Which airlines use which lounges at Manchester Airport?

The recent terminal changes mean new lounges.

In late 2025, Manchester Airport effectively closed Terminal 1, with all airlines (bar one) moving to the newer T2. I say effectively, as the T1 building still remains, and the sole airline flying from T3 will be using part of it as an entrance. It’s confusing, but that’s Manchester Airport for you.

What changed?

Every premium airline (and many budget ones) now fly from Terminal 2. This is the final part of a long-term strategy to get almost every flight departing from T2. The holdout airline (Ryanair) will make the old Terminal 3 its home.

That shift of terminal means new lounges for premium passengers, or those with status. Sadly, and perhaps predictably, Manchester Airport has only three lounges in Terminal 2.

This is nowhere near enough. New lounges are on the way (and the airport then plans to close one of the current lounges), so until then, airlines like BA, Qatar and even Emirates have to make do with one of the three contract lounges.

Even after the two new lounges open, it’s going to be tight at times.

What new lounges will launch in 2026?

There are two new lounges being built.

• One is the new Emirates lounge, which is expected to be an outstanding space and the most premium lounge in the main airport building. (The separate, Aether Private Terminal, remains the absolute best, and is arguably one of the best in the UK).
• The second lounge is expected to be an “invitation only” lounge for airlines, i.e. a premium lounge that caters to all the Business and First Class passengers, plus those with airline status.

Both lounges should launch in 2026. Emirates buildout is well underway.

There is no arrivals lounge planned at Manchester Airport. Whilst it would pick up some early-morning landings (Middle East and US flights), there are not enough passengers to justify it.

Which lounges does each airline use?

This is correct as of December 2025. As airlines move to dedicated spaces then this table will be updated.

What are the current lounges like?

The Aspire and the Escape Lounge are standard, paid-for contract lounges. The latter is run by the airport itself. They are best described as fine and no frills. If you need a space to sit, and some food/drink, then they will serve you well. I do not consider them good value for money if you have to pay to access them. The pricing is well over £40, which would get you a meal and multiple drinks in a good restaurant in the airport.

The 1903 Lounge is the most premium lounge at T2. It is better than the Escape Lounge next door, but it is not a truly premium lounge. On my last visit, service was hit-or-miss, and the restaurant was busy. This lounge is priced from £55 per person if you pre-book. It is absolutely not worth it. Go spend that money in the airport, you’ll likely have a better experience, better food and better drink.

The issue with the lounges isn’t necessarily the standard of decor, or food and drink. It’s how busy these lounges are right now. Hundreds of premium passengers are being crammed into three lounges, with some significant pinch points throughout the day.

If you’re flying with the true premium airlines, like Emirates, Etihad, Cathay, Qatar or Singapore, then you might be surprised by what you get in terms of lounges. Emirates customers will be the most disappointed, as the airline had an excellent lounge at the old Terminal 1, and now you’re dropped into a contract lounge.

The opening hours confusion

Different airlines display different opening times for the 1903 lounge. This is leading to confusion.

Emirates, for example, says that the 1903 is open twenty-four hours a day. It is not. The official opening times for that lounge are 4am to 8:45pm. There is an evening Emirates flight at 8:40pm, so there shouldn’t be any issues, but if that flight is delayed, you might be moved to the nearby Escape lounge.

Qatar Airways has afternoon and evening flights. Their site states that the 1903 flight closes to their passengers at 2pm, meaning that both the afternoon and the evening flights will use the Escape Lounge.

It’s deeply confusing for passengers.

Turkish Airlines and Egyptair lounge at Manchester T2

Turkish Airlines makes it even more confusing. Manchester is no longer listed under their contract lounge page. Google AI says that the new Turkish lounge is Aether, the private terminal at MAN, but that doesn’t seem right. The source appears to be a press release about a partnership between the airline and Aether. The Star Alliance lounge finder lists the Aspire lounge at the now-closed Manchester Terminal 1.

My best guess is that Turkish Airlines is using the Aspire at T2, given the historical relationship and other Star Alliance airlines using that same lounge.

The same goes for Egyptair. No mention of any lounge on their website, and the Star Alliance lounge database still lists Terminal 1.

What happened to the oneworld lounge?

There were faint whispers of a oneworld-branded lounge at Manchester, but this now seems unlikely. In many ways, it would have been perfect. There are plenty of oneworld airlines operating from T2, and sufficient premium-cabin flights to make it worthwhile.

There are only two true oneworld lounges around the world, and they are beautiful spaces: Amsterdam and Seoul. For some reason, the rollout of the OW-branded lounges has stalled. AMS was the last to open, and that was in 2024.

It would have been a big win for Manchester Airport. Instead, we’re going to get an elevated lounge that caters to lots of airlines (beyond just oneworld).