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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you flew from Manchester recently

141 replies

TinasCrockeryPot · 30/03/2022 08:26

Posting for traffic really. Has anyone flew from Manchester airport recently? What’s was the security queue like? We were thinking about getting to the airport at 4am for a 6.30 flight but reading about the recent waiting times I’m not so sure about that

OP posts:
Lalliella · 30/03/2022 08:27

Following! We’re flying from there at Easter.

Papayamya · 30/03/2022 08:28

My friend flew from there yesterday and said it took around 3 hours longer than it usually would- but it seems some days are better than others. Personally I'd arrive earlier than planned even though its annoying.

Igmum · 30/03/2022 08:33

Us too! Also 6:30 am Sad

PronounssheRa · 30/03/2022 08:37

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-60902540

Allow plenty of time, and I mean plenty

tanstaafl · 30/03/2022 08:39

Which terminal?
We were on a 6.45 flight two weeks ago from T2.
At security around 5.15, took 25 mins to get through, queue moved slowly throughout.
Around 5.30 we could see the queue was starting to form outside the security area at which point they opened another X-ray belt.
Might be worth buying fast pass security?

harriethoyle · 30/03/2022 08:42

T1 on Friday night the queue for security was back to the airport doors. Leave lots of time and buy a fast track pass if you can.

Changeisneeded · 30/03/2022 08:43

I flew a week ago and it’s really dependent on the day and the time. The security queue was over an hour at that point and I had fast track which was also fairly long as I think more people are buying it due to the queues. I would aim to be there at least 3 hours before especially if you are on a flight where you need covid documentation.

Duvetdweller · 30/03/2022 08:43

Fast track is full - we’re flying this weekend and I’m dreading the queue. We’re getting there 4 hours before the flight as we can’t drop the hold luggage off before that.

BarbaraofSeville · 30/03/2022 08:46

They've stopped selling fast passes unfortunately. They'd be pointless if too many people had them.

We're on a flight leaving at 7 am on Friday from T1. I'm quite concerned and we're planning to get there at 4 am. If that's not enough then what more can we do? It's a work trip for DP and I'm tagging along. He has a fast pass but I couldn't get one.

If it comes to it, he's going to do his job as normal and if I don't make it, I'm just going to go home by train and miss out on a weekend break, because I've only lost the cost of the flight and with all this flying hassle, I'm already wishing I'd not bothered going with him.

winewolfhowls · 30/03/2022 08:47

We are flying on Friday and aiming to get there at 6am for a 9 flight.not experienced flyers though!

Original poster
TinasCrockeryPot · 30/03/2022 08:48

We’re flying from T1 with 2 year old dd so really worrying about it Confused

OP posts:
stokiemum62 · 30/03/2022 09:07

Flew 2 weeks ago. Had fast pass and through security in 40 minutes at 04.30. Lots of delays at security were peoples trays being rejected and needing a manual search so be really careful because that can add an hour and they are really strict. Mine was rejected because I had an empty water bottle (allowed) but hadn’t taken the lid off (not allowed). Things not helped by only 2 screening queues open.

Christmas1988 · 30/03/2022 09:12

I’m so glad I’ve seen this thread, we are travelling in May and I didn’t realise! Thank you

motherofcatsandbears · 30/03/2022 09:39

Buy fast track tickets for express security - I was waiting there nearly 2 hours mid February. By the time I’d cleared security, my flight was boarding and I thought I’d left loads of extra time to get through.
Make sure you’ve got less than 100ml of liquid, take empty water bottles as they have free water fountains.

booking.manchesterairport.co.uk/fasttrack/dates/

Have a lovely holiday x

Original poster
TinasCrockeryPot · 30/03/2022 09:41

Fast track isn’t available either

OP posts:
Ofalltheginjoints · 30/03/2022 09:48

We flew from T2 last Friday flight was 6:25am and we got to the airport around 3am, we were travelling with wheelchairs so that delayed us a little bit while sorting out airport assistance, I think we got to security around 4am and it was busy but mostly moving, my friends bag had to be searched as she'd missed a sample bottle of perfume in her bag and this is where we were delayed for around 35 minutes as quite a few bags had to be researched, we did think that there would be major delays by 9am, make sure to give yourself plenty of time

Ilikedampcake · 30/03/2022 10:00

We flew out on Tuesday morning from T1. Flight was at 07:15am so arrived just before 4am, took around an hour to get through security, queue was slow but moving so it didn’t actually feel too bad. A couple of us got patted down and one bag was searched due to a forgotten lip gloss, but it was nowhere near as bad as expected. We still had time for breakfast before we boarded, I dread to think what it would be like later on in the day though. Our flight did get held up for about 15 mins due a few passengers being delayed though.

vitahelp · 30/03/2022 10:06

Flew out from Manchester in February with 3 year old (not half term). We paid for fast track security but it wasn't needed as there were no queues at all.

Coming back into Manchester after holiday was another story, the queues for passport control were ridiculous. Thankfully we also had fast track passport control so could skip it.

Why can't you book fast track? We booked it as a package with car parking.

Original poster
TinasCrockeryPot · 30/03/2022 10:08

@vitahelp it’s not available for the date we fly according to the website

OP posts:
BluebellCockleshell123 · 30/03/2022 10:23

We went in February. The disorganisation was incredible and there were no officials either from airlines, airport or borders taking control of the queueing systems.

Arrived 2.5 hours before the flight. EasyJet bag drop took > 1.5 hours to get through (and that was only because I eventually went to the front of the queue as our flight was leaving in less than an hour). It was ski season so lots of people with hold bags but still…there were roughly 10 self service weighing stations that fed into a single person to put the bags through. It was chaos.

Security queue took ages with only 4 belts in action. One of our bags was taken aside and took > 30 minutes to get checked.

On return, passport control took 1.5 hours. The standard queue had 4 desks, the non-UK queue had 5 desks, and the family queue only had 1 desk. Screaming kids everywhere and no officials in sight to remedy the situation.

I’ve been in 3 other airports since and none have had this level of awfulness. Never flying from Manchester again.

Sisisimone · 30/03/2022 10:28

Flying from there on Wed and fortunately Fast Track still available so have bought them. If you can't get FT I'd aim to be there 4 hrs before

CharlotteRose90 · 30/03/2022 10:29

What day are you flying and what terminal? I work at Manchester and you need at least 3/4 hours to get through security currently it’s manic as there isn’t enough staff. Although if you are travelling with a child and pushchair you can use the fast lane and only queue for that.

LegMeChicken · 30/03/2022 10:30

@Lalliella

Following! We’re flying from there at Easter.
Same! Now wondering if 3 hours early is enough. It’s gonna be rammed.
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 30/03/2022 10:37

I refuse to fly from any MAG airport now. All three have these issues all the time - they have been deliberately created by MAG management who couldn't care less about passenger experience. Fortunately Birmingham is an option for me and it is far superior.

BorgQueen · 30/03/2022 10:47

I’m dreading flying on Easter Saturday, Easyjet don’t let you drop luggage more than 2 hours before the flight, I have fast track but apparently they can suspend it when they are ‘too busy’ 🙄
Surely Manchester should ban large hand luggage until they get this situation under control, it’s what airports did after 9/11, you were allowed a small plastic bag with essential items only.

The one saving grace is that the Easter holidays are spread over 3 weeks, some start this weekend, some on the 8th.
I don’t understand why it’s SO busy at the moment or for the last few weeks.