Manchester Airport issues top tips for a smooth festive getaway

Planning how you get to the airport, preparing for the weather and measuring your bags to avoid surprise are among Manchester Airport’s top Christmas travel tips.

With 1.1m passengers due to pass through Manchester Airport between Friday, 20 December and Friday, 3 January, it is due to be almost as busy as it is during the peak of the summer holidays.

And the majority of passengers can expect a great experience. In November 99% waited for 15 minutes or less to get to security and 82% waited for under five minutes.

But airport bosses have provided their top tips to make sure people travelling during the festive season are able to start their trips as they mean to go on. The list includes some lesser-known Manchester Airport travel hacks.

Manchester Airport’s top festive travel tips are:

·       Plan your travel to the airport – and your travel home at the end of your trip. Traffic can be heavy at this time of year and there are works planned on various rail lines. Check your route to the airport before you set out and make sure you allow plenty of time. The same applies when you get home too

·       Check that your passport is valid and that you have all your documents ready. If your passport even has a small rip in it or is damaged then you may be refused permission to board your flight

·       Pack for the weather at your destination – but make sure you have suitable clothes for your journey home as well. It may be inconvenient to pack a coat but you will need it when you get back

·       Avoid charges at check-in by making sure your bags are in line with your airline’s regulations. Both cabin and hold bags may need to be a certain size and weight – measure and weigh your bags before you arrive at the airport. Different airlines have different rules so make sure you are not caught out as the fees can be significant

·       Remember what you can and cannot take through security. No liquids of more than 100mls, no sharp objects like penknives or multi-tools, you can only take one lighter, when travelling with a baby, you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilised water for the journey, even if it’s more than 100ml – for the whole trip. You can learn more here.   

·       Prepare for security – make sure you take off your coat, belt and shoes if they come above your ankle. Take anything metallic out of any pockets and take any electronic items out of your bags so that you are ready to put your belongings in a tray and go through security. Put any small containers of liquids, like travel toothpaste, in a clear plastic bag outside your hand baggage. Doing this helps make sure queues so not develop

·       If you are travelling from Terminal 3 you can use our new TimeSlot passes that let you book a time to go through security based on your specific flight, helping you get to the departure lounge more quickly. Find out more here.

·       All three of Manchester Airport’s terminals have bars, cafes and restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes but there is far more to do besides eat and drink –  did you know Terminal 1 has a Gaming Point featuring consoles, PCs, virtual reality games and more? And Terminal 1 also has a Santa’s Grotto in its new Little Flyers Zone for children. In Terminal 3 there is a ‘secret’ quiet seating area upstairs with some of the best views of the airfield. And viral Italian eatery Pasta Evangelists has its only restaurant outside London in Terminal 2

·       Do your Christmas shopping in the airport. Shops in every terminal offer substantial discounts compared to the High Street, including World Duty Free where you can pick up perfume, aftershave, cosmetics, fine spirits, chocolate and more for far less than you would pay in town – and without the queues and crowds. Just make sure you have room in your bags on your way home 

·       You can enjoy live choirs and music groups in our terminals at this time of year – keep an eye out for singers and musicians from schools and community groups based near the airport as you are checking in

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Manchester Airport’s Customer Operations Director, said:

“Christmas is a special time at Manchester Airport – we’re really proud to play our part in bringing families together to celebrate the season and helping people fly off for exciting festive adventures all over the world.

“We’ve got extra staff in place over the next few weeks – including people who will be working to look after the 25,000 people due to fly on Christmas Day itself – so we’re confident that anyone coming through Manchester will be able to start their holidays as they mean to go on.

“But we do also have a few tips for passengers so that they can make sure they get a great experience at the airport and avoid any upsets.

“Preparing for your trip is all important. Make sure you know how you’re getting to the airport and check your route, pack your bags with everything you need – but check they’re not too big or you could end up being charged by your airline. Check your passport and make sure you have all your documents. Also remember what you can and can’t take through security – baby milk is a yes, but sharp objects, more than one lighter, liquids over 100mls; they’re all no-nos!

“We also have some specialtips to help festive travellers get even more out of their trips. Have you ever thought about doing your Christmas shopping in the airport? It’s far less stressful than town and can be much cheaper. If you’re a gamer – why not try out the consoles and VR games in Terminal 1’s gaming point. Did you know that you could even meet Santa himself in his grotto in Terminal 1 or escape to the quiet area in Terminal 3 with some of the airport’s best views?

“Hopefully these helpful hacks will let people celebrate the season in style at Manchester Airport.”

The most popular destinations over the festive period are set to be Amsterdam, Dublin and Dubai. The busiest single day is likely to be Friday, 20 December. Between 70,000 and 90,000 passengers are expected each day between Friday, 20 December and Friday, 3 January.