away. Meet & Greet is popular and close to all terminals so you can head straight to check-in. We’ll park your vehicle and make sure your car is waiting for you when you return. Just pick up your keys from reception and you’re good to go!
Drop & Go saves the need to search for a parking space. Just park in a designated bay, drop your keys at the kiosk, and we’ll take care of the rest. Drop & Go is 5 minutes' walk from T3, and a short shuttle bus ride to T1 & T2. Collect your keys from a locker when you land and your car will be waiting in our dedicated returns area.
You don’t have to fly first or business class to access an airport lounge. All three terminals feature an Escape Lounge where you can chill out and charge your phone before your flight. Your visit includes complimentary hot and cold food, and drinks from our well-stocked bar. You can turn up on the day and take your chances, but there is limited capacity so we recommend you book before you arrive.
If you’re travelling from Terminal 2, the 1903 Lounge offers a premium airport experience with bespoke daily food menus, premium complimentary drinks and great views of the runway. (Read on to find out about our new hospitality experience.)
If you prefer the hustle and bustle of the main terminals, why not treat yourself to a premium food and drink experience before you fly? We have lots of different restaurants to choose from with gluten free and vegan options available too. Fancy a light snack with a chilled glass of wine, a hearty steak dinner, or a luxurious bowl of silky pasta? Many of our venues also offer a great wine list, classic cocktails and refreshing alcohol-free options. Pass the time people-watching with a glass of something good in your hand while you wait for your flight to board.
You can beat the queues by pre-booking the FastTrack express lane at Security. Our FastTrack passes start from as little as £5.50 per person and will give you access to a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint. If you’re flying from Terminal 3, you can pre-book a convenient TimeSlot to enter the security area which will allow you to breeze through the queues so you can get to the departure lounge quicker (and start your World Duty Free shopping!)
If you love perusing the World Duty Free counters for a great deal, our departure lounge must be like heaven! But if you’re keen to stat browsing before you even step foot in the airport, our Reserve and Collect service is the easiest way to shop. You'll find a wide range of products from the world’s leading brands online - from sunglasses and spirits to scents and skincare.
You can save a further 10% when you Reserve & Collect. Shop online between 24 hours up to 30 days in advance of your journey and your order will be waiting for you in-store at the World Duty Free collection point where you can simply collect and pay for your goodies.
Top tip: For the ultimate pre-flight hospitality experience, fly from aether, our new Terminal which is available to all passengers. Housed in its own building overlooking the runway, your visit includes premium dining and drinking options and a fast-track security lane. And when it’s time to board, you’ll be whisked to your gate in a chauffeur-driven electric BMW.
You can also book aether for when you arrive. Simply step into the waiting chauffeur-driven car and breeze through aether’s private passport control/domestic arrivals channel. Relax with some refreshments while your bags are collected and returned to you. .
Now you know some of the secrets to getting the most out of your time at Manchester Airport, you can start your holiday even before you board your plane!
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