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Original poster

Anyone flown from Manchester airport - what is it REALLY like ?

26 replies

ButterOllocks · 09/05/2022 10:40

I am getting myself totally stressed at the thought of the airport check-in process at Manchester, and have seen so many horror stories in the press - by want to know of honest reality of the situation. Due to fly with elderly mum who cannot stand for long, autistic DS and son age 12 - along with hubby who hates flying - we are flying to Corfu - to get on a cruise ship and if the process takes hours - we may miss the flight and cruise, plus I have to keep it all together for everyone (this is a rescheduled holiday booked pre-pandemic). TIA

OP posts:
Louise0701 · 09/05/2022 10:45

Sorry to say but my parents have had a 3 hour delay this morning meaning they have missed their connecting flight to USA! We flew out of there earlier in the year and it was dreadful!

Novella12 · 09/05/2022 10:52

Which terminal are you flying from? I flew from terminal 3 a week ago and it was quiet, no issues at all. Queued for security for 15 minutes and that was it. It was worse flying back into Manchester- the queues for passport control were long but fairly fast moving. From the news I've seen, it looks like terminal 1 has been the worst but they are hiring lots of new staff. Give yourself plenty of time just in case.

cleareyesfulhearts · 09/05/2022 10:52

Been twice recently and it was fine, had no issues.

Tintoverano · 09/05/2022 10:56

I flew on Friday 29th April. We checked in 1 case but did that at the automated bag drop - no queue. However, the queue for security started OUTSIDE the terminal. I timed us - we queued for 1hr 45 mins just to clear security. As flights approached, they called people on those flights e.g 'anyone flying at 7pm or earlier, raise you hand' and they would be taken to front. However, once we were in the main security big (where the queue is a zig zag) staff couldn't get to people so boarding passes weren't being checked so some people were just raising their hand then pushing to to front or climbing over the barrier to get to front. Out of about 12 security desks, 3 were open. If you've not already, I would definitely book fast track (I tried to book in queue but fully booked for my flight time). It won't stop all your queueing but will cut out the first big queue and get you to the actual security checks must faster.

tribpot · 09/05/2022 10:59

Is there any chance you could move the flights forward by a day, so that at least you are not stressing about making the connection?

You can book a Fast Track at Manchester Airport (a friend of mine used this at Easter and then had a massive flight delay waiting for everyone else who was in the not-fast-track queue) but I think I would be trying to arrange some assistance for your mum at least, via your airline. it sounds like at minimum she needs a wheelchair for whilst you're queuing.

Original poster
ButterOllocks · 09/05/2022 11:00

We are flying at 7:55 am - which means we have to be there quite early (have booked a hotel at the airport to we don't have to get up at in the early hours. Not sure what terminal - it's a TUI cruise. Have to say dreading the whole experience.

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Tintoverano · 09/05/2022 11:01

P.s I was T1

Original poster
ButterOllocks · 09/05/2022 11:03

We are hoping to book fast track (but from previous experience it did not give us that much of a head start. Don't think we can book an earlier flight - we'd have to book one nights accomodation in Corfu and don't think this is viable

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterOllocks · 09/05/2022 11:04

.... thanks for taking the time to post - it's really appreciated :)

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notacooldad · 09/05/2022 11:04

We flow out on Good Friday for a 10 day trip. We walked straight up to security. No queue whata over. I came back for a dew days and I'm currently in Spain. I flew out on Friday ( due back Wednesday) There was a very small, less than normal ( out of term time or covid) queue. We were through in minutes.
However I'm hand luggage only. I never take a case.

WhatNowwwww · 09/05/2022 11:05

I would second booking assistance through the airline. They’ll get an airport staff member to push your Mum in a wheelchair and give your DC who is Autistic a lanyard so staff know to be patient etc. You’ll be fast tracked through security and the whole process will be a lot easier. You just need to go to the “help point” I think they call it when you arrive at the terminal and they’ll be expecting you.
A family member of mine flew from Manchester last month with assistance and it was easy and quick.

notacooldad · 09/05/2022 11:07

There is currently no fast track option at Manchester.

notacooldad · 09/05/2022 11:08

Sorry that looks like I'm contradicting WhatNowwwww
I meant that there was no fast track option to buy as it's currently suspended.

ThelmaDinkley · 09/05/2022 11:21

Like WhatNowwww says. Contact beforehand for assistance as you’ll need wheelchair assistance for your mum and you’ll get sunflower lanyard for ds. You’ll also be fast tracked as they know queues can be distressing for neurodiverse. Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

Original poster
ButterOllocks · 09/05/2022 11:31

Thank you all x - do feel slightly better

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MsMiaWallace · 09/05/2022 11:53

I'm wondering about Birmingham?

Frazzled2207 · 10/05/2022 11:49

I follow the tweets religiously.
there have been sporadic issues, notably yesterday, but generally speaking there seems to be a lot less stress than a few weeks ago.
T1 seems to get the brunt of it, followed by T3. Not T2 as much.

MadisonAvenue · 10/05/2022 12:00

MsMiaWallace · 09/05/2022 11:53

I'm wondering about Birmingham?

Saw a report this morning that they’re advising passengers to arrive 5 hours early.
A local taxi driver dropped someone off yesterday morning and posted a video on our local Facebook page and the queue stretched out of the main terminal and around the path past the Eurohub and up towards the car parks.

mummyh2016 · 10/05/2022 12:07

@MsMiaWallace DH flew from BHX Thursday morning, he was through security within 20 mins of arriving at the airport (this was 4am) I was really shocked. He said the issue appears to be with TUI, the queues for their check in were nearly out the door and he nearly joined it thinking it was for security.

Original poster
ButterOllocks · 02/06/2022 11:36

Bumping this post - any recent experience of Manchester airport ? TIA

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WiseUpJanetWeiss · 02/06/2022 11:51

I'm here now. At T2 waiting to board my flight which appears to be fairly on time. Bag drop (Air Canada) was no problem as we got there before it officially opened.

Security took 2 hours. It was very calm, and staff were great, pulling passengers out as it got close to their flight times. However, there are not enough of them. Half the security channels were closed.

Also there were so many clueless people with liquids in their bags etc. Really frustrating.

So, not great, but not as bad as I feared.

Badbadbunny · 02/06/2022 11:54

What it is "really" like is a lottery. There's no consistency. Some times, it's fine, other times it's a nightmare. Best thing is to try to avoid the peaks, i.e. the early morning peak where there are dozens of flights within an hour, and likewise the evening return peak. If you can fly mid day or afternoons, probably much less chance of delays/congestion.

Favouritefruits · 02/06/2022 21:08

I came back yesterday honestly it was awful, baggage check in was a breeze I was feeling very smug with my security fast pass… two hours later queuing in a car park I was less smug, freezing cold 6am in the morning with two children I could of cried. The fast pass lets you by pass the last 10metres only, it wasn’t worth it, it was very disorganised.

comming back was much worse, 3.5 hour delay because of the flight coming from Manchester, no toilet roll on the whole flight because they didn’t have time to top up at Manchester before coming to us at Reus, then when we arrived there was no staff to put stairs on the aeroplane so we couldn’t get off for about an hour. Then there was a two hour wait for luggage at the luggage carousel. There was so snacks or drinks left in the vending machine, abandoned luggage strewn all over it was chaos. We should of arrived home at 1.30 we came home at 8.45!

WhatsHoppening · 02/06/2022 21:14

Flew out from terminal 3 last week- got there 3 hours early and security was empty- walked straight to the front. Looooong time to kill in the worlds worst airport (it was packed until the first few flights left and there is literally nothing to do in terminal 3!) but smooth journey.
Coming home we were delayed on the plane getting off waiting for ground staff (about 20 mins). However kept well informed by nice captain and walked through security and out the other side so fine really.
No experience of bag drop/bag collection as we travel hand luggage only. 100000% recommend if possible!

FlipperSkipper · 02/06/2022 21:19

Flew through t1 hand luggage only on Friday. We had fast track security and it took us 27 mites from parking the car to duty free shop. Regular security queues we longer. Definitely book assistance or fast track if you can.