Manchester Airport

✅ Trip Verified | Terminal 1 is the area I am reviewing this trip. We used the short stay car park as you can walk, undercover, into the terminal. Very easy, although not the cheapest option. Finding the Aer Lingus check-in was simple and as we stood in line the single check-in operator asked for passengers for Belfast to come forward first, which was great. The airline uses T1 for short hops to Belfast and Dublin, the main activity for long haul is in T2. Security was very quiet and efficient for those of us who understand and stick to the rules. One family was annoyed at having to surrender much of their liquids and cosmetics because they did not know the rules. My partner's bag was sidetracked for search. Apparently, her paperback novel attracted their attention. Mine, thankfully, did not, so go figure! Once through we ran the gauntlet of the "Duty Free" maze and found our way to the Aspire Lounge, included with the economy-flex ticket. Boarding was simple with the ATR72 aircraft having only 72 seats. Returning, the aircraft was parked very remotely for some reason and we were bussed to the terminal, at times I thought we were on an executive all-areas tour! By the time we got there, the bags were on the belt and we were away.

Not Verified |   Terrible experience. Arrived 2 hours before a short flight to Newquay. On arrival we found it very confusing to find T3 departures, after a few wrong turns we got to easyjet check in along with about 700 others. Easyjet had two desks open hence it took us well over an hour to check in. Security was chaos, the dingy room was packed and staff were screaming out orders like it was a prison camp. The xray machine was rejecting every other bag, we had to plead with one of the staff to check ours otherwise we would miss our flight, we were lucky I met a guy in the throng of people waiting for their bags to be checked who told me he was autistics and was feeling overwhelmed he'd already missed his flight and didn't know what to do with no staff interested in helping. We had to sprint to the gate only to have to go through more security here my partners passport wouldn't scan and staff again didn't care and were unhelpful. We fly to the UK and then on to Newquay or Dublin from Australia regularly, this was the first time we have enter via Manchester and will be the last.

✅ Trip Verified | Travelled through all 3 terminals at Manchester over June/July this year. Experiences as follows: 14 June. Arrival into T2 (Singapore Airlines). No waiting for gate, immigration fast and efficient, bags delivered promptly, taxi waiting to take us. 17 June. T3 departure Ryanair. Early morning rush, busy terminal. Security brisk and efficient. If you are prepared then there should be no dramas. Departure Lounge a zoo with limited seating. Eventually got a table for breakfast. Many, many people drinking alcohol pre 7 am. Not an issue to me, it made flight to Majorca interesting…. Unlike any airport/flight I have ever encountered! Boarded by aircraft stairs. 24 June 8.25pm. Returned to T3 Ryanair from Majorca. Day after power delays caused disruptions. Arrived early, slight delay getting onto stand. Disembarked via steps. Straight through immigration with no delays. Evidence of huge “snake” queuing system that may be used at busy times I guess. Hand luggage only so no comment there. Waited 15 minutes bus to car hire (Green Motion) but picked up car very quickly. Courtesy buses to car rental village and other parking came and went. Overall good arrival experience. 3 July. Terminal 1 EasyJet departure. Awkward getting lifts to check in area. Very busy check in area. Left suitcases at Left Luggage. Hand luggage only again. Passport control again automated and swift. No queue for security once again. Staff brisk, efficient and polite. One bag (out of 8 for our party) pulled for further inspection. Clear explanation as to why this was the case. Busy terminal. Got very good seat at “Giraffe” eatery, right by window. Surprisingly good food and excellent service. Boarding by stairs. Had to wait a while in light rain before boarding. Departed 30 minutes late but only arrived into La Rochelle a few minutes late. 10 July. Arrived back into T3, 2 hrs late (weather in Europe), straight through immigration again, no bags to collect, walked to Radisson Blu for overnight. 11 July. Depart T2 (Singapore Airlines) No queue at check in. Straight through security. Polite staff, no shouting etc. Clear explanation as to why bag was selected for secondary screening. 1903 lounge very pleasant. Once renovations complete this will be a very good terminal. Overall, while Manchester Airport is no Singapore Changi, our experience across all 3 terminals was perfectly satisfactory. As long as you turn up on time, well prepared and organised you should be fine. It’s not the hell hole some of these reviews would have you believe!

✅ Trip Verified | It’s been said countless times, but Manchester Airport, and especially its Seventh Portal of Hell (otherwise known as T3) is a truly life-sapping and brain-numbing experience. First of all, there are the seats or lack of them. There is literally no where to sit, unless you are elderly or disabled. God forbid a heavily pregnant woman should want to sit down. ‘Get out of that seat, love. It’s for wheelchair users only!’ Then there are the prices. This is nothing new for an airport, but Manchester takes the absolute mickey! And the majority of staff who work at the eateries all need sacking for their pure hatred of all their customers, But the absolute worst aspect of Manchester Airport are the staff. This is the interview process - Question 1: Can you be bitter, sour and rude for an 8-hour shift? Can you treat every passenger you meet with utter disdain and treat them with zero respect? Yes? If you can belittle them, then you might be management material. Okay, next question. Question 2: Can you state the bleeding obvious so slow the passage of passengers? Things like: ‘Put your feet on the ground’ or ‘Walk forward’ (when there is no where else to go) or even ‘Can you go that way’ (pointing in the same direction as the arrow next to them). This is something you will need to become adept in during your role as Manchester Airport Staff Member: Yes, okay, next question. Question 3: If we put you on the security line, will you laugh your head off after you cause a passenger to miss their flight? Will you share this guffawingly-amusing news to your colleagues? Will you enjoy them sharing similar stories to you about how they confiscated a bottle of milk from a toddler? Can you share these stories so as to keep passengers waiting even longer? Yes? Okay, next question Question 4, last question: Is your IQ lower than most people but you are not aware of this? Yes? Okay, you are hired. And remember, for every passenger you annoy you will get a monetary bonus in your weekly wage packet. But seriously, Manchester Airport is the absolutely worst in the world but they absolutely do not care. They do not care that most of these reviews on this website are negative. They do not care if you cannot sit down or are overcharged for some bottom-of-the-barrel meal. They do not care because they know that people will still use Manchester Airport despite all of these things. But if anyone is reading this and has the option of using another airport, then my job is done. Horrible, dirty and embarrassing airport.

Not Verified | Travelling Club World via Terminal three, we arrived early and were told we couldn't check in yet ("computer says no" kind of vibe from the staff). All of the self-service check-in kiosks were out of order; no BA lounge in this terminal, and very limited seating, so people crowded with luggage in a franchise coffee bar with filthy floor and tables, shabby and worn-out fittings, and a poor selection of food. A thoroughly depressing experience.

Not Verified | This has to be the worst airports in the world. On arrival it looks tired, dirty, disorganised and on departure 2 weeks later (back to Australia) it was even worse. Terminal 1 is cramped, totally disorganised, staff yelling instructions at people and then security is ridiculously bad. Again, dirty, depressing, massive queue of confused people, staff yelling, had to take liquids out (nowhere else seems to do this anymore!!) backlog of people waiting for bags to come through. And then the departure area OMG!! Too many people for the space, dirty floors (chewing gum on the floor at the gate) rubbish bins are just plastic bags on a stand!! Horrendous will never fly back to the uk via Manchester again - embarrassing really.

✅ Trip Verified | My experience at T1 Manchester Airport on May 2nd was initially marred by a disheartening incident with SunExpress. Despite having proof that my 4-month-old baby was booked on our flight, we were denied boarding, causing us to miss our flight and jeopardizing our carefully planned and saved-for holiday. With all contact lines closed for both SunExpress and OnTheBeach, we found ourselves in a distressing predicament, especially since we were reliant on family for transport and had no means of getting home without resorting to an expensive taxi. Feeling stranded and defeated, we stumbled upon the Manchester Airport help desk as we were preparing to leave. It was there that we met Mortimer, a beacon of hope amidst our turmoil. Mortimer attentively listened to our plight, showing a remarkable level of empathy and understanding. He swiftly assessed our situation, meticulously examining our tickets, bookings, and evidence of the denied boarding. Mortimer's knowledge and professionalism were immediately apparent as he calmly elucidated our rights and the recourse available to us with both the airline and holiday firm. Moreover, he went above and beyond by arranging accommodation for us at a nearby hotel and assisting us in securing a new flight for the following day. The logistical challenges we faced, particularly concerning our luggage and the needs of our baby, were alleviated by his proactive assistance. He liaised with the new airline on our behalf, ensuring that our baby's necessities were accommodated, and even helped us transport our belongings to the hotel—a task that would have been arduous without his aid. Throughout this ordeal, his unwavering support and genuine concern provided us with much-needed reassurance. In a world increasingly dominated by automated systems and impersonal customer service, his human touch was a breath of fresh air. Manchester Airport is fortunate to have someone of his caliber at their help desk. His exemplary attitude and dedication truly set a standard far beyond what one might expect. Thanks to his intervention, what could have been a catastrophic setback evolved into a manageable setback. His remarkable assistance not only salvaged our holiday but also saved us from potentially significant financial loss. I am immensely grateful for his exceptional service and sincerely hope that Manchester Airport recognizes him as the invaluable asset he is.

Not Verified |   Another dreadful experience. I’m ashamed to say that my home city airport seems to actively be living up to its ‘worst airport in the UK’ reputation. Confusion, broken machines and massive queues on the way out. Delays sitting on the runway and one person at the immigration desk for a 500 person flight. 2 hrs from landing to getting in a taxi. Come on, have some city pride and sort it out, it’s embarrassing.

Not Verified | Dire beyond belief, had to pick my son up from Terminal 3 last night at 23.00, I can honestly say that the terminal was worse than a Third world country that has just suffered 30 years of civil war along with a famine and numerous natural disasters, it was shabby, dated, dirty and utterly not fit for purpose. We parked in the "Terminal 3 pick up car park", not being familiar with terminal 3 you look for the arrivals entrance, after a short walk you are directed down a very dark alley with a skip and building materials blocking most of the path, having decided that can't be the route we retraced our steps and kept to the lit footpaths until we eventually found arrivals where we could get a coffee ...... no we couldn't, despite a quite busy concourse, everywhere was shut, OK I thought, lets go to "Departures" same again everywhere was shut, now determined to get some sort of a coffee, maybe a vending machine can relieve me of £10 for a watered down warm brown substance, off to terminal 1 departures, again loads of people everywhere shut, now desperate, down to arrivals, then a glimmer of hope we saw someone with a carry away drinks cup and there we found it, a small Greggs tucked away in a corner, 1 shining light in the pits of Manchester Airport, now to get back to terminal 3, we realised that you actually had to squeeze past the skip and building materials, that was the correct route after all, wondering if we were going to get mugged, I hadn't realised that stage, we were actually going to get mugged, nervously we made our way into arrivals to meet my son, a short walk back to the car and the dredded "Pay station" No1 out of order, No2 out of order, No3 Working, pop you token in ......... £20 please sir... Mugged.

✅ Trip Verified | The airport overall looks like a building zone. Signage is poor and confusing. Terminal 2 being renovated and opening next year. In the meantime, walkways are switched off although no visible work being done. Security staff extremely rude. Shouting, abrupt, finger waving and some just speaking to customers in a way that beggars belief. These are my observations and am not writing the review after being on the receiving end of the abuse. Just felt it needed airing.