Manchester Airport provides its top tips with more than a million passengers expected for October half-term getaway

Manchester Airport is preparing for a busy October half-term period, with more than a million passengers expected to pass through the North’s hub airport as families take advantage of the school break.

Top destinations are expected to include Alicante, Antalya, Tenerife and Malaga as travellers soak up the last of the summer sun in the Mediterranean. This year, October half-term also coincides with Halloween – and city break destinations like Derry, Frankfurt, Prague and Bucharest, which are all famed for the family-friendly way they mark spooky season, will welcome thousands of visitors too.

Passengers can look forward to a smooth journey through the airport, boosted by Manchester Airports Group’s £1.5bn investment in the transformation of Terminal 2, which now features an expanded departure lounge and a greatly enhanced range of food, drink and retail options. During 2026, new outlets including the Great Northern Market food hall, The Belle Vue – which is the airport’s first Wetherspoon’s pub – Joe & The Juice, Upper Crust, LEGO, Rituals and Pandora have opened in the terminal.

Since the beginning of April, which is generally considered to be the start of the summer season, 97% of Manchester Airport’s passengers have waited for less than 15 minutes to get to security, and airport bosses have assured passengers that the hub is ready for the busy half-term period.

But there are things that passengers can do to help ensure their trip goes smoothly. That includes familiarising themselves with new developments at the airport, including its barrierless parking systems. As well as the airport's barrierless drop-off area, which was implemented last year, Terminal 2 West Multi Storey (P3) now also operates a barrierless system, meaning customers can drive in and out freely, cutting congestion. Customers who have not pre-booked parking in this car park must remember to pay online or by phone before midnight on the day after their visit.

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Director of Customer Operations at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re looking forward to October half-term, and to helping hundreds of thousands of passengers on their way to their favourite destinations.

“As the biggest and best airport in the North, our route network is unrivalled, and that means there are plenty of options for passengers looking to bask in the final few weeks of summer sun in destinations like the southern Med and the Canary Islands, while those looking for autumnal hikes, cultural city breaks or even a Halloween-themed family getaway have plenty of options too.

“Wherever you’re going this autumn, we’re here to make sure your trip gets off to the right start – but it’s important you plan ahead, and make sure you’ve made all the necessary arrangements ahead of time. We know that many passengers travelling during this half-term period are having their main family holiday of the year and may not have travelled through the airport since last year or even longer – so it’s worth just reacquainting yourself with things like security rules and the check-in process.” 

Top tips for your trip:

-    If you’re able to, check in online before you’re due to travel – many airlines let you do this several weeks in advance and will usually notify you by email. This is particularly useful if you only plan to travel with hand baggage as you’ll be able to go straight to security.

-    If you will be travelling with hold luggage and live locally, make use of day-before check-in services where available. Many airlines now allow you to check your bags in the evening before you depart, meaning you don’t have to queue on the day. You’ll be able to park for free when you do this. Visit your airline’s website to see if it offers this service.

-    Aim to arrive at the airport in line with your airline’s instructions – this is usually two hours before your scheduled departure for short haul and three hours before for long haul.

-    Remember your passport and any other documents you need.

-    Plan your journey carefully. Over school holiday periods the road and public transport networks can be busy and roadworks / maintenance works are often scheduled, so make sure you plan your route carefully and allow plenty of time.

-    Consider using public transport to get to the airport – Manchester is one of the best-connected airports in the country with a dedicated train, tram and bus station. If you’re being dropped off at the airport, consider the free drop off point at JetParks 1. It’s a five-minute bus ride from the terminals and the buses run regularly, 24/7.

-    If you are travelling with young children, make sure you talk to them about what to expect at the airport. It’s also worth packing toys and activities to keep them entertained, and snacks.

-    If you or anyone you’re travelling with has assistance needs, you are strongly recommended to pre-book assistance services through your airline at least 48 hours before your flight. This allows the airport’s special assistance teams to plan around the availability of staff and wheelchairs and ensure wait times are kept to a minimum.

-    Manchester Airport offers a range of services you can book to make your trip easier including Security FastTrack, which lets you use a dedicated lane, TimeSlot, which lets you book a specific time to pass through security, and Passport Control FastTrack for when you return to the airport – find out more here.

-    You can even book personalised assistance to guide you through your whole airport trip via Meet & Assist -  find out more here.

-    If you want to really elevate your experience, consider booking Manchester Airport’s premium terminal, aether. You can use aether regardless of who you are flying with or where you are flying to – find out more here.

-    Prepare for security by ensuring all liquids are packed in containers of 100ml or less. Manchester Airport's security lanes now allow passengers to leave liquids and electronic devices inside their hand baggage while passing through security, helping make the process quicker and easier. However, liquids must still comply with the 100ml per-container limit, as the airport awaits approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to lift these limits.