"recent experience was very good"
Robin Bramhall (United Kingdom)
✅ Trip Verified | I thought it was great. In the past I've been very critical of Manchester Airport, but credit where it's due, my recent experience was very good. As always, we parked in Jetparks3 and got the shuttle bus. I hadn't been through Terminal 2 for about 20 years, as all of my recent flights have been from the dump that is Terminal 1.What a refreshing improvement the expanded Terminal is. The check-in area is bright and clean, passport control was a doddle, and it took just 2 minutes to get through security, albeit this was at 04.30 in the morning. I had a wander round, bought some duty free, and sat and relaxed for a while until my flight was ready. It was a bit of a trek to the departure gate for my flight to Frankfurt, but no real problem. Boarding was via the airbridge, so thank goodness no messing about with buses to far flung areas of the tarmac. And our flight took off exactly on time. My return flight was a week later. Again an airbridge was available, and the arrivals gate was fairly close to Immigration. One of the 2 travellators was being repaired, but in a couple of minutes I was through passport control, and amazingly my bag was in the first batch- then straight through customs and out through Arrivals where the JetParks 3 bus was waiting. All told, 25 minutes from the plane to my car. So, Manchester Airport can be a smooth and stress free experience.
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | November 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | N/A |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | yes |
"What a farce"
Mick Daley (United Kingdom)
Not Verified | We let Manchester for Melbourne via Dubai. The passage from check in, bag drop and security was all smooth. The infrastructure coped well with the small number of passengers. However, our experience on the return journey on 08/11/2024 was exceptionally poor, the worst we had over the period of a 10 weeks abroad visiting a number of different airports and cities, and indeed, the worst we've had ever a Manchester. The aircraft was an A380, and on finishing taxing, the flight deck informed us that "due to the fact that there is no airbridge available at the moment to take such a large plane, we were parked at a remote stand and would require bussing to the terminal. Welcome to Manchester. We were on the upper deck of the aircraft, and there were no steps available to reach from the apron, prompting internal, cramped, potentially dangerous disembarkation to the lower deck to the exit stairs to the tarmac. When the bus arrived my wife was told extremely rudely by one of your employees to " get on the bus, now" She explained she was waiting to board with me, I was 2 or 3 people behind her. He repeated his rude remark. Welcome to Manchester. The bus took us to the terminal but parked in such a way that disembarkation was only possible from the front doors. Again, more delay. On entering the ground floor doors, we realised the escalator was broken meaning lugging up luggage to the top of the stairs. No help was offered to families with young children, buggies or the elderly. Welcome to Manchester. We then arrived at Immigration. What a farce. 23 snaking lines of queueing arrives, once you got to the beginning of the snake ! The automatic passport readers were malfunctioning so badly the people assisting on the queues had to intervene, slowing the lines down even further. And so to luggage retrieval. Two incoming flights with baggage on the same carousel, £1 trolley fee, 35 minute wait. Welcome to Manchester. Nowhere in the world compares
Experience At Airport | Arrival Only |
Date Visit | November 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
“a shameful offering”
Andrew Wilkinson (United Kingdom)
Not Verified | Early flight with Easyjet from Belfast to Manchester. Smooth experience - then Fast Track through Manchester to Geneva. Quite the worst experience we have had in years. Five "footmark" spaces at security with only one allowed to be used. Officious, unpleasant staff, who actually reorganised every single tray before letting them go through the scanner. They used SIX trays for my wife's hand luggage and FOUR for mine! Bearing in mind that we had just travelled from Belfast with two trays each being used, laptops etc. this was unbelievable. I was told by the agent that I had breached security because I reached across the rollers to get a tray. Then the luggage was pulled for inspection. At this stage many people were complaining. I asked, politely, to speak to the manager, who, when he approached me told me to "Stand back"! He was quite the most ineffective manager I have ever encountered - many staff standing around doing absolutely nothing with no supervision. Then my cabin bag had to be emptied and the lining unzipped because the scanner had detected something - the handle of the case - an £800 Montblanc which I have travelled with weekly for the last 2 years! By this time the manager had scampered off somewhere, ignoring the chaos. All lounges full, food offering poor elsewhere. Unfortunately not a forgettable experience but one which, thankfully, I will be able to avoid in the future. All in all a shameful offering.
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | October 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Business |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
"Security was very quiet and efficient"
Kevin Tunnicliffe (United Kingdom)
✅ 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.
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | September 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | N/A |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | yes |
"Terrible experience"
Russell Smith (Australia)
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.
Experience At Airport | Departure Only |
Date Visit | July 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | N/A |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
"experience was perfectly satisfactory"
M Dayle (Australia)
✅ 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!
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | July 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | yes |
“life-sapping and brain-numbing experience”
Jason Smart (United Kingdom)
✅ 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.
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | June 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Business |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
"thoroughly depressing experience"
Lynne Knox (United States)
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.
Experience At Airport | Departure Only |
Date Visit | June 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
“tired, dirty, disorganised”
M Spencer (Australia)
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.
Experience At Airport | Arrival and Departure |
Date Visit | May 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Seating | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Food Beverages | 12345 |
Airport Shopping | 12345 |
Wifi Connectivity | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | no |
"grateful for his exceptional service"
Thomas Gallagher (United Kingdom)
✅ 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.
Experience At Airport | Departure Only |
Date Visit | May 2024 |
Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
Queuing Times | 12345 |
Terminal Cleanliness | 12345 |
Terminal Signs | 12345 |
Airport Staff | 12345 |
Recommended | yes |