Manchester Airport named best in the country

I flew from MAN terminal 2 and was very impressed with everything from the check in areas to the gates! I’m also a fan of BHX, the check in areas and departure lounges are nice, but the gates could do with some work! Don’t get me started on LHR and LGW, these airports are major international gateways and the first impression of the UK for many tourists and they are nothing more than an embarassment!

I like Manchester Terminal 3, not as keen on the other two. Liverpool’s new terminal is good also like London City and Edinburgh.

Ya’ll got it wrong, EDI is the UK’s best 😀 😉

Wannabe, it will be T1 both ways too, it can now handle 747s so size isn’t a problem 😉
I got lost first time at the domestic pier, you have to sort of turn a corner from Gate 5 to access the big long tunnels. Needless to say I had to ask a BA ground staff member on my first time through :rolleyes:

Bhoy, I agree T2 is very depressing, once you get past all the shops. Fortunately, the 2 times I’ve flown out of there, I haven’t spent more than 5 minutes at a time inside the regular terminal, as both times I’ve been upstairs in the LH lounge, where the views of the tarmac are superb. I got a similar feeling in T1, but again, I was in the Bmi lounge, and from the upstairs area (it is 2 story) you can see a few planes. I thought the view in T3 is much better, especially from UA’s lounge as you see lots of taxiing aircraft but also from the terminal, as well.

I love all the duty free/liquor shops in LHR for the very fact that you can taste the booze before you buy. There’s no way in hell you’d be able to do that in the U.S.

Thanks a lot everyone for the ifno on T1, looks like I’m gonna enjoy myself in May! 😀 Can’t wait, will we arrive back in T1 aswell (BA 767 from FRA)?

I havent flown from Manchester since 1999 but paid a visit a couple of weeks ago and I must say Manchester is one fantastic airport. Personally I think the new Rail/Bus Link is stunning and very easy to use and navigate. Must also say though I think theres very little wrong with LBA. Alright in a bad location but once inside bright airy check in same with the departures, choice of restaurants and cafes as well as the brand new food hall and big windows in the departure lounge with good views.

how can you get lost in teh domestic Pier at T1? it’s dead straight, unless you’re at gates 70-90, in which case you access them through the BA Shuttle lounge at Gate 5. The best place I can think of for views in the T1 domestic pier (albeit through glass) is upstairs in the Executive Club Lounge. That has some excellent views of 09R/27L.

And as for Malt Whisky World in T1… I’ve NEVER been in there :rolleyes: 😉 It is indeed an excellent place to browse, sample and buy Single Malts. Always make sure and stop off in the T1 departure lounge on my way to my LX flights in T2… 😉

(T2 is without a doubt the most depressing Airport Terminal I’ve ever had the misfortune to pass through.)

The pier for Irish and Scottish flight in LHR can be quite awkard.The first time I went there I got lost but other than that isnt really really bad.Its great for photos espeically if planes are landing on RWY 27L.

The single best airport shop in the world, in my opinion, is Malt Whisky World in T1. There’s one in T3 as well, but not as big.

Wannabe, you’ll be flying from T1, a great terminal both landside and airside in my opinion. Photo opportunities are limited, you can get some photos if you go to the Europier in T1, this is made of glass and gives good views of the airfield. Furthermore if you follow the signs to T2 when you are airside, you can go to T2 departures as well and get some close up photos at the window next to Dixons. I only discovered the fact that you can pass freely between T1 and T2 airside recently, but it makes the shopping a lot better whe flying from T2!

Of course Manchester is the best. No doubt about it. And with a number of new routes starting this year, this looks to be yet another 20 million pax year!

I have found airside photography at LHR from the terminals to be completely nonexistant, with VERY FEW exceptions. I would imagine you would leave from T1 with the flight you mentioned, but it could be T4, as well. My cousin would know for sure.

I’m flying on a BA A319 from LHR-FRA in May, do any of you know which terminal this will be from? If so, what is it like for airside photography of the aircraft at their gates etc? And is it worth getting there early to have lots of free time, or is it not all that interesting?

In terms of shopping facilities, LHR’s terminals 1-3 are top notch. In terms of eating facilities, T3 has a TGIFridays, which makes it top notch in that regards in my book.

I don’t mind T1 check in at all, although I totally agree T2 check in is very dull and dismal, T3 is also pretty depressing. I’m a big fan of Manchester Airport so I’d agree with the survey there. Haven’t used Newcastle yet, I’ll be going there for the first time on the 27th of the month so I’ll report back then 🙂

the worst being at Heathrow’s Terminal 1 and 2 where checking-in was described as a “particularly depressing experience”.

They got that right, it is a complete shambles on summer holiday weekends :rolleyes:

Newcastle Airport serves up the best breakfast

A decent meal before you fly:D 😀 😀 😀