Emirates Lounge Manchester Airport

Which terminal is Emirates Lounge Manchester?

Currently the Emirates lounge in Manchester is in Terminal 1, but with the redevelopment of Terminal 2 it is expected to move in Autumn 2025. This review is based on the lounge in Terminal 1, in Winter 2024.

Where is the lounge in T1?

As with the other lounges in this terminal, from security, head through duty free into the terminal and then up to the first floor following the "Premium Lounges" signs. Signs will clearly lead you to the Emirates lounge, which is next to but just beyond the Aspire Lounge.

Who can use Emirates Lounge in Manchester Airport

Anyone travelling on an outbound Emirates flight can, technically, use the lounge. If you are travelling Business (excluding 'Special' fares, but including 'Saver'), First Class or certain Sky Rewards (frequent) travellers, then lounge access is included. For everyone else... You can pay to enter the lounge but it is over £100 per head. Although the lounge was fantastic (see below) I don't think it's worth over 2 to 3 times going next door, or over the corridor to the Escape Lounge, both of which are in the order of £ 35 - £45 depending on time of day and offers.

How to book Emirates Lounge Manchester Airport

If it's included in your ticket then just turn up at the door with your boarding pass. If not, you'll need to contact Emirates in advance to see if the have space.

How long can you stay in the Emirates Lounge at Manchester airport?

Access is allowed for up to 4 hours before the flight. In practice, trying to get there much earlier than that is tricky by the time you are allowed to checkin, clear security etc. And if you are travelling on a 'lounge included' fare you may well have arrived in the chaffeur service, which is only bookable 5 hours in advance.

Also the times that the lounge opens are based on the flights, which stick to GMT (actually Zulu for the pedantic) so change when we are using BST. Therefore, the lounge (currently) opens at:
06:15 for the 09:50 departure
10:05 for the 14:05 departure
17:15 for the 21:15 departure

Last year I noticed that there wasn't an official close time between the morning and lunch flights, so that's been tightened down a little.

We also noticed, arriving almost as it opened, that full hot food service didn't start until about 3 hours prior to the flight.

Is the Emirates lounge worth it?

It's an amazing lounge, with 2 different varieties of champagne availble to help yourself to, a range of hot and cold dished brought out and a spacious area. But would I pay £100 plus per person? Probably not, but then I'm happy to pay the business class supplement that includes this, so on the other hand maybe...

What is included in Emirates Lounge?

Free wifi is available to guests whilst in the airport lounge and lots of excellent food and a choice of drinks. It's self service food, but the food is already plated and small numbers of plates are on display, replenished frequently to ensure freshness. During our first hour the food was more just snacks and salads, but as we got to the 3-hours pre flight mark lots of interesting hot dishes were brought out for a limitless help yourself.

On top of this there's a fantastic selection of drinks, all help yourself and even a choice of champagnes, plus Prosecco etc. Hot and cold drinks are also freely available.

The lounge is split into 2 parts - a dining area with a more restaurant feel and a quieter area where you can relax whilst you eat and drink. The toilets are, of course, spotless and well equiped and if you've already had a long day there are showers available.

Is the Emirates Lounge Adults only?

No, everyone with an eligible ticket can use the lounge.

Can I pay on the day?

I would very much doubt it. The lounge is aimed at business, first class and frequent flyers so paying customers are a rarity so I would doubt they even have the facilities on the door to accept payment.

Can I see out?

Yes! It's a very similar view to the neighbouring Aspire Lounge and you can see your aircraft when it parks and the stream of passengers leaving it along the (long) pier, althogh this setup will change when it relocates to Terminal 2.

Do you board from the lounge?

Not whilst it's located in Terminal 1. The Emirates A380 is a huge beast, taking up multiple boarding gates at the end of the pier and no other gates are (at time or writing) able to accommodate the size and weight. It is probably a 10 minute walk from the lounge to the aircraft, but given everyone in the lounge is heading to the same aircraft announcements are made when the aircraft is ready to boar.

Does the Emirates Lounge serve alcohol?

Yes, alcohol is freely available in the lounge just don't overdo it - both for fitness to fly and offending other travellers.