Manchester Airport Review

Overall Rating

2005 Good Point
Arrived early check in staff were more than welcome to open check in early for us.(thomas cook air)
Left bording passes at the check in desk by mistake prompt call 5 minutes later very clear over tanoy.
VERY fast security check service.
Clean all way Through
Staff helpful
Gate staff helpful

Good Point 2006
Thomas cook staff and airport staff with delay
Allowed children to play in the empty gates because of delay.

Bad Points - 2005
Every one smoking all around.
No bins before or after security.
Some shops closed.
Some staff rude to children in the shops.

Bad Point - 2006
Again smoking everywhere
Some staff at bar not helpful and didn't seem to care we had delay
Some Thomas cook air staff very un-helpful with information
Some Airport staff un-helpful with delay.
Aircraft Cleaners - Aircraft Not Clean.

Manchester Airport is the one of the busiest airports I have ever been too.

2005 Travelling through airport -
There for 6 of us travelling on Thomas cook flight. We arrived 1 hour early for check in, due to us never flying from Manchester we didn't no how long it would take to get there. At first however we couldn't find Thomas cook check in until a very helpful lady from the airport customer service came over and ask us if we were lost. She directed us to the check in. Got to check in Thomas cook/SAS aviation check in attendant more then happy to open the check in for us 1 hour early.
We checked in and started to walk away all most instantly a call was put out telling us we had forgot to pick up the boarding cards. Went back they gave us boarding card and helped us through to the security.
Got to the security check point and a very helpful staff member opened up a section of the belt and said come on through. We thought there was a problem until he told us he was just opening up and new security line.
Got past security in 5 minutes.
Went through couple of hours later after watching planes etc boarded very clean Thomas cook aircraft and we were off.

Travelling through in 2006
This year there was 14 of us 1 wheelchair passenger and 1 baby.
Got to desk and were told we were delayed due to aircraft being out somewhere and Thomas cook not releasing when they changed the aircraft 2 days before departure. We check in they asked if we needed any assistance with baby or wheelchair passenger.
Got to security and they were a bit slow but they opened up a security since we had a wheelchair passenger and baby for us.
Got through security and went through. We had a 3 hour delay and 1 hour in children were getting bored so we decided to ask if they were allowed to play in an empty gate. The airport staff said it was fine and found us a gate that was not being used all day. It allowed the children and us some time and the children were fascinated with the plane taking off and landing. 3 Hours later call was put out we were boarding. Of course the wheelchair passenger we had with us got boarded first. Very helpful staff got them extra legroom with out even paying. Plane was not clean. Boarded plane and took off.

Travelling Back Home - 2005
Arrived back at Manchester on time de-bored aircraft and headed to the passport control. Despite it being 0300 there were still a full set of staff on and got through all most immediately. Bags came short after staff were there to help and then was on our way home at 0400 only an hour for bags and everything.

Travelling back home - 2006
Arrived 15 minutes early back home. Staff still on at 0330 full at all desks.
Bags were slower this year but probably because it was a bigger aircraft. No staff to help at all even with wheelchair or baby passengers. Got out of baggage reclaim at about 0430.

To finish Manchester airport is very good the staff are 50% helpful and if there is a delay and you have children will try there hardest to get you a empty gate. I would defiantly recommend flying from Manchester Airport, as it's the best airport I have travelled through. Also if you're flying long haul you go to terminal 2 which I have never seen but sounds good.

I flew from terminal 1 I think its the biggest and would recommend to anyone.

Members' Comments onzjc's Review

• phil22 on 3rd Oct 2006

  Hi, I agree. Manchester Airport is good,
  
  One thing - terminal 1 isn't the biggest. Terminal 2 is all long haul, except the odd one or two flights.

• zjc on 5th Oct 2006

  You will find that terminal 1 is the biggest gate wise, and it has the most gates.

• phil22 on 6th Oct 2006

  I think you will find Terminal 2 IS all that in the middle; out from the terminal is used too.
  I'll prove it... Look on the Manchester Airport website.