This year’s series of the hit BBC show Race Across The World saw competitors traversing the country and introduced a new audience to captivating sites like the caves of Cappadocia and the towering Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.

And while it beaches remain popular, the country’s tourism board is now actively pushing Turkey as a cultural destination – with archaeological marvels, world-class museums and galleries, and sport and music events. Its natural beauty is not restricted to its coasts, either- with stunning landscapes to be found inland.

Manchester Airport, the UK’s hub in the North, offers direct links to no fewer than five destinations in Turkey – Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya. The latter two are among the airport’s most popular summer routes, with up to six airlines serving them directly – ensuring plenty of choice for passengers. Between them, these routes offer easy access not only to some of Turkey’s best beach resorts but also to some of its most breathtaking landscapes and iconic cultural sites.

Here we look at some of Turkey’s best cultural experiences – and how to get there from Manchester with flights from only £65pp return.

Hot air balloons at sunrise over Cappadocia

Fly direct from Manchester to Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines from £116pp return.

Cappadocia’s ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations were hollowed out and turned into cave dwellings over thousands of years – but it’s the more recent phenomenon of hot air balloon rides over the otherworldly landscape, pioneered int the 1990s, that have captured travellers’ imaginations. Most visits centre on the town of Göreme, with tours available from Istanbul.

Spa pools fit for the Gods at Pamukkale

Fly direct from Manchester to Bodrum with easyJet from £141pp return.

A site that blends ancient history with natural wonders, Pamukkale’s famous turquoise thermal pools – staggered along a sloping white travertine cliff face – have drawn visitors for millennia. The evidence of that is in the nearby ruins of the Roman spa town Hierapolis – where you can see what remains of temples, an ancient theatre and the original baths – some of which are still in use. Pamukkale is just over three hours’ drive from Bodrum, which has direct flights from Manchester.

Greeks and Romans – from Troy to Ephesus

Fly direct from Manchester to Izmir with Jet2.com from £46pp one-way and from Antalya to Manchester with Sunexpress from £31pp one-way.

If you want to make Turkey’s ancient history the focus of your visit, hire a car and plan a road trip along the coastline from Izmir to Antalya. To the north of Izmir, you’ll find the ruins of Troy – immortalised in Homer’s Iliad, the site consists of nine archaeological layers stretching back more than 4,000 years. From there, journey southwards towards the huge cities of Pergamon and Ephesus, the spa town Hierapolis, and the marble sculptures of Aphrodisias, before ending your trip in the ruins of Side, an almost-3,000-year-old port near Antalya.

The Lycian Way

Fly direct from Manchester to Dalaman with easyJet from £65pp return.

One of Turkey’s most impressive long-distance hiking trails, the Lycian Way covers more than 300 miles of rugged coastline. It extends from the town of Hisaronu – near Dalaman – in the west to Antalya in the east, and offers hikers a taste of everything Turkish, from archaeological sites connected to the ancient Lycian Kingdom, to nature reserves and small villages with a traditional way of life and authentic Turkish cuisine.

The ‘Turkish Maldives’ and the ‘Sunken City’

Fly direct from Manchester to Antalya with Sunexpress from £102pp return.

Visitors to Antalya who want to journey off the beaten track can take boat tours to Suluada, a small island that has been nicknamed the ‘Turkish Maldives’ because of its clear turquoise water and bright sandy shores. A few miles further along the coast is the island of Kekova, famous for its ‘sunken city’ – a ruined Lycian settlement that has slipped below the waves, but is still visible through the clear waters.

The city where East meets West

Fly direct from Manchester to Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines from £116pp return.

Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, is also its biggest tourist draw – and there’s loads to do here that doesn’t involve a beach or a sun lounger. Peruse the stalls in the world famous Grand Bazaar – one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world – and then explore the winding streets of Galati and marvel at the splendour of the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available between now and 30 April 2027 when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website, from Manchester to the destination specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.

The North’s hub airport is expecting a record summer season for 2026, with its £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2 all but complete, and a major project underway to redevelop Terminal 3.

Sunseekers’ favourites like Malaga, Antalya and Mallorca are all expected to see extra visitors from Manchester this summer – but other, lesser-known destinations are seeing an even greater surge in popularity, with the number of people travelling there from Manchester this summer versus last summer set to double or even triple in some cases.

These destinations are spread across the Mediterranean from east to west, and offer a rich blend of sun, sea, sand, history, culture and culinary delights.  To find out where’s hot this summer, read on.

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Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect people from across the North to the places they want to fly to – and we know for many people, that means the tried and trusted holiday favourites that keep them coming back year on year.

“For others, however, part of the excitement is the opportunity to explore somewhere new – and we provide plenty of options, with a route network of more than 200 destinations which is unrivalled in the UK outside London.

“Sometimes, a destination will go viral on social media or see a spike in demand as adventurous travellers discover it – and we then see that translate into airlines adding extra flights or flying larger aircraft to those destinations to meet that demand.

“We keep our finger on the pulse to analyse these trends and we work with our airline partners to ensure that if a particular destination is in vogue, or emerging as a new favourite, you can get there from Manchester.”

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La Palma (Spain)

Summer 2025 seats - 4,914. Summer 2026 seats - 14,742. Growth - 200%.

Served from Manchester by Jet2.com and TUI.

Move over Tenerife, look the other way Lanzarote – there’s a new holiday favourite emerging in the Canary Islands.

Jet2.com launched flights to the island of La Palma back in April, joining TUI in offering a direct link from Manchester. La Palma is only a third the size of Tenerife but there’s plenty to see, like its black sand beaches and volcanic landscapes designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, natural wonders such as the Caldera de Taburiente National Park with its lush pine forests, and the archaeological site of Belmaco with prehistoric cave paintings.

The vibe here is much more relaxed than on neighbouring islands and is proving a hit with visitors from Manchester Airport, with almost 15,000 set to travel there this summer – up from less than 5,000 in 2025.

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain)

Summer 2025 seats - 4,158. Summer 2026 seats – 8,136. Growth - 100%.

Served from Manchester by Jet2.com.

Jet2.com launched seasonal flights from Manchester to Jerez last summer and is offering double the number of seats this year, with two flights each week between May and October. Jerez is in the south-west of mainland Spain, near the historic city of Cadiz and the Costa de la Luz, where west-facing beaches make for spectacular sunsets. The region is a centre for sherry production and its Doñana wetlands are home to flocks of wild flamingos.

Preveza (Greece)

Summer 2025 seats – 21,213. Summer 2026 seats – 31,547. Growth - 49%.

Served from Manchester by easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI.

Manchester Airport flies to more than 20 airports in Greece, but Preveza has seen the biggest bump in seat numbers this summer. Passenger numbers from Manchester to the Ionian coastal hotspot are forecast to be up by almost half on the same period in 2025.

The airport itself is on the mainland, but most people flying in are travelling on to the picturesque island of Lefkada, where dramatic white cliffs tower over sandy beaches. Lefkada Old Town boasts stunning medieval Venetian architecture set in a warren of tightly packed streets, and its well preserved Agia Mavra Fortress dates back almost 1,000 years.

Verona (Italy)

Summer 2025 seats – 34,003. Summer 2026 seats – 49,921. Growth - 47%.

Served from Manchester by easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI and Ryanair.

An inland Italian city might not be the most obvious candidate for a fast-growing beach destination – but many flying into Verona this summer will be taking advantage of its location, less than an hour from stunning Lake Garda, to combine a city break with a spot of R&R.

Garda has some of the best lake beaches in Europe – including ‘Jamaica Beach’ in the village of Sirmione, so called because its shallow, crystal-clear waters are said to resemble the Caribbean. The region is also known for its wineries and botanical gardens.

Santander (Spain)

Summer 2025 seats – 10,584. Summer 2026 seats – 15,315. Growth - 45%.

Served from Manchester by Ryanair.

Ryanair is adding nearly 5,000 extra seats to Santander this summer – a city on Spain’s beautiful, but often overlooked, north coast. El Sardinero beach, with its vast expanse of fine golden sands, is at the heart of social life in the city – and on a hot summer’s day you’ll mingle with locals playing beach volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, or knocking back a cold Estrella in one of its beach bars. The nearby cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian are worth a day trip, too – the former is home to the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, and the latter has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin star restaurants anywhere in the world.

Valencia (Spain)

Summer 2025 seats – 24,967. Summer 2026 seats – 34,827. Growth - 39%.

Served from Manchester by Ryanair.

Another Spanish destination, Valencia, will see almost 10,000 extra visitors from Manchester this summer. The city is a highlight in itself, with a charming Old Town teeming with tapas bars and cafes, but it also gives its name to the Costa de Valencia, a little-known stretch of the Spanish Mediterranean coast characterised by golden beaches and quaint fishing villages. It’s the region that created paella, and prides itself on serving the best iterations of the dish anywhere in Spain.

Zadar (Croatia)

Summer 2025 seats – 6,615. Summer 2026 seats – 8,987. Growth - 36%.

Served from Manchester by Ryanair.

As one of the largest cities on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, Zadar is a gateway to some of the most spectacular, unspoilt beaches on the Med. If you like island hopping, Zadar’s busy port will connect you to around a dozen islands and islets in the Adriatic sea, each with a distinct character of its own. It’s also home to one of Europe’s more unusual visitor attractions – the ‘Sea Organ’, a musical instrument-come-art installation at the water’s edge, played by the breaking waves.

Tirana (Albania)

Summer 2025 seats – 14,742. Summer 2026 seats – 19,845. Growth - 35%.

Served from Manchester by Ryanair.

Albania’s capital is a great candidate for a city break – but as it has the country’s only major international airport, it’s also the starting point for intrepid explorers seeking out the stunning beaches on the Albanian Riviera that have become Instagram and TikTok famous over the past couple of years. The most iconic are found in Ksamil, where powdery white sand and turquoise waters have earned comparisons with the Maldives. The nearby ruins of Butrint, an ancient Greek city, are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Marseille (France)

Summer 2025 seats – 15,139. Summer 2026 seats – 20,269. Growth - 34%.

Served from Manchester by Ryanair.

Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe but its charms are just being discovered by visitors from Manchester, with numbers set to be up by a third this year. Enjoy cake and coffee in the trendy Le Panier district, marvel at the architecture of the Cathedrale La Major, and relax on a beach with a breathtaking backdrop in the nearby Calanques National Park.

Porto (Portugal)

Summer 2025 seats – 54,856. Summer 2026 seats – 72,031. Growth - 31%.

Served from Manchester by easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair.

More than 17,000 extra travellers are expected to fly from Manchester Airport to Porto this summer, and many of them will head straight for Matosinhos – a stunning mile-long stretch of sand at the edge of the city that has carved a reputation as one of Europe’s premier surfing spots. The city is the birthplace of Port wine, and the beautiful Douro Valley – which stretches inland for almost 500 miles, from the mouth of the Douro river in Porto – provides the grapes for Portugal’s signature tipple.

Other notable fast-growing destinations

-          Chania on the Greek island of Crete is up from 48,653 seats last summer to 61,054 seats this summer – a 25% increase.

-          Dubrovnik in Croatia is up from 50,733 last summer to 62,526 this year, an increase of 23%.

-          Of the traditional holiday favourites, Alicante is the fastest growing, with an extra 9% of seats year-on-year vs summer 2025. While that’s a much lower percentage than some destinations on this list, an increase from 293,829 to 319,886 means more than 25,000 extra seats to the Costa Blanca this summer.

That’s why even during the school summer holidays, travellers can still pick up last-minute deals that will get them to a range of incredible lesser-known destinations for less than £100 per person.

But not only that – thanks to Manchester Airport offering more flights to some of the continent’s most popular destinations than other airports in the North, last-minute deal-hunters can even get to classic destinations like Ibiza for under £100.

Manchester Airport has selected a dozen holiday hotspots that you can reach directly from the UK’s global gateway in the North before the end of August with return flights from under £100 per person.

Airport bosses have also given some of their top tips to help find the best deals for people looking to save some money but still get away during the peak season.

Manchester Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Turner said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the World – with a bigger and better route network than any UK airport outside London.

“What that means in practice is better choice and value for our passengers – so they can still get great deals even during the summer holidays when prices to lots of destinations tend to rise.

“We fly to lots of lesser-known destinations that other airports don’t, so there are a lot of bargains to be found. But because we also offer more flights each day to some of Europe’s top destinations, that helps keep prices down too.”

Nine of the best less well-known destinations you can get to for under £100 from Manchester Airport

Rimini

Fly direct from Manchester to Rimini with Ryanair on Wed 5 Aug and return on Wed 12 Aug from £58pp return.*

Rimini is a brand-new addition to Manchester’s route network for this summer. Located on Italy’s Adriatic coast, it offers miles of sandy beaches and a picturesque Old Town and marina. Families love ‘Italia in Miniatura’, a model village style attraction which recreates all of Italy’s most famous sites at smaller scale.

Girona

Fly direct from Manchester to Girona with TUI on Tue 18 Aug and return on Tue 25 Aug from £75pp return.*

Girona, just to the north of Barcelona on Spain’s Costa Brava, is an emerging family favourite. It boasts the beaches and food that all of Spain is famous for – but a local point of interest is the pretty whitewashed town of Cadaqués, which was home to the painter Salvador Dali for more than 50 years. His former home is now a museum.

Beziers

Fly direct from Manchester to Beziers with Ryanair on Wed 5 Aug and return on Wed 12 Aug from £80pp return.*

Beziers is the gateway to southern France’s Languedoc coast, a 120-mile stretch of the Mediterranean with gold sandy beaches and idyllic port towns and fishing villages. Many stay around the towns of Agde and Sete, where the viewpoint at the top of Mont Saint-Clair offers sweeping views of the coastline and the inland vineyards the region is known for.

Zadar

Fly direct from Manchester to Zadar with Ryanair on Thu 6 Aug and return on Tue 11 Aug from £89pp return.*

This Croatian city has seen many empires pass through in its history, from Romans to Venetians, and all have left a mark on the architecture in its historic centre and port – which is well connected by ferry links to dozens of small islands off Croatia’s Dalmatian coasts. The unspoilt coastlines on these islands make them a great spot for a summer seaside retreat.

Menorca

Fly direct from Manchester to Menorca with Ryanair on Tue 4 Aug and return on Tue 11 Aug from £45pp return.*

Menorca is in Spain’s Balearic Islands, along with Ibiza and Mallorca – but it’s the least-visited of the three big islands in the chain, and that means fewer crowds at the height of summer. Fewer visitors doesn’t mean less to enjoy, however – the island still boasts great beaches, clear waters, and the historic Ciutadella de Menorca, a town with winding medieval streets and wonderful Spanish cuisine.

Faro

Fly direct from Manchester to Faro with Ryanair on Mon 10 Aug and return on Fri 14 Aug from £66pp return.*

Faro is the gateway to Portugal’s much-loved Algarve – a stretch of coast along the country’s southern edge that has been a favourite of British tourists for decades. Younger crowds hit the famous Strip in Albufeira after dark, but there are plenty of family-friendly options in the region too.

Santander

Fly direct from Manchester to Santander with Ryanair on Wed 12 Aug and return on Mon 24 Aug from £75pp return.*

If you love Spain but want to visit a lesser-explored region, Santander is well worth a try this summer. It’s on the country’s north coast, on the Cantabrian Sea – historically less popular than the country’s Mediterranean coast but full of charm, with a 13^th-century cathedral, an Old Town packed with authentic tapas and pintxos bars, and the iconic El Sardinero beach, a popular surfing spot. Temperatures here are cooler than in other parts of Spain – often remaining around a gentle 25C at the height of summer.

Marseille

Fly direct from Manchester to Marseille with Ryanair on Wed 12 Aug and return on Wed 19 Aug from £59pp return.*

France’s second-largest city is a wonderful city break destination in its own right. It started life as an ancient Greek colony and some of the Greek ruins are still visible near the city’s port. The surrounding streets are packed with fine dining restaurants, museums and galleries. Head out of the city to the east and you’ll find yourself in the Calanques National Park, a stunning stretch of coastline with stony beaches nestled in narrow bays under towering cliffs.

Kalamata

Fly direct from Manchester to Kalamata with easyJet on Tue 11 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £76pp return.*

Kalamata is perhaps most famous for its olives – but its beaches are not to be overlooked either. The city is on the Peloponnese peninsula at the southern tip of the Greek mainland, and has roots tracing back nearly 3,000 years. Its Old Town, medieval castle and nearby Ancient Greek sites – plus the fantastic family-run tavernas – make it a great city break option but the nearby Bouka beach, a more than two mile long stretch of golden sand, means a day at the beach is very much on the cards for visitors, too.

Plus three classic destinations that cost under £100 to get to from Manchester Airport

Ibiza

Fly direct from Manchester to Ibiza with Jet2.com on Mon 10 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £62pp return.*

Ibiza has established for itself a reputation as Europe’s party central – but the north and east of the island, away from its airport, the busy port city of Eivissa and its beachfront superclubs, you’ll find relaxed, family-friendly resorts facing golden, sandy beaches.

Mallorca

Fly direct from Manchester to Palma de Mallorca with easyJet on Wed 12 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £43pp return.*

Mallorca is one of the most popular beach destinations for travellers from Manchester, with more than a dozen flights per day at the height of summer, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something from everyone, from the party scene in Magaluf on the island’s western edge, to the serene and peaceful coastal towns in the north, to the family beach resorts on the eastern side – and cultural highlights in Palma, the island’s capital.

Milan

Fly direct from Manchester to Milan Malpensa with easyJet on Wed 12 Aug and return on Thu 20 Aug from £67pp return.*

Milan, a global centre of fashion and sport, is popular year-round with weekend trippers – but at this time of the year many visitors are taking advantage of its proximity to the stunning Italian Lakes. The largest – Lake Maggiore – is only around 10 miles from Milan Malpensa Airport, and you can also reach Lake Como in 35 minutes by public transport. This region boasts stunning scenery, some of Europe’s best lake beaches – and a slightly cooler summer climate.

To save money when booking your holiday flights this summer:

-          Check prices regularly – and if you see a deal you like the look of, don’t hold off. Travellers are booking later this summer, so last-minute deals are there to be had – but don’t cut it too fine.

-          If you know you love the seaside resorts of Spain, or the whitewashed villages of Greece, expand your horizons and look at parts of the country you haven’t visited before. Manchester Airport flies to dozens of destinations in these countries and if you’re willing to be flexible on where exactly you go, you might nab a better deal.

-          Working parents will tend to book a calendar week or two off work during the school summer holidays and theferore they tend to want to fly at the weekend, or as close to is as possible, to maximise their time away. As such, you could save significant sums on your flights if you’re willing to travel between Tuesday and Thursday.

*Prices quoted are available when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website from Manchester to the destination specified, on the dates specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.

Thomas Tuchel’s men face off against Erling Haaland and Norway this weekend, before a potential semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland next Wednesday, 15 July. If they were to lose that game, they’d take part in a third or fourth place playoff on Saturday 18 July – but if they emerged victorious, they’d find themselves in a World Cup Final for the first time since 1966 on Sunday 19 July.

The next week and a half could yet be one of the most memorable in England fans’ lifetimes – and there’s some good news for those in our region thinking of making a last-minute dash to be part of the action. Manchester Airport is the only hub in the UK outside London to offer direct flights to all three potential venues that England could play at – and there are still seats available.

Here we look at the permutations on the route to the final – and how you can get to each game from Manchester, if you want to soak up the atmosphere.

Quarter Final – Florida – Saturday 11 July

Fly direct from Manchester to Orlando with Virgin Atlantic tomorrow from £1,019 per person one-way.*

The bookies make England slight favourites to overcome Norway on Saturday evening – which would set up Harry Kane and his colleagues for two more matches before the tournament is out, whatever happens.

The game will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida – home of NFL franchise the Miami Dolphins. Seats are still available on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Manchester to another Floridian city, Orlando, tomorrow afternoon – from where you could hire a car and enjoy a road trip through the Sunshine State, watching England at the end of it.

A four-hour route would take you via Cape Canaveral, launch site for man’s first trip to the moon in 1969; Palm Beach – where Donald Trump has his winter residence at Mar-a-Lago; and the state’s famous Everglades.

Semi Final – Atlanta – Wednesday 15 July

Fly direct from Manchester to Atlanta with Virgin Atlantic on 12 July from £1,247 per person one-way.*

If they find a way past Norway, England will come up against either Lionel Messi’s Argentina or Switzerland, a side they beat at Euro 2024. The game will take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday next week.

At the time of writing, tickets are still available on Virgin Atlantic’s flights from Manchester to Atlanta on every day between now and the game. The cheapest flight available is on Saturday, at £1,187 per person one-way* but would mean missing the quarter final. A better option for Three Lions fans is to take the flight on Sunday instead – at just £60 more – and enjoy two full days in Atlanta before the big game. The city’s World Cup fan festival is centred on the Centennial Olympic Park and will be a hive of activity – particularly if Argentina get to the semi-final, with a large Latin American population in the city.

Third / Fourth Place Playoff – Florida – Saturday 18 July

Fly direct from Manchester to Orlando with Virgin Atlantic on 14 July from £817 per person one-way.*

If they should beat Norway but fall to either Argentina or Switzerland, it’ll be back to Miami for a playoff game against the other losing semi-finalist to decide who takes third place. England fans might not really want to consider this right now – but with less interest in this game than in the final, you might even have an opportunity to nab a match ticket last-minute at a reasonable price and see Thomas Tuchel’s team in the flesh.

A flight next Tuesday would also let you take in England’s potential semi-final on the Wednesday - and the World Cup final - at Miami’s fan festival in Bayfront Park, a short distance from the city’s stunning South Beach.

Final – New York / New Jersey – Sunday 19 July

Fly direct from Manchester to New York with Virgin Atlantic on 16 July from £651 per person one-way.*

The cavernous MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, facing the famous skyline of Manhattan across the Hudson River, will host the World Cup Final a week on Sunday. By this point, the race will have been run for 46 of the 48 teams who contested this expanded tournament – and if they win their next two games, England will be one of the final two teams standing.

You can still get to New York from Manchester in time for the final with Virgin Atlantic from as little as £651 per person one-way* and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience – where special memories will be made even if England don’t contest the final. It’s the perfect excuse to check out the Big Apple’s iconic sites, too – from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center, which coincidentally hosts New York’s World Cup fan festival. Regardless of where in the city you watch the game, the atmosphere is sure to be unforgettable.

*Prices quoted are available when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website from Manchester to the destination specified, on the date specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.

Links between our region and Norway go back more than 1,000 years, when Vikings settled the North West coast. They left their mark in place names like Formby, Crosby and Ormskirk, in the architecture of some of our region’s oldest churches, and in our genes – with a study showing that up to 50% of the DNA of long-established families living in the Wirral is Scandinavian. 

Manchester Airport continues those traditions of connections between our region and Norway, hosting the country’s flag carrier airline, Norwegian, and offering flights to no fewer than five destinations across the length of the country.  

If this weekend’s game has piqued your interest in paying a visit to Norway – or even if you want to make a short-notice trip to watch the game there - the UK’s global gateway in the North has you covered.  

Here we take a look at what you might experience when you get there, from winter sports and famous art to mouthwatering food and epic scenery. 

Oslo 

Fly to Oslo with easyJet from £56pp return*. Norwegian also serves Oslo from Manchester. 

There are a huge range of experiences you can have in Norway’s capital, which come together to make it an appealing option for a city break. Explore its thriving harbour, warm up in a floating sauna on Oslofjord, enjoy a performance at the Oslo Opera House – an iconic piece of modern architecture – and take in the stunning views from its rooftop. Perhaps the most memorable thing to see here though is Edvard Munch’s The Scream, a globally renowned painting set on the city’s waterfront and displayed in the Munch Museum. 

Sandefjord 

Fly to Sandefjord with Ryanair from £30pp return* 

Ryanair offers a direct service from Manchester to Sandefjord, about an hour south of Oslo. Many use this airport as a means of getting to the capital but it also gives you the opportunity to explore a stunning stretch of rural coastline and traditional fishing villages on the Oslofjord, as well as the Skrim-Sauheradfjella nature reserve, with jaw-dropping hiking trails through mountains and coniferous forests which are dusted with snow in winter. 

Bergen 

Fly to Bergen with Norwegian from £118pp return*. 

Bergen, on the west coast of Norway, makes a great base to explore the country’s famous fjords. You can book a half-day boat tour or a more extensive package, and take in natural wonders like the 600ft-high Vøringsfossen waterfall. Bergen itself has plenty to keep you entertained, including colourful wooden houses along the harbourfront - where restaurants serve up gravlax (cured salmon), one of the country's culinary highlights - and a funicular railway ascending Fløyen Mountain, offering panoramic vistas and walking trails. 

Tromso 

Fly to Tromso with Norwegian from £127pp return*. easyJet also serves Tromso from Manchester. 

Tromso is the most northerly major city in the world and is a fantastic place to explore the great outdoors year-round, whether you’re taking in the Northern Lights in winter, or the Midnight Sun in the summer. Whale watching tours give you the chance to spot humpback whales and orcas, while reindeer-drawn sleigh rides let you take in the scenery up close. It's also a very popular destination for cross-country skiing.

Stavanger 

Fly to Stavanger with Norwegian from £110pp return*. 

This city in the south west of the country is one of Norway’s cultural highlights. Gamle Stavanger, the historic city centre, is lined with timber-framed buildings dating from the 18^th and 19^th centuries, while Fargegaten (the ‘Colourful Street’) boasts specialty coffee shops, boutiques, and galleries. The ‘pulpit rock’, a 2,000ft-high cliff overlooking the Lysefjord, is a noteworthy Instagram spot. 

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available between now and 31 December 2026 when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website from Manchester to the destination specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included. 

Last Friday, Manchester Airport saw its first flights to a brand-new destination. 

easyJet will fly twice per week to the Italian city of Bari, famous for great beaches, delicious Italian food and amazing architecture.

Here we look at some of the top things to do in or around Bari.

Old Town 

The old town (Bari Vecchia) is the historic heart of Bari and one of the city's most interesting places to explore. Its narrow streets are full of beautiful old buildings, churches and small squares. 

Boat trip 

You can take a boat trip along the coast. This offers a different view of Bari's coastline, allowing visitors to see the city from the sea. Many tours include opportunities to swim in the clear waters and explore nearby coastal areas. 

Fish market  

The Bari Fish Market near the harbour is a lively place where fishermen sell fresh fish caught that same morning. People who visit can sample a wide variety of authentic Italian seafood and experience the daily life of the local community.  

Petruzzelli Theatre 

The Petruzzelli Theatre is one of Italy's largest and most beautiful opera houses. It hosts operas, concerts, ballet performances and many other cultural events throughout the year. Even if you don't take in a performance, you can still attend as guided tours allow visitors to admire its elegant architecture and rich history. 

Castello Normano  

Bari's Castello Normano is a Norman Swabian castle, a large medieval fortress that has protected the city for centuries. Visitors usually go to explore its towers, walls and museum which displays historical artifacts and exhibitions.   

Via Soprano 

Bari's main shopping street is the perfect place to buy designer clothes or just simply get souvenirs. The street is lined with fashion stores, cafes and boutiques, and offers a pleasant atmosphere and plenty of places to get coffee or gelato. 

Local food 

Bari is well known for its traditional cuisine. Some famous local dishes include Orecchiette pasta, fresh seafood and creamy burrata cheese. Eating at local restaurants or cafes is a great way to experience the city's culture and you will be spoilt for choice in Bari.  

Bari cathedral 

Bari cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sabinus. This is an impressive Romanesque church featuring beautiful stone architecture and peaceful interiors.  

If you’re wondering which one, Rimini Airport’s official name – ‘Rimini & San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport’ – gives the game away.

The tiny nation of San Marino, the world’s fifth smallest independent state, is just 45 minutes away via a regular direct bus service. With around 35,000 inhabitants, you could fit the entire country into Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium twice over, with room to spare. Despite its modest size, it has had an outsized impact on history and having been founded in AD301, it is the world’s oldest surviving independent state.

Tourism is one of the main industries in San Marino, with quaint medieval streets, historic museums, and stunning vistas from the 11^th century fortress on Monte Titano. You can even get a novelty passport stamp in the country’s tourist information centre for a fee of five Euros. Your Ryanair flight could set you back as little as £50pp return.*

San Marino is far from the only microstate with a direct link to Manchester Airport, however. For intrepid travellers who like to collect rare stamps in their passports, there are many options – from tropical islands to mountain ski resorts and ancient citadels.

Andorra

Fly to Toulouse with Ryanair from £54pp return*

A direct bus from Toulouse Airport in southern France will take you high into the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, and into the independent principality of Andorra. Less than 100,000 people live here but the tiny country boasts some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery and in recent years has made its name as a ski destination. It’s beautiful in summer, too – and popular with mountain bikers. While you’re here, dine in a traditional borda, a converted rustic stone storehouse. These atmospheric eateries nestled on the mountainsides specialize in rich, grilled meats and game.

Luxembourg

Fly to Luxembourg with Luxair from £132pp return*

One of the larger nations in this list – but still less than half the size of Greater Manchester by population – Luxembourg is the richest country in the world by GDP. Its powerhouse banking and investment sectors mean that many international visitors are here for business, but it’s well worth a visit as a tourist too. The city of Luxembourg gave its name to the country, and its Old Quarter and Holy Ghost Citadel are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luxair launched direct flights to the country from Manchester for the first time in 2024, with three-times-weekly flights still operating today.

Liechtenstein

Fly to Zurich with easyJet from £85pp return*

Liechtenstein is a tiny Alpine nation that shares borders with Switzerland and Austria. Just over 41,000 people live in the country, which is less than eight miles across. On August 15^th, its national holiday, the reigning Prince famously invites all residents of the principality to a beer reception at Vaduz Castle, one of the country’s top tourist sites. The Prince also has a personal winery, which is open for tours. Liechtenstein is just over an hour’s drive from the Swiss city of Zurich, with direct flights from Manchester.

Vatican City

Fly to Rome with Ryanair from £48pp return*

The smallest independent nation of them all, Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic Church, and the Pope is the head of state. It occupies just under half a square kilometre in the middle of Rome and is the remnant of a much bigger Papal State that held large swathes of central Italy in the medieval period. Despite its small size, there’s a lot packed in for visitors to see – including Michelangelo's Pieta, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the iconic frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

Monaco

Fly to Nice with easyJet from £59pp return*

Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world (after the Vatican) and also the most densely populated, with nearly 40,000 residents living in mostly high-rise luxury apartments clinging to a cliffside overlooking the Mediterranean.

The city is less than three miles across and just a quarter of a mile deep, but its winding streets are famous as the home of Formula 1’s most iconic race, and it also plays host to AS Monaco, one of the most successful clubs in French football. Monte Carlo, at the eastern edge of the territory, has a world-famous casino that has served as a James Bond backdrop.

You can reach Monaco by flying into Nice and then travelling about 20 miles by road or rail along the Cote d’Azur.

Gibraltar

Fly to Gibraltar with easyJet from £95pp return*

Not strictly speaking a country – but a place that very much has its own identity – Gibraltar has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a towering limestone mountain that juts into the Mediterranean from the southern tip of Spain. The Rock is home to a nature reserve populated by Barbary Macaques – Europe’s only wild monkeys – and a network of natural caves and man-made tunnels that sheltered Allied troops in World War II. A glass floored skywalk, suspended over 1,000ft above sea level at the top of the mountain, is not for the faint-hearted.

easyJet flies directly from Manchester to Gibraltar’s airport – where a road famously intersects the runway, and in the past had to be closed for aircraft movements before a tunnel opened in 2023.

Malta

Fly to Malta with Ryanair from £81pp return*

A chain of five islands in the Mediterranean – just three of which are inhabited – Malta is only 122 square miles in size but is home to more than half a million people. Valletta, its capital, is the smallest capital city in the European Union. Its jagged coastline boasts stunning beaches – including the Blue Lagoon – and striking sea caverns. The megalithic temples at Hagar Qim date back more than 5,000 years – older than the Pyramids of Giza – and are some of the world’s oldest surviving freestanding man-made structures.

Singapore

Fly to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from £757pp return*

Singapore has more than six million residents, but they’re packed into a modern metropolis city-state, with a land area less than a third the size of Cheshire. Sights beloved by tourists include the Gardens by the Bay - a massive, futuristic urban nature park famed for its ‘Supertree Grove’ of vertical botanical gardens – and the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, an observation deck perched across the rooftops of three skyscrapers at a height of almost 700ft, with stunning views across the bay.

Singapore Airlines flies between Manchester Airport and Singapore five times per week and celebrated its 40^th anniversary at Manchester earlier this year.

Barbados

Fly to Bridgetown with Virgin Atlantic from £749pp return*

The island nation of Barbados has a degree of public recognition that outstrips its size – all rooted in its long-standing status as a magnet for winter sun seekers, with some of the Caribbean’s best beaches. The island only has a population of around 280,000 people – about the same as Stoke-on-Trent – and a land area of just 166 square miles. That said, it boasts the world’s oldest rum distillery (Barbadians also lay claim to having invented the tipple), a UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital city, and it’s the birthplace of pop star Rihanna.

TUI and Virgin Atlantic both fly to Barbados from Manchester throughout the winter.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect the people of the North with more than 200 destinations across the globe, in more than 60 countries. That includes some of the world’s most famous sites and iconic cities – but it speaks to the strength of our route network that you can quickly and easily reach places like Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and now San Marino from Manchester as well.

“Some travellers like to visit globally renowned landmarks, some like to explore new cultures and some like to put their feet up on the beach – but we know many adventurous travellers like to fill their passports with as many stamps as they can, and I think people would be surprised at just how many countries are within easy reach when you fly from Manchester.”

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available between now and 31 December 2026 when booking directly through the airline’s website from Manchester to the destination specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.

The seasonal service launched in November 2025 and has proven popular, with more than 10,000 passengers taking advantage of a direct link between the North’s global hub airport and one of the world’s most popular tourism hotspots.

Once-weekly flights ran between last November and March, spanning Bangkok’s winter dry season – the most popular time of year to visit.

And such was the level of demand, Norse Atlantic Airways has announced that the service will be increasing to a four-times-weekly schedule for this winter, with the first flight operating on 5 December 2026 and the final flight of the season on 18 April 2027.

Flights outbound from Manchester will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. All flights will use Norse Atlantic Airways’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Tickets are now on sale.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“Manchester Airport is proud to connect the North to the world with a route network unrivalled by any UK airport outside London. It's great to see Norse's Bangkok route not only returning this winter - but returning with quadruple the number of weekly flights. It means passengers heading to Thailand will have more choice than ever.

"Bangkok is one of the world's most-visited cities, so we knew this route would be popular - but this expansion of Norse's service really demonstrates the demand for long-haul travel from the UK's global gateway in the North. I'm looking forward to flights resuming later this year.”

Eivind Roald, Chief Executive Officer at Norse Atlantic Airways, said:

"We are delighted to see such a strong response to our Manchester–Bangkok service. Since launching last year, the route has proven highly popular with travellers across the North of England, and increasing to four weekly flights is a direct reflection of that demand.

“At Norse, we remain focused on deploying capacity where customers want to travel most, and Thailand continues to be one of the strongest performing destinations in our network. We would like to thank Manchester Airport for its continued partnership, and our customers for choosing Norse. Their support gives us the confidence to continue investing in the region and expanding the travel options available from Manchester."

Bangkok’s popularity is driven by its rich culture, nightlife and good value for money – as well as being a good starting or end point for trips around Thailand or South East Asia, due to its airport’s excellent route network. Thailand’s spectacular coastline has wowed global audiences in Hollywood movies like The Beach, while towns in northern Thailand like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are a hit with backpackers seeking out their elaborate Buddhist temples, incredible street food, and surrounding lush jungles.

Passengers flying to Bangkok with Norse Atlantic Airways this winter will get to experience Manchester Airport’s stunning new Terminal 2 in its entirety, with a £1.3bn, decade-long transformation due to reach completion this summer. The terminal blends state-of-the-art equipment with award-winning architecture and a huge selection of shops, pubs and restaurants for a world-class passenger experience.

Air France’s first flight to Manchester took place on 16 June 1946, when a Dakota aircraft

F-BADX arrived from Paris Le Bourget Airport. The historic service dropped off one passenger that day and picked up a VIP party of 18 for the return journey. Shortly afterwards, Air France began operating the route three times weekly.

Today, Air France operates up to four daily flights between Manchester and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, offering customers seamless access to the airline’s extensive global network of nearly 170 destinations across 83 countries.

The route is currently operated by the Airbus A220-300, which offers a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft, while its noise footprint is reduced by 34%. Its modern five-abreast cabin layout also ensures that 80% of customers benefit from either a window or aisle seat.

Recent booking data highlights Manchester’s continued importance within Air France’s international network.

-          Aside from France, the most popular countries booked by customers travelling from Manchester include Canada, Mauritius, Nigeria, Peru and the United States.

-          At the same time, passengers taking advantage of the Air France service into Manchester have been travelling from France as well Brazil, Canada, China, Nigeria and the United States to name a few.

Jerome Salemi, General Manager Air France-KLM UK & Ireland, said:

“Manchester has been part of Air France’s story for eight decades and remains one of our most important regional gateways in the UK today. Over the years, the route has continuously evolved alongside customer demand be it for business trips, holidays or visits to friends and relatives. We are proud to continue connecting the Northwest to our global network through Paris Charles de Gaulle.”

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, added: “We’re proud to connect the North with the world, and our longstanding partnership with Air France has been central to that for almost all of the airport’s history. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate 80 years of that partnership today – a partnership that continues to link thousands of people from our region to Paris and beyond, every single week.”

Many of Europe’s most popular bucket-and-spade destinations like Mallorca and Tenerife are served from Manchester year-round – but seasonal routes to holiday favourites like Mykonos, Bodrum and Dubrovnik are resuming ahead of the summer peak.

And two major global cities will be added to the airport’s long-haul route network this summer, with Algiers and Lahore set to gain direct flights. The service to Algeria’s capital will be operated by national airline Air Algerie from 14 June, with prices from £263.43pp return, while Pakistan International Airlines will build upon the successful launch of its Islamabad service by adding Lahore as its second destination from Manchester from 3 July, with fares from £881.23pp return.

In addition, a number of airlines have already, or will soon be introducing brand-new short-haul services from Manchester for their Summer 2026 schedules. These include;

-          easyJet’s new service to Bari, in southern Italy – an architectural jewel with the country’s longest seafront promenade. The service is due to launch on 3 July with prices from £109pp return.

-          easyJet’s new service to Montpellier in the south of France, known for its viticulture, sandy beaches and seafood. The service launched at the end of March and prices start at £79pp return.

-          easyJet’s new service to Preveza, an airport in mainland Greece that serves as the access point for the picturesque island of Lefkada. The route starts on 24 June with fares from only £126pp return.

-          Jet2.com’s new service to Jerez de la Frontera, on Spain’s often overlooked Atlantic coast – offering golden beaches, it’s the birthplace of Sherry and Flamenco dancing. The flights began on 12 May and fares start at £96pp return.

-          Jet2.com’s new service to La Palma, a laid-back Canary Island with jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes. The route started operating in early April and you can secure flights from just £103pp return this summer.

-          Jet2.com’s new service to Palermo in Sicily, with stunning beaches and an Old Town listed by UNESCO. Flights got underway at the start of this month and fares start at £122pp.

-          Jet2.com’s new service to Pula, a Croatian coastal resort famed for its well-preserved Roman architecture including a huge amphitheatre. The service launched on May 4 and fares start at £104pp.

-          Jet2.com’s new service to Samos, a Greek island in the eastern Aegean with beaches, forested hiking trails and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Flights began on May 1, alongside Jet2.com’s Palermo service, and you can fly to Samos from £95pp return this summer.

-          Ryanair’s new service to Castellon in eastern Spain, gateway to the Costa del Azahar, or ‘Coast of the Orange Trees’, known for great food and beaches. It is due to launch on June 1, with fares from £35pp return.

-          Ryanair’s new service to Rimini, a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast with plenty to offer for young families including beaches, theme parks, water parks and the Italia in Miniatura model village. Flights will start on June 3, with prices from £34pp for a return booking.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We know people are just as keen as ever to enjoy a holiday abroad this summer – and while places like Mallorca, Alicante and Faro are always in demand, we know many travellers want to explore somewhere new, even if they’re travelling to a country that they’ve visited many times before.

“That’s where we step in with a huge range of destinations unmatched by any other airport in the North, offering plenty of choice. When we say we connect people to places no-one else in the North does, we don’t just mean global cities like New York or Beijing – we mean sun, sea and sand destinations too.

“That’s why we’re so excited to see a dozen new routes coming on board this summer, several of which will connect Manchester to destinations unserved by any other Northern airport. We’re sure these destinations will prove popular with passengers, and we’re grateful to our airlines for their ongoing commitment to offer passengers flying from Manchester unrivalled choice.”

Since Sir Richard Branson launched operations from Manchester on 17^th May 1996 with services to Orlando, the Northern base has remained a key part of Virgin Atlantic’s UK network and to mark the occasion, the airline is excited to welcome a new A330-neo aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft, named Champagne Supernova after the iconic Oasis track, is set to carry the registration G-VMAN in a nod to the airline’s longstanding connection to the region.

To celebrate the milestone, Virgin Atlantic will also host a customer activation at Manchester Airport on Monday 18th May, inviting travellers to join in the celebrations with a dedicated photo opportunity, signature treats and a themed gift giveaway.

Over the past three decades, Virgin Atlantic’s presence in Manchester has supported connectivity across the North, offering business and leisure customers the convenience of direct long-haul travel from Manchester alongside seamless onward connections through its joint venture partner Delta Air Lines and other SkyTeam partners.

The airline now offers a strong portfolio of long-haul routes connecting the region to popular destinations across North America and the Caribbean, with flights to Orlando, Atlanta, New York and Las Vegas - the only direct West Coast flight from the North of England - alongside a seasonal winter service to Barbados.

Customers looking to recreate Virgin Atlantic’s first route from Manchester can fly to Orlando from £540 per person, with package holidays from £779 per person. Fares to Las Vegas, the most recent addition to Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester network, start from £645 per person, with holidays from £910 per person, while those seeking winter sun can travel to Barbados from £847 per person, with holidays available from £1349 per person.

The anniversary comes at a time of continued growth and investment in Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester operation, as the airline boosts its Manchester to Orlando capacity this summer with additional flights. The carrier also plans to increase capacity for Winter 2026 by upguaging Orlando services to its A350-1000 aircraft, with further increases expected to follow for Summer 2027.

Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: 

“For three decades, Manchester has been our home in the North, connecting customers throughout the North of England to destinations across the US and beyond. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re building for the future - continuing to grow our presence, giving customers more choice and strengthening the connections that matter most.”

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

“We're proud to connect the people of the North to the world, with a route network unrivalled in the UK outside London, but we wouldn't be able to achieve that without partners like Virgin Atlantic. We're delighted to join them in celebrating their long-term commitment to our region as they mark 30 years of flying from Manchester, and we are excited about what's to come in the years ahead. Our £1.3bn, decade-long investment in Terminal 2 is almost complete, providing passengers with a genuinely world-class experience but also laying the foundations for future growth.”

Looking ahead, Virgin Atlantic is pleased to announce a partnership with The Executive, a brand-new premium lounge in Manchester T2 opening in July 2026. Offering Upper Class customers and Flying Club Gold members access to an elevated pre-flight experience, the new partnership reinforces the airline’s enduring presence in Manchester, from its airport operation to Virgin Atlantic Holidays retail locations across the city.

The inaugural flight on Sunday 14th June will see Manchester become the only UK airport outside of London with a direct link to Algiers, and flights will operate on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Air Algérie will become the fourth African airline operating from Manchester, joining Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair and Ethiopian Airlines. The service will be operated on its fleet of Boeing 737s. 

Not only is Algiers a destination in its own right – with tourist attractions, fine dining, beaches and natural beauty – but it is also a connecting hub for onward travel around Africa.

Key connections from Algiers include Johannesburg in South Africa, Abuja in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal and Douala in Senegal meaning the new route opens up opportunities not only for tourism but for people with family and friends on the continent.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:  

“We are proud to connect the North to the world and our new partnership with Air Algérie really epitomises what we mean by that.

“This new route doesn’t just connect people with a new destination for holidays – it connects African communities in the North to friends and families all over the continent.

“It will make a huge difference to thousands of people and we are very excited to welcome the first passengers in the summer – and, of course, all of those who follow.

“Those flying to Algiers from Manchester this summer will also benefit from the use of our outstanding new facilities in Terminal 2, fresh from a £1.3bn investment." 

Madjid Terghini General Manager UK&EIRE at Air Algérie, said:  

" We are delighted to launch this new direct service between Manchester and Algiers, a significant milestone in the continued expansion of our international network.

“This route holds particular importance for the Algerian community in the United Kingdom and further reinforces our commitment to delivering seamless connectivity between Algeria and key global markets.

“Through our hub in Algiers, customers will benefit from enhanced access to a wide range of destinations across Africa and Asia, supporting both leisure and business travel with greater convenience and efficiency.”

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Return fares start from just £263.43 for Manchester–Algiers–Manchester.

Return fares start from just £881.73 for Manchester to Johannesburg via Algiers.

Please note that British nationals are required to secure a Visa before travelling to Algeria, which can be applied for online through the Algerian Consulate General in the UK. 

Yesterday, Singapore Airlines marked 40 years of direct connections between Manchester and the south-east Asian country. Singapore Airlines is the longest serving long-haul airline at Manchester Airport, having begun its operations with a twice-weekly service in 1986.

Apart from a brief hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has offered a regular scheduled service between Manchester and Singapore ever since, and today flies the route five times per week. It also became the first airline to operate a commercial Airbus A350 flight from Manchester Airport in 2017. Passengers travelling on Tuesday morning’s 10:35 service were treated to branded honeycomb chocolate bars and cupcakes underneath the backdrop of a celebratory balloon arch in the iconic Singapore Airlines colours.

Today, SAS Scandinavian Airlines marks the 60^th anniversary of its inaugural Manchester to Copenhagen flight on 1^st April 1966 – just three months before England lifted the World Cup, and four months before The Beatles played their last ever live concert. Now, in addition to its Copenhagen service, the airline also connects Manchester to two other Scandinavian capital cities – Stockholm and Oslo.

With 34 flights from Manchester airport per week - 11 to Oslo, nine to Stockholm and 14 to Copenhagen – SAS Scandinavian has a larger operation at Manchester than at any other UK airport besides Heathrow. The airline held a special celebration at the gate ahead of its 09:35 flight to Copenhagen on Wednesday morning.

And next Tuesday, Icelandair will celebrate its 20^th anniversary of flying from Manchester to the country’s capital, Reykjavik. Launching initially with twice weekly flights in April 2006, the service has since expanded to four weekly flights in the summer and daily flights in the winter. From this summer, three of those weekly flights will operate on the airline’s new Airbus A321 aircraft.

To celebrate the milestone, Icelandair is offering travellers a 20% discount on its flights from Manchester to Reykjavik when booked between tomorrow and 6^th April, across Economy Standard & Flex as well as Saga Premium & Flex seats. Travellers just need to include the discount code MAN20 at the checkout.

The anniversaries cap a big week for Manchester Airport with the Easter school holidays under way, marking the start of the aviation industry’s summer season, and easyJet’s launch of a brand-new service to Montpellier in France.

Further airline anniversaries are on the horizon, too – with Lufthansa marking 70 years of flying from Manchester on 22^nd April, Air France set to mark their 80^th anniversary on 16^th June, and Virgin Atlantic celebrating 30 years of direct connections between Manchester and North America on 17^th June. Etihad Airways also celebrated its 20^th anniversary at Manchester last month.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re proud to connect people from across the North with destinations across the globe, with a broader route network than any other airport in the UK outside London. We wouldn’t be able to offer that, however, without the strong relationships that we’ve built with more than 50 airlines, many of whom have been flying out of Manchester for a very long time.

“It’s great to mark three major airline anniversaries in one week and celebrate the connections that those airlines have helped us build with cities and communities from Singapore to Scandinavia. Singapore Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Icelandair are all highly valued partners and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to the people of Manchester and the North.

“The completion of our £1.3bn investment in Terminal 2 means passengers flying with all three of these airlines can expect a great experience, with access to fantastic modern facilities – and this investment in our infrastructure will allow us to develop our route network even further in years to come.”

Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO at Icelandair said:

"Icelandair is proud of our partnership with the community in the North of England, and our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service. As travellers discover Iceland's stunning natural beauty and connect to 17 destinations across United States and Canada, we look forward to many more years of growth and exploration together."

Mohamed Rafi Mar, General Manager UK & Ireland, Singapore Airlines, said:

“We are thrilled to mark our 40th anniversary at Manchester Airport. As the gateway to the North, Manchester continues to be an important route for the Airline, and the only hub outside London that we operate from the UK. We look forward to many more years of serving the local community, including customers in Scotland with our airline partner Loganair.”

Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations is unrivalled in the UK outside of London, and for golfers that means an abundance of choice. Whether you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine, scenic or historic courses, or resorts with plenty of amenities for the whole family, Manchester Airport has you covered with direct flights.

Here we look at eight destinations that each offer something a bit different – but all have a direct link to the North’s global gateway, with prices from only £26pp return.*

Guaranteed sunshine in the Algarve

Fly to Faro with Ryanair from £26pp return.*

Since the first courses were established here in the 1960s, the Algarve has been attracting golfers from across the world and has become arguably the best golf destination in continental Europe. The sport’s biggest names have invested in the region – the Monte Rei Golf resort is endorsed by Jack Nicklaus and Amendoeira Golf Resort has courses designed by Sir Nick Faldo and Christy O'Connor Jr. The Algarve boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually, making it one of Europe’s sunniest regions, and a great bet if you want to ensure favourable weather conditions on your golf break.

Take on a challenge in Versailles

Fly to Paris with Ryanair from £26pp return.*

If you’re a seasoned golfer looking for something to truly test you, why not take on the Albatros course at Le Golf National, France’s premier championship course? Designed for players with a low handicap, it features narrow fairways, deep rough and is littered with water hazards. It hosts the Open de France annually and was also the setting for the 2018 Ryder Cup and 2024 Olympics – so you’ll have the chance to try your hand at a course that has tested some of golf’s most famous names.

Explore the game’s heritage at historic Highland links

Fly to Inverness with Loganair from £215pp return.*

Some of golf’s most historic and iconic courses can be found in the north of Scotland, the country that gifted the sport to the world, including the Royal Dornoch, Nairn Golf Club and Brora Golf Club. Membership is not required to play at any of these courses, but booking in advance is strongly encouraged, especially if you’re planning a visit in the summer – when more favourable weather and long sunlight hours draw in golfers from across the globe, wanting to experience courses steeped in centuries of history.

Beginner’s luck on the Costa del Sol

Fly to Malaga with Ryanair from £36pp return.*

If you, or someone in your entourage, has not picked up a club before, you’ll find plenty of options catering to all levels of ability and experience on the Costa del Sol. The Europa Course at La Cala Resort is one of the best, with wide fairways, a great mix of holes and stunning scenery. It’s also worth checking out Azata Golf, with its Kiko Luna Golf Academy offering lessons aimed at beginners, and Calanova in Mijas, which is a great spot for novices to hone their course management skills and learn how to play on hilly terrain.

Enjoy spectacular Alpine scenery in Switzerland

Fly to Geneva with easyJet from £54pp return.*

An emerging golf destination, Switzerland’s high-altitude courses are establishing themselves as a challenging but rewarding test for intermediate golfers. Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course and Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club are both open to members of the public with a handicap certificate and offer stunning Alpine backdrops. Lausanne Golf Club is private but allows visitors to play on weekends and boasts a challenging but well-maintained layout.

Play year-round in Tenerife

Fly to Tenerife with Ryanair from £39pp return.*

The subtropical climate of the Canary Islands makes Tenerife a great option for a golf trip at any time of year. The south of the island offers nine championship courses with diverse terrains, from volcanic landscapes to coastal resorts. Costa Adeje is in the heart of Tenerife’s tourist area and is a great bet if you want a well-maintained course suitable for a range of abilities – but for something more challenging head to Buenavista Golf, designed by none other than Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros.

Mix the fairways with the beach in Greece

Fly to Kalamata with Jet2.com from £88pp return.*

Perhaps you’re travelling with non-golfers who just want a beach holiday, or you want to mix one or two days of golf with some R&R by the pool. The Costa Navarino complex near Kalamata offers four world-class 18-hole championship courses adjoining several distinct resorts, from the family friendly Westin Resort to the adults-only W Costa Navarino, with outstanding facilities ranging from spas and tennis courts to water parks, and easy access to a golden sandy beach. The region is also famous for its Greek cuisine and fresh produce (it gave its name to Kalamata Olives) – all of which can be sampled in the resorts.

Follow in the footsteps of the pros at 2025 Ryder Cup venue

Fly to New York with Virgin Atlantic from £521pp return.*

The Black Course of Bethpage Park at Farmingdale, on New York’s Long Island, hosted last year’s Ryder Cup. The good news if you want to follow in your favourite pro’s footsteps is that tee times are available for the public to book, but you need to be quick if you want to secure access this summer as demand is expected to be very high. Those who take on the course where Europe retained the trophy can create their own memories at the scene where Tyrrell Hatton hit his victory-sealing approach shot, or where Rory McIlroy made a crucial, high-pressure putt on the 11^th.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return fare on the specified route before 31 March 2027, when booked directly through the named airline, and accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.

Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park (RVP) is offering young aviation fans the chance to enjoy breakfast with a very special guest this Easter.

The Breakfast with the Easter Bunny experience will start under Concorde, where the Easter Bunny themselves will be available for meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. Buffet-style breakfast will be served with sausage, bacon, omelette, beans, mushroom, tomato, hash brown, and barm cake. Vegetarian sausage and gluten-free options are available when booked in advance.

After breakfast, children will enjoy a short tour onboard Concorde with one of the RVP’s expert guides before they finish their morning with an arts and crafts session, colouring in their own wooden Easter ornament. All children will also receive a chocolate egg and a certificate.

Tickets cost £22.50 per adult (including a full English breakfast buffet with tea or coffee) and £18.00 for children, including a full English breakfast buffet and juice.

Visitors can benefit from a special full-day rate of £6 for parking, allowing them to make a day of it and explore the RVP’s other attractions including retired airliners, runway viewing deck, a 360 degree flight simulator and a large outdoor play area.

Paul Emblow, manager of the Runway Visitor Park, said: “We're excited to share our Easter Bunny Breakfast experience with young people from across the North this Easter. Meet the Easter Bunny, explore our Concorde and see this iconic aircraft up close, before trying your hand at arts and crafts and then exploring the rest of our unique visitor attraction.”

One-hour slots for the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny experience are available on Easter Sunday (5 April) and Easter Monday (6 April).

For more information visit www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk.

Although the traditional choices of chocolates and flowers remain popular, lots of us will be whisking our mums away from the stresses of their daily lives, or even buying them a flight ticket to head off on their own for some solo R&R.

A study last year found that as many as 25% of young brits were spurning a holiday with friends or partners to take their mum away instead – in what has been dubbed the rise of the ‘Mumcation’.

And if you’d like to get in on the trend, Manchester Airport’s unparalleled network of more than 200 destinations, served by more than 50 airlines, means you’re spoilt for choice on where to go. Whether she’d love a spa day, a wine tasting or something more adventurous, the North’s hub airport has you covered – and here we run through six intriguing options with fares starting at only £26pp return.*

Relax in a spa town beloved by the stars

Fly to Pisa with Ryanair from £26pp return.*

Italy’s finest spa town, Montecatini Terme, has been hosting the rich and famous for over two centuries. Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Coco Chanel and Christian Dior are among the stars to have flocked here for the restorative properties of the town’s thermal springs. In fact, more than 200 celebrities have plaques on Montecatini Terme’s Walk of Fame.

Aside from its nine historic spas, the town is famous for its art nouveau style architecture and sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside from the hilltop overlooking the town.

Montecatini Terme is just over an hour away from Pisa – meaning you can also treat your mum to a delicious meal under the world-famous Leaning Tower as part of the same trip. Pisa has direct flights from Manchester Airport with easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair.

Enjoy the botanical gardens of the Italian Lakes

Fly to Milan with Ryanair from £30pp return.*

If your mother is the sort of lady who knows her Geraniums from her Petunias, you could do far worse than the Italian Lakes when planning your next getaway. Como, Maggiore and Garda are all famous for their stunning botanical gardens and for the horticultural showmanship on display in the streets lining the lake shores.

Highlights include the terraced gardens of Isola Bella, an island on Lake Maggiore, 14 acres of landscaped gardens at the Villa Carlotta on Lake Como – which also boasts a frieze of Alexander entering Babylon, commissioned by Napoleon – and the Heller Garden in Lake Garda.

All three lakes are easily accessible on public transport from Milan – which has direct flights from Manchester with easyJet and Ryanair.

Soak in the atmosphere on a Danube river cruise

Fly to Munich with easyJet from £22pp one-way and from Budapest with Ryanair from £41pp one-way*

The mighty Danube traverses 10 countries across nearly 2,000 miles from the Black Forest to the Black Sea – and thanks to a huge range of river cruises, you can explore the diverse range of cultures and landscapes it offers in one trip.

A popular itinerary begins in Regensburg – only 85 minutes by direct train from Munich Airport, and famous for its well-preserved medieval Old Town on the banks of the Danube – before travelling downstream through cities including Linz, Vienna and Bratislava before arriving in the vibrant city of Budapest. This stretch of the river can be travelled in just a week, but allows you and your mum to enjoy a range of cultural highlights in iconic cities, punctuated by beautiful landscapes in between.

You can get to Munich from Manchester with easyJet or Lufthansa, while Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI all serve Budapest.

Indulge in a Swiss chocolate making class

Fly to Zurich with easyJet from £55pp return.*

The Swiss have an appreciation for the finer things in life – and if your mum does, too, then treat her to the decadence of Zurich. It’s a city with premier, high-end luxury shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, copious five-star hotels and spas, a refined culinary palette and – of course – luxury chocolate.

You’ll find everything from brands known the world over and renowned for their quality, like Lindt & Sprüngli, to a litany of independent chocolatiers selling handmade and artisanal products and even, in many cases, offering you the chance to try your hand at chocolate making yourself.

Both easyJet and SWISS offer direct flights to Zurich from Manchester.

Sample fine local wines in the French countryside

Fly to Bordeaux with easyJet from £59pp return.*

Maybe your mum’s idea of unwinding involves putting her feet up and pouring a glass of wine – in which case, you could think about a trip which combines the peace and tranquility of the countryside with the chance to sample some of the finest wines France has to offer, at source.

The Bordeaux region is a viticulture powerhouse with over 60 distinct AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) wine regions, and its bold red blends are its signature, combining Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, among others. You can try them out at one of the hundreds of wineries of various sizes offering tours and tastings. Many even have on-site chalets or accommodation.

Live it up in Las Vegas

Fly to Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic from £862pp return.*

Not all mums are made the same – and while some peace and quiet might be the order of the day for many, others might want to let their hair down and hit the town.

If that sounds like the kind of trip you’d want to share with her, there are few places on the planet that offer the thrill of Las Vegas – the self-styled Entertainment Capital of the World, with its bustling nightlife, extravagant shows and dizzying array of visitor attractions, from water parks to cultural festivals and world-class sports.

You might even find the time to hire a car and venture out of town on a day trip to see two world-famous sites nearby – the enormous Hoover Dam, which powers the city’s famous neon lights, and the jaw-dropping natural spectacle of the Grand Canyon.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available fare from Manchester before 28 February 2027, when booked directly through the named airline, and are accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.

The one-off episode of ‘Manchester: Your Airport, MAN’ was recorded in front of a live audience at the airport’s inaugural Aviation Careers Festival last week, with hundreds of secondary school and college age pupils in attendance – and is being released today in audio and video format to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March.

Compered by former BBC Radio 6 Music, Key 103 and Rock FM host Hywel Evans, the episode takes on a Q&A format – with pupils in the audience putting their questions to the panel. The women offering their career tips and insights were;

• Melanie Lawley, Manchester Airport’s Head of Airfield Operations. Melanie joined Manchester Airport in April 2025 and works within the Aerodrome team, with overall responsibility for Airfield Operations, Airfield Control and Airside Bussing teams. Her role covers the management of runways, aircraft movements and day to day airside operations.
•  
• Kate Wild - Air Traffic Controller. Kate has worked for air traffic control operator NATS for 19 years, starting her career at Manchester Airport straight out of the training college, with 3.5 of those years spent working in the Middle East. On a day-to-day basis, she works as a Tower and Approach Controller while also managing the operational ATC team on shift.
•  
• Lauren Wigglesworth - Pilot. Lauren is a Captain at Virgin Atlantic, having joined the airline in 2016. She began her Virgin Atlantic career flying the iconic Boeing 747, before moving onto the Airbus A330 fleet in 2021. Over the past few months, Lauren has successfully completed her command course and officially took up her role as Captain on 2 January. Alongside her flying career, she is also a mum to a five-year-old child, proudly showing that it’s possible to build a successful aviation career while raising a family.
•  
• Laura Moskal-Beresford - Cabin Crew. Laura has been at Virgin Atlantic for 15 years and has taken on a number of roles beyond flying, including volunteering with the Flying Without Fear team, supporting guests with severe anxiety about flying. She has also collaborated with British makeup brand Illamasqua on the launch of the ‘Virgin’ lipstick in 2014, created to coincide with the airline’s Vivienne Westwood uniform launch.
•  
• Abi Owen-Hodgson – Apprentice Aircraft Engineer. While many of her friends are away at university, 18-year-old Abi, from Liverpool, is already earning, learning and building a career in the aviation sector. Having joined easyJet’s Aeronautical Engineering Apprenticeship scheme last year, Abi is now part of a team of 20 apprentices learning their trade over the course of a two-year programme.

A huge range of questions was put to the panel, from how to get into an aviation career, to how an Air Traffic Controller would handle an unidentified aircraft, and which airports are the flight crews’ favourites to fly into.

There was also plenty of discussion on efforts being made to address gender imbalances in an industry that has historically had ingrained gender stereotypes – only around five per cent of commercial pilots are women, for example – but all of the panellists affirmed that they had noticed positive changes.

Lauren said: “I think if you said ‘airline captain’, you’re probably not visualising me, so I think I definitely do surprise people. But I’ve been flying for 20 years, I’ve flown six different aeroplane types, I have the experience, and I have the knowledge. One of the reasons it’s very important for me to be here today is, you can’t be what you can’t see, and today I hope we’re proving that you can be what you want to be.”

Melanie added: “To be fair, there are women [employed] in most aspects of an airport – but Airfield Operations does tend to be very male-dominated, and I have been, and still can be the only female in a room at times. But I wouldn’t let that put anyone off – no-one’s looking at me [saying], ‘oh, she’s a woman’. If you’ve got the knowledge and the skills and the experience to be able to contribute to the discussions that are going on, that is the most important thing – not what you look like.”

And apprentice engineer Abi said: “You don’t see too many girls but there are definitely more coming into the industry, which is nice to see – it shouldn’t be one gender, it should be a bit of a mix. I do have people ask me sometimes, ‘what made you get into this?’, but I don’t get treated any differently.”

The Manchester: Your Airport, MAN podcast launched in 2023 and has now been running for four series, building a listener audience of more than 10,000 and covering topics from holiday trends and new routes to the airport’s T2 expansion and community outreach. You can listen on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts among other platforms, and the one-off special International Women’s Day episode is also available to watch in video format on YouTube.

The love of reading stays with many of us into adulthood, though – and with it comes the inspiration to see the settings of some of our favourite stories in person.

Manchester Airport’s global route network of more than 200 destinations is unmatched in the UK outside London, and offers bookworms the chance to explore real-world places that have been brought into the popular imagination by iconic works of fiction.

In celebration of World Book Day, here are a dozen literary locations you might want to consider for your next getaway.

Verona (Romeo & Juliet)

Fly to Verona with easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair or TUI

The charming Italian city of Verona was idealised and romanticised by William Shakespeare, providing the setting for two of his plays – including, most famously, Romeo & Juliet. Visitors can explore the Casa di Giulietta, a 13^th-Century nobleman’s house with a famous balcony where Juliet is said to have listened to Romeo.

Northern Ireland (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Fly to Belfast with Aer Lingus, easyJet or Ryanair

CS Lewis’ mythical world of Narnia is said to be inspired by the landscapes and legends of Northern Ireland, where he grew up. A public square in the city named in his honour features statues and murals of characters from his famous works, including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Head south out of the city and you’ll find a Narnia Trail in the woodlands of Kilbroney Park.

New York City (The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, American Psycho, and many more)

Fly to New York with Virgin Atlantic

The Big Apple is right at the core of American popular culture, so it’s no surprise that a litany of renowned works of fiction have been set here. Many of them – including The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye and American Psycho, examine the city’s reputation for hedonism and have helped shape its image as a ‘city that never sleeps’. The prohibition-era speakeasies of The Great Gatsby are largely consigned to history now, but many still inhabit the same spots they did in the 1920s – like The Back Room on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, which still requires entry through a toy shop façade.

Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Les Miserables and more)

Fly to Paris with Air France, easyJet and Ryanair

Victor Hugo is a giant of French literature, with his works having been translated into hundreds of languages – and the 19^th-Century Paris that he called home is the setting of his two most famous works, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables. Many of the real-life Parisian landmarks that provide the settings for both stories are still standing – you can tour the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Jardin du Luxembourg and even the sewers where Jean Valjean helps Marius escape in Les Mis, thanks to the Paris Sewer Museum. More modern works set in Paris include Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

The Amalfi Coast (The Talented Mr. Ripley)

Fly to Naples with easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair or TUI

The Amalfi Coast, to the south of Naples, is one of Italy’s most breathtaking landscapes, with picturesque villages clinging to the side of cliffs overhanging the Mediterranean. Once such village, Positano, is widely believed to be the inspiration for the fictional Mongibello, the adopted home of the titular character in Patricia Highsmith’s crime thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley, later adapted into a Hollywood film shot on the same stunning coastline.

Brussels (The Adventures of Tintin)

Fly to Brussels with Brussels Airlines or Ryanair

Tintin was one of the earliest comic book characters to go global – and he did so from his home on Labrador Road in Brussels. The official Tintin website offers a walking guide to the Belgian capital, taking you via various real-life sites frequented by the roving student reporter and explorer, along with murals and street art, the birthplace of Tintin’s creator Georges Remi, and even a Tintin themed souvenir shop.

Jamaica (A Brief History of Seven Killings and Wide Sargasso Sea)

Fly to Montego Bay with TUI

Jamaica’s tropical climate, idyllic beaches and landscapes, and colourful architecture have formed the backdrop to countless bestsellers, both historical and contemporary. Marlon James’ A Brief History of Seven Killings won the 2015 Booker Prize and takes a look at the gritty reality of life in Jamaica’s cities, while Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea has become a symbol of 20^th Century feminist literature, creating a backstory for the ‘madwoman in the attic’ from Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and imagining her as an heiress on a Jamaican plantation, driven to madness by societal upheaval. These iconic settings – both urban and rural – are based on real-life locations in Jamaica that tourists can visit.

The German Fairy Tale Route (Brothers Grimm)

Fly to Frankfurt with Lufthansa

The Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, were well-respected academics in their day, but it’s their passion for preserving folk traditions and the collection of folk stories they published that secured their legacy. Tales passed down the generations in rural Germany like Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin are among those that were popularised by the brothers’ writings, going on to become a staple of childhood storytelling across the globe. Nowadays you can explore the landscapes that gave rise to these stories on the German Fairy Tale Route, a 600km trail starting in the brothers’ birthplace of Hanau, near Frankfurt, and leading to Bremen, via more than 70 locations with a connection to these stories.

Egypt (Death on the Nile)

Fly to Luxor with TUI

The Nile conjures up evocative images of blood-red sunsets, lost civilisations and dark intrigue – so it’s easy to see why Agatha Christie’s decision to turn a Nile cruise into the setting of a murder mystery in Death on the Nile was a huge commercial success. If you’re a Poirot fan, the Karnak Temple in Luxor featured in the 1978 film adaptation and is open for tours. There are even murder mystery themed Nile cruises available.

Dublin (Dubliners, Normal People and more)

Fly to Dublin with Aer Lingus and Ryanair

The bustling streets of Dublin have inspired many of Ireland’s most famous authors – and many of them have chosen to make it their setting. Stories in short form or in long form that follow the everyday lives of ordinary people in this city have become a popular genre of Irish literature, from James Joyce’s Dubliners in 1914 to contemporary bestsellers like Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The James Joyce Centre, a free museum in the north of the city, is a great place to learn about his local inspirations.

Madrid (Don Quixote and For Whom The Bell Tolls)

Fly to Madrid with easyJet, Iberia Express and Ryanair

Don Quixote, published in 1605 and sometimes called the ‘first novel’, is a cornerstone of western literature. Following the mishaps of a minor noble who leaves home on a series of ill-fated quests to prove himself a hero, the story lampoons medieval ideals of chivalry and romance. Translations of the novel introduced phrases like ‘The pot calls the kettle black’ and ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’ into the English language. Much of the action in the book takes place in the region of La Mancha, south of Madrid. On the opposite side of the city, the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains are the setting for Ernest Hemingway’s classic, For Whom The Bell Tolls.

Atlanta (Gone With the Wind)

Fly to Atlanta with Virgin Atlantic

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, winner of 1937’s Pulitzer Prize, is a seminal piece of American literature and one of the great coming-of-age stories, following the story of a wealthy landowner’s daughter trying to piece her life back together after the American Civil War leaves the family destitute. The story is set in rural Georgia but much of it takes place in the city of Atlanta itself and the city hosts a Gone With The Wind Museum. The author’s home is now a museum as well.

The figures for 2025 also represent a staggering five-fold increase since 2013, the year that the Manchester China Forum was established, when just 90,000 passengers travelled on direct flights to the region.

Since then, Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Air have established flights from Manchester to Beijing and Shanghai respectively – and both increased their capacity in 2025, with up to three flights per day now operating between Manchester and China.

Singapore Airlines – which celebrates its 40^th anniversary of flying to Manchester this year – operates a direct flight to Singapore Changi five days per week, and last year’s figures were also given a boost by Norse Atlantic launching Manchester’s first ever direct flight to Bangkok – the world’s most-visited city – in November.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud of our role in connecting the North with the world, so it’s wonderful to see thriving connections in east and southeast Asia. To top half a million passengers travelling to the region for the first time is an outstanding achievement but speaks to the quality of the product we’re now able to offer in our award-winning Terminal 2, as we reach the end of a decade-long £1.3bn programme of investment.

“We have no intention of standing still and we’re eager to continue our growth in this market – we know there is also still huge demand for travel to other countries and cities in the region and we are actively looking to add new routes to our network.

“For now though, I’d like to thank everyone who has chosen Manchester as their starting point for a trip to the region in the past year, and to wish everyone celebrating a very happy Year of the Horse.”

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, Hainan Airlines surprised passengers on yesterday’s inbound flight with a free horse plush toy. Hainan Airlines were also represented in the Lunar New Year parade in Manchester at the weekend.

Top destinations to celebrate Lunar New Year with direct flights from Manchester Airport

Beijing - Fly direct with Hainan Airlines from £515pp return*. In China, Lunar New Year is a family affair, so many of the celebrations will be taking place in people’s own homes – but popular activities include visiting temple fairs and enjoying one of the many fireworks displays taking place across the city.

Shanghai - Fly direct with Juneyao Air from £524pp return*. Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival is at the heart of its Lunar New Year celebrations, with a month-long programme of cultural activities and performances in the lead-up to the day itself.

Singapore – Fly direct with Singapore Airlines from £680pp return*. The streets of Singapore’s Chinatown district light up for Lunar New Year, and the city’s River Hongbao Cultural Festival celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

Hong Kong – Fly direct with Cathay Pacific from £802pp return.* A week-long programme of cultural shows is capped by Hong Kong’s International Night Parade, culminating in spectacular fireworks over Victoria Harbour.

Bangkok – Fly direct with Norse Atlantic Airways from £534pp return.* Bangkok’s Yaowarat district is the hub of its Lunar New Year festivities, with dragon dances, street parties and colourful decorations.

New York – Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic from £805pp return*. Probably the best place to experience Lunar New Year outside East Asia, the Big Apple’s Chinatown district hosts a huge annual parade.

*Price quoted is the cheapest direct return fare with the specified airline before 31 January 2027 and is correct at the time of publication. Seat selection, hold baggage and other optional extras may not be included.

YouGov data shows that flowers remain one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts, with men in particular opting for them more often than any other type of gift. The cost is soaring though – a bouquet of a dozen red roses could set you back as much as £69 at a high street florist this February.**

For that price, or even less, you could whisk your special someone away for a romantic break – and the expansive route network on offer at Manchester Airport means you can take your pick from scores of destinations that are ideal for loved-up couples.

Here we look at some of the classic romantic getaway options – and some other less obvious choices that might just surprise you. What they all share in common is that a return flight could set you back under £69 – and in some cases, less than half that.

If you need any further persuasion that a flight ticket is the ideal treat for your partner this Valentine’s Day – or you want some pointers on where you might take them – read on.

Oslo

Fly with Ryanair from £27pp return.*

There’s a chill in the air in the Norwegian capital at this time of year – so it’s the perfect time of year to cosy up to your better half in a log cabin in the woods, complete with a sauna or a hot tub. This kind of accommodation is plentiful in the scenic pine forests that surround Oslo and makes for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, while keeping its cultural attractions, like the Munch Museum, within easy reach.

Paris

Fly with Ryanair from £33pp return.*

If you’re thinking of booking a romantic getaway, Paris is arguably the first place that would spring to mind. It’s been described as the ‘City of Love’ since Victorian times and although it’s a bit cliché, the twilight river cruises, fancy restaurants purpose-crafted for date nights, and a dash of French sophistication are a combination that’s hard to beat.

Copenhagen

Fly with Ryanair from £33pp return.*

Enjoy a stroll around the Danish capital’s harbourfront, lined with colourfully painted townhouses and vibrant cafes. The picture-perfect Rosenborg Castle and its surrounding gardens look like something from a Jane Austen novel, and make for the perfect setting for a romantic stroll and a picnic.

Porto

Fly with Ryanair from £35pp return.*

Wine aficionados will be in their element in Portugal’s second city, renowned as the home of Port wine. The city’s famous tipple has a legally protected geographical indication, meaning it has to be produced in the waterfront neighbourhood of Vila Nova de Gaia – which makes it very easy to take a tasting tour of the various Port houses, all in close proximity to one another. The city is also a starting point for boat tours up the river to the Douro valley – a famous wine region in its own right.

Brussels

Fly with Ryanair from £35pp return.*

If chocolate is your love language, look no further than Brussels, sometimes described as the cocoa capital of the world. Brussels is the home of praline, and you’ll find dozens of chocolatiers here, each offering something slightly different. The city’s parks and museums make for an enjoyable date day too, culminating with taking in panoramic views from the Atomium’s viewpoint at sunset.

Venice

Fly with Ryanair from £38pp return.*

Venice’s unique character, with its classical architecture and network of canals, make it one of the most popular destinations on the planet for a romantic getaway. Enjoy fine dining by candlelight, take a gondola around the city, or go island-hopping across the lagoon to Burano and Torcello. Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, is just an hour away by train and makes for a great day trip.

Pisa

Fly with Ryanair from £39pp return.*

Pisa’s world-famous leaning tower sits at the heart of the Piazza dei Miracoli, sandwiched between the city’s cathedral and a museum dedicated to the site’s history. At dusk, stroll along the banks of the River Arno and watch the winding medieval streets begin to light up. Plan a daytrip into the Tuscan countryside for breathtaking scenery and field-to-fork dining.

Jersey

Fly with easyJet from £42pp return.*

Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, is a great option for a last-minute break if you or your partner don’t have a passport. It’s in the Common Travel Area (CTA), so you can travel there with just a valid photo driving license or citizen card. St Helier’s Esplanade is dotted with trendy bars, restaurants and spa hotels, and the three historic fortresses on the island - Elizabeth Castle, Mont Orgueil Castle, and the ruins of Grosnez Castle – all make for a fantastic date setting.

Nice

Fly with easyJet from £45pp return.*

Nice is the gateway to the Cote d’Azur and well worth a visit if you’re looking for a city break where you can also enjoy a beach day. In the city itself, explore the Old Town (Vieux-Nice), Matisse Museum and the Molinard Perfume Workshop. The city has its own shale beach too, the Plage de Carras – but for the most scenic spots, travel further along the coast to Cap Martin and Cap d'Ail. The tiny country of Monaco also makes for an intriguing day trip option.

Split

Fly with easyJet from £57pp return.*

Another coastal city with plenty of charm, Split’s old town is set around the 1,700-year-old Diocletian’s Palace, the retirement home of a Roman emperor. Watch the sun drop over the Adriatic Sea on the Riva Promenade, and enjoy the great outdoors in the forested Marjan Park, on a headland that overlooks the city.

Mykonos

Fly with easyJet from £65pp return.*

Mykonos’ charming, whitewashed streets provide a perfect backdrop for a loved-up holiday. Many of its resorts are adults-only and geared towards romantic breaks for two. Traditional Greek tavernas are globally renowned for their hospitality and Mykonos is packed with them. The island’s beaches aren’t bad either.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return fare on the specified route before 31 January 2027, when booked directly through the named airline, and accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.

**Price of a Valentine’s Day Luxury 12 Red Roses bouquet listed by Interflora as of 12 February 2026 - https://www.interflora.co.uk/category/valentines-flowers

The good news, if you’ve not booked a holiday yet, is that it’s not too late to be among them. As the UK’s global gateway in the North, Manchester Airport offers direct flights to more than 200 destinations with around 50 airlines – meaning there are plenty of options to choose from and great deals still to be had.

If you’re tempted by a beach break, holiday favourites like Cyprus and the Canary Islands are warming up – but if you want a more cultural experience, it’s also a great time of year for a city break, with lower prices and smaller crowds at some of Europe’s most iconic sights.

Read on for some destination inspiration.

Milan

Fly direct with easyJet from only £89pp return.*

Milan is a global centre for fashion, and its iconic cathedral and the neighbouring square are the main draw for tourists. This February, there’s an additional draw - the city is hosting the Winter Olympics, and tickets remain available for events including curling and ice hockey for under 50 Euros per person at the time of writing. Mini-breakers can also use the city as a base to explore the Italian Lakes. Garda, Como and Lugano are all easily accessed by public transport.

Faro

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £101pp return.*

It might be a bit too early in the year for a beach holiday on the Algarve, with temperatures ranging from around 16C – 18C, but sunny weather is forecast for next week and conditions will be perfect for outdoor activities. The Via Algarviana is one of Portugal’s most popular hiking trails and will take you through quaint traditional villages, along coastal footpaths past scenic, secluded beaches, and through orchards of almond and orange trees in bloom. The Loulé Carnival, a colourful cultural festival marking the start of Lent which has echoes of Rio de Janeiro, takes place over three days from 15 – 17 February in the town of Loulé, 15 minutes by car from Faro.

Poznan

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £139pp return.*

Perhaps best known in Manchester for its football team, whose fans’ iconic goal celebrations have been emulated by Man City supporters, the Polish city of Poznan is packed with cultural interests, making it an ideal budget city break this February Half Term. Highlights include the eye-catching Mural Śródka, a mural on the side of a five-story building in the hipster Śródka neighbourhood packed with optical illusions, the daunting Imperial Castle and its surrounding gardens, and for lovers of artisanal pastries, there’s a Croissant Museum as well.

Bratislava

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £142pp return.*

Slovakia’s bohemian capital is awash with unique street art installations, like the iconic bronze statue of Cumil the Sewer Worker peeping up at passers-by from a manhole on a busy city centre street. Other quirky attractions in Bratislava include the ‘UFO tower’, a flying saucer shaped observation deck on one of the main city bridges. There is a burgeoning microbrewery scene here reminiscent of neighbouring Czechia, with taprooms scattered throughout the city, and nearby Devin Castle offers panoramic views over the Danube.

Barcelona

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £144pp return.*

2026 is a big year for Barcelona – it’s the year that’ll see the completion of two of its most iconic landmarks. An overhaul of Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium is due for completion in June, and that will be followed by the completion of La Sagrada Familia – Antoni Gaudí’s UNESCO-listed cathedral which has been under construction for over 100 years. Museums are open to visitors at both locations, and city breakers can also enjoy shopping and tapas on La Rambla in pleasant spring temperatures.

Paris

Fly direct with easyJet from only £145pp return.*

February Half Term coincides with Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar – and although the event itself is invitation-only, expect to see pop-up public exhibitions and displays in the windows of high-end retailers on the Champs-Élysées. It’s a great time of year to enjoy Paris’ most popular attractions too – they’ll be much less busy than they are in the summer.

Paphos

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £191pp return.*

Temperatures start to climb in the southern Mediterranean by February and in Paphos, the mercury often tips 20C by the middle of the month. That means the beach is an option – but avoiding the heat of summer makes for a much more comfortable experience in enjoying the city’s famous archaeological sites like Nea Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings.

Tenerife

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £194pp return.*

A great option for a family break at any time of year, Tenerife boasts one of the world’s largest water parks – Siam Park – along with a plethora of other family-friendly attractions. Better still, next week’s weather forecast is for clear skies and daytime temperatures between 22C and 24C – ideal for the beach.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return fare on the specified route between Friday 13 February and Sunday 22 February when booked directly through the named airline, for a trip of at least two nights, and are accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.

Previously, Air Canada’s services stopped in October and resumed in the spring, but this year flights will depart from the Northern hub to Canada’s largest city on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The country’s flag carrier airline will join Air Transat in offering a year-round link to Toronto – the latter runs two flights per week in winter, and six per week in the summer – meaning Manchester will have more flights to the world’s second-largest country than ever before.

The increase in flights reflects strong demand for travel to Canada from the North of the UK. Last year, nearly 100,000 passengers travelled to Toronto on a direct Air Canada or Air Transat flight from Manchester – a number set to rise significantly this year following Air Canada’s move to a year-round service – and a further 78,000 passengers flew to Toronto indirectly, via a connection elsewhere. Demand is expected to hit new heights this summer, with Toronto and Vancouver hosting World Cup matches.

As the country’s largest airport, Toronto Pearson International boasts an enviable range of connections across Canada and North America, including to airports in all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. The additional capacity this winter means it’s now easier than ever before for passengers to explore the breathtaking scenery and cultural highlights of this sprawling country – and here we look at some of the highlights.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re so proud of our role in connecting the North with the world, and these extra flights to Toronto – tripling the number of flights to Canada through the winter – cement our role as the region’s global gateway.

“Whether it’s for leisure, for business, or visiting friends and family, hundreds of thousands of people from our region travel to Canada every year and these extra flights will offer additional choice, opening up easier connections onwards to other parts of Canada and even the US – and also giving more Canadians a chance to discover what the North has to offer."

Toronto

Fly direct with Air Transat and Air Canada. Flights with Air Transat start at £440pp return and with Air Canada from £579pp return.*

There’s heaps to see and do in Canada’s metropolis – including the architecturally striking Royal Ontario Museum, boutique shopping and street eats at St. Lawrence Market, an incredible view across the city from the observation deck at the iconic CN Tower, and a bustling performing arts scene. Ice Hockey is a staple of Canadian life and the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most successful teams in the NHL. On top of all that, you’re only an hour by car from Niagara Falls – one of the world’s foremost natural wonders.

Vancouver

Connect via Toronto with Air Transat for £560pp return.*

The biggest city on Canada’s west coast blends urban hustle and bustle with heaps of green space. Stanley Park is one of the oldest and largest urban parks anywhere in the world, incorporating scenic trails, beaches, totem poles and family visitor attractions including Canada’s largest aquarium within its almost-1,000 acre grounds. Downtown Vancouver offers a range of museums and galleries, a pretty waterfront and, at Christmas, one of North America’s most impressive festive markets, with more than 80 stands.

Calgary

Connect via Toronto with Air Transat for £588pp return.*

Calgary in southern Alberta is the gateway to the jaw-dropping Banff National Park, at the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The town of Banff is less than two hours’ drive from Calgary International Airport and is the starting point for tours of some of Canada’s most scenic and dramatic wilderness. During the winter, the region is home to some of North America’s best ski resorts. In summer, wildlife spotters can go searching for grizzly and black bears, plus elk, bighorn sheep, and marmots. Moraine Lake, with its azure waters framed by steep-sided mountains, is globally famous and appears on the Canadian $20 bill.

Montreal

Connect via Toronto with Air Transat for £512pp return.*

Montreal is the largest city in Canada’s French-speaking province of Quebec – and its Old Town, centred around the imposing Notre-Dame Basilica, is one of Canada’s cultural highlights, where a tightly-packed web of narrow streets lined with colonial-era architecture offer a continental European feel. Quebec will also host the 2027 Canada Games, one of the largest annual Winter Sports events in the world – with 3,500 athletes competing in more than 20 sports.

Halifax

Connect via Toronto with Air Transat for £527pp return.*

Halifax offers plenty to see – like the Halifax Citadel, a star-shaped hilltop fort dating back to the colonial era, and picturesque Victorian gardens – but the city is also the gateway to Nova Scotia and its scenic coastline. Peggy's Cove lighthouse, around an hour to the south, is an iconic Canadian landmark, and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to the Cabot Trail, one of the most impressive spots to enjoy the province’s famous autumn foliage.

St John’s

Connect via Toronto with Air Transat for £591pp return.*

Founded nearly 500 years ago, St John’s in Newfoundland is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in North America – and one of its most remote. Jutting into the North Atlantic in the far east of the country, the city is actually closer to London than it is to Vancouver, demonstrating the vast scale of Canada. It’s known for its colourful row houses, bustling harbour and historic fortifications on Signal Hill. The waters off Newfoundland are famous for whale watching, with regular sightings of giant humpback whales.

Yellowknife

Connect via Toronto with Air Canada for £812pp return.*

Brought into the popular imagination by TV hit Ice Road Truckers, Yellowknife is the largest settlement in Canada’s Northwest Territories – a vast, sub-Arctic tundra with highlights including polar bear spotting and a nightly show of one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles, the northern lights, through the winter months. Aurora Village is a visitor attraction run by native Inuit people living locally, where visitors can enjoy dog sled rides, throat singing classes and traditional food, along with wildlife spotting excursions.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return price on the specified route before 31 December 2026, when booked directly through the named airline, and accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.

Virgin Atlantic is increasing Manchester to Orlando capacity by 12% in peak Summer 2026 with additional flights. These changes ensure customers across the North of England can continue to benefit from direct, long-haul connectivity and will be on sale from Tuesday 3 February.

In addition, capacity will be increased by 17% in Winter 2026 as services to Orlando will be upgauged to the airline’s A350-1000 aircraft, with further capacity increases from Manchester expected to follow for Summer 2027.

This year Virgin Atlantic is delighted to celebrate 30 years of flying from Manchester, its home in the north. The airline started operations in May 1996 with services to Orlando and now flies to four US destinations - Orlando, New York, Atlanta and Las Vegas, the only US West Coast flight available from the northwest as well as a seasonal winter service direct to Barbados. These services support both leisure and business travel and enhance connections for customers in the North, by offering the opportunity to connect onwards to key US destinations and beyond, with partners including Delta Air Lines, IndiGo and SkyTeam.

Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Manchester has been our home in the North for thirty years and we’re in it for the long haul. Increasing capacity on our Orlando services is a clear signal of that commitment, ensuring customers can continue to travel across the Atlantic from their local airport.

“Manchester matters to us, and we’ll continue to invest in the region as demand grows.”

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: "We are proud to connect the people of the North with the world - and our partnership with Virgin Atlantic plays a key role in doing that.

“There’s nothing quite like the excitement you feel in the terminal before a flight to Orlando so it’s great that Virgin Atlantic is reaffirming its commitment to its home in the North and adding more flights to Florida.

“We look forward to working together in years to come to strengthen links between our region, the US and beyond."

15-year-old Aroob Haroon, from Sheffield, suffers from a rare genetic condition which sadly led to the death of her five-year-old brother Ayaan in 2023. 

Since then, and despite the challenges posed by her own disability, Aroob has fundraised for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and has campaigned for greater awareness of the difficulties faced by children with rare illnesses, spreading the word to businesses, mosques, community groups, and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. She has even taken her message to the Houses of Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, where she met former First Minister, Humza Yousaf.

Aroob helped establish the hospital’s Moon and Stars campaign during Ramadan last year, with 57 local organisations and businesses each sponsoring a star on a giant mural outside the hospital, ultimately raising in excess of £20,000 – and due to be repeated this year.

She also fundraises for Bluebell Wood Hospice, who care for her, and is backing Rotherham United Community Trust’s ‘50K Power Play’ campaign to raise £50,000 for powerchair football in South Yorkshire.

Aroob’s family contacted Manchester Airport eager to arrange for her to see some planes up close and airport colleagues then took it upon themselves to arrange a behind-the-scenes tour, where Aroob saw an Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger aircraft – prepare for take-off.  

She was then greeted by a Jet2.com pilot and flight crew, and taken on board an aircraft to see how it is readied for departure.

The visit also included a tour of the airport’s impressive new-look, £1.3bn Terminal 2 building – including access to areas normally out-of-bounds to the travelling public.

Reflecting on her experience, Aroob said: 

“Seeing the huge A380 up close and going behind the scenes at Manchester Airport was amazing! Everyone was so kind and made me feel really special. Thank you to Manchester Airport’s special team for making this visit possible and for being so welcoming. I loved learning how the planes get ready to fly. It’s really cool to think that by visiting the airport I can also help people find out about the charities I care about, like Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Bluebell Wood Hospice.”

Aroob’s father Haroon added:

"We’re incredibly grateful for the warmth, care, and enthusiasm Manchester Airport has shown to Aroob. Knowing that her efforts — and the causes close to her heart — are being supported in this way is very special for her and for us as a family. Seeing her so excited by the A380, meeting the Jet2 pilot and crew, and exploring behind the scenes has created memories she will treasure forever.

“Despite the challenges she faces on a daily basis, Aroob is passionate about helping other children with complex needs, and experiences like this remind her that her work matters and inspires others. We’re very thankful to Manchester Airport’s special team for being part of that, for championing her efforts, and for making her feel truly valued and celebrated."

Ed Kibblewhite, Accessibility Manager at Manchester Airport, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Aroob to the airport and we are delighted that she has made so many special memories. Her story is such an inspiration, and we believe a big part of our role in serving the North is not just through connecting people in the North West, Yorkshire and beyond with destinations across the globe, but also using our platform to support people like Aroob and her family and to help raise awareness of important causes such as this one. I’d also like to thank the colleagues who took it upon themselves to arrange this special experience for Aroob – they are a credit to themselves and the airport as a whole.”

Steve Wilson, Assisted Travel Manager at Jet2.com added:

“Aroob is an absolute inspiration, so it was a privilege to welcome her onboard one of our aircraft and provide a behind-the-scenes look at our award-winning operations. Our team were thrilled to be able to play their part in a day that has created so many special memories, and we wish Aroob all the best as she continues with her vital campaigning work.”

Resorts are a little quieter than during the Christmas peak, but conditions for skiing are still excellent, with plenty of snow on the ground and lower temperatures stopping it from becoming slushy. These factors in combination mean it’s a great time of year for beginners who benefit from more space and less pressure on the slopes, as well as serious skiers who can rely on good snow quality.

For skiers travelling from Manchester Airport this season, there’s more choice than ever before. The airport has the widest route network of any UK airport outside London and this includes direct flights to ski hotspots including well-established favourites like the Alps and the Pyrenees, along with emerging destinations from the Dolomites to the Carpathians, and even far-flung destinations like Ontario in Canada.

If you’re going skiing or snowboarding in the coming weeks, here are some things you can do before you set off to get the most out of your trip – and if you’re not set on where to go yet, we round up some fantastic last minute flight deals, too.

Flights and Resorts

When you’re booking a flight, consider onward travel at your destination – particularly if you’ll be relying on public transport to get you to your resort, which may not be running around the clock. Getting an early flight to an Alpine resort will mean you arrive by mid-morning and can even get some ski time in on the day you arrive.

Some airlines offer packages tailored to winter sports travellers – Swiss, for example, offer one free ski/snowboard bag in addition to your regular checked bag when travelling on their Manchester – Zurich service (except for Economy Light bookings). Factor this in when choosing which airline to book with as it could save you money and remove some of the hassle of travelling with bulky equipment.

When picking a resort, it’s crucial to find something that matches to your group’s skill level – if there are skiers of mixed abilities, the larger resorts will offer a variety of pistes with something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re all experienced skiers you might be a bit more adventurous with your choice of resort. Also consider the type of environment you’re looking for – is it family fun, après-ski, or chocolate box village?

Packing for a ski trip

Your packing list for a ski trip will look a little different to any other type of holiday and will probably involve leaving space in your bag to pack a lot more layers – thermal base layers, waterproofs, ski socks and gloves, and neckwarmers will all be necessary, but you’ll also need to bring sunglasses and sun cream for any exposed skin, offering protection from the sun’s UV rays which are stronger at altitude.

Although you’ll need to save space for these items, don’t forget to pack essentials like chargers, adapters and travel documents.

Before you travel

Book your parking in advance to get the best deal –  if you’re planning to be dropped off, consider using the free drop-off area in the airport’s JetParks 1 car park, with a quick and convenient shuttle bus connection to the terminals. If you want to be dropped on our forecourts you can pay £5 for five minutes, which is more than enough for most passengers thanks to our barrierless exits – just remember to pay online or by phone by midnight the following day.

Book lessons and equipment rentals before you travel – and get yourself in shape in the weeks leading up to your trip, too, so you can get the most enjoyment out of it. Travel insurance is also crucial for any winter sports trip – make sure you’re covered for any activities you’re taking part in.

At the airport

Use the oversized baggage lane to drop off your skis or boards when you’ve checked in. To save room in your bag, you might have decided to wear some thermal layers to the airport – but security scanners require you to remove outer layers of clothing, so take off outer layers like coats and jackets before you get to the trays to save time and keep queues moving.

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 with luxurious Meet & Assist services -  find out more here

DEALS

Barcelona

Fly with Ryanair on 9 Feb and return 15 Feb for only £29pp*

It might not be the obvious starting point for a winter sports trip, but Barcelona is only a couple of hours’ drive away from the eastern Pyrenees, the mountain range separating Spain and France – and home to some of Europe’s best beginner slopes.

Grenoble

Fly with Ryanair on 30 Jan and return 6 Feb for only £32pp*

Some of the best French and Swiss ski resorts are within easy reach from Grenoble, including Alpe d'Huez and Chamonix.

Turin

Fly with Ryanair on 7 Feb and return 14 Feb for only £34pp*.

The host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics, Turin is the gateway to the Italian Alps. The nearby Vialattea (‘Milky Way’) is a cluster of top-quality ski resorts with options from beginner to expert.

Scandinavian Mountains Airport

Fly with easyJet on 7 Feb and return 14 Feb for only £36pp*

A new addition to Manchester Airport’s route network this winter, the Scandinavian Mountains Airport in northern Sweden is close to Sälen and Trysil, two of the region’s best resorts.

Plovdiv

Fly with Ryanair on 2 Feb and return 7 Feb for only £42pp*

Another great option for beginners – or just for skiers who want to try somewhere different – the Rhodope Mountains near the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv are home to several resorts including Pamporovo and Chepelare.

*Price available from the named airline when booked directly through their website and accurate at the time of publication. May not include baggage or other optional extras.

If you’re craving some sunshine, though, the good news is that you don’t need to wait until summer is here. Manchester Airport’s wide-ranging route network of more than 200 destinations – unrivalled in the North – gives you access to a whole host of winter sunshine breaks, where you can bask on the beach even at this time of year.

Here we pick out ten holiday favourites that are certain to chase away the January Blues – and look at what’s on offer when you get there.

Tenerife

Fly with Ryanair from only £30pp*.

Enduringly popular, and with something to suit everyone from young families and retirees to party animals, Tenerife is a safe bet for some winter sunshine. Temperatures are in the low to mid-twenties here in January and February, and there’s very little rainfall, so beach weather is guaranteed. If you want nightlife, head to Playa de las Americas. If you’re here with the family, check out Siam Park, one of the biggest water parks on the planet. And if you want some peace and quiet, the mountainous north of Tenerife has some spectacular scenery and hikes.

Fuerteventura

Fly with Ryanair from only £32pp*.

Fuerteventura is a great option for winter sun, with fewer crowds than its larger neighbour Tenerife, reliable sunshine and outstanding beaches. On top of all that, the whole island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – recognising the diversity of its marine and desert habitats.

Paphos

Fly with Ryanair from only £38pp*.

In the summer, Cyprus can be roasting hot – but at this time of year the weather is comparable to a pleasant spring day in Manchester, with temperatures in the high teens and plenty of sunshine, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors and historic sites like the ruins of Ancient Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings. There’s delicious souvlaki and seafood to enjoy, too. And best of all, this is the cheapest time of year to visit!

Agadir

Fly with Ryanair from only £49pp*.

Morocco has experienced a boom in visitor numbers over recent years, and Agadir is at the heart of that. Daytime temperatures typically range from 18 – 22C in January, then rise by a few degrees into February and March – so it’s just about warm enough for a day on the beach, and you’ll find some very good ones here. The Museum of Arts explores the surrounding region’s Berber heritage, and a visit to the Souk El Had market will let you practice your haggling skills.

Sal

Fly with easyJet from only £134pp*.

This island is part of Cape Verde, an African nation just to the south of the Canary Islands. Expect similar temperatures here during the winter to what you might see in Tenerife or Fuerteventura, but a very different cultural experience. Sal has an almost Caribbean vibe, with palm tree lined beaches, colonial architecture and waterfront barbecues serving grilled chicken and fresh seafood.

Sharm el Sheikh

Fly with easyJet from only £237pp*.

Egypt’s Red Sea coastline is dotted with resorts but the most famous is Sharm el Sheikh, and if you’re looking for a last-minute sunny getaway, January is the perfect month to visit. Expect temperatures around the low to mid-twenties, glorious sunshine, very little rain, and fewer crowds than in peak season. It’s a great spot to try your hand at water sports, or to scuba dive.

Montego Bay

Fly with TUI from only £363pp*.

The Caribbean is another destination that is best enjoyed at this time of year. In Montego Bay, Jamaica’s most-loved beach resort, temperatures hover around 30C all year round – but this time of year is the dry season, and February sees the least rain of any month. White sands and turquoise waters await during the daytime – and at night, expect a vibrant atmosphere, live music, and mouthwatering food.

Cancun

Fly with TUI from only £433pp*.

Cancun is shaking off its image as a Spring Break destination for American partygoers and becoming more family oriented. The surrounding Riviera Maya, a stretch of more than 60 miles of golden sands, is lined with resorts to suit all budgets and packed with things to do, like Xcaret water park, incredible natural landscapes to explore and historic sites like Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Temperatures here in January and February are comparable to July or August on the Med – so pack your sunscreen.

Bangkok

Fly with Norse from only £598pp*.

Manchester Airport gained its first direct flights to Bangkok this winter, linking the North to the world’s most visited city for the first time. Travel on one of those flights and you’ll quickly see why Bangkok has that moniker. A vibrant but affordable city packed with fantastic food and cultural wonders, it’s also the gateway to Southern Thailand, which boasts some of the very best beaches on the planet.

Dubai

Fly with Emirates from only £615pp*.

It’s known the world over for its imposing glass skyline and landmark buildings like the Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa – but Dubai also has some amazing white-sand beaches perched on the Arabian Gulf, and the winter is the perfect time to enjoy them, with temperatures in the mid-twenties throughout January and February. Once you’re done soaking up the sun, get out into the desert and explore the sand dunes in a 4x4 safari.

If you’re planning a summer break from Manchester Airport, you’re in good company. More than five million passengers passed through the airport during the school summer holidays and that figure is likely to be even higher this year, with the new-look Terminal 2 fully operational after a 10-year transformation and a wider choice of destinations than ever before.

There are some steps you need to take sooner rather than later, however, to get the most out of your week or two of summer sunshine. Here we run through some top tips to prepare, some important factors not to forget – and how to avoid running over your budget.

Choosing flight times and accommodation

Booking well in advance generally means you can secure a better price for your flight, with more choice of departure times and a wider range of accommodation available at your destination. It’s cheaper to book flights midweek and outside school summer holidays, but if that’s not possible, the sooner you can book the better. Flights early in the morning tend to be cheaper than later in the day.

With accommodation, consider what’s most important to you – is it closeness to the beach, proximity to amenities like bars, restaurants or public transport connections, the amount of space, privacy, or finding a property with a pool? Once you know what is essential and what you’re willing to compromise on, it’ll be easier to find accommodation that suits your needs at a reasonable price.

Ensure your passport is in date and check Visa / entry requirements

Most countries require you to have six months’ validity remaining on your passport when you arrive in the country – so if you’re planning on going away this summer and your passport expires before the end of 2026, consider replacing it now to avoid facing any problems later. This will allow plenty of time for your new passport to be processed ahead of your holiday.

It’s also worth checking other entry requirements at your destination. If you’re visiting the United States, for example, you’re required to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) clearance before you set off, which costs $40 (around £30) and involves submitting copies of your passport and other documents. The EU will introduce a similar scheme at the end of 2026. Some other countries require you to have a Visa in advance too – but in most cases you can apply online.

Plan your trip to the airport and book parking in advance

When planning your journey to Manchester Airport, consider public transport options or taking advantage of the airport’s free drop-off facility, with regular shuttle buses offering seamless connections to the airport’s two terminals.

For forecourt drop-off, the airport has a barrierless drop-off system, with payment made online or by phone before midnight the following day – or you can set up an account on the airport website that will pay any charges that are due automatically. There’s also a free drop-off option in the airport’s JetParks car park, with a quick and convenient shuttle bus transfer that drops you at the terminal doors.

Manchester Airport also has a range of official parking options to suit all budgets, from long-stay car parks with connecting shuttle buses, to meet and greet valet parking – but in each case you’ll get the best deals by booking in advance, rather than just turning up.

Consider airport lounges for a bit of extra comfort

Airport lounges are increasingly popular and can be booked out months in advance – so if you’d like to make use of one, consider booking it now.

Manchester Airport operates two lounge products – Escape and 1903 – both of which offer the perfect environment to relax ahead of your flight with comfortable seating, charging points for electronic devices, complimentary WiFi and flight information screens.

Escape caters for travellers of all ages with a complimentary buffet, salad bar and unlimited hot and soft drinks, while 1903 offers a more premium option, with hot food cooked to order and a self-service bar included within the price. Escape starts at just £32.99 per person, with prices for 1903 from £54.99 per person.

Sort out your travel insurance

Every year, travellers end up thousands of pounds out of pocket because they have failed to arrange adequate travel insurance. Don’t leave it to chance – medical bills can be exorbitantly expensive overseas without cover, and if an unexpected illness, injury, a family bereavement, or other emergency interrupts your trip or prevents you from travelling, you won’t get any money back without an insurance policy that covers this.

Last-minute policies can be pricier or more restricted, and by taking out a policy earlier, you’ll give yourself one less thing to remember as your holiday gets closer.

Book popular tourist attractions in advance

If you want to visit the Louvre, tour the Colosseum or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it’s no good just turning up without a ticket. For each of these world-famous attractions, and many more, booking weeks or even months in advance is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. You’ll find the same is true of the most popular restaurants – so if there’s a particular eatery you want to try out, do a bit of research before you travel and book ahead if needed.

Set a budget and start to put money aside now

Setting a realistic budget before you travel will help you to get the most out of your trip, reduce your stress levels by helping you stay in control of what you’re spending, and ensure you’re not left missing out on anything you wanted to do because of a lack of funds. Factor in your travel, accommodation, food and drink, and activities and entertainment when you pull together your budget and then, based on this, plan how much you want to save each month between now and when you travel, to avoid any nasty surprises.

The airport reported record passenger numbers in every month of 2025 and expects its growth to continue into 2026, with more flights, more destinations and more choice than ever before for passengers.

The UK’s global gateway in the North already offers a route network unparalleled outside London, with more than 200 destinations served by 50 airlines – but that network is set to widen again this year, with seven new services already confirmed from the likes of easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair – four of which are brand-new for the airport. More are expected to follow over the course of the year.

Here we run the rule over the destinations already announced and recap the big names added to the departure boards in 2025. Manchester Airport Managing Director, Chris Woodroofe, also offers his insights on where the airport’s route network might grow next.

New for 2026

Montpellier

easyJet’s service to France’s Mediterranean coast launches on Monday 30 March. Montpellier is one of the biggest cities in southern France and offers an array of cultural sights, from museums and art galleries to archaeological sites like the ancient city of Lattara – but most passengers flying into the city’s airport are headed for nearby coastal resorts like Palavas-les-Flots, Sete and Carnon. The region’s beaches are a popular spot for water sports and its seafood is also renowned.

Preveza 

easyJet’s other confirmed new service is to Preveza in Greece. It begins on Wednesday 24 June and easyJet will join Jet2.com and TUI in flying here, offering even greater choice to passengers. Preveza is on the mainland but faces the island of Lefkada, which has come to rival Corfu as one of the most popular tourist destinations on Greece’s Ionian Sea coast. Expect similar vibes to Corfu with fabulous beaches, colourful Venetian architecture and delicious Greek food.

La Palma

Jet2.com begins flying to the Canary Island of La Palma on Friday 3 April, joining TUI in linking it to Manchester. It’s quieter than neighbouring islands like Tenerife and Fuerteventura but offers many of the same experiences, from charming port towns to black sand beaches and a rugged volcanic landscape great for nature-lovers.

Palermo

On Friday 1 May, Jet2.com launches the first direct service from Manchester to Palermo, the largest city on the island of Sicily. It’s a lively destination with bustling markets and tasty street food, and plenty of history too – its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head out of Palermo in a westerly direction and you’ll find some of the island’s best beaches, including the stunning San Vito Lo Capo.

Samos

Jet2.com’s flights to Samos start on Tuesday 5 May, and it will be the only airline to offer a direct link from Manchester to this picturesque Greek island in the eastern Aegean, emerging as a popular alternative to its much busier neighbours Mykonos and Santorini. Foodies will be truly at home here – it’s famous for high-quality honey, cheese, olive oil and sweet Muscat wine. Some of its beaches, including Tsamadou and Potami, have become Instagram-famous.

Castellon

Another brand-new route for Manchester Airport, Ryanair’s flights to Castellon commence on Monday 1 June. The city is the gateway to the Costa del Azahar, or ‘Coast of the Orange Trees’, a stretch of more than 80 miles of golden sands that has long been popular with Spanish holidaymakers but is something of a hidden gem for international visitors. Be sure to tuck into some Paella while you’re here – this is the part of Spain where the dish originated.

Bodrum

Rounding off the list, SunExpress begins flights to Bodrum on Monday 4 May, joining easyJet and Jet2.com in offering a direct service from Manchester. Famous for Bodrum Castle and the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the city sits at the heart of Turkey’s Aegean coastline and is surrounded by a string of resorts offering all-inclusive stays.

Recapping 2025

Manchester Airport’s long-haul route network saw some significant additions over the past 12 months, with new routes in India, Pakistan and Thailand added.

Perhaps the route that generated the most excitement among the travelling public was the launch of flights with Norse to Bangkok in November– the world’s most visited city and one of Manchester’s top unserved destinations.

Earlier in the summer, Indian carrier IndiGo made Manchester – Mumbai its very first European service, and then quickly followed that up with a Manchester – Delhi route, connecting the North of the UK with India’s capital city and with its main financial and commercial centre.

And in October, direct flights to Islamabad were launched by PIA – a significant boost for dozens of communities across northern England where more than 300,000 British Pakistanis reside.

New pins on the map closer to home included easyJet’s new services to city break favourites Strasbourg and Ljubljana as well as a service to the Moroccan capital Rabat with Ryanair, and Jet2.com flying to the Estonian capital Tallinn.

Where next?

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect the North with more destinations than any of our competitors, and to also offer more frequent flights to well-established holiday favourites, giving passengers flexibility and choice when booking their next trip. Our route network is unrivalled, with more than 200 destinations across the planet – but we’re not content to stop there.

“We have a list here of what we refer to as our biggest unserved destinations – that’s the destinations that we don’t have direct flights to but have the greatest demand, demonstrated by people from the region travelling to them either on connecting flights or from other airports.

“Those destinations are always our priority. At the start of last year, the biggest names on that list were Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai and Islamabad – and we’ve now launched flights to all of those. This year we’ll carry on through the list.

“I'm definitely looking to get to 40 million passengers per year over the next five years and there are several specific routes, like Riyadh and Tokyo that I'd like to add to our departure board over that period too. Equally, North America, South America and Africa are all places where we could expand our footprint.”

Manchester Airport has a route network unmatched by any British airport outside London, with over 200 places you can catch a direct flight to – so if you fancy experiencing a very different kind of Christmas next year and you’re looking for some destination inspiration, read on.

Tromso

Tromso is Norway’s most northerly major city and visitors here during the festive season will get to experience Christmas in the Arctic Circle – one of the few places you’re almost guaranteed a White Christmas. Norwegians have the somewhat unusual tradition of hiding all of the broomsticks in their houses on Christmas Eve to prevent them from being stolen by witches and evil spirits – a practice thought to date back to medieval times.

You can reach Tromso directly from only £76pp return* with easyJet.

Stockholm

Swedish Christmas tradition holds that the Yule Goat, rather than a crew of reindeer, accompanies Father Christmas to hand out presents – and a popular part of local Christmas celebrations involves constructing a giant effigy of the Yule Goat out of wood and straw. The small town of Gävle near Stockholm is renowned across the country for building the best Yule Goat, and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest, at more than 40ft tall. It is put up over the course of two days in late November and is taken down after Christmas.

You can reach Stockholm directly from only £115pp return* with Norwegian.

Rome

For a more solemn and spiritual celebration of Christmas you might head to Rome and more specifically the Vatican. The home of the Roman Catholic church sees tens of thousands of visitors pour into St Peter’s Square and the Basilica every day over the Christmas period to take part in Mass and other Christmas services. Outside the Vatican’s walls, ordinary Romans eagerly await the arrival of La Befana, a kindly witch who flies from house to house leaving presents on the doorstep for good children, and lumps of coal for bad ones.

You can reach Rome directly from only £43pp return* with Ryanair.

Athens

Celebrations in the Greek capital build up to the Epiphany (6 January), which is the main day of Christmas celebration in the Greek Orthodox Church, and involve Karavaki, a time-honoured tradition in Greek coastal communities whereby locals decorate their fishing boats with lights and festive ornaments. Christmas food in Greece includes Lahanodolmades, small parcels of minced meat and vegetables wrapped in cabbage leaves, and Melomakarona, crispy bite-sized cookies drizzled with honey.

You can reach Athens directly from only £72pp return* with easyJet.

Barbados

It feels like a world away from the traditional image of snow, ice, sleighs and reindeer but a Christmas in Barbados has its perks – not least the beach barbecues in glorious 30c temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy Great Cake, a fruit loaf soaked in rum and aged for several months that has become synonymous with Christmas celebrations on the Caribbean island. Locals go for a Christmas morning dip in the sea and then descend on Queen's Park in Bridgetown for musical performances.

You can reach Bridgetown directly from only £560pp return* with Virgin Atlantic.

Delhi

Known colloquially as ‘Bada Din’, or the ‘Big Day’ in Hindi, Christmas Day is a big deal in Delhi. Although it’s a minority religion, the city is home to almost 150,000 Christians and people of all faiths and none get in on the festivities. These involve festive decorations throughout the city’s public spaces, the lighting of clay oil lamps in residential areas, and the enjoyment of kheer, a sweet rice pudding traditionally consumed by the city’s Christian community at Christmas.

You can reach Delhi directly from only £495pp return* with IndiGo.

Cancun

An enduring Mexican Christmas tradition, ‘Las Posadas’, still sweeps the streets of towns and cities including Cancun at this time of year. Over nine nights from 16 December, groups go from door to door reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging and are given traditional food like tamales, alcoholic drinks and are invited to break star-shaped pinatas filled with treats for the children. As with Barbados, expect balmy temperatures on the Costa Maya at Christmas – it’s the start of the dry season, one of the best times of year to enjoy the region’s spectacular white sand beaches.

You can reach Cancun directly from only £350pp return* with TUI.

Toronto

Santa Claus, his North Pole workshop and his crew of reindeer and elves are a North American invention, a blend of traditions and legends from the various European communities who settled in the north-east US and eastern Canada during the 1700s and 1800s. Some of these traditions made it back across the Atlantic to Europe, but others didn’t –like Santa Claus float parades. Toronto’s is one of the oldest and biggest, with enormous crowds of up to half a million people lining a four-mile route around the city centre and dozens of elaborately-decorated floats preceding Santa’s showpiece arrival.

You can reach Toronto directly from only £401pp return* with Airtransat.

* Prices quoted are the cheapest available price per person on a direct return flight from Manchester before the end of December 2026 and are correct at the time of publication.

Prices at the most popular Christmas markets can be on the steep side, and flights to those destinations in the run up to Christmas aren’t cheap either – but there are also bargains out there if you know where to look. The great news is there are still lots of incredible Christmas markets you can reach with a direct flight from Manchester Airport for under £80pp* return – thanks to the hub’s enviable network of more than 200 destinations worldwide.

Here we run the rule over some seasonal escapes that won’t break the bank.

Brussels

Fly with Ryanair from £27pp return*

Brussels Christmas market runs from 28 November – 4 January

The Belgian capital’s Christmas markets centre on Grand Place, but are spread across a number of locations including the Marché aux Poissons, with over 200 stalls, and the Place de Brouckère, which offers an ice rink and funfair rides. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample Belgium’s world-famous beers, chocolates and fries.

Milan

Fly with Ryanair from £29pp return*

Milan Christmas market runs from 1 December – 6 January

Milan’s festive stalls take pride of place in the Piazza Duomo, next to the city’s jaw-dropping Cathedral, providing a stunning backdrop. Stalls sell handmade trinkets, cheese and charcuteries. While here, make sure you sample panettone, a sweet bread studded with dried fruits that originated in Milan and has become synonymous with Christmas the world over.

Gdansk

Fly with Ryanair from £30pp return*

Gdansk Christmas market runs from 21 November – 23 December

Gdansk’s Christmas markets are big on spectacle, with stunning displays of Christmas lights and street performances punctuating the rows of stalls in the picturesque Old Town. Better still, it’s great value for money, with a beer typically setting you back under £3 and a serving of Polish treats like Pierogi dumplings even less than that. Perhaps that’s why Gdansk was voted Europe’s best Christmas market last year.

Oslo

Fly with Ryanair from £30pp return*

Oslo Christmas market runs from 8 November – 4 January

The Christmas markets in Oslo offer everything you might expect to find, from food stalls to a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and a carousel. It’s also one of the most northerly major cities in the world and that means if you’re visiting at this time of year, there’s a good chance you’ll see some snow – and that you’ll be able to marvel at the Northern Lights, if you take yourself out of town a little. Scenic lakes, fjords and fir tree woodlands on the edge of a city are a great setting for a festive walk after you’ve finished shopping.

Riga

Fly with Ryanair from £37pp return*

Riga Christmas market runs from 29 November – 1 January

Another city with a burgeoning reputation for an authentic but affordable Christmas market experience is the Latvian capital of Riga. Located in Dome Square at the heart of the city, the market is known for having a musical touch to it, with live performances programmed throughout December, from folk bands to Christmas choirs, and even DJ sets on Friday and Saturday evenings. It’s also renowned for eschewing the mass-produced Christmas nicknacks you’ll see at bigger markets elsewhere on the continent, with a small but varied range of artisanal stands selling local handmade products.

Bratislava

Fly with Ryanair from £38pp return*

Bratislava Christmas market runs from 27 November – 6 January

One of the fastest growing Christmas markets in Europe, Bratislava is becoming an increasingly popular option due to its affordability and authenticity. The city’s Old Town boasts some incredible Viennese-inspired architecture dating to its days under Austrian rule, and this offers a beautiful backdrop to dozens of stalls selling gifts, food and drink, from classic Christmas market options like bratwurst, to local favourites such as langos (a filled savoury bread) and lokshe (a potato pancake). There is also a medieval-themed market at the grounds of Bratislava Castle.

Bucharest

Fly with Ryanair from £45pp return*

Bucharest Christmas market runs from 29 November – 28 December

Bucharest’s festivities take place on Constitution Square, one of the city’s biggest plazas, in front of the Romanian Parliament – and they’re about far more than just shopping, although there’s plenty of that too. More than 130 stands sell handmade toys and decorations, along with Romanian and international food and drink at a very reasonable price. You can ride a carousel or a ferris wheel, and check out traditional musical and dance performances on a main stage at one side of the square. It even boasts a Santa’s Grotto complete with a ‘story-telling experience’ where children can meet elves and reindeer as well as Santa himself.

Zurich

Fly with easyJet from £79pp return*

Zurich Christmas market runs from 20 November – 23 December

With the snow-capped peaks of the Alps in the distance and medieval German architecture, Zurich is a picture-perfect setting for a Christmas market – and what sets it apart is that it hosts several pretty large but distinct markets in different locations around the city. The largest is actually indoors, in the grounds of the city’s main train station – one of the largest in Europe. Here you’ll find Swiss treats like raclette and mulled wine, and a giant Christmas tree. Swiss Airlines and easyJet both fly to Zurich from Manchester.

* Prices are the cheapest available return flights from Manchester before the end of December 2025. Prices are available when booked directly through the specified airline’s website and are correct at the time of publication. Hold baggage may not be included.

The inaugural flight of the North’s only direct service to Bangkok departed from Manchester Airport last night.

The new service operated by Norse Atlantic Airways means hundreds of thousands of passengers from the North will benefit from direct flights to the world’s most visited city.

Last year 230,000 people from Manchester Airport’s catchment area travelled to Thailand’s capital – either on connecting flights or from a London airport.

But this new weekly service on a Boeing 787-9 means those passengers will save time and money by going direct.

Manchester Airport Commercial Director Stephen Turner said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world – and that means making sure we offer direct flights to the places the region’s travellers want to visit.

“We’ve been working hard to secure a route to Bangkok for some time so it was a huge moment to see the inaugural flight of our new service with Norse Atlantic Airways take off last night.

“Bangkok is one of those real bucket-list destinations for so many people because it’s such a vibrant and exciting place – that’s why so many people go there every year making it the world’s most visited city.

“And now people in the region can do that directly from Manchester Airport – the UK’s global gateway in the North.

“It also opens our region up for people coming here from Thailand – from our amazing cities and stunning scenery to our cultural scene and our football clubs, which we know are very popular among Thai fans.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing this route become a huge success and hearing more about people’s experiences.”

 Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said:

“We don’t just follow demand — we unlock it. This route has been waiting to happen, and we’re proud to be the ones making it a reality.

“Manchester is a key gateway to the North of England, and Bangkok is a magnet for adventure, business, and culture. Connecting the two cities is a natural next step for Norse as we continue to disrupt and expand in the long-haul space.”

The flight departed from Manchester Airport’s brand new £1.3bn Terminal 2, which is almost complete after a 10-year transformation programme. All Manchester Airport’s airlines except Ryanair now operate from the award-winning new terminal.

With 32.4m visitors in 2024, Bangkok was the world’s most-visited city according to the Global Tourism Forum.

Its popularity is driven by its rich culture, nightlife and good value for money – as well as being a good starting or end point for travelling around the wider region.

The new service will run weekly through the winter until March 2026. Bangkok is most popular over the winter months as the summer is monsoon season.

Between them, Dublin, Amsterdam, Tenerife, Mallorca and Alicante account for almost 15% of the airport’s total passenger numbers – but panellists speaking to the airport’s official podcast, Manchester: Your Airport, MAN, were keen to emphasise that doesn’t mean that you can’t find hidden gems – or hidden pitfalls – in these destinations.

Andy Ziardis, Head of Consular Prevention and Engagement at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), shared his top tips for travellers - and highlighted a common mistake that costs tourists hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.

He said: “Do your research on where you’re going [and] make sure you’ve got appropriate travel insurance and medical insurance.

“In some of these places, you might want to do adventure sports, or water sports, so make sure your insurance policies are covering that – and if you’ve got a medical condition, declare it.

“People think they are protected by the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) if they’re travelling short-haul. You’ll get access to primary care, but [with] anything else – if you need surgery for example – you’ll need your insurance to cover it.

“We see so many times when people come and ask us for support overseas, it’s because for whatever reason, they don’t have insurance, or it’s not the right type. [In some places] it can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, even if you just need an operation on a broken leg.”

Richard Slater, CEO of Henbury Travel and North West Chair for ABTA, and travel writer Daniel Ross joined Andy on the panel.

Reflecting on the top destinations, Richard said: “Dublin is one of those cities that has never gone out of style. You can be there in less than an hour and it’s got a great mixture of history, culture and fun, but it’s never overwhelming. It’s very walkable and very compact.

“Amsterdam is very scenic architecturally, there’s some culture, again – like the Van Gogh Museum – and it’s another quick destination, you can be there in just over an hour, jump on a train at the airport and be in the city centre in about 15 minutes.”

Daniel added: “There are some phenomenal places off the beaten track in Mallorca that you should check out while you’re there. Last time I was there I went to a little town called Santos, right in the middle of the island – I was en route to the beach. It’s not on the tourist trail whatsoever but it’s a little market town with so much culture [and] you feel like you have been dropped into a moment in time. That’s the kind of thing Mallorca still does have if you want to look for it.”

You can listen to Manchester: Your Airport, MAN on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts among other platforms. The latest episode featuring Andy, Daniel and Richard, titled Where’s Hot and Where’s Not, is published today.

All airlines due to operate from Manchester's Airport's award-winning Terminal 2 have now completed their move to the so-called ‘super-terminal’.

That means large sections of Terminal 1 that have been familiar to millions since the 1960s have closed, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the UK's global gateway in the North.

From today, around three-quarters of Manchester Airport's 32m passengers will use the revamped Terminal 2, which is the centrepiece of a 10-year, £1.3bn transformation.

Ryanair is now the only carrier that will operate from a hybrid of Terminal 1 and 3 until the full closure of Terminal 1 early next year.

The airline migration was completed this week with the moves of Emirates and easyJet. 

Emirates’ move marked a significant milestone of its own, signalling the full opening of a new ‘pier’ - one of the major pieces of infrastructure delivered through the second phase of the Terminal 2 transformation. 

Until now, the airline’s Airbus A380 – the biggest passenger aircraft in the world – could only operate from a gate in Terminal 1. But on Tuesday new gates on Terminal 2’s second pier were used for the first time, allowing the A380 to operate from the new facility thanks to double air bridges.

Manchester Airport managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world and this week marks a major milestone in our journey of building a truly world-leading facility.

“This is a moment that’s been 10 years in the making; finally seeing all the airlines due to operate from Terminal 2 in their new, £1.3bn home is fantastic.  A particular highlight for me was seeing the iconic A380 arriving into Terminal 2 for the first time.

“We’re very proud of our award-winning new Terminal 2 – and we know that passengers absolutely love it. It really is a great facility that rivals any airport terminal in capital cities across Europe.

“From this week around 75% of our passengers will use it, including people flying long- and short-haul and even domestic passengers – and they’ll benefit from the lovely modern surroundings, lots of natural light, high-tech new security scanners and the fantastic range of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes in the departure lounge.  

“It’s also good news for Ryanair’s passengers. We’re taking this opportunity to expand Terminal 3 using space which will become available via the closure of Terminal 1 because the two facilities are linked.

“The work has already started to improve and expand Terminal 3 and we’re now going to be able to really step that up.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from passengers using our transformed airport over the coming weeks and months.”

The 10-year, £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2, has more than doubled the terminal’s size and created a world-class passenger experience. An extension to the terminal opened in 2021, and the airport is now in the final stages of overhauling the original Terminal 2.

Now that the final airlines have moved across, work will continue to complete the final elements of Terminal 2, like the last sections of the departure lounge – including the airport’s new Great Northern Market dining concept, its first Wetherspoon’s and its high-end Boutique Mall shopping area, which will feature a Chanel shop, a Fever Tree bar and more.

The finalised terminal will also include 13 new flexible aircraft stands and boarding gates, currently under construction, and a passageway linking the new security hall with the departure lounge will feature a chandelier installation, paying homage to the much-loved Venetian chandeliers that graced Terminal 1 in the 1980s and 1990s.   

The relocation of the final two airlines means well-known sections of Terminal 1 closed last night after the last passengers arrived on an easyJet flight from Antalya. The likes of Giraffe and the Grain Loft - where passengers have enjoyed pre-flight meals before jetting off - served their last dishes. In arrivals, the Greggs, Pret-a-Manger, Spar and WHSmiths outlets also closed yesterday. 

Many millions of passengers have already travelled through the terminal extension since it opened in 2021, and last year it claimed a prestigious, UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award recognising its outstanding design.  

The airport will celebrate the latest milestone with a ‘party on the pier’ for passengers and staff on Friday, featuring music, games and more on the Terminal’s new second pier.

Work to expand and improve Terminal 3 began earlier this year and in the coming months a new section of the terminal featuring a 500-seat bar called Sporting Chance will open.

Key elements of the investment in Terminal 3 are:

-              A new entrance to the terminal with more space, easier access and better facilities

-              Brand new security equipment

-              40% more seating capacity in the departure lounge

-              New shops and food and drink outlets

-              A new 500 seat bar area with airfield views

-              An expanded dining area with 200 extra seats

-              More shops and facilities landside in the arrivals area of the terminal

Manchester Airport’s new route to India’s capital city Delhi launched on Saturday meaning the North now has nine weekly connections to the country.

The new route to Delhi is operated by IndiGo, India’s largest airline, and will run five times per week. It is on top of IndiGo’s four weekly services to the country’s financial hub Mumbai.

The first flight for the new service departed from Manchester Airport’s brand-new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 at on Saturday.

The connection will augment the financial benefits already being felt following the launch of IndiGo’s Mumbai service in June and has been heralded by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle.

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. The route between Manchester and Delhi was its first European route when it launched earlier this year.

Research from economic consultancy Metro Dynamics forecasts the two routes will deliver a major economic boost, including:

-          Increased exports worth more than £33.5m a year

-          More than £26m a year of extra tourism income from Indian visitors

-          around 500 new jobs – supporting £24.2m of extra GVA to the North

-          more than £26m of productivity savings for businesses across the North each year

-          significant increases in innovation and research collaboration between the North and India

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle said:

“The choice of Manchester for India’s flagship airline's first European destination is proof of the growing strength of the UK-India relationship.

 "These flights will create even more opportunities for British and Indian firms and comes in the wake of our landmark trade deal, ushering in more money and jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the World and this new connection to Delhi means the people of the region can now enjoy the benefits of nine flights per week to India.

“It will drive millions of pounds into the regional economy, improve tourism links between our two countries and benefit the Indian communities in the North.

“I was incredibly proud to be able to celebrate the inaugural flight and am looking forward to hearing about the benefits this service brings.”

Jo Ahmed, co-chair of the Manchester India Partnership, an alliance of public and private sector organisations that has forged closer social and economic ties over the past eight years, said:  

"Having direct flights into India's two most important cities will deliver a significant boost to the region's economy, building on the many trade, investment, academic and cultural connections that already exist. 

"The fact IndiGo chose Manchester in the first place was due recognition of the many years of hard work that have gone into forging close ties between the two locations. With a new UK-India trade deal in place - and connectivity like this - I am looking forward to the next chapter of Manchester-India relations delivering an even stronger set of opportunities for collaboration benefitting both people and place."

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India in Manchester, said:

“The launch of IndiGo’s new direct flight service between Delhi and Manchester marks another milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the North of England, since the establishment of the Consulate General of India and the launch of a direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai.

“I commend Manchester Airport and IndiGo for their tireless efforts to meet the growing demand to extend the connectivity to India’s capital, Delhi. This new edition is timely and immensely significant for businesses, students, tourism and cultural linkages between our two countries.”

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“Lord Jim O’Neill, who developed the intellectual underpinning of the Northern Powerhouse, has made the case consistently for linking cities including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool to each other and Manchester Airport. He also coined the terms ‘BRICs’ and the changing global economic order in the two and a half decades since has shown the importance of India and China in particular from that grouping to the future of the North.

“Adding Delhi to the existing direct connection already established to Mumbai is a testament to the strong potential for strengthening economic ties between the North of England and India. Building on foreign direct investment such as Sai Life Sciences at Alderley Park and the significant number of Indian students who choose to study here - one of our greatest pan-Northern export success stories, including institutions such as Manchester and Sheffield - this new direct long-haul link is of particular significance.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"This new route to Delhi will supercharge Manchester's connections with India. Our existing route to Mumbai is already hugely beneficial to the city's businesses and people - supporting trade, investment and cultural links with one of the world's biggest economies.

“The addition of Delhi, meaning that there will be daily flights to and from India from Manchester, will take that to the next level."

Delhi is India’s capital and home to its government. It is also part of the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi, Agra – home of the Taj Mahal – and Jaipur, which is famed for its pink forts, palaces and temples.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment.

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118m passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.

The new service operates from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2, as well as the existing Mumbai service. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe. 

Manchester Airport’s enviable route network of more than 200 destinations places all four corners of the world within easy reach – and with that comes the opportunity to visit some of the quirkiest and most unusual tourist sites on the planet.

Here we run through some of the most weird and wonderful museums and visitor attractions on offer – and how to get there with a direct flight from Manchester Airport.

Mini Hollywood, Almeria

Fly to Almeria with Ryanair from £83pp return*

A film set in southern Spain’s Tabernas desert has doubled as the Wild West for half a century, hosting film shoots for iconic Westerns like A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. More recently it was the location for an episode of Doctor Who set on the American Old Frontier.

The sprawling film set, Mini Hollywood, is just outside the popular Spanish beach resort of Almeria and has been converted into a theme park offering to transport visitors to the Wild West – complete with simulations of gunfight scenes, horse shows, a working saloon bar, recreations of a smithy and a mine works, and a Wild West play area.

Froggyland, Split

Fly to Split with Jet2.com from £101pp return*

If you’re looking for a wacky museum, it doesn’t get much stranger than Froggyland in the Croatian city of Split. It is – as the name suggests – a homage to all things amphibian, with a huge collection of taxidermy frogs displayed acting out a variety of elaborate scenes. These range from day-to-day scenarios like sitting in a classroom or eating dinner at a restaurant, through to circus shows and orchestral performances, complete with miniature instruments.

The collection, which is over 100 years old, was created by taxidermising the frogs through the mouth, leaving no visible incisions. When you’re done at Froggyland, explore Split’s Old Town, a large part of which is comprised of the remains of a palace built for the Roman emperor Diocletian.

Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb

Fly to Zagreb with Ryanair from £75pp return*

Staying in Croatia – which seems to be a hotspot for the weird and wonderful – you can learn more about the trials and tribulations of falling in love at the Museum of Broken Relationships. Located in the capital Zagreb, it gathers together more than 3,500 exhibits with a deeply personal tale of betrayal or domestic despair – including letters from scorned lovers, caricatured drawings, personal affects, a man’s dreadlocks he snipped off after breaking up with the partner who braided them over the course of 10 years – and even an axe used by a jilted woman to hack up her partner’s furniture.

You can see all this and more at the museum’s permanent exhibition in central Zagreb, which also has plenty of more orthodox museums looking at local history, archaeology and the life of Nicola Tesla.

Frietmuseum, Bruges

Fly to Brussels with Ryanair from £29pp return*

The world might call them ‘French fries’, but Belgium lays claim to be their true home, and the city of Bruges boasts the world’s only museum dedicated to the humble potato chip. The Frietmuseum guides visitors through hundreds of years of starchy snacking, looks at what dips are the best, and gives you the chance to sample some authentic Belgian fries as you go.

You can reach Bruges from Brussels with a one-hour train, giving you the chance to combine two city breaks into one and explore some of Brussels’ wackier attractions, including Mini Europe, with to-scale models of some of the continent’s most renowned landmarks.

The Icelandic Phallological Museum, Reykjavik

Fly to Reykjavik with easyJet from £63pp return*

The Icelandic Phallological Museum is the world’s only museum of its kind and what started as a small private collection has become famous across the globe for its unusual exhibitions featuring hundreds of preserved male specimens. These come from a variety of animals of all shapes and sizes, including humans – but all are dwarfed by a six-foot-long blue whale member. Other exhibits include lampshades made of bull scrotums and a cast of the man with ‘the longest urinary measurement ever recorded’. It also has a gift shop, selling what it describes as ‘unique souvenirs and playful gifts.’

Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo

Fly to Palermo with Jet2.com from £132pp return*

In northern Sicily, what was once a consecrated burial vault is now a macabre visitor attraction. It traces its origins to the 16^th century when a local monastery ran out of space in its burial ground so started to embalm and inter deceased monks in a chamber beneath the monastery, where they could be visited by their surviving contemporaries who would look after their bodies and join them in prayer. Over the centuries, it became a status symbol to be interred here, with the great and good of Palermo joining the ranks of over 8,000 bodies laid on or hung from racks of ceramic piping along the walls. The last bodies were interred here in the 1930s and the catacombs are now open to the public, with tens of thousands of tourists visiting each year.

Memento Park, Budapest

Fly to Budapest with Ryanair from £50pp return*

The USSR and its satellite states were prolific producers of statues and monuments to tyrannical leaders and their causes – but after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the early 90s, many newly independent, or newly democratic nations were left with the question of what to do with all of these unwanted mementos. Budapest had a novel answer – gather them all in one place and turn it into an open-air museum. Memento Park showcases statues of Lenin, Marx and Engels – as well as what’s left of a statue of Stalin, cut off at the knees during Hungary’s October Revolution. Budapest has a unique way of addressing the darker parts of its history and assimilating them into a vibrant modern city – and its ruin bar culture has turned derelict buildings into the heart of a thriving nightlife scene.

QUAKE, Lisbon

Fly to Lisbon with Ryanair from £30pp return*

On 1 November 1755, a huge earthquake struck off the coast of Portugal’s capital city, reducing large areas to rubble. Half an hour later, 20ft tsunami waves crashed through Lisbon’s port and city centre. More than 50,000 people lost their lives in one of Europe’s worst-ever natural disasters – but it became the first major earthquake to be studied scientifically, rather than being explained away as an act of God, and it still shapes our understanding of earthquakes and tsunamis today.

The award-winning Lisbon Earthquake Museum, QUAKE, tells the story of what happened that day, with reconstructed streets showing the city as it was in the mid-18th Century, along with interactive exhibits and earthquake simulators, giving you the sensation of standing in the midst of the earthquake as it unfolded. You can then explore the modern streets, rebuilt after these events, on Lisbon’s iconic funicular trams.

Museum of Miniatures, Prague

Fly to Prague with easyJet from £52pp return*

The smallest bicycle in the world, made of pure gold. A train of camels sculpted into the eye of a needle. An inscription written on a human hair, and reproductions of world-famous artworks so small they can only be viewed through a microscope. All of this and more is displayed at Prague’s Museum of Miniatures, along with an explanation of the challenges faced by artists producing these miniscule masterpieces – from keeping a steady hand by working in between heartbeats, to avoiding static charges. Prague is host to other marvels of human ingenuity, too, like the medieval astronomical clock, centuries ahead of its time in terms of its complexity.

Esperanto Museum, Vienna

Fly to Vienna with Ryanair from £50pp return*

Vienna’s Esperanto Museum offers visitors the chance to ‘discover the fascinating world of language invention and the multifaceted history of’ the world’s most widely spoken constructed language. Created in 1887 by German linguist LL Zamenhof, the idea behind Esperanto was to design a language that was universally easy to learn and followed simple grammatical rules, so that it could be used as a global second language in a rapidly industrialising world. It had some early successes – including official recognition from the UN – but ultimately it was English, rather than Esperanto, that filled the niche. There are, however, more than 100,000 people alive today who can speak the language.

The Esperanto Museum displays curiosities like original works of literature written in Esperanto and wartime army recruitment posters, along with exhibits examining the history of constructed languages, including Klingon from Star Trek and the Elvish language from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

* Prices are the cheapest available return flights from Manchester before the end of October 2026. Prices are available when booked directly through the specified airline’s website and are correct at the time of publication. Hold baggage may not be included.

The all-expenses-paid break was organised by Childflight, a North-West children’s charity which provides flights and holidays for children who are unwell or living in challenging circumstances, in conjunction with Manchester Airport, TUI Airways and the TUI Care Foundation.

The children, aged between 5 and 16, travelled with family members on the specially chartered flight operated by TUI Airways, and will return on Wednesday 12 November.

During their nearly two-week stay in Florida, their itinerary includes relaxing poolside days and pool parties, along with days out at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, visits to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by thrill rides at Epcot. They'll also head to Disney Hollywood Studios for a special meet-and-greet with Mickey Mouse himself and wrap up the trip with a bit of shopping in Orlando’s Old Town entertainment district.

Stephen Sefton, Chair of Childflight, said: “This trip is pretty special – we’re taking 54 families, plus five doctors, eight nurses, and team leaders, with all expenses paid, even spending money. For many of these kids, it’s their first ever holiday abroad, so it’s going to be an exciting and emotional couple of weeks, and one made of memories to last a lifetime.

“Many of these families are living through extremely trying times in their lives, so it’s fantastic to be able to put smiles back on their faces for the next 12 days.”

Robert Pattison, Head of Community Engagement at Manchester Airport, said: “We're proud of the role the airport plays in its local community, whether that’s as a major local employer, a donor to good causes through our Community Trust Fund, or through supporting initiatives such as this.”

Jamie Ross, TUI Cabin Crew, said: “Being part of this special trip is a real privilege for our crew. Seeing the children’s faces light up as we take off is pure joy — a reminder that we’re helping create unforgettable memories for families on an adventure they’ll treasure forever. Beyond operating the flight, we stay for the full 12 nights in Florida, supporting the charity and doing everything we can to help make this the holiday of a lifetime."

Whether it’s breathing in crisp mountain air on a ski slope, watching snowflakes fall outside a log cabin, or warming up with hot chocolate after a reindeer sleigh ride, there’s something magical about a winter holiday. And if you’re dreaming of snow-covered landscapes, Manchester Airport can take you there, with more than 200 destinations on offer, including some of the world’s most enchanting cold weather escapes.

From Lapland to the Alps, winter breaks have never been more popular, and thanks to a growing list of direct seasonal routes, it’s easier than ever to swap the grey skies of home for snowy adventures abroad. So whether you're after a festive family getaway, a romantic retreat, or an adrenaline-fueled ski trip, here are nine snowy destinations you can fly to direct from Manchester this winter.

1. Kittilä / Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Fly with easyJet direct from Manchester from only £82pp return.*

Northern forests under snowy cover, sledging with huskies, reindeer sleigh rides, and a visit with Santa in his woodland workshop are just some of the highlights in Finnish Lapland. The towns of Kittilä or Rovaniemi offer Arctic themed resorts, ice villages and a good chance to glimpse the Northern Lights’ pure fairytale cold weather magic – and both are served by direct flights from Manchester. Prices get more expensive close to Christmas but there is far more to Finnish Lapland than just seeing Santa.

2. Arctic Lakeland (Kajaani & Vuokatti), Finland

This winter TUI is introducing a package to Kajaani Airport in Finland’s Arctic Lakeland region, with a four-night festive break including flights, accommodation, snowsuits, activities and transfers from just £743pp.*

The Arctic Lakeland region is less well-visited than Lapland but still offers snowmobiling over frozen lakes, saunas, reindeer rides, and more surrounded by peaceful, snowy woodland in valleys as scenic as Scandinavia gets.

3. Innsbruck, Austria

Fly with easyJet, Jet2.com or TUI direct to Innsbruck Airport with Jet2.com's return fares from £94pp return in December.*

Austria’s winter alpine capital - nestled in the Alps with a cable car from the city-centre to Seegrube mountain in under 20 minutes, Innsbruck offers easy access to ski resorts like Seefeld and Mayrhofen. Snow dusted streets, hearty cuisine and a perfect blend of culture and pistes.

4. Salzburg / Zell am See, Austria

You can fly with Jet2.com, TUI or Ryanair direct to Salzburg, with return flights from just £46pp in December with Ryanair.*

Zell am See, just outside Salzburg, is a timeless Austrian village surrounded by mountains, where classical music meets après ski. The village offers lakeside winter views, local schnaps, hearty alpine stews and picture perfect snow cover.

5. Grenoble / Lyon region, French Alps

easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair serve French Alps airports Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery from Manchester. Return flights are available from Manchester Airport this winter to Grenoble from £45pp (Ryanair), to Lyon from £58pp (easyJet), and to Chambery from £64pp (Jet2.com).*

All three connect to some of France’s best ski areas. Imagine snowy mountain villages, cosy cafes serving raclette, fondue and tartiflette and slopes for all skill levels amid world class scenery.

6. Tromsø, Norway
You can fly direct from Manchester to Tromsø with easyJet or Norwegian this winter, with easyJet's return fares from just £56pp.*

A true Arctic escape under the Northern Lights. Tromsø sits within the auroral oval, meaning it offers a high chance of witnessing the aurora borealis. Visitors can enjoy dogsledding, reindeer tours, whale watching and crisp Nordic cuisine, all in a snow-covered city framed by fjords and mountains.

7. Sälen / Scandinavian Mountains Airport, Sweden
New for winter 2025/26, you can now fly with easyJet from Manchester direct to Sälen–Trysil Airport in Sweden. Return fares are available from just £38pp.*

Sweden’s newest ski hub delivers peaceful Nordic beauty with a modern edge. Transfer by sleigh or shuttle to nearby resorts, where cross country skiing, log cabins and snow-dusted forests set the tone. After a day on the trails, relax with hot glögg – a Swedish mulled wine - or warm cinnamon buns beside a roaring fire.

8. Geneva, Switzerland
You can fly with Ethiopian Airlines, TUI, Jet2.com or easyJet direct from Manchester to Geneva. Return flights start from only £47pp with easyJet.*

Geneva offers an elegant gateway to legendary resorts like Chamonix, Verbier and Morzine. Think glistening alpine peaks, Swiss fondue, lakeside charm and access to some of Europe’s finest slopes, all just a short transfer from your arrival airport.

9. Turin, Italy / Susa Valley
You can fly with Ryanair from Manchester direct to Turin. Return flights start at £53pp.*

Just over an hour from the Susa Valley, Turin is the ideal landing spot for a ski trip with Italian flair. After hitting the slopes, enjoy mountain classics like polenta, cured meats and rich red wines. The area is perfect for beginners and families, with postcard views and relaxed alpine hospitality.

*Prices quoted are available when booked directly through the airline and are accurate at the time of publication.

The inaugural flights mark a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy and coincide with its move to the newly upgraded Terminal 2, which is set to double in size, providing more seating, space for passengers, and restaurant facilities.

Luke Lovegrove, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said: “Launching these new routes from Manchester is a proud moment for our team and reflects our commitment to enhancing regional connectivity.

“We’re encouraged by the early demand and look forward to serving more customers across the UK with our reliable and customer-focused service.”

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect people in the North to the places they want to get to, including other parts of the UK. It’s fantastic that the South Coast and South West will now be within easy reach for business and leisure travellers from Manchester, and Loganair’s new services also give people in those regions access to Manchester’s global route network of more than 200 destinations.”

The new services offer a convenient alternative to long rail journeys, with fares starting from £72 one-way. Passengers benefit from Loganair’s generous luggage allowance of 15kg hold luggage and 6kg cabin baggage, family-friendly policies, and award-winning customer service.

Loganair was named the most punctual for UK arrivals and departures in Q2 2025 by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, with 86% of its flights arriving and departing on time.   

Those booking directly through Loganair’s website can also collect Avios through its Loganair Loyalty scheme thanks to the airline’s partnership with the global travel rewards programme. 

Flights can be booked at www.loganair.co.uk or via local travel agents.  

The new route with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched on Saturday with its CEO Amir Hayat arriving on the first flight into Manchester Airport from Islamabad to meet a group of MPs, dignitaries, community leaders and more for a celebration in Terminal 2.

The connection means more than 350,000 passengers from the North West who fly to Islamabad each year can now do so from the UK’s global gateway in the North.

According to 2021 data, the North West is home to more than 300,000 British Pakistanis, with significant concentrations in Manchester and Bradford.

Arriving on the flight, CEO PIA Amir Hayat hailed the flight operations to Manchester, a long-standing demand of the people in UK to have a direct connection with Pakistan. He said that it also a significant milestone for PIA which is resuming its flights to UK and has chosen Manchester as the hub of its operations. He said that PIA has nearly five decades long history of flying to Manchester and serving the community residing here and it is one of the airline’s most valued routes.

Mr Hayat joined community leaders, MPs and others for a celebration in Manchester Airport’s new Terminal 2, where PIA will be based. Among those present were Rusholme MP and Chair of the Greater Manchester-Pakistan Forum Afzal Khan, MP for Bolton South and Walkden Yasmin Qureshi and Bradford East MP Imran Hussain

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world – that means making sure the North’s diverse communities are connected to their friends and families all over the world.

“For a long time many thousands of people of Pakistani origin who live in the region haven’t been able to travel directly to Pakistan from an airport in the North – but now that changes thanks to our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines.

“Launching this new route will make a huge difference for people all over the region, saving them time, money and stress. It’s a great moment for all of us here at Manchester Airport and I look forward to seeing this route become a huge success.”

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Rusholme and Chair of the Greater Manchester - Pakistan Forum said:

“The North is home to many thriving Pakistani communities and every year hundreds of thousands of people from the region travel to Islamabad but for years have had to make changes or travel around the UK before they get their flights.

“This new direct connection from Manchester Airport with PIA will make a huge difference to people, it will help connect families and communities and further strengthen the bonds between our two countries.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"Every new direct route from Manchester Airport further strengthens the city's international position, supporting trade, the visitor economy and global connections.

"This new direct route to Islamabad will be a real boon for British Pakistani communities across the north of England and is a welcome new link to Pakistan's capital city."

“The new service will operate from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe.

Flights will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays with PIA plans to increase to four-weekly within next few weeks.

Manchester Airport has an enviable network of more than 200 destinations, including some of Europe’s most iconic cities, waiting to be explored this October Half Term. It’s not too late to grab a bargain either, with flight tickets to a variety of destinations still available from as little as £33 per person return during Half Term week.* Read on for some family getaway inspiration.

Paris

Fly with Ryanair from only £103pp return*

The ‘City of Light’ needs little introduction and a visit during October will mean shorter queues to get into world-renowned museums, galleries and attractions, from the Louvre to Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. On the edge of the city, the sprawling Palace and Gardens of Versailles are worth a day trip in their own right. Or, for a different type of family break altogether, Disneyland Paris will be hosting its annual Disney Halloween Festival throughout October Half Term.

Brussels

Fly with Ryanair from only £53pp return*

Belgium is world-famous for its chocolate and you can discover its history at Brussels’ award winning Choco-Story museum, packed with interactive exhibits and indulgent treats. Other popular options for families exploring the city include Mini-Europe, a model village made up of famous European landmarks, and the Museum of Natural Sciences with its huge Dinosaur Gallery, one of the continent’s largest museum exhibits of its kind. The Belgian Comic Strip Center examines the country’s contributions to the comic book genre, including, most famously, Tintin.

Milan

Fly with easyJet from only £122pp return*

A global centre of culture and fashion, Milan has plenty to see and do – from its imposing Cathedral to clothes shopping on Via Torino and taking in a game at the San Siro, home of the city’s two football clubs, Inter Milan and AC Milan. If you’re staying for more than a couple of days, it’s well worth working in a trip to one of the nearby Italian Lakes, like Como or Garda. The Alpine scenery provides a stunning backdrop to picturesque lakeside villages.

Oslo

Fly with Ryanair from only £67pp return*

October Half Term falls in the run-up to Halloween, so there’s no better time to see the haunting painting that has become Norway’s most famous artistic symbol. The Scream, created by Oslo native Edvard Munch in 1893, depicts an anguished figure crying out on the city’s waterfront, with a blood red sky overhead. You can see the renowned artwork at the Munch Museum, take an autumnal boat tour of Oslo Fjord, and check out Viking Planet, a stunning immersive museum which uses giant screens, VR exhibits and 3D galleries to bring the age of the Vikings to life.

Cologne

Fly with Ryanair from only £118pp return*

Cologne is home to Germany’s most-visited tourist attraction. The Kölner Dom, a towering Gothic Cathedral, was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1880 and remains the world’s tallest twin-spired church. Visitors are drawn not only by its impressive size but also by its intricate decoration inside and outside. For families, the city also boasts one of Germany’s oldest zoos, a stunning Old Town to explore, and Brühl Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dublin

Fly with Ryanair from only £33pp return*

Just a short hop over the Irish Sea, Dublin is a great option for families with young children who prefer to stay closer to home. Although it’s arguably most famous for its Guinness and its pub scene, the city offers plenty for families as well. Attractions include The Ark, a creative arts space with workshops and classes aimed at 2 – 12-year-olds, as well as the National Museum of Ireland, with exhibits ranging from ancient artefacts to contemporary art, and the National Leprechaun Museum, exploring Ireland’s folklore.

* Prices are the cheapest available for return flights in the period Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November (inclusive), with a minimum stay of two nights, when booked directly through the specified airline’s website and are correct at the time of publication. Hold baggage may not be included.

The North is set for a major economic boost thanks to a new direct air route to India's capital.

The service – between Manchester Airport and Delhi – was announced at the start of a trade mission to India led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

It will be operated by India’s biggest airline – IndiGo – and has been tipped to accelerate the benefits of the new UK-India trade deal by helping businesses across the North export to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

The news comes just months after IndiGo picked Manchester for its first ever long-haul route into Europe, launching flights to Mumbai.

It means that, from November, there will be nine direct flights a week between the North and India, with Manchester Airport being the only outside London to have services to both Mumbai and Delhi.

They will all operate from Manchester’s state-of-the-art £1.3bn Terminal 2, which has been delivered through its historic 10-year Transformation Programme, unlocking the capacity of its existing two full-length runways.

Research from economic consultancy Metro Dynamics forecasts the two routes will deliver a major economic boost, including:

•  Increased exports worth more than £33.5m a year
• More than £26m a year of extra tourism income from Indian visitors
• around 500 new jobs – supporting £24.2m of extra GVA to the North
• more than £26m of productivity savings for businesses across the North each year
• significant increases in innovation and research collaboration between the North and India

It will also be of huge benefit to the substantial Indian diaspora living in Manchester Airport's catchment area, who currently have to suffer the cost and inconvenience of connecting flights when travelling home to visit friends and family. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This new direct route between Manchester and Delhi is a powerful example of our plan for change in action—unlocking new opportunities for businesses, creating hundreds of jobs, and driving growth. I’m proud to see Manchester Airport leading the way in delivering the benefits of our new UK-India trade deal to communities across the North.”

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe has joined the Prime Minister and a delegation of senior business figures from across UK on the four-day mission to India, starting today (Wednesday 8 October).

He said:  

“We are proud to connect the North to the world and today’s announcement means people and businesses across the region will now have direct access to both India’s financial centre and its capital.

“That will drive tens of millions of pounds in economic value every year, supporting the Government’s growth agenda and boosting the benefits of the new UK-India trade deal.

“It is pleasing to see MAG’s £1.3bn investment in Manchester Airport unlocking the potential of our two runways, driving growth and prosperity across the North through routes like these with IndiGo.

“I am honoured to be joining the Prime Minister on this trade mission and look forward to working with Government on plans to maximise the contribution Manchester Airport makes to its economic mission in the years to come.”

Jo Ahmed, co-chair of the Manchester India Partnership, an alliance of public and private sector organisations that has forged closer social and economic ties over the past eight years, said:  

"Having direct flights into India's two most important cities will deliver a significant boost to the region's economy, building on the many trade, investment, academic and cultural connections that already exist. 

"The fact IndiGo chose Manchester in the first place was due recognition of the many years of hard work that have gone into forging close ties between the two locations. With a new UK-India trade deal in place - and connectivity like this - I am looking forward to the next chapter of Manchester-India relations delivering an even stronger set of opportunities for collaboration benefitting both people and place."

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India in Manchester, said:

“The launch of IndiGo’s new direct flight service between Delhi and Manchester marks another milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the North of England, since the establishment of the Consulate General of India and the launch of a direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai.

“I commend Manchester Airport and IndiGo for their tireless efforts to meet the growing demand to extend the connectivity to India’s capital, Delhi. This new edition is timely and immensely significant for businesses, students, tourism and cultural linkages between our two countries.”

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“Lord Jim O’Neill, who developed the intellectual underpinning of the Northern Powerhouse, has made the case consistently for linking cities including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool to each other and Manchester Airport. He also coined the terms ‘BRICs’ and the changing global economic order in the two and a half decades since has shown the importance of India and China in particular from that grouping to the future of the North.

“Adding Delhi to the existing direct connection already established to Mumbai is a testament to the strong potential for strengthening economic ties between the North of England and India. Building on foreign direct investment such as Sai Life Sciences at Alderley Park and the significant number of Indian students who choose to study here - one of our greatest pan-Northern export success stories, including institutions such as Manchester and Sheffield - this new direct long-haul link is of particular significance.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"This new route to Delhi will supercharge Manchester's connections with India. Our existing route to Mumbai is already hugely beneficial to the city's businesses and people - supporting trade, investment and cultural links with one of the world's biggest economies.

“The addition of Delhi, meaning that there will be daily flights to and from India from Manchester, will take that to the next level."

Delhi is India’s capital and home to its government. It is also part of the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi, Agra – home of the Taj Mahal – and Jaipur, which is famed for its pink forts, palaces and temples.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment.

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118m passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.

The new service will operate from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2, as well as the existing Mumbai service. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe. 

Manchester Airport and Pakistan International Airlines have announced a new twice-weekly service to Islamabad.

It makes Manchester the only airport in the north with a direct connection to Pakistan. Annually 362,000 people from the region travel to the Pakistani capital, which makes it the most in-demand destination not served by Manchester Airport.

Although Manchester Airport has the biggest route network of any UK airport outside London, until now people travelling to Pakistan’s capital had to do so either by flying out of Manchester and connecting to Pakistan in the Middle East or by flying from London.

The new route will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 25 October with a view to increasing the frequency.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Manchester Airport is proud to connect to the North to the World and that means making sure we serve the destinations people in our region want to travel to.

“We know hundreds of thousands of passengers from our catchment area travel to Pakistan every year but don’t have the option of enjoying the benefits of a direct connection.

“Our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines puts that right and adds Islamabad to our route network of more than 200 destinations served by 50-plus airlines.

“This new route will be a real boost to the region’s Pakistani community and opens up an easy way for tourists to visit an exciting country. We’re all really looking forward to the first flights in just a few weeks and to hearing about people’s experiences of an amazing destination.”

A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson said:

 “This new service fulfils the long-standing demand of our valued passengers for hassle-free, nonstop travel between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

“With this development, travellers can now reach their destination in just eight hours, avoiding lengthy layovers on connecting flights.”

The new service will operate from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe. 

Liverpool

Premier League champions Liverpool are also the bookies’ favourites to win the Champions League this season and they have an exciting European fixture list that will take fans to Turkey, Germany, Italy and France.

Despite local rivalries, Manchester Airport will welcome a huge number of Liverpool fans ahead of European games this season as no other airport in the North West offers connections to any of the cities they will be playing in.

Galatasaray – 30 September: Galatasaray are based in Istanbul, Turkey’s most visited city. Manchester Airport offers a range of flights to Istanbul with several airlines including easyJet, Pegasus and Turkish Airlines. Flights take just over four hours.

Frankfurt – 22 October: Frankfurt is a major German financial hub so is well served with flights from Manchester Airport all year round. Lufthansa operates a route that takes just under two hours and runs several times each day, meaning fans have flexibility over when they travel.

Inter Milan – 9 December: Last year’s beaten finalists Inter will offer Liverpool their toughest first round away trip – but in arguably the most glamorous setting. Milan is well known for fashion and style and the San Siro stadium is one of the most famous in world football. Milan is served by no fewer than three airports - Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), and Milan Bergamo (BGY) – and Manchester Airport has flights to all three.

Marseille - 21 January: Even in January the south of France is an enticing prospect and with temperatures of around 11c it should feel a bit warmer than Merseyside. Fans can fly direct to Marseille with Ryanair in just over two hours.

Manchester City

It’s not long since Manchester Airport welcomed City back home after they won their historic first Champions League in 2023. Although City’s subsequent European campaigns haven’t quite hit those heights they are among the favourites this season.

Fans will get to follow their team to Monaco, Spain (twice) and Norway in this season’s first round.

Monaco – 1 October: Despite being a country in its own right, Monaco’s football team plays in the French first division, Ligue 1. Monaco doesn’t have its own airport – the closest airport to the principality is Nice International Airport about 20 miles away. Ryanair operates direct flights to Nice from Manchester Airport. Once you’re there you can get a bus, train or taxi into Monaco.

Villarreal – 21 October: Villarreal is in the province of Castellon which is part of the Valencian Community in the east of Spain. The football team are known as the Yellow Submarine (El Submarino Amarillo) thanks to their distinctive yellow strip. Valencia Airport is the closest major international airport 37 miles south of Villareal.

You can fly directly with Ryanair in about two-and-a-half hours. From there it’s a straightforward train ride or less than an hour’s drive to Villarreal.

Real Madrid – 10 December: The pick of Man City’s ties in the first round is an away trip to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Santiago Bernabeu is one of the world’s mot famous football grounds and is a must-see for serious football fans.

City fans have a choice of airlines and times with multiple fights operating between Manchester and Madrid every day.

Bodo/Glimt  - 20 January: This fixture offers a rare opportunity to catch your team in action north of the arctic circle – so wrap up warm if you’re planning to go.

Bodo/Glimt play in Bodo which is on a peninsula in northern Norway – it’s a spectacular area well worth exploring if you have time for an extended visit.  

Manchester Airport has direct flights to Oslo with Norwegian and Scandinavian Airlines, from there it’s a short connection to Bodo Airport. Other routes connect to Bodo via Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

Newcastle

Newcastle’s travels will take fans on a tour of central Europe, taking in Belgium, Germany and France (twice). Manchester Airport will welcome Geordie fans as the closest airport to Tyneside serving all the areas the team will be playing in.

Union SG – 1 October:  Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, better known simply as Union, are based in Brussels – which is served by multiple flights each day from Manchester Airport with a range of airlines.

Marseille – 25 November: The Toon Army will visit Marseille ahead of Liverpool fans in January. Although they’re famously resistant to cold weather, Newcastle fans will find it a bit milder than Liverpool fans with temperatures of up to 15c. Fans can fly direct to Marseille with Ryanair in just over two hours.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen – 10 December: Bayer Leverkusen were founded by workers at the Bayer pharmaceutical factory in 1904, hence the name.

Leverkusen doesn’t have its own airport; the closest airports are in Cologne and Dusseldorf – and both are served directly from Manchester with multiple flights available each day with Ryanair and Eurowings.  

Paris St Germain – 28 Jan: PSG will offer a stern test for Newcastle – but even if the result doesn’t go the right way at least fans will be in a city famous for culture, food, attractions, architecture and so much more.

You can fly to Paris from Manchester on multiple flights each day with a range of airlines.

Europa League

Nottingham Forest

A return to European football for the first time in almost 30 years is an exciting prospect for Forest fans.

Forest began their travels with a trip to Seville in Spain to play Real Betis last week and hundreds of fans took advantage of Manchester Airport’s direct connections to the city.

Trips to Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Portugal will provide a varied mix of experiences for supporters – and Manchester Airport makes it easy to get to every game.

Sturm Graz – 6 November: Graz is in southern Austria near the borders with Slovenia and Hungary. It isn’t served directly by many UK airports but it’s easy to get there from Manchester via Munich with Lufthansa.

Utrecht – 11 December: Utrecht is in the centre of the Netherlands and it the country’s fourth most populated city. It doesn’t have its own airport but is served by Amsterdam Schiphol. Manchester has multiple flights to Amsterdam each day with a range of airlines.

Braga – 22 Jan: A trip to northern Portugal in January could be a great getaway for Forest fans. Happily, Ryanair offers direct flights to Braga from Manchester making it a straightforward journey.

Aston Villa

Villa will head to the Netherlands twice on their European travels – meaning short, convenient flights from Manchester. A slightly longer flight to Switzerland follows before a game in Turkey in the New Year

Feyenoord – 2 October: Feyenoord are one of Dutch football’s famous big three sides, alongside Ajax and PSV. The easiest way to get to Rotterdam, where Feyenoord are based, is via Schiphol, which is served by multiple airlines from Manchester with several flights running each day.

Go Ahead Eagles – 23 October: The quirkily named Go Ahead Eagles are based in Deventer in the central region of the Netherlands. They were founded as Be Quick but changed their name to Go Ahead in 1907. The suffix Eagles was added in the 70s by manager Barry Hughes.

The easiest way to get to Deventer from Manchester Airport is to fly to Schiphol, which is served by multiple flights with several airlines each day.

Basel – 11 December: Swiss giants Basel are a mainstay in European football. easyJet fly non-stop to Basel and the journey takes less than two hours.

Fenerbahce – 29 January: The Europa League final will be played in Istanbul but Villa don’t need to get that far to get a trip to Turkey’s most famous city thanks to this first round tie. Manchester Airport offers a range of flights to Istanbul with several airlines including easyJet, Pegasus and Turkish Airlines. Flights take just over four hours.

The autumn festival, which has been celebrated in the Bavarian city for more than 200 years, began on Saturday 20^th September and runs until Sunday 5^th October.

Manchester Airport is the only airport in the north of England with direct flights to Munich, and thousands will be taking advantage of those connections to join revellers from across the globe for the festivities.

The 10,000 passengers set to travel in the next two weeks is a 25 per cent uplift on normal passenger numbers to Munich at this time of year, reflecting the huge popularity of Oktoberfest.

Germany’s national airline Lufthansa operates daily flights from Manchester to Munich and is marking the occasion with a special edition ‘Oktoberfest Moment’ mealbox, including a complimentary drink with pre-orders. Drink options include Munich beer and Oktoberfest staple, Paulaner. easyJet also flies from Manchester to Munich.

Oktoberfest traces its roots back to street parties to celebrate the wedding of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig and his wife Princess Therese in 1810, and soon became an annual tradition. Festivities centre on the Theresienwiese, a fairground near Munich’s Old Town. Most partygoers will spend the bulk of their time here, where they will enjoy parades, music and cultural performances, fairground rides and visitor attractions, along with more than 30 tents operated by local restaurants and breweries – the largest of which can accommodate up to 10,000 people at one time.

Other popular activities for visitors to Munich include;

-          Exploring the Old Town, including the historic Marienplatz town square and the New Town Hall, one of Germany’s most iconic pieces of architecture.

-          Enjoying the great outdoors in the English Garden, a sprawling public park on the River Isar with almost 50 miles worth of jogging and cycling trails.

-          A visit to Munich’s regal palaces, stately homes and castles, including Nymphenburg Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle, said to have inspired the Disney castle.

-          Watching Bayern Munich in action. The German footballing giants, captained by England striker Harry Kane, host Werder Bremen this coming Friday evening.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re proud to connect the people of the North with the destinations they want to go to, and Munich is a popular city break destination year-round – but there's no better time to visit than during Oktoberfest, and clearly thousands of people agree!

“It’s fantastic to be able to offer direct flights to Munich with two different airlines, and with flights departing every day, passengers have plenty of flexibility and choice when booking their trip.  

“There’s a real sense of excitement on Munich flights at this time of year and we are working with partners at easyJet and Lufthansa to ensure passengers’ Oktoberfest experiences gets off to a great start right here in Manchester.”

The North’s only direct connection to Mumbai has proved so popular that it will increase in frequency from today (Monday, 22 September).

Thousands of people have used the three-times-per-week route between Manchester Airport and Mumbai since it launched in July – becoming IndiGo’s first European route in the process.

Now IndiGo has announced that the route has increased to four weekly services from today.

The expansion has been welcomed by Manchester’s Consul General of India and the Manchester India Partnership, who have spoken about the benefits the route has already brought to the North.

Even before the increase, a study from independent experts Metro-Dynamics backed the route  to deliver an economic boost worth hundreds of millions to the North over the next three years through exports, employment, visitors to the region and more.

Now that benefit is set to be turbo-charged by the increased frequency.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the World and few routes epitomise what that really means more than IndiGo’s connection to Mumbai.

“It’s connecting travellers to a vibrant and exciting destination, businesses to one of the world’s biggest financial hubs and the North’s Indian diaspora to friends and family.

“That’s why it’s no surprise that IndiGo is increasing the frequency of the route already. We all ways knew a connection between the UK’s global gateway in the North and India’s financial capital would be popular – and that has proven to be the case.

“This is obviously great news for people and businesses in the region – because we know that this route is driving economic benefits worth many millions of pounds each year - but it’s also a real statement of intent from IndiGo and I’m looking forward to our continued partnership.”

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said:

“International expansion is a key pillar of IndiGo’s next phase of growth, and like any global airline, the UK represents a strategically important market for us.

“The Mumbai-Manchester route, in particular, holds a special place in our journey, as it marked our foray into long-haul international operations.”

“Since its launch in July 2025, the route has consistently see a positive customer response and high uptake, reaffirming our proposition on the route. Encouraged by this strong response, we are pleased to announce an increase in frequency on this route and look forward to adding more capacity in due course.”

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline and launched the route between Mumbai and Manchester – its first European and first long-haul route – on 1 July using a Boeing 787-Dreamliner. It was welcomed by business, political and community leaders and came just after the opening of Manchester Indian Consulate.

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India in Manchester, said:

“The enhanced frequency of direct flights between Mumbai and Manchester is a welcome development that reflects the growing strength of Manchester-India Partnership.

“This vital connection not only brings our communities closer but also unlocks new opportunities for trade, investment, education, and tourism, especially with the sealed CECA between India and the UK.

“Therefore, the enhanced frequency of four days a week is timely and paves the way for deeper collaborations.

“The Consulate General of India in Manchester is proud to support this partnership and welcomes this development as a symbol of the deepening bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations.

“We look forward to working together with Manchester Airport and Indigo, to ensure that this route continues to flourish and deliver lasting benefits for both India and the North of England.”

Jo Ahmed, co-chair of the Manchester India Partnership, said:

"The additional of an extra frequency is great news for anyone with an interest in Manchester-India relations.

"The news tells us what we already knew - that there are significant cultural, economic and social ties between the two locations and the relationship will only get deeper as a result of this enhanced connectivity."

Research from Metro-Dynamics was released when the Mumbai route was launched, forecasting the economic impact it would have. Given the increased frequency, that has increased to:

-          It is likely to support a £32.9m increase in exports from the region to India

-          An extra £11.8m a year will be spent by additional Indian visitors to the region

-          Around 250 jobs - including direct, supply chain and wider supporting roles – will be created

-          It will drive £12.1m of economic value to the North each year

-          It will  support international innovation, stimulating a rise in UK-India patents and academic citations

-          It will deliver a major boost for people who already travel from Manchester Airport to Mumbai, but previously had to travel indirectly. Cost, time and productivity savings worth £9m a year will be unlocked

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118m passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.

Travellers going between Manchester and Mumbai will enjoy complimentary hot meals on-board and can choose between an economy service and the airline’s new IndiGoStretch service, which is aimed at business travellers.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment.

Manchester Airport’s route network is unrivalled in the North, with more than 200 destinations served by over 50 airlines – and many of these destinations offer you the chance to experience the impossible. Some of the world’s wackiest visitor attractions are just one flight away – and some of the places you can reach might offer you a new perspective on your classic beach holiday as well.

See Europe through the ages

Fly to Strasbourg with easyJet from only £64pp return*

Fly to Stuttgart with Eurowings from only £85pp return*

Fly to Rome with Ryanair from only £50pp return*

Fly to Naples with easyJet from only £43pp return*

If your dream ‘impossible’ trip would involve jumping in a Tardis and seeing Europe through the ages, the good news is there are parts of the continent you can visit which feel like stepping back in time, even today.

The medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in southern Germany still has its city walls completely intact, and its warren of streets lined with timber framed buildings is remarkably well preserved. A similar aesthetic can be found over the border in France, in the historic city of Colmar, near Strasbourg.

Going back a little further, Italy has heaps of ancient sites that are more than just ruins – and the Colosseum in Rome is still an imposing site today, with large sections of it not far removed from how they would have looked in millennia past. Perhaps the most vivid representation of daily life in the Roman era can be found in Pompeii – just a short drive from Naples. You can also get a ferry to the picturesque nearby island of Capri, where the streets are too narrow for cars, and walking remains the primary mode of transport.

Around the world in 24 hours

Fly to Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic from only £685pp return*

Perhaps your impossible trip would involve ticking off all of the major attractions on day one, so you can enjoy some down time for the rest of the trip – but imagine being able to do that with top tourist sites from across the planet. A tour of Las Vegas’ recreations of world-famous attractions is an experience in its own right, and the most impressive thing about them is their scale – Vegas’ answer to the Eiffel Tower is more than 40 storeys tall and has an observation deck at the top, with a Parisien theme to its décor, while the Luxor Las Vegas Sphinx is even bigger than the original at Giza. The gondoliers at The Venetian Las Vegas whisk you through a labyrinth of canals lined with Renaissance-style architecture, and even sing Italian arias as they go, like their counterparts in Venice. There’s also a 150ft replica of the Statue of Liberty, a life-size recreation of Rome’s Trevi Fountain and a 2/3-scale Arc de Triomphe.

If you prefer to see real-world attractions, it’s easy enough to get to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon on a day trip from Vegas.

Go skiing through the desert

Fly to Dubai with Emirates from only £570pp return*

If you’re planning a ski trip this winter you might be looking at hitting the slopes in the Alps or the Pyrenees – but if you’re not a fan of the cold, there’s another ski option in Dubai that doesn’t involve any snow.

The enormous sand dunes surrounding the city have long been popular for so called ‘desert safaris’ where the slopes are traversed in a 4x4 – but now operators are opening up a world of possibilities for winter sports enthusiasts, where you can glide over the dunes on skis or a sandboard, with tailored lessons and courses available. If you prefer more traditional skiing of the icy variety, check out Ski Dubai – one of the world’s largest indoor ski slopes.

Shake off the laws of physics in Mumbai

Fly to Mumbai with IndiGo from only £446pp return*

The Paradox Museum in Mumbai only opened last year but is already establishing an international reputation as one of the best experiences of its kind anywhere in the world. It has more than 50 immersive exhibits that allow visitors to disappear through walls, walk around upside down, hover in midair, fall into an infinite black hole, cut themselves in half, and traverse a ‘paradox tunnel’ so dizzying it’s impossible to walk through without falling over. It’s a truly wacky, reality-bending experience, and the latest big attraction drawing visitors to Mumbai – which gained its first direct flights from Manchester earlier this year, with IndiGo.

Visit the Wild West – without crossing the Atlantic

Fly to Almeria with Ryanair from only £57pp return*

If you’ve ever seen the classic Westerns A Fistful of Dollars or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, you weren’t watching Clint Eastwood strolling through a preserved frontier town in the American West – you were actually looking at a painstaking reconstruction put together in the deserts of southern Spain, just outside Almeria. The enormous set is still functioning today and has been used more recently for an episode of Doctor Who. Primarily, though, it now serves as a tourist attraction offering to transport visitors to the Wild West – complete with simulations of wild west gunfight scenes, horse shows, a working saloon bar, recreations of a smithy and a mine works, and a Wild West play area.

Is there life on Mars?

Fly to Orlando with Aer Lingus from only £389pp return*

Maybe your impossible trip would involve escaping Earth altogether, even if just for a little while. Look no further than the Kennedy Space Center, near Orlando, which hosted the space shuttle programme and is still one of NASA’s most important bases. Among the visitor attractions you’ll find Mars Base 1, an immersive experience billed by the Space Center as ‘the only place on Earth where you travel to Mars to live and work for the day.’ Visitors can expect to manage the Base Operations Center on Mars, harvest vegetables in the Botany Lab and program robots to perform critical tasks to enable the survival of the Martian colony. When you’re done, touch down back on Earth and explore the other attractions at Kennedy, including an interactive theatre, rocket garden, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Take a beach break in a landlocked country

Fly to Budapest with Ryanair from only £68pp return*

Fly to Basel with easyJet from only £49pp return*

Fly to Salzburg with Ryanair from only £54pp return*

Fly to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines from only £715pp return*

A beach break is synonymous with sun, sea and sand – so being somewhere near the coast might feel pretty essential. There are, however, some fabulous lake beaches out there – so if you’re looking for something different on your next summer holiday, landlocked countries in Europe and further afield might be your first port of call when flying from Manchester.

Hungary is bordered by no fewer than seven countries and has no coastline – but the sprawling sandy beaches of Lake Balaton attract thousands of visitors every year. Alpine beaches are pretty popular too – and Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland, not far from Basel, has some picturesque sandy strips along its shore. Some of the most scenic lake beaches in the Alps can be found on Lake Hallstatt in Austria, just over an hour away from Salzburg.

If you’re willing to travel a little further, you can find tropical beach vibes in the landlocked African country of Ethiopia. Lake Langano, just to the south of the capital Addis Ababa, boasts sandy beaches lined by palm trees and accommodation ranging from luxury resorts to beachfront campsites and eco hotels.

Visit Santa in the summer

Fly to Helsinki with FinnAir from only £193pp return*

December is, of course, the most popular time of year to visit Lapland – but Santa’s elves are hard at work all year round, and a summer visit will not only allow you to dodge the crowds and skip the queues to meet the big man, it’ll also give you the chance to see Lapland in a whole new light. The region’s northerly latitude means almost 24 hours of sunlight at the height of summer, and as the snow thaws, it unveils a stunning landscape of lakes, rolling hills and pine forests, which can be explored by bike, kayak, or husky sledge. Ranua Wildlife Park is a great place to spot polar bears and other Arctic animals.

If you’ve not planned a holiday with the kids yet, you might understandably be feeling a little left out – but fear not. Thanks to Manchester Airport’s extensive route network of more than 200 destinations, there is a huge range of places you can get to, and if you’re hoping to bag a cheap last-minute deal, there are still places you can fly to before the end of August for less than £100pp return. From action-packed city breaks to sun, sea and sand, the UK’s global gateway in the North has you covered.

Read on for some destination inspiration – and some top tips on how to keep the costs down if you’re hoping to take the kids on a last-minute break in the coming weeks.

Reus

Fly with TUI on 17 August and return on 26 August from only £75pp return*

Reus is a charming medieval city in Catalonia, about an hour to the south of Barcelona, known for its gothic architecture and narrow bustling streets filled with bars, cafes, ice cream shops and tapas restaurants. You’re also less than an hour by public transport from some of the most popular beach resorts on the Costa Dorada, like Salou and Cambrils.

Menorca

Fly with TUI on 18 August and return on 23 August from only £86pp return*

A popular spot for holidaymakers in Spain’s Balearic islands, but far from the busiest, Menorca is a great option if you’re looking to avoid the crowds on its larger neighbour, Mallorca. There are some stunning beaches here, particularly on the west coast of the island, and the city of Mahon – the island’s capital – has museums, galleries and more.

Olbia

Fly with TUI on 16 August and return on 23 August from only £84pp return*

This city is in the north of Sardinia, an Italian island in the western Mediterranean. Its picture-perfect pebble beaches are framed by dramatic mountain backdrops and some of them, like the Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé, have become Instagram-famous. As you’d expect in Italy, the food is fantastic – and seafood in particular is a favourite here.

Ibiza

Fly with Jet2.com on 16 August and return on 21 August from only £75pp return*

It might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a family holiday, but there’s more to Ibiza than just clubbing. The north and east coasts of the island, away from the party scene, are lined with picturesque fishing villages, family-friendly resorts and unspoilt beaches – and accommodation tends to be a little cheaper here, too.

Madeira

Fly with TUI on 15 August and return on 22 August from only £93pp return*

Another destination with spectacular scenery, Madeira is a Portuguese island in the North Atlantic. It is renowned for its black sand beaches, formed from volcanic rock – but a large number of the island’s visitors are here for the incredible views from its lush forested mountains, and the CR7 Museum, a homage to the island’s most famous son, former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brussels

Fly with Ryanair on 25 August and return on 27 August from only £48pp return*

If you’re not bothered by the beach and you’re just looking to escape the routine for a few days, Brussels is one of the best spots in Europe for a family-friendly mini break. There’s heaps to see and do – from Mini-Europe, a model village made up of famous European landmarks, to the Museum of Natural Sciences and its huge Dinosaur Gallery. Belgium is also famous for chocolate, of course, and Choco-Story will teach you about the history of Belgian chocolate before giving you the chance to sample some.

Cork

Fly with Ryanair on 19 August and return on 24 August from only £56pp return*

Cork, Ireland’s second-biggest city after Dublin, is in the country’s south. The climate is usually a little warmer here than in other parts of the Emerald Isle – and the long-term forecast suggests temperatures are likely to top 20C for the rest of this month. Explore the Fota Wildlife Park, one of Ireland’s best zoos, take a trip back in time at Blarney Castle & Gardens, and enjoy a day at the seaside in nearby Youghal.

Belfast

Fly with Ryanair on 21 August and return on 26 August from only £37pp return*

A nice, short flight with young kids, you can reach Belfast in 40 minutes and there’s lots to keep them occupied when you get here. The huge Titanic Museum on the city’s waterfront tells the story of the iconic ship in the city where it was built, and is packed with interactive exhibits. You can take tours from Belfast up the scenic Antrim coast, to the famous Giant’s Causeway.

Top Tips for keeping the costs down on your last-minute break

If you haven’t booked a holiday with the family this summer, there’s a good chance you’ve been holding off because of the cost – and you’re not alone. A recent poll suggested nearly one in five parents are worried they won’t be able to take the kids away for a much-needed break this summer.

But the good news is that affordable fares to some fantastic destinations are still available – and when you couple these with cost-saving measures, you may find that your much-coveted summer break from the daily grind is very much on the cards.

Be flexible on when you travel

You can often get a better deal by travelling early in the morning, or by travelling midweek rather than at the weekend.

Be flexible on where you travel

When booking at short notice, flight tickets to the most popular summer holiday hotspots will be at a premium, but you can bag a bargain flying to ‘dupe’ destinations or places a little more off the beaten track. If you don’t mind forgoing the beach, you can grab some fantastic deals on a last-minute city break.

Take a mini-break rather than a full week

Travelling for a few days rather than a full week will keep down the amount that you spend on accommodation – and if you pack plenty in you’ll still feel like you’ve had a proper break.

Shop around for the best accommodation deals

Do your research when booking your accommodation and check prices on trusted comparison websites. You’ll get a better deal if you’re willing to be located a bit further from the seafront in a beach destination, or if you’re willing to stay outside the city centre for a city break – and most big cities in Europe will have reliable public transport connections to get you to the heart of the action in no time.

Use public transport or Manchester Airport’s free drop-off facilities

Manchester Airport passengers can benefit from its Ground Transport Interchange, an integrated train, tram and bus station that connects the airport with the city and wider region. You can also use free drop-off facilities in the airport’s JetParks car park, with a short bus shuttle ride to the terminal doors.

Free things to keep the kids occupied at the airport

If you’re flying from T1, check out the Little Flyers Zone, a free play area and entertainment zone for school age children, with activity books also available. Being at the airport ahead of your holiday is an exciting time for families, and all three of Manchester Airport’s terminals offer passenger seating areas with views across the airfield, so you can enjoy watching the planes coming and going. Free water refill stations are also available in all three terminals and you can bring a packed lunch or dinner with you, provided the food doesn’t contain any liquids and is sealed.

* Prices are the cheapest available return flights from Manchester before the end of August 2025 for a stay of at least two nights (accommodation not included). Prices are available when booked directly through the specified airline’s website and are correct at the time of publication. Hold baggage may not be included.

With fares starting from only £217pp one-way*, there has never been a better time to travel to Thailand’s capital from the UK’s global gateway in the North, which adds to its impressive global network of more than 200 destinations.

Bangkok is the world’s most visited city and it’s easy to see why. From golden temples to bustling markets, we’ve rounded up a dozen places in the city you have to explore once you land.

Cultural sites

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Step into the spiritual heart of Thailand at this stunning complex of royal buildings and sacred temples, home to the revered Emerald Buddha. It’s among Bangkok’s most famous landmarks and a must-visit for history lovers.

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

One of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho dates back to the 17^th Century. It is famous for its massive reclining Buddha statue and traditional Thai massage school. Visitors enjoy this temple for both its peaceful nature and awe-inspiring views.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this temple is one of the most photogenic temples in Bangkok, featuring a soaring 70-meter-high spire decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain.

Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)

This temple contains the Golden Image Buddha, which is made of solid gold and weighs approximately five-and-a-half tons. This temple is a symbol of Bangkok’s spiritual and artistic heritage.

Museums

Jim Thompson House

Jim Thompson, an American ex-military officer who moved to Thailand after World War II to open a hotel, became a major investor in the Thai silk industry and built himself a grand mansion in central Bangkok, modelled on traditional Thai architecture. The mansion now houses a huge collection of Southeast Asian art.

Bangkok National Museum

Thailand’s largest museum offers a detailed look into Thai heritage, with exhibits on art, weaponry, clothing, and royal regalia. It has been open since the late 19^th century and underwent a major renovation in the 2010s, with exhibits across three main buildings.

Lumphini Park

Bangkok’s largest and oldest green space, Lumphini Park, is something of an open-air museum. With a collection of statues, lakes, botanical gardens, an aquarium and its own library, there is lots to keep you entertained – but the park is best known for its population of free-roaming monitor lizards.

Shopping and Leisure

Khaosan Road

Explore the beating heart of Bangkok’s backpacker scene, a street near the Chao Phraya river that is less than 500m long but lined by more than 50 hostels, along with a huge collection of bars, restaurants and tour operators. It has been the go-to spot for travellers on a budget for half a century and was immortalised in 2000’s The Beach, starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market is home to a whopping 15,000 stalls spanning 26 sections and is the world's largest weekend market. Scout for local delicacies, clothing, second-hand merchandise, home decor, handicrafts, antiques, and even plants.

Asiatique The Riverfront

An open-air shopping centre that offers a dynamic combination of shopping, dining, sightseeing, and events with scenic river views to boot. Enjoy live music performances and take a ride on the Ferris wheel or carousel.

Siam Paragon & MBK Center

From luxury brands to bargain finds, these two shopping centres cater to every shopper. Siam Paragon dazzles with designer labels, while MBK is packed with deals and local food.

Rooftop Bars

Experience Bangkok’s skyline in style at one of its many rooftop bars. Whether it's cocktails at sunset or a night out under the stars, the views are unforgettable. Some of the most popular include Sky Bar, which towers over the city from the 63^rd floor of a skyscraper, as well as Vertigo, a ‘moon bar’ complete with a fine dining restaurant, and Octave, on the roof of the Marriott Hotel with 360-degree views.

*Accurate at the time of publication

Passengers should receive a great service at the UK’s third biggest airport, with a range of new features including new check-in desks, a new security hall, new scanners and new shops and bars in place in its £1.3bn Terminal 2.

Since the start 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 10 minutes to get to security and 84% have waited less than five minutes.

Airport bosses expect this to continue during the summer getaway, with more staff in place than normal across key areas of the airports at busy times.

But there are things that passengers can do to help make sure their trip through the airport is smooth. That includes familiarising yourself with new developments at the airport, including its new barrierless drop-off system. The system means people pass through the terminal forecourts quicker and more smoothly after dropping people off, but it is important to remember to pay before midnight the following day.

Before arriving at the airport

Be smart when packing your bags. If you’re only going for a short trip, you may be able to only fly with hand baggage – saving you money. Roll up clothes rather than folding them to save space. But check what your airline’s baggage rules are – and make sure to weigh and measure your bags

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 have luggage for the hold of the aircraft and live locally, make use of day-before-baggage-check-in services. Many airlines offer the ability to check-in your bags 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 flight for short haul and three hours before for long haul

Remember your passport and any other documents you need

Plan your journey carefully. Over the summer the road and public transport networks can be busy so make sure you plan your route carefully and allow plenty of time

Make sure you have drinks and snacks on hand – so not in the boot if you are driving. This is particularly useful in the event of any delays en route to the airport, especially so if you are travelling with children

If you are travelling with children make sure you talk to them about what to expect at the airport. Airports can be overwhelming so it can be useful to prepare them for what they will experience. It’s also worth packing entertainment for the airport

If you or anyone you’re travelling with has any assistance needs, you can pre-book through your airline or travel agent up to 48 hours before your flight. If you are unable to do this in time, you can report to one of the assistance points in all three of the airport’s terminals where staff will be able to help you – it just may take longer than if you book ahead

If you’re driving book your parking in advance to get the best rates

But 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 hours a day

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 with luxurious Meet & Assist services -  find out more here

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

At the airport

Prepare for security as normal – so with electronic items ready to be removed from bags and no liquids of more than 100mls. Although Manchester Airport’s three terminals all have new scanning technology in place in the majority of lanes, Government advice is to prepare to travel as normal until all lanes have new equipment in place

If you’re travelling with children through Terminal 1, why not visit the Little Flyers Zone – where there is playing equipment and sometimes entertainment

All three terminals have a wide range of food and drink options so why not allow yourself time to enjoy a meal before you board

Make sure you keep an eye on the screens around the departure lounge so you know when it’s time to go to your gate

You can also use the airport’s new information kiosks – digital screens positioned all over the terminals – to help with a range of things including finding your way around

The airport is a big place – the walk from the departure lounge to the gates can be as much as 10-15 minutes. So allow time to get to the gate and make use of the moving walkways

The airport offers free water refills at points around the terminal so it’s worth bringing a refillable bottle

Manchester Airport Customer Services Director Jennifer Byrne-Smith said:

“We’re proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and in the summer that means helping people get away on their holidays.

“It’s a really exciting time at the airport – there’s a real buzz in the air and the excitement is infectious – but we know the airport can also be quite a daunting place, especially when it’s busy.

“That’s why we’ve shared some hints and tips to help make life easier for people. The main thing is just to plan your visit to the airport in advance – from your travel to get here, being ready at security, and packing entertainment for children.

“We’ve invested more than £1.3bn in transforming Manchester Airport over the last ten years – and that programme is almost complete. Passengers this year will really notice all the benefits of it, especially if they’re travelling from our new, state-of-the-art Terminal 2.

“And if people follow our advice they’ll really be able to enjoy those benefits and really feel like their holidays start at Manchester Airport.” 

The summer season always sees a rise in the popularity of traditional holiday hotspots around the Mediterranean. The most popular short and medium haul destinations are expected to be:

1. Antalya
2. Dublin
3. Amsterdam
4. Palma De Mallorca
5. Dalaman
6. Alicante
7. Dubai
8. Paris
9. Tenerife
10. Doha

It will be the first year that Antalya has topped the list, illustrating the popularity of Turkey.

The most popular long-haul destinations are expected to be:

1. Orlando
2. New York
3. Shanghai
4. Hong Kong
5. Addis Ababa

This year the airport has reached a number of key milestones in its transformation programme – which began in 2015 and will be complete later this year.

Among them are that a new security hall and check-in desks in the newest section of Terminal 2 have now opened. Retail spaces in the new part of the terminal have been handed over to the brands that will run them so they can be fitted out, ready to open in the coming months.

Manchester Airport has also recently launched flights to Mumbai with India’s biggest airline, IndiGo. The first flights operated earlier this month and are the North’s only direct connection to India’s financial capital.

The airport also recently announced that from later this year it will become the only UK airport outside London to operate a direct service to Bangkok in Thailand – the world’s most visited city. Flights with Norse Atlantic Airways will start in November.

Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations is unrivalled in the North – and amongst those destinations are some of the foodie capitals of the world.

So much about a culture can be gleaned from its food – and TV series from the likes of Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsay mixing travel with cookery, along with social media foodie influencers, have popularised a culinary take on holidays and travel. But if you fancy a foodie odyssey of your own, here are a dozen destinations with direct flights from Manchester to whet your appetite.

San Sebastian

Fly to Bilbao with easyJet from £55pp return

This small coastal city in Spain’s Basque region has made a name for itself in the world of gastronomy, with the highest concentration of Michelin star restaurants in the world. If you don’t have the budget for fine dining every night though, try out the local pintxos bars – a Basque version of tapas. San Sebastian’s Zurriola Beach, facing out into the North Atlantic with choppy waves, is one of Spain’s best beaches for surfing. San Sebastian is just over an hour from Bilbao, which has direct flights from Manchester with easyJet.

Tuscany

Fly to Pisa with Ryanair from £49pp return

Italian food is world-famous, and if you’re looking for an al-fresco sampling of some of its famous cuisine with a quintessentially Italian backdrop, head to Tuscany. Some of Italy’s most famous gastronomic exports hail from this region, including pappardelle pasta, Florentine steak and Chianti wine – but you’ll find favourites from across the country in the open-air eateries that line the streets of cities like Pisa and Florence. If you’re looking fr a quieter time away from the hustle, head to Montecatini Terme, a picturesque spa town outside Pisa beloved by celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Audrey Hepburn.

Lyon

Fly to Lyon with easyJet from £56pp return

France gave the world ‘haute cuisine’, and nowhere will you find this epitomised better than in the south-eastern city of Lyon, France’s culinary capital – which has no fewer than 20 Michelin starred restaurants and is home to a number of big name chefs. Rustic eateries are popular with the locals, though – and you’ll find plenty to get your mouth watering on a budget too, with hearty dishes like coq au vin complemented by local cheese and charcuterie among the best France has to offer.

Singapore

Fly to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from £672pp return

Singapore is a melting pot of cultural influences from across Asia and beyond, with large Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian and European communities living side by side – so it should be no surprise that its cuisine is something of a fusion of flavours. The city is well known for its ‘hawker centres’, which can be best described as indoor street food markets, with an eclectic mix on offer. Best sellers often include dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab and fish ball noodles.

Mumbai

Fly to Mumbai with IndiGo from £425pp return

The Gateway to India is a large triumphal arch on Mumbai’s waterfront, but in many ways it’s a metaphor for the city as a whole – and that makes Mumbai a great starting point for a tourist wanting to throw themselves into the world of authentic Indian food. People from across the country are drawn to Mumbai, the financial capital – and that means you can find markedly different cuisines here – from Keralan coconut milk-based curries, to Rajasthani thali and Punjabi and Kashmiri dishes, which often dominate the menus of Indian restaurants and takeaways in the UK.

New York City

Fly to New York JFK Airport with Aer Lingus from £340pp return

It’s the city that never sleeps, and neither do its kitchens. You can find outstanding food here 24/7, with influences from communities that have settled over the past three centuries, from German and Italian to Mexican and Arabic recipes. New York’s most famous dishes take these inspirations and create something original, however – like buffalo wings, cream cheese bagels, clam chowder and pastrami on rye. Manhattan’s Lower East Side is considered the centre of the city’s food scene.

Krakow

Fly to Krakow with Ryanair from £62pp return

Pierogi dumplings, kielbasa sausages with mustard, and Zurek soup, served in a hollowed out loaf of rounded bread, are all iconic Polish dishes and few cities do them better than Krakow. Its charming, cobblestoned Old Town is the perfect setting for sampling what Poland’s culinary scene has to offer. The Jewish Quarter, which has been rebuilt and reinvigorated since the horrors of World War II, hosts restaurants and bakeries serving the traditional fare of the country’s Jewish community – and many of these dishes, like jam-filled doughnuts and bagels, are now globally renowned after being introduced to the US by Polish Jewish immigrants. The factory of Oscar Schindler, made famous by Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, is at the heart of the Jewish Quarter and well worth a visit while you’re here.

Thessaloniki

Fly to Thessaloniki with Jet2.com from £126pp return

Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki, and its surrounding region are the origin of many of the country’s most famous culinary exports including Feta cheese, Bougatsa pastries and Frappé coffee. The city was recognised in 2021 as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in honour of these contributions, and its vibrant foodie scene with bustling family-run tavernas serving mezedes, or small plates, and ouzo, a traditional local aperitif. Once you’re done eating, explore the Upper Town – the remains of a fortified Byzantine settlement overlooking the modern city.

Munich

Fly to Munich with easyJet from £78pp return

Picture Germany – and Bavaria in particular – and the image conjured up is a scene straight out of Oktoberfest, Munich’s annual folk festival, where local food and drink plays a central role. You can sample this fare at any time of year, though, at one of Munich’s many grand beer halls. Some of these, including the Hofbrauhaus, Paulaner and Augustiner, export their beers abroad and have become global brands. Here you can try them in the place they were brewed, along with a bratwurst, sauerkraut and mustard. Lederhosen optional!

Casablanca

Fly to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc from £210pp return

Moroccan food is growing in popularity worldwide, but in Casablanca you’ll find a unique blend of influences, from Berber ingredients and spices, to French cooking methods like braising, popularised during French colonial rule, giving rise to dishes like tagine. Its location on the coast means seafood is an integral part of the mix here, too, unlike cities in Morocco’s interior. Some of the best and most authentic food can be stumbled upon by chance when navigating the warren of streets in Casablanca’s Medina.

Istanbul

Fly to Istanbul with easyJet from £71pp return

Grilled meats, cooked on a spit, seafood, unleavened breads and olive oil are synonymous with Turkish cuisine – and you’ll find all of these in Istanbul, the country’s largest city – but something else is going on under the surface. A cosmopolitan city where East meets West, you’ll find restaurants, bars and coffee houses experimenting with their menus and offering European, Arab or even Far Eastern twists on classic dishes. As you eat your way around the city, stop to take in world famous sites like Topkapi Palaca and the Hagia Sophia.

Dubai

Fly to Dubai with Emirates from £605pp return

As with many aspects of life in Dubai, its food scene has gone viral, bringing its gastronomic innovation to a younger audience and turning some of its top chefs – like Nusret Gokce, AKA ‘Salt Bae’ – into TikTok celebrities. More recently, Dubai Chocolate, a pistachio-laden bar developed by a local chocolatier, has spawned imitations across the world, including by leading brands like Lindt and Ritter Sport. Copying recipes is one thing, but other destinations would be hard pressed to recreate some of the dining experiences Dubai offers – like the Atmosphere restaurant, on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

Prices quoted are the cheapest return flights available between now and 30 June 2026 when booking directly through the airline and are correct at the time of publication.