Have your documents ready

Before heading to Manchester Airport, ensure your passport (and visa, if required) is valid and ready for check-in. Many countries require that your passport remain valid for at least six months beyond your travel date. For assistance or further information, visit the UK passport website.

As a general rule, make sure you have checked in and are prepared to pass through security at least 2 hours before your flight's departure time.

On a domestic flight?

You'll still need to show appropriate photo identification - check with your airline which forms they accept.

Check-in desks

When you arrive at the airport, check the screens to find your check-in desk. After checking in, head straight to security to save time and enjoy the shops and restaurants in the departures lounge.

In Terminal 2, check-in desks are on the upper level. Explore the list of airlines for this terminal.

Once you've checked in, we recommend going straight through Security. This gives you plenty of time to relax before your flight and enjoy shops and restaurants.

Book our FastTrack Pass from just £5.49 and speed through the airport queues.

Self-service check in

The bright lime green self-service check-in machines are easy to find around the terminals. They offer a quick and free way to check in.

Use these machines to confirm your booking and print your boarding pass in minutes.

If you have checked baggage, drop it off at the bag drop area.

Travelling with just hand baggage? Go straight to security for a faster experience.

Online check-in

Online check-in is quick and easy, and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Simply download your boarding passes to your phone or print them out. Check with your airline that the airport you're returning from accepts mobile boarding passes.

When you arrive at the airport, just check in your luggage. If you're travelling with hand baggage only, you can go straight through to security.

Express check in

Save time at the airport with our easy-to-use Express check-in kiosks. These touch-screen kiosks let you check in and print your boarding pass quickly. You’ll find them in the departure areas of the airport terminals.

Five simple steps to Express check-in

Identify yourself by entering your passport, credit card or e-ticket number.
Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your booking.
Print and collect your boarding card.
If you have bags, drop them off at one of the special bag drop desks (follow the signs to locate your nearest bag drop kiosk).
Proceed directly to security.

Twilight bag drop

Imagine turning up for your flight and walking straight through to security. You can do exactly that with the handy Twilight bag drop service offered by some airlines. This service allows you to check in your bags in advance, often the evening before your flight.

The eligible airlines include Virgin, TUI, Jet2.com, easyJet, and Ryanair.

For passengers looking to take advantage of our twilight bag drop service, you can now get free parking at one of our car parks to do so.

For more information about our Twilight bag drop, contact your airline directly.

Terminal 2 twilight bag drop

This service is available at the T2 West Multi Storey - P3.

Virgin: Open 16:00 - 20:00, for all flights the following day

TUI: Open 14:00 - 21:00, for flights before midday the next day

Jet2.com: Open 16:30 - 21:00, for flights before midday the next day

easyJet: Open 18:00 - 21:00, for flights before 08:30 the next day

Simply park in the car park and proceed to check in and drop off your bags. At the ticket desk you will be asked for your Vehicle Registration to validate your free parking.

Terminal 3 twilight bag drop

This service is available at the following car park: T3 Mid Stay - P15.

Ryanair: Open 19:00 - 22:00, for flights before 08:00 the next day

Take a token at the entry barrier, check in, and drop off your bags. Present your boarding pass and car park token at the ticket desk for validation. Insert your token at the exit barrier to raise it.

Top tip

If you’re flying with an airline that offers twilight baggage service and check-in the night before your flight, you’ll be eligible to book aether’s inclusive experience for your day of travel.