Manchester Airport Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 Review

Welcome to the new Aspire Lounge in Manchester Airport Terminal 2

Our honest review of the brand new Aspire Lounge at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 — opened in 2025. We share what to expect, how it compares to other lounges, and whether it's worth the cost.

Quick Summary

We recently visited the brand new Aspire Lounge in Manchester Airport Terminal 2 while flying Saga Premium to Reykjavik with Icelandair. The lounge only opened a few months earlier, so we were keen to see how it compared to the 1903 and Escape lounges we've used before.

It's a pleasant space with friendly staff and a calm feel, but it's also one of the smallest lounges we've ever been in — and it currently feels more like a temporary setup than a finished premium lounge.

Ratings:
Value for Money: 3/5
Food & Drink: 3/5
Comfort & Cleanliness: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Our Visit

Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 Manchester Airport bar area with wines, beers and coffee machine

Our visit took place in October 2025, and access was included with our Saga Premium tickets to Reykjavik. Normally, entry to this lounge would cost about £47 per passenger when booked directly.

We usually prefer the 1903 Lounge in Terminal 2, but this time the Aspire Lounge was included with our flight — giving us a perfect chance to compare.

Location & Access

The new Aspire Lounge is not located with the other two lounges upstairs in the main Terminal 2 area. Instead, it sits down in the newly completed pier — the one you can see from the 1903 Lounge.

This makes access slightly awkward. You walk alongside passengers heading to their gates, and getting back to the main concourse isn't straightforward. You'll need to find the lift or escalator back up a level, so it feels a bit like a one-way route.

First Impressions

View from Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 across Manchester Airport pier toward Terminal 1

Check-in was easy — we simply scanned our boarding passes, and since access was part of our tickets, we walked straight in.

The lounge itself is bright and welcoming, but also tiny. We estimate it holds no more than about 70 seats in total, making it by far the smallest Aspire Lounge we've used, even compared to Terminal 1.

There were three staff members visible at any one time — one at the bar, one cleaning, and one rotating — plus kitchen staff behind the scenes. So while space is limited, staffing levels felt good.

Food & Drink

We visited during brunch. The food offering was basic: a few cooked breakfast items, cereals, bread, and toast.

There wasn't a huge selection, and we've noticed Aspire Lounges in general have reduced their food variety over the years. Drinks were similarly limited — a couple of wines, a few beers, and basic spirits. Prosecco and sparkling wine cost extra, which always feels disappointing when you've paid a premium price to enter.

That said, the lounge was kept clean and the coffee machine was quickly refilled whenever it ran out.

Atmosphere & Comfort

Breakfast buffet at Aspire Lounge Manchester Airport Terminal 2 with cereals and cooked items

Despite being small, the lounge felt calm. Most guests were solo travellers or couples. One family with a toddler showed just how small the space really is — the child managed to crawl across the entire lounge within seconds.

The décor looks fresh, but some areas already show signs of wear. A few corners were scuffed by bags, and the exposed ceiling ducting made it feel slightly unfinished — almost as if a suspended ceiling is still to come.

The view was underwhelming too: a narrow side view across the pier toward Terminal 1, offering little more than daylight.

Value for Money

Since our access was included with the flight, we didn't pay directly. However, a future visit priced up at £93.98 for two passengers.

By comparison, the Escape Lounge Terminal 2 costs around £83.98 for a couple on the same date — and includes sparkling wine and better runway views.

So while Aspire isn't extortionate, it does feel expensive for what's offered, especially when certain drinks still cost extra.

Comparison with 1903 Lounge & Escape Lounge

The 1903 Lounge remains our top choice in Terminal 2. It offers better food, premium drinks, and a more exclusive feel — ideal if you're looking for a proper pre-flight treat.

The Escape Lounge sits somewhere in between: cheaper than 1903, but with more generous inclusions and views than Aspire.

At the moment, this new Aspire Lounge feels like a stopgap — perhaps the start of something bigger or a future Aspire Premium Lounge.

Final Verdict

Breakfast buffet at Aspire Lounge Manchester Airport Terminal 2 with the mandatory pancake maker

The Manchester Airport Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 looks modern and welcoming, but it's one of the smallest and least impressive Aspire Lounges we've visited.

It's clean, staff are attentive, and it's pleasant enough if your airline includes entry. But if you're paying separately, you'll likely find better value — and a more premium feel — in either the 1903 Lounge or the Escape Lounge.

Our advice: Worth a try if it's included with your ticket, but we wouldn't rush back to pay for it.

FAQs – Manchester Airport Aspire Lounge Terminal 2

How much does entry to the Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 cost?
Around £47 per person when booked directly. For two people, expect to pay about £93.98.

Is the Aspire Lounge Terminal 2 worth it?
If you have complimentary access through your airline, yes. For paid entry, we'd suggest comparing it with the 1903 or Escape lounges, which offer better food and drink for similar prices.

Where is the Aspire Lounge located in Terminal 2?
It's in the newly completed pier of Terminal 2, not alongside the other lounges. Follow signs past the departure gates — but note it's a bit awkward to return to the main concourse afterward.

What food and drinks are included?
Expect a small buffet selection of cooked breakfast items, cereals, bread, toast, and limited wines and beers. Sparkling wine and certain extras cost extra.

Do you need to pre-book the Aspire Lounge?
Yes. It's a small lounge used by several airlines for business-class passengers, so it fills up quickly even when it looks quiet.

Who can access the Aspire Lounge?
Anyone can pre-book access, and several airlines — including Icelandair and Lufthansa — use it for premium or business-class travellers.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Nice staff and a modern space, but small, limited, and not quite premium enough for the price.