This Manchester airport lounges guide reviews every single lounge available to passengers at the airport – from airline and alliance lounges to independent paid-for entry lounges.
Manchester International Airport (IATA code: MAN, ICAO: EGCC) has 3 terminals: T1, T2 and T3 and is the third busiest UK airport behind London Heathrow and Gatwick. It is located some 14 km (9 miles) south-west of Manchester.
There are currently 8 airport lounges at Manchester spread across the 3 terminals plus a separate private terminal.
We’ll explain the access rules for each Manchester lounge and give the lounge opening times/prices. We will also provide an overview of what you get in terms of lounge facilities. For more on lounge access in general please see How To Get Airport Lounge Access – The Ultimate Guide
We mark the Manchester lounges listed by airline alliance and whether entry is possible by payment or via the Priority Pass or DragonPass programs.
Manchester Airport Lounges – Terminal 1
Lounges at Terminal 1 Manchester are located on Level 4, one level above departures. Go through security and Duty Free following signs to ‘Premium Lounges’. Near the Dixons store you can take the stairs or lift up the one level.
There are 3 lounges at Manchester T1:
- Aspire Lounge Manchester T1
- Escape Lounge Manchester T1
- Emirates Lounge
Aspire Lounge Manchester T1
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS][DRAGONPASS] – This is a spacious lounge at Manchester Terminal 1 run by Swissport.
It offers bar and buffet area, comfy seating, floor-to-ceiling windows with runway and apron views, work booths, family booths and free WiFi/Pressreader app.
Paid entrance for a 3-hour stay is available from £44, free access is given to Priority Pass and DragonPass holders, subject to capacity.
It is also contracted for use by premium and elite passengers of Aer Lingus, Austrian, Finnair, Icelandair, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines.
Open daily 0400-2030.
Escape Lounge Manchester T1
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS][DRAGONPASS] – Escape Lounges are run by Manchester Airport Group (MAG) and have lounges at each terminal.
The Escape Lounge at T1 is a decent-size offering with a bar/cafe area and some basic hot/cold food offerings, drinks including wine/beer/spirits/tea/barista coffee, comfy seating areas, a quiet zone and free WiFi.
Guests pay from £32 pre-booked online. Free entry is granted to Priority Pass and DragonPass holders.
Open daily 0400-2000.
Emirates Lounge Manchester
[EMIRATES][PAID] – The Gulf carrier has up to 3 daily flights to Dubai using Airbus A380 aircraft and has a spacious 800m² lounge at T1 Manchester.
The Emirates lounge features a hot/cold food buffet and bar area, shower facilities, computer workstations and free WiFi. There are floor-to-ceiling windows providing runway views.
Access is granted to first and business class Emirates passengers plus Emirates IO, Emirates Skywards Platinum/Gold members and Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum One/Platinum/Gold flying on Emirates.
Paid access is possible for Emirates economy passengers. Lounge entrance costs a hefty $125 (Skywards members), $155 (non-members). At current exchange rates that is approximately £100 and £125 respectively.
Open daily 0600-1400 and 1715-2130.
Manchester Airport Lounges – Terminal 2
Lounges at Terminal 2 Manchester are located on Level 4, one level above departures. Go through security and Duty Free following signs to ‘Premium Lounges’. Opposite Gate 209 you can take the stairs or lift up the one level.
There are 3 lounges at Manchester T2:
- Aspire Lounge Manchester T2
- Escape Lounge Manchester T2
- 1903 Lounge Manchester T2
Aspire Lounge Manchester T2
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS][DRAGONPASS] – A compact lounge at terminal 2 run by Swissport. It offers drinks and snacks, newspapers/magazines, comfy seating, business zone and free WiFi.
Paid entrance for a 3-hour stay is from £45.
Free access is possible for Priority Pass and DragonPass holders. Note, this lounge can get very busy in the morning and entrance can sometimes be restricted.
Open daily 0400-2000.
Escape Lounge Manchester T2
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS][DRAGONPASS] – Escape Lounges are run by Manchester Airport Group (MAG).
The renovated Escape T2 lounge offers a decent self-service buffet, bar drinks including wine/beer/spirits/tea/barista coffee (champagne charged extra), stylish seating areas, work spaces and free WiFi.
Guests pay from £37 pre-booked online. Free entry is granted to Priority Pass and DragonPass holders.
Open daily 0400-1700.
1903 Lounge Manchester T2
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS] – Manchester Airport Group (MAG) opened its premium VIP lounge at Terminal 2 in 2021.
The 1903 Lounge is the airport’s ‘adults-only’ premium lounge concept. 1903 references the year when the Wright brothers made their first flight.
This light and spacious lounge features various island bar stations, chef-prepared dishes, stylish seating with excellent runway views.
Paid entry for 2 hours is open to travellers on any airline and costs from £48 per person (no paid admittance to children under 16 or groups larger than 6).
Priority Pass members can enter but need to pay an additional fee at the door.
The lounge shares an entrance with the Escape lounge. Also used for Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic premium passengers (where children will be accepted).
Open daily 0400-2030.
Manchester Airport Lounges – Terminal 3
Lounges at Terminal 3 Manchester are located on Level 3, one level above departures. Go through security and pass the Dixons store, then head up one level by stairs or lift.
There are 2 lounges at T3:
- Escape Lounge Manchester T3
- Escape Lounge (2) Manchester T3
Note that the British Airways Terraces Lounge at T3 has closed permanently.
Escape Lounge Manchester T3
[PAID][PRIORITY PASS][DRAGONPASS] – Escape Lounges are run by Manchester Airport Group (MAG).
The Escape T3 lounge offers a bar/cafe area with hot/cold food offerings, drinks including wine/beer/spirits/tea/barista coffee, stylish seating areas, work spaces and free WiFi. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer runway and internal views.
As in the other Escape Lounges at MAN, guests pay from £33 pre-booked online. Free entry is granted to Priority Pass and DragonPass holders. It is also used by premium and elite passengers of British Airways and Iberia.
Open daily, 0400-2000 (Sun-Fri), 0400-1800 (Sat).
Escape Lounge (2) Manchester T3
[DRAGONPASS] – The former 1903 Lounge at T3 has been rebranded as an Escape Lounge.
This light and airy lounge space offers hot/cold buffet, stylish seats and free WiFi. There are good views of the runway.
Entry is currently open only to DragonPass holders.
Open 0400-1930 (Sun-Fri), 0400-1730 (Sat).
aether Private Terminal at Manchester
Manchester has its own private high-end facility for those who wish to avoid the main terminals. It is open to passengers (in any class) of the following partner airlines:
British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Hainan Airlines, SAS, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
The terminal has its own private security with lounge facilities on offer including private dining with a curated menu.
There are various packages available:
- Express – those departing with cabin bags only can make use of the private terminal security and then be chauffeured to their gate or the main terminal directly. No aether lounge access is available and the cost is from £90 per person. Arrive up to 75 minutes before departure.
- Inclusive Cabin Bags – this is available for departing/arriving passengers with cabin bags with use of the lounge on offer and a chauffeured transfer to/from the aircraft. The cost is from £150 per person. Arrive up to 3 hours before departure.
- Inclusive Checked Bags – this is the same as above except it includes checking in your baggage. The cost is from £170 per person. Arrive up to 3 hours before departure.
aether is open for bookings from 4 November 2024.
The aether terminal is located on Wilmslow Old Road on the southwestern side of the airport.
Which Manchester Terminal?
Note that T2 is undergoing a £1.3bn “transformation programme” which will modernise the terminal and double its size – completion is due by 2025. T1 will eventually be closed down.
Note, airlines are in the process of moving flights from T1 to either T2 and T3 – please check here for latest info.
Manchester Terminal 1 – Airlines using T1 include Aer Lingus, Air Malta, Air Transat, Austrian Airlines, Balkan Holidays, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Islands, Corendon Airlines, easyJet, EGYPTAIR, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Jet2.com (some flights), Luxair, Maleth Aero, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, SunExpress, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines.
Manchester Terminal 2 – Airlines at T2 are Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus (Direct Transatlantic), Air Canada, Air France, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Hainan Airlines, Jet2.com (some flights), Juneyao Airlines, KLM, Norwegian, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TUI, Virgin Atlantic International.
Manchester Terminal 3 – British Airways and Iberia Express operate from T3 as well as Aurigny, Loganair, Ryanair, SUN-AIR and Vueling.
Manchester Airport Lounges Summary
Manchester Airport Lounges By Numbers: 8 Manchester airport lounges 6 open access lounges 6 Priority Pass lounges 6 DragonPass lounges 3 lounges Manchester airport Terminal 1 3 lounges Manchester airport Terminal 2 2 lounges Manchester airport Terminal 3 1 airline lounge 1 private terminal 0 arrivals lounge
Which Manchester Airport Lounges can be accessed with Priority Pass?
6 lounges – Aspire Lounge T1, Aspire Lounge T2, Escape Lounge T1, Escape Lounge T2, Escape Lounge T3 and 1903 lounge (with supplement)
Priority Pass holders also get a £18 credit at Starbucks/The Grain Loft (T1).
Thinking about Priority Pass membership? Click here for a special 10% discount which will provide unlimited access to 6 Manchester airport lounges and 1,400+ lounges worldwide.
Which Manchester Airport Lounges can be accessed with DragonPass?
6 lounges – Aspire Lounge T1, Aspire Lounge T2, Escape Lounge T1, Escape Lounge T2, Escape Lounge T3/T3(2).
Discounts are available through the app at bar mcr/Cafe Balzar/Giraffe (T1), Archies/Apiary/Bridgewater Exchange/Giraffe/KFC/Pot Kettle Black/San Carlo/Wrapchic/VIT (T2).
Is there an American Express Lounge at Manchester?
No. There are no American Express branded lounges at Manchester airport. Amex Platinum card holders can get lounge access via the Priority Pass program.
Which lounges can Star Alliance Gold members use at Manchester?
Star Alliance Gold members at Manchester will mainly get access to the Aspire Lounge T1 (if flying Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAP and Turkish Airlines) and Escape T2 lounge if on Aegean Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
Are there Skyteam lounges at Manchester?
No, there is no dedicated Skyteam lounge. Business Class/Skyteam elite Plus passengers on Air France-KLM are directed to use the 1903 Lounge or Escape Lounge (T2).
Saudia uses the Aspire Lounge T2.
Is there a dress code at Manchester airport lounges?
Generally yes. For example, the 1903 Lounge require guests to wear smart-casual clothing; sport shirts, track suits and revealing clothes/fancy dress are all forbidden.
Heathrow vs Gatwick vs Manchester Lounges: London Heathrow has 39 airport lounges compared to the 13 London Gatwick airport lounges and 8 Manchester lounges.
- Last update 11 September 2024.
- First published in 2018, the original complete guide to MAN lounges.
- Links at AirTravelGenius.com may pay an affiliate commission. Lounge opening times can change, always check with the operator.
