As the summer holiday season ramps up so too does the pressure of flying from any UK airport.
With long queues and passenger chaos already having been reported at Manchester Airport over the bank holiday weekend, travellers may well be dreading their next visit to the airport, but there are some things that can be done to make the experience less stressful.
While even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry, knowing how to navigate check-in desks, airport parking, waiting times and even baggage limits, will help to ensure that your holiday can start in the way you would like it to go on.
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Getting to the airport is just the first step to jetting away on your holidays, and whether you drive, take a taxi or choose public transport, there are plenty of options available to passengers flying from Manchester Airport.
To avoid last-minute stress on the day, make your plans well in advance of your departure date and confirm which terminal you are flying from.
Airport Parking
If you are driving to the airport, pre-booking your parking will make your departure day so much easier.
Manchester Airport has a variety of parking options and provides the official Manchester Airport parking site that has spaces available either a short walk away from the concourse, or a five or ten-minute coach transfer.
Other parking facilities include Skypark, Purple Parking and Hawkins Parking.
On average prices start from around £45 to leave your car at the airport for a week. Prices will vary depending on who you choose to book through and when you are flying.
Public Transport
Trains run from Manchester Picadilly to the airport every ten minutes, seven days a week. The short 20-minute journey could be easier than sitting in traffic jams, and both Northern Rail and TransPennine Express operate trains into Picadilly.
To find out more about train times and prices, visit The Trainline.
Airport Hotels
If you have an early flight or are having to travel to Manchester Airport from quite a distance, staying in an airport hotel the night before can make things so much easier.
Some operators including Jet2 and Virgin offer a 'Twilight' check-in service which lets you drop your bags off between 4.30pm and 9pm on the evening before your morning flight.
Like most UK airports there are lots of hotels to choose from within easy reach of the terminal buildings, but some of the best include Radisson Blu Manchester Airport, ibis Budget Manchester Airport and the Holiday Inn.
Checking In
On the website, Manchester Airport advises that travellers will "need to have checked in and be ready to go through security at least two hours before the flight departure time."
One of the biggest creators of chaos at airports is eager passengers arriving too early and creating a bottleneck. In most cases, it is advisable to arrive no more than three hours ahead of your flight time but always check with your operator before you fly.
The queues for check-in desks often seem horrendous as they wind their way around the terminal concourse. To help alleviate the need for such painful scenes, Manchester Airport offers various different ways for passengers to get checked in.
Check-in desks - on arrival at the airport, passengers should check the information screens to find out which check-in desks are open for them. Once checked in, it is advisable to go to security control straight away, leaving plenty of time to relax and explore the departures lounge.
The check-in desks in Terminal 2 are located on the upper level of the Terminal. Find information on airlines leaving from this Terminal here.
Self-service check-in - the distinctive lime green self-service check-in machines are located throughout the terminals. Passengers with baggage can take it to a bag drop or proceed straight to security control if only travelling with hand luggage.
Online check-in - online check-in offers the ability to check in and print your boarding passes in the comfort of your own home or at the office (a printer is required). This means that upon arrival at the airport, you only need to visit the bag drop or go straight to security.
Express check-in - the user-friendly touch screen kiosks help to eliminate queues and hassle, enabling passengers to check in and print boarding cards in no time at all.
Self-check-in kiosks are located within the departures areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Security
Security queues are also a regular cause of stress at Manchester Airport, with passengers slowing down the process by not being ready to empty their bags for inspection.
Knowing what needs to go in those little trays that slide along into the scanners can help you to be better prepared and ready to go.
The following items should be removed from your hand luggage before you reach the trays:
- Liquids under 100ml should be in small clear ziplock bags and held outside of your rucksack or travel bag ready to be scanned. They do have these bags at the airport, but it is better to have everything organised before you get there.
- Electrical items need to be scanned separately too - this includes laptops and other electrical equipment such as iPads, hairdryers, straighteners, large speakers, large cameras, docking stations and even irons. Passengers flying to the USA need to ensure that electrical devices are charged and capable of being switched on. If you are unsure, ask a member of staff before you join the queue.
- Your phone should also be placed in the tray and not in your pocket to help you breeze through security without incident.
- Passengers must take off jackets and hats, and in some instances shoes and belts too.
Manchester Airport has produced its own easy-to-follow video guidelines, to help make the process run smoothly for everyone.
Luggage restrictions
No one wants to be that person having to open up their suitcase and remove its contents at check-in. Before you leave home, check what the maximum weight and size limits are for your flight operator.
Operators including easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Emirates will all have detailed guidance on their websites, as well as on your booking confirmation documents.
In light of recent changes to the size of free cabin baggage allowed on budget airlines, passengers should also ensure that their case or bag isn't too big. Oversized items may have to be checked into the hold, meaning more chance of delays at boarding.
Organised travellers can invest in luggage scales to use at home. Not only will this ensure that it's not you causing a delay a check-in, it will also help you to avoid unwanted excess baggage fees.
Airport lounges
Once you are through security, there will no doubt be a long wait until your departure gate is announced. Rather that cluttering up the main departure area by staring at the screens, why not treat yourself to an airport lounge where you can relax in comfort before you are called to board.
Most lounges usually offer somewhere to eat and private toilet facilities. They also limit the number of passengers at any one time to avoid overcrowding. This means you are guaranteed to find a seat and somewhere to chill while you wait.
Manchester has pre-bookable lounges in each of its terminals. The Escape Lounges cost from £28.99 per person and offer hot and cold food, a selection of wines, beers and spirits, unlimited hot and soft drinks, complimentary WiFi and mobile charging points. There are also flight information screens situated within the lounge so you don't have to leave until you need to.
The 1903 lounges offer bespoke daily food menus and premium complimentary drinks as well as unrivalled views out across the runway. At £44.99 per person, it costs more to wait here, but it does come with an upmarket look and feel and seats in the lounge are only available to passengers over 16 years of age.
During busy times it is absolutely advisable to pre-book your airport lounge before you travel, as you will be unlikely to find space available on the day.
You can pre-book the Manchester Airport lounges, here.
Passengers flying with some of the more upmarket airlines may also have access to a lounge. Emirates, for example, has its own lounge in Terminal 1. Passengers who have a Platinum or Gold membership with Emirates’ Skywards program or Emirates’ IO membership can take advantage of the lounge facilities, as can Qantas Platinum and Gold members.
Virgin also has its own lounge and game zone for passengers flying on Virgin Holiday packages in Terminal 2. For £25 per person, parents can enjoy some quiet time while the kids enjoy the play area.
Visitors to Manchester Airport are also slowly discovering the 'Quiet Zone' in Terminal 3 which offers extra seating away from the busiest part of the departure lounge, and it's completely free.
Wherever you choose to wait for your departure gate to appear on the screen, by being well prepared and booking lounges, parking and even checking in ahead of your arrival, hopefully, your airport experience will have been stress-free.
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