Manchester (MAN) International Airport

Airport in Manchester – Basic Information

Manchester Airport is among the busiest international aerodromes in the UK. It is sited at Ringway, 13.9 km to the South-West of Manchester. Being the entryway to the North of England, it is at the same time well-connected to the rest of the state.

MAN airport covers 5.6 sq.km, serves over 60 airline companies and services flights to more than 200 destinations around the globe. There are three operating terminals at the airport, it’s quite spacious with all modern facilities. The passenger flow in Manchester exceeds 22 mln travellers a year. However, in 2017 it broke a record of almost 28 mln visitors and the project of Terminal 2 Manchester Airport double extension was launched.

The first most important phase of the renovation programme worth £1 bln has already been accomplished, however, the reconstruction will be fully finished in 2024 allowing Manchester Airport Terminal 2 to accept 35 mln travellers annually.

The data on our website is synchronized with the official data of the MAN airport’s department of home and international flights, however, the information can be shown with a slight delay. Our website is not a direct data provider, that’s why we accept no responsibility about the probable discrepancies on the flight online desk through our page accurately reflects the airports official information.

Flight Tracker – Check the Flights at MAN Online

Our flight tracker is intended to facilitate any traveller’s convenience and time planning that allow monitoring flights in real time.

Here is an advice on how to track Manchester Airport flights using the map above, on which you can see a part of airspace.

This page at present contains the chart of MAN airfield, you can adjust the view with the help of or signs “+” and “-”.

To alter the airspace, you can click the mouse button and move the map, it will adjust to your preferences.

Immediately on rolling on any aircraft, you can see the aeroplane tail number. If you click on it, you’ll see the panel with the full information about the aircraft. After that, you will see:

Which of the Manchester Airport Terminals You Need

Below, you can find all the necessary information about each of the three operating terminals to make your travelling to, from or through the airport smooth, comfortable and hassle-free.

Note that Terminal 1 and 2 in Manchester airport are linked and there’s just a 10-15-minutes’ walk between them. T3 is connected to T1 as well.

Terminal 1

MAN T1 is used by about 25 air carriers with regular and charter flights to the countries of Europe and other destinations. Such air companies as Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, Emirates, Swiss, TAP Portugal, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines are operated here.

The first terminal is the biggest one, covering 110 000 sq.m., it has two piers with the total number of 29 stands with 18 airbridges, 107 check-in desks, over 5 baggage carousels, and a shopping centre. Above you can see the Manchester Airport Terminal 1 map and use it for finding your way inside T1 which is able to accept about 11 mln. passengers a year, nearly half of the total present passenger flow.

Terminal 2

MAN Terminal 2 houses 24 airline companies, servicing regular flights and charters to the various parts of the world. The area of the terminal is 52 000 sq.m., it contains 16 gates, 9 with air bridges, 80 desks of check-in, and 5 luggage carousels.

The present-day annual capacity of T2 is 8 mln passenger, yet, it will grow by more than four times after the renovation and become the most developed Airport Terminal connected to T3 with a hallway, having new piers and an extended security area.

The Check-in desks in Manchester T2 are on the upper level of the departures zone. Ensure you have two hours to check in for the European flight, and three for the international one. Bag drop desks are clearly marked on the informational screens and the map of Manchester airport terminal 2 for your convenience.

The Zone of arrival is sited on the T2 lower level.

Terminal 3

The smallest of the terminals, T3 was opened as ‘Terminal A’ in 1989 by Princess Diana. In about 10 years British Airways opened the new facility as a major extension to the third terminal. Since then BA and the codeshare partners are the main users of the Terminal 3 in Manchester Airport.

T3 covers 44 400 sq.m., has just 14 air bridges and 47 check-in desks, please see above Manchester airport terminal 3 map for your convenience.

Ways to Get to Manchester International Airport

The Airport is outside the city, almost 10 miles from the centre, that’s why you need some public transport or a taxi to reach it. However, there are excellent transportation links at the airport and it serves a great advantage for the travellers.

Trains to or from Manchester airport
Manchester Airport train station lies between the first and the second terminals and it is linked to them by a moving walkway. In fact, it is at the very heart of the airport allowing easy access to every terminal for the passengers who arrived by train to Manchester airport. The way to any terminal takes maximum a quarter of an hour on foot.

The trains of Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales connect the airport with Picadilly station and some others in Manchester. The trains also run to Scotland – Glasgow and Edinburgh and Wales – Holyhead and Llandudno.

The regular trains to and from Manchester Piccadilly leave every 10 minutes, 7 days a week. The journey lasts just 20 minutes and the tickets can be pre-booked and bought online in advance or the same day as well as from ticket machines and information desk at MAN airport.

Metrolink
In 2014, the Metrolink service linked the station of Cornbrook and the Airport, the journey takes around 35 minutes and the frequency is 12 minutes. Since the beginning of 2018, the service runs to Victoria Station in Manchester.

Bus and coach
Local and regional buses service the Airport, they run from early morning till late at night every day, weekends and holidays included. The coaches and buses to MAN Airport arrive at the Station. It unites buses, coaches, and trains into one building 24/7 and has links to every terminal.

Stagecoach and bus service 43 connect the centre of the city and the airport round the clock, the frequency is 10 minutes in the daytime and half an hour at night, Skyline service 199 runs every half an hour.

The National Express services run to the Airport every day from the multiple pick-up points across the United Kingdom to the airport door directly.

Road
MAN Airport is just in a 20-minute drive South-West from Manchester, it’s easily reached by the M56 motorway. Manchester airport terminal 1, 2 and 3 postcode is M90 1QX, and you can use it for satnav. The minor M6, M60, and M62 roads are linked to the airport as well, on any road follow the signposts when approaching it to get to the terminal you need.

Manchester Airport Pick Up and Drop Off Zones

Until the year 2018 dropping passengers off was free, however outside the terminals. Then the Manchester airport drop off charges was introduced – £3 for 5 minutes and £4 for 10 minutes for the vehicles dropping travellers off at terminals.

In case you need Manchester airport terminal 1, 2 or 3 pick up zone, head straight to the arrivals car park. Each Terminal has Multi-Storey car parks, so pick up can be realized there as well.

Alternatively, the travellers can use Manchester airport free drop off point at the current Jetparks 1 and get on a shuttle bus to their correct terminal.

It’s important to find out the parking restrictions at Manchester airport terminal 1, 2 and 3 pickup and drop off, since fines are issued to the automobiles, breaching the terms and conditions for the drop off zones.

The sum of a fine can reach a hundred pounds. To get to the Manchester airport terminal 1 drop off, get off the M56 at the 5th junction and follow the signs to T1, pass by Hilton and Clayton hotels on your left and take the ramp to the left. There you will be able to enter the car park under the drop off sign.

In case you need Meet and Greet at Manchester airport terminal 1, drive right at the first roundabout after you’ve passed the Hilton hotel and make the left turn after about 150 metres. You can leave the car there and get your keys back from Meet Greet collection point inside the Arrivals hall T1 and get to your car on a lift next to the collection point. Manchester airport terminal 2 Drop off can also be easily found following the signs for T2 after leaving the M56 at Junction 5. You need the exit signposted as ‘T2’.

Meet and Greet service of Manchester airport terminal 2 can be found at the 3rd exit of the next roundabout, it’s clearly signposted as T2 M&G. The drop-off facility is on the multi-storey car park top level, the keys are returned at M&G reception facility on the ground floor of the same car park.

Manchester airport terminal 3 drop off area lies a bit further than Hilton and Clayton hotels on the road to T1 and T3. Shortly after the hotels, you need the first exit from the roundabout and then the third exit of another mini roundabout, then follow till the second mini roundabout and take exit 2. You’ll find the drop-off area straight ahead of the Terminal.

T3 Meet Greet can be found following the signs to T3 after the exit from M56 at the junction 5. As you approach the traffic lights, get in the left-hand lanes signposted for T3, the road works around the airport have changed the road layouts, that’s why it’s important to follow the signs.

Manchester Airport Lounges and Shops

MAN cares about the travellers, providing the visitors with the opportunity to wait for the flight in a premium Manchester airport lounge.

Manchester airport lounges of terminal 1 are sited after the security and the Duty-Free zones, they are signposted along the walkway. To get to the 1903 or Executive Lounge you should pass the Dixons and go upstairs to the Executive Lounge level.

Escape Lounge is open from 4.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. 7 days a week and the price for staying in it starts from £21 per person if pre-booked.

1903 Manchester airport VIP lounge of terminal 1 works 7 days a week from 5:10 a.m. till 8:30 p.m. allows adults only and costs from £35.

Manchester airport Escape lounge in terminal 2 is located on the lounge level, where you can get on a lift or by stairs, which are opposite Gate 209. This Lounge opens at 4.30 a.m. and closes at 8.30 p.m., except for Wednesday closing time at 6.30 p.m., and Sunday closing time at 5.30 p.m. The passenger of any airline and any class can spend time in comfort in this airport lounge of Manchester for just £21 if the visit is pre-booked.

Each Manchester airport lounge in terminal 3 welcomes visitors 7 days a week from 4.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., except for Sunday, when both are closed at 8.00 p.m. The lounges can be found on Level 3 before the main Manchester airport Duty Free shops.

BA Executive Lounge, which operates the whole week from 5:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. can also be found here. Access is only allowed for eligible travellers on any member airline.

Shopping at Manchester international airport can be a real world class experience, you will find here retail and souvenir shops, book stores, and electrical outlets, and much more, the choice is endless. Most of the shops are located in the departures zones and work for the first and last flight of each day. Popular stores which can be found in all three terminals are Accessorize, Biza, Boots, Dixons Travel, Rolling Luggage, Swatch, and WHSmith.

The choice of Manchester airport terminal 1 and 2 shops is a bit wider.

Useful information about MAN airport