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Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside London and the third busiest in the UK. It is the main international hub for the North of England, serving destinations across Eur...

✈ 29.6 million (2023) passengers 🛫 2 runways 📅 Est. 1938 🏢 Manchester Airports Group (MAG)
🅿️ Parking 🏨 Hotels 🛋️ Lounges ℹ️ About 🚆 Getting there
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Manchester Airport Parking

Compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and on-airport car parks side by side. One search — all the major providers. Find your price, then book direct with them.

💡 Parking tip: Manchester has a wide range of parking options. On-airport JetParks and Multi-Storey options are convenient but premium priced. Off-airport operators including SkyParkSecure, APH and Purple Parking are consistently cheaper. The airport is well served by park-and-ride options with frequent shuttle buses. Terminal 2 works are affecting some parking layouts — check your booking confirmation for latest shuttle arrangements.

Manchester Airport Hotels

Stay the night before and wake up five minutes from the terminal. Compare hotels with parking, breakfast and shuttle options. Find the best deal, then book direct.

💡 Hotel tip: Several hotels are within the airport campus including the Hilton Manchester Airport and Radisson Blu. Park & Stay packages offer good value. Altrincham and Wilmslow have hotels within easy reach with good transport links to the airport.

Manchester Airport Lounges

Day passes for every lounge at Manchester. Food, drinks, Wi-Fi and a quiet space before your flight. Compare prices and facilities, then book direct.

💡 Lounge tip: No1 Lounge operates in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Escape Lounge in Terminals 1 and 2. Manchester is one of the better-served regional airports for paid lounge access, with competitive day pass pricing.

About Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside London and the third busiest in the UK. It is the main international hub for the North of England, serving destinations across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and beyond. Owned by a consortium of Greater Manchester councils and other regional investors, it is one of the few major airports in the UK not privately owned.

Terminals

Terminal 1 (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2)
Terminal 2 (British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, TUI — major refurbishment ongoing)
Terminal 3 (American Airlines, Delta, United, some charter)

⚠️ Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by a walkway. Terminal 3 is a short walk or free bus transfer away. T2 is undergoing major expansion — check for temporary changes to gates and facilities.

History

Manchester Airport opened in 1938 on a site that had been used for aviation since 1929. It was heavily used during World War II for training and manufacturing. After the war it expanded rapidly, with the first transatlantic service launching in 1953. A second runway opened in 2001 after a lengthy planning battle and public inquiry. The airport is currently undergoing its largest ever transformation with the £1.3 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Programme, centred on a rebuilt Terminal 2.

Fast facts

Largest outside London
Third busiest UK airport overall
Check-in advice
2.5–3 hours for long-haul, 2 hours short-haul
T2 transformation
Ongoing until 2025/26 — expect some changes
Wi-Fi
Free throughout all terminals
Food & drink
Broad selection in all terminals including airside
📍 Nearby: Manchester city centre is 9 miles north. Wilmslow and Altrincham are closest towns. Peak District National Park 20 miles east.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travelling with children: Manchester has family-friendly facilities across all three terminals including baby changing, feeding rooms and children's play areas. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by a covered walkway — useful with buggies. The Metrolink tram is accessible and buggy-friendly. Meet & Greet parking is popular with families given the large airport campus.

Getting to Manchester Airport

Metrolink
Tram to Manchester city centre in around 20 minutes. Stop outside T1/T2.
Transpennine Express
Rail services to Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and beyond.
Northern Rail
Local rail services across the North West.
National Express
Coach services nationwide.
Taxi
City centre approx £25–35. Pre-book for better rates.
Airport info
IATA code MAN
City Manchester
Passengers 29.6 million (2023)
Runways 2 runways
Terminals 3
Founded 1938
Official website →
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