Manchester Airport

Such a joy to transit through. Arrived from Doha into T2 to leave for New York from T3. Simple bus ride to transit centre easy security and then short walk. Staff pleasant and helpful. Have used Heathrow in past but will use Manchester if possible in future for a stress free transit.

This is an awful airport, almost as bad for old people as Heathrow. I have knee replacements and one of my traveling companions has a hip replacement. We were pulled out of line and wanded and patted for what seemed like forever. Every other airport just waved us through. A wheelchair had been requested for me, and none showed up, and nobody could tell me what chaotic line I had to stand in to get one. A woman my age who was traveling in my group was given an extra bag for her liquid and cream cosmetics, while mine were abruptly confiscated from my cosmetics bag, even though it was all tiny sizes. Because I had seeds that were attached to a magazine I bought in their own duty-free shop, I had to go through an extra search even though I admitted that I had them as the customs form said. I wasn't certain that two tiny packets of strawberry and basil seeds were dangerous. The desk had a sign that didn't mention seeds at all, just that one couldn't take away plants, yet the seeds were confiscated without any explanation. Why sell them at duty-free if you can't take them with you? It was an awful experience, chaotic and bullying. The worst part is that the plastic bin with my purse with passport and money and my laptop zipped through the conveyor scrutinizer and sat on the end for a good five minutes while I was being pointlessly frisked. It would have been very easy for a thief to walk away with both. Not a good place for elderly travelers.

We are frequent flyers from this airport and don't find it too bad at all. Last flight on Monarch on 29th September and return 8th October, all went well on site meet and great parking is good, check in quick and even security only 20 mins or so but its usual chaotic self. All in all will continue to use Manchester as our preferred airport.

T3 is a disaster, its not fit for purpose given the volume of passengers it handles and for which is was never designed. T1 is ok unless its peak periods for holiday traffic, again hit it at the wrong time and expect huge delays on departure for security, I once lined up out of the door and along the road to the end of the car park. Arrivals is confusing if you don't know the lay out. From baggage reclaim you have to navigate through a ridiculously small shop selling perfume and booze, why its there I have no idea. Never see anyone buying. T2 is probably the best, good layout easy to navigate. Like any airport Manchester works best when it is fully staffed, but it just cannot manage peak periods.

OK I am a frequent flyer, but this was my first time using Manchester airport. After landing, the wait for luggage was 35 minutes. Then, try as hard as I might - I could not find my way out of Terminal 1. In every airport, there are huge signs that say "EXIT - taxis, buses this way" etc. Not in this terminal. After wandering around backwards and forwards, an assistant pointed me to a goods lift, which led down to a car park, from where I had to walk around the building, before reaching what was actually the main entrance. But I was out at least. On my way back, I managed to find the same entrance - but then the whole business of check-in A and check-in B was a bit confusing. The signs don't explain which you should go to. An assistant noticed I was baffled - she asked which airline I was flying with. I said TAP Portugal. She asked me twice more, but did not seem to understand. In the end she said I know you're going to Portugal, but which airline? I said T-A-P Portugal is the airline. She said she hadn't heard of it. She works there every day. Regarding wifi - there are options, but the free one is only free for one hour. The others either don't connect, or else are too weak to sustain. I had higher hopes for Manchester - thinking that being the 3rd busiest airport in the UK, it would be sharp and well organised. But the fact that I got lost plus the assistant had never heard of a moderately well know (old) airline makes me a bit hesitant to recommend this airport for the business traveller who wants things to be smooth and self-explanatory. Queues however were well handled and the staff were generally friendly. Departures lounge was nice and clean. Main check-in hall a bit dim and dusty. There's the usual WH Smth and Boots outlets as far as shopping is concerned.

Security at terminal 3 on Sunday 4 Oct 2015 was a disgrace. So many people delayed because of an excessive number of bags held for recheck. I almost missed my flight, but there is no priority given to the rechecks if your flight is imminent. The woman who rechecked my bag just made a judgement about me because I was late to the airport. Apart from fact she knew nothing about me nor why I was delayed getting to the airport she thought she had the right to comment. While I was waiting (not having my bag rechecked or dealing with security, my phone rang (a concerned friend). I quickly told them I was stuck in security. This same woman then told me I was not allowed to use my phone. There is no sign in that area to say that I could not use my phone. Why was my bag rechecked? Because I had a hard wax hair application. Have travelled with this not in a clear plastic bag through at least 7 airports in the UK and only Manchester said it needed to be in the clear plastic bag. Consistency please. I will avoid Manchester airport in future.

My family and I have just returned home to via Manchester Airport on the 1st Oct after a 2 week holiday in Cyprus. After a 4.5 hour flight arriving in M/C at approx 3 am we and 350+ passengers were extremely tired and just wanted to be processed by customs etc as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for us this did not happen. We had to queue for well over 30 minutes to at passport control because you only had 4 positions manned. We could not use the alternative Automatic E Passport route because it was taped off. What concerns me most is the fact that my daughter has a 2 year old son who she had to carry from the plane together with her hand baggage. When we went to collect our luggage her buggy was last out on the carousel some 30 minutes later. By this time we were the last passengers left in luggage reclaim. All this time my daughter had carry her son around and a rucksack she had on the plane. What made the situation worse was that no member of your airport staff was anywhere to be seen to explain why or apologise for the delay. Surely as the buggy was handed in as we got onto the plane why can’t you return them as the owners as leave the plane?

Terminal 3: It is completely ridiculous that you do not advertise anywhere that there is not a smoking area once you have gone through security. How hard is it to put up a sign? And why make it so you can't go back out again once you're through. Surely we're capable of making a decision about whether we want to / have time to come back through security again before our flight. Bad service today for your smokers, will certainly be ensuring I pick a flight from another airport over a Manchester airport terminal 3 flight next time. Even it it means London.

My flight on 24th Sept. 2015 was my 180 th Manchester / Chicago flight between 1988 and current date. I wish to comment on the Security Area in Terminal 3. We had Priority Boarding and I am at a loss to know what our privilege was. Bags, etc. were placed in large deep bins. The delivery of these bins to a lower shelf was less than consistent. The loaded bins then passed through X-ray and emerged in two lanes, one nearest to be collected (OK) the other lane was behind a glass panel and one was informed (by a sign) that these bags were to be further inspected. It is very difficult to identify one's bag 6 ft away, inside a deep plastic box, behind a glass screen, when 90% are black and any personal identification hidden, and also all backed up. Inspection is at a counter around the corner. Chaos as individuals jostle to see if their bag is being inspected. My hearing is not the best but I vaguely heard a female voice asked for identification of the black bag being held up. Now I could see for the first time our identification ribbon. Come on Manchester I like using your airport but this Security Area is seriously flawed when it comes down to efficiency and customer convenience.

Used Manchester Airport on departure, the airport was OK service, and waiting time at security was OK. Shops and coffee outlets were good. I would use it again.