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-   -   Manchester-2 (https://www.pprune.org/airlines-airports-routes/599775-manchester-2-a.html)

Mr A Tis 17th Apr 2018 08:21

Not had chance to try the 1903 yet. However I agree with you FFMAN, the concept of "lounges" at MAN has changed considerably over the years. No longer a calm oasis. Positive marketing of the facilities means often full. If i'm not on a J class ticket- then I'm using Priority Pass- but in this case often refused entry at MAN as the lounges are full- often with pre booked groups (stags & hens). As MAN is my home airport, I'm not renewing Priority Pass after 10 years of use as it's rarely accepted at MAN these days. Mind you being surrounded by large groups necking as much Stella as they can in an hour at 7am, I'm probably not missing much.

paully 17th Apr 2018 08:33

T3 Lounges
 
Interesting comments re T3 lounges. We are passing through this place in late September for a Ryanair 2.30pm midweek departure and have been contemplating booking one of these lounges. They are being heavily marketed by MAG via E mails etc and I did wonder as to the viability.

Basically is T3 ok at that time of day and year on its own ?..like you guys we`re only interested in a `calm oasis`somewhere/anywhere before the flight..Thanks

Dobbo_Dobbo 17th Apr 2018 10:40

Lounges in new T2
 
I wonder if MAG will consider this in the new terminal. We can probably expect dedicated lounges from some of the larger carriers (e.g. BA, EK, VS, EY) and possibly other lounges from alliances (e.g. OW, *A).

I'd hope that MAG would offer a range of unaligned lounges. If Aspire is the boozy lounge, I'd hope they offer an 1905 equivalent (e.g. As a priority pass lounge).

Perhaps the airside internal part of the terminal will be pleasant enough to mean that less passengers will have cause to use the lounges. Or perhaps not(!)

LAX_LHR 17th Apr 2018 11:21

The lounge offering does need a bit of a shake up.

As said, have a set of lounges dedicated to ‘pay as you go’ so that the masses can use them.

Then I’d personally look at having a ‘family lounge’. It can be quite a stressful experience bringing a family through the airport, and to me, MAN lacks a real family dedicated area where parents can relax as well as letting the kids play without p**sing off anyone else.

Then have the nice and quiet lounges, as well as ‘invitation only’ ones.

Also, I do wonder if the merits of an arrival lounge could help? Reported this week that business trips have increased by 55% in the North West for 2017, and there will be some that wouldmt mimd the chance to refresh and relax before continuing the day. The lounges at LHR seem to be well used....

Mr Mac 17th Apr 2018 11:56

LAX-LHR
I hope the EK lounge does not go back to like it was in T2 before the move to T1. Grubby little room round the back as I recall. Current one in my view is one of the better ones on EK route network, with good views and pleasant staff. T3 BA lounge was good back in the day, but have not used it or BA for sometime so could not comment now. SQ ok, but not as good as EK in my opinion as are others in T2.

I agree with your comments re family room and on arrival lounge, though I do not think MAN has that many flights yet where this would be of interest, though could well be wrong on this.

Kind regards
Mr Mac

pholling 17th Apr 2018 12:06


Originally Posted by Mr Mac (Post 10121238)
LAX-LHR
I hope the EK lounge does not go back to like it was in T2 before the move to T1. Grubby little room round the back as I recall. Current one in my view is one of the better ones on EK route network, with good views and pleasant staff. T3 BA lounge was good back in the day, but have not used it or BA for sometime so could not comment now. SQ ok, but not as good as EK in my opinion as are others in T2.

I agree with your comments re family room and on arrival lounge, though I do not think MAN has that many flights yet where this would be of interest, though could well be wrong on this.

Kind regards
Mr Mac

My understanding is that the 1903 lounge is a bit of an experiment. It exists in T3 as there was both space and a potential market. There are more airline specific lounges in T1, but only the BA one in T3. T2 is a mess as the space for lounges is quite constrained. However, if there is good traffic through the 1903 lounge in T3, I would expect one to open in T2 eventually. As for a family lounge, the closest thing seems to be the Virgin Holidays V-room, but that is for people on Virgin Holiday's itineraries out of T2 only.

LAX_LHR 17th Apr 2018 12:29


Originally Posted by Mr Mac (Post 10121238)
LAX-LHR
I hope the EK lounge does not go back to like it was in T2 before the move to T1. Grubby little room round the back as I recall. Current one in my view is one of the better ones on EK route network, with good views and pleasant staff. T3 BA lounge was good back in the day, but have not used it or BA for sometime so could not comment now. SQ ok, but not as good as EK in my opinion as are others in T2.

I agree with your comments re family room and on arrival lounge, though I do not think MAN has that many flights yet where this would be of interest, though could well be wrong on this.

Kind regards
Mr Mac

I understand there is to be a large area dedicated to lounges in T2.

I’ve personally heard of 2xescape, 1903, V-room, VS clubhouse, BA terraces (inc Oneworld), star alliance, aspire, Etihad, Emirates, no.1 lounge, and at least 2 (I’ve heard QR want one and imagine there could be another paid for lounge).

In terms of an arrivals lounge, I do believe there would be ample usage, especially a lounge that opens say, 0500-1200 to meet the bank of US arrivals, EK (especially F class pax), SQ, QR, EY, CX, HU, TG and so on. Plenty of J and some F class pax to use them.

And thats not to mention any short haul arrivals that may want them (BA pax who used J/F into LHR but didn’t have enough time between transfers to freshen up at LHR).

And in terms of a lounge that only opens in the morning, plenty of lounges around the world that have reduced opening to meet specific flights, so, that shouldnt be an issue either.

Homo Simpson 17th Apr 2018 12:33

The 1903 lounge is good.
It is for 16 years of age and above and you can't have a group of more than 4. Not allowed even on different bookings although you can contact them before if you are which is clearly a form of screening.
Roll it out in the other Terminals I say.
Going to set you back at least 25 quid per person but Fast Track is included.

Escape lounges I have found to be good as well.
Aspire lounges seem to have poor staff in them and they just can't be arsed working.

Best lounge would be between Emirates and Etihad.

Lee J 17th Apr 2018 12:46

I find it comical when Priority Pass cardholders criticise the clientele of airport lounges - if it wasn't for those who paid to enter the lounge, they certainly wouldn't be open long if they relied on free cardholder entries.

LAX_LHR 17th Apr 2018 13:26

Jet2 summer 2019 on sale.

Not looked at existing route changes yet, but a new route to La Rochelle on Saturdays from May 2019. Barcelona increases from 5 to 6 weekly too.

MANFOD 17th Apr 2018 13:31

Quoting Mr Mac re EK lounge:
"Current one in my view is one of the better ones on EK route network"

We don't normally travel J class on long haul holidays but we did in January, and I must say I was very impressed with the Emirates Lounge at MAN. Spacious, quiet and relaxing atmosphere, great views towards R23R, good choice of food and drinks and very pleasant staff. Preferred it to Hong Kong although that was decent enough. Dubai lounge for the A gates was just huge and less enjoyable.

Danny G 17th Apr 2018 13:32

Re Lounges, We have access to the Aspire lounge in T2 as part of out TUI flight, is this lounge as bad as the one in T3 or is it worth spending time there? Otherwise I suppose its Frankie and Bennys as usual!!

Danny

Mr A Tis 17th Apr 2018 13:53

Lee J.

I find it comical when Priority Pass cardholders criticise the clientele of airport lounges - if it wasn't for those who paid to enter the lounge, they certainly wouldn't be open long if they relied on free cardholder entries.
Not sure where you get the idea Priority Pass is free ?? Try £260 a year.- and it's not accepted in every lounge by any means.

Used world wide in airports that don't rely on flogging places to stag parties. The only airport I have been refused entry is Manchester (multiple times), nowhere else in the world & I travel across all continents.

pholling 17th Apr 2018 14:14


Originally Posted by Mr A Tis (Post 10121359)
Lee J.

Not sure where you get the idea Priority Pass is free ?? Try £260 a year.- and it's not accepted in every lounge by any means.

Used world wide in airports that don't rely on flogging places to stag parties. The only airport I have been refused entry is Manchester (multiple times), nowhere else in the world & I travel across all continents.

Just out of curiosity, the you were refused entry in Manchester which lounge(s) was it? I ask, because it seems that the Escape Lounge T2 is perennially booked up for certain times, e.g. you cannot even reserve a space a 10 months in advance.

Dobbo_Dobbo 17th Apr 2018 14:44

India
 
New opinion piece. Apparently 300,000 passengers from MANs catchment fly to indirect or via LHR to India alone. If accurate, that is a significant number...

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/manchester-airport-india-cowans-opinion-14541384

irishlad06 17th Apr 2018 15:16


Originally Posted by LAX_LHR (Post 10121325)
Jet2 summer 2019 on sale.

Not looked at existing route changes yet, but a new route to La Rochelle on Saturdays from May 2019. Barcelona increases from 5 to 6 weekly too.

FCO goes to Daily and a 2nd A330 is confirmed. KRK increases to 4pw with other new destinations to be announced. Base increasing by another 2 aircraft for main summer season.

LAX_LHR 17th Apr 2018 15:28

2 A330 and 2 more aircraft! What will that make Jet2 based for S19? 23?

I’m still hedging a bet that BOJ is a new route. I wonder if TLV could make a come back now Monarch have gone?

LAX_LHR 17th Apr 2018 15:43

Also, in line with other bases, looks like MJV is being dropped from April 2019. Looks like more ALC flights to compensate the loss.

Lee J 17th Apr 2018 16:03


Originally Posted by Mr A Tis (Post 10121359)
Lee J.

Not sure where you get the idea Priority Pass is free ?? Try £260 a year.- and it's not accepted in every lounge by any means.

Used world wide in airports that don't rely on flogging places to stag parties. The only airport I have been refused entry is Manchester (multiple times), nowhere else in the world & I travel across all continents.

I appreciate and know the Priority Pass isn't free, I looked into it at one point but after seeing a regular notice on the door of the Swissport lounge at T2 saying no space for cardholders, I decided against it - not to mention the stigma attached to them. I do think lounges are right to prioritise people who have paid £25 - £50 for entry rather than pass holders. Does anyone have any idea how much a lounge receives per Priority Pass entry? I can't imagine its even 20% of the normal entry fee.


Originally Posted by pholling (Post 10121377)
Just out of curiosity, the you were refused entry in Manchester which lounge(s) was it? I ask, because it seems that the Escape Lounge T2 is perennially booked up for certain times, e.g. you cannot even reserve a space a 10 months in advance.

I've not been refused entry, because I don't carry a lounge pass nor have I ever relied on turning up on the day. Only ever pre-booked which I've never had an issue doing - I can book the Escape Lounge at T2 online for tomorrow and countless other days without a problem. I'd suspect the fact you can't book 10 months in advance is more an oversight since you can book T1 and T3 but then I can't imagine many people book that far ahead.

paully 17th Apr 2018 17:41

If Manchester has your details they`ll send regular e mails offering good discounts in all these lounges as well as parking/ fast track security and passports etc :ok:


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