Acceptable, but only just. Some major downfalls, but a useful alternative to Heathrow or Gatwick (Manchester Airport (MAN))

Member Name: tiaw

Product:	Manchester Airport (MAN)
Date:	23/07/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More airlines and routes every year.

Disadvantages: Poorly designed, cluttered

Having transited through Manchester Airport on several ocassions now, I can say that it is a definite alternative to (mostly) grotty Heathrow and Gatwick. Like most things, there are positives and negatives. A lot of airlines fly out of here to many wide ranging destinations. Air France for example connect you with CDG and a world of destinations. Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Delta, Continental and KLM do the same. If you live in the North of England, there isn't much need to go south for flying international (if you don't mind one extra flight perhaps).

As for the airport itself, the connecting walkways are bright, spacious and airy, if a little long (even with moving walkways). Terminal 2 is probably the most pleasant. There are a distinct lack of shops and places to eat before departures. If you have a long wait, it's not the most exciting place to hang around, even by airport standards.

Terminal 3 is poorly connected to the rest of the airport. It requires either a walk or a short bus ride to get to. Once inside, it's a pokey, awful little building, both before and after security.

There is one unforgiveable when it comes to Manchester Airport though. If you are connecting to a different airline, and you haven't got a detailed itinerary print out with you, it's impossible to know which terminal that airline flies out of, unless you research beforehand. Unlike every other medium-large sized airport in the world i've been in with more than one terminal, Manchester does not have any signage telling you which airlines fly out of which terminals. You literally have to drag your suitcase the massive distance to each one. It is such a simple, basic thing, and yet it's been neglected. Only at the entrance to each terminal does it tell you what airlines serve it. Almost unforgivable.

Altogether though, Manchester is fine, if a little inefficient, poorly designed and empty of shops and places to eat.

Really though, few airports in Europe are any good anyway, so if you are just spending a few hours in it, there shouldn't be any problem.

Summary: Fine, if a little inefficient, poorly designed and empty of shops and places to eat.