Manchester Airport Security

[wicket2005]

Two weeks today and we will be sitting on a plane. We are travelling down the night before and staying in the Radisson SAS. We are planning to check in at 6.25 am as I believe check in opens 4 hours before the flight then return to the hotel for breakfast. Flying VS75 with Virgin 1025 on 1st August.

However, just been reading reports that it takes ages getting through security so was wondering how long it generally takes. Don't want to find we are rushing to try and get on the plane if we have left it too long to get through security swiftly.

Normally fly through Newcastle where you are straight through but Manchester is a lot bigger airport.

 

[Lauren101]

I'd like to know this too!! As we are flying from Manchester in August. Anyone recently got back that can give us the information?? I have to schedule a taxi to Manchester and was planning on being there 3 hours prior to our flight - would people recommend 4 hours would be better?

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

I fly from Manchester at least 4 times a year, never arrive more than 2 hours before departure. Last trip was Easter Saturday, it was heaving. Already checked in online so just did bag drop and thru to departure lounge no lines anywhere. Took 30 mins from arriving to sat waiting for departure.
Due to travelling peak time and hightened security I am leaving home with 3 hrs 30 mins in 2 weeks time we are approx 1 hour drive away on a clear run.
If you are checking in at airport then I would allow a full 2 hours from arriving, but it depends how long you want to be sat hanging around in departure lounge for shopping or food.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Wayne, I was hoping you would post as I know you know all about Manchester airport. Am I right in thinking the Virgin desks open about 4 hours before flight? I think I read it somewhere.

I was planning to check the bags in as soon as we could then have a leisurely breakfast back at the hotel before going through security.

Not long.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Plan on doing the same as you Bev, check in then breakfast in our room at the Raddisson,will you let us know how you get on, we are not doing it till October.

 

[wicket2005]

Will do Wendy. But if I forget repost here and I will reply or send me a pm.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Ditto, 1 week on Monday. Another radisson guest here. We plan to check in online then drop our bags and meet DSIL and DBIL for breakfast.

 

[Ann B]

hi

Word of warning.

When we flew back into Manchester last week, no vehicles were allowed up to the terminal. This includes the buses which bring you in from the car parks. We had a 15 minute walk with loads of luggage to the bus station. This included up/down lifts and escalators with not many signs telling you where to go. When we got to the bus station everyone who was getting on a bus to go out to various car parks were all coming out of ane door. It was chaos. If this will affect you, then leave plenty of time.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

No problem, we're taking the train!!! How about you Wayneg?

 

[wayneg]

No problem, we're taking the train!!! How about you Wayneg?

Never done the train, I know a few who have and say its a very good service.
Unfortantely I am not one for public transport, even though I love Disney I hate their transport, car everywhere for me. I have a customer who is a taxi driver so he takes us.
Stitch, have you ever seen my son's website? he is Stitch mad(thats actually his name on VMK, StitchMad) www.disneymad.co.nr it needs updateing will get him to do it tonight.

I believe check in opens 4 hours before but never been there so early to confirm, sorry.

 

[bobboxer]

went out on the vs75 on 23rd june, we checked in online before we drove down from scotland on the 22nd, it opens 24 hrs before flight leaves, once we got to the desk after our stay also at the "raddy", we dropped our bags off and straight through, once you go into the area before you go through to departures there is a security check, checking for liquids etc, that took about 20 mins to clear, then you get into the security area proper, lot more thourgh with there checks, but all in all it took us about 30 mins from bag drop to gazing out at the plane,enjoy your holiday.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for the info.

 

[wicket2005]

As promised I said I would reply again, just couldn't remember which thread it was.

It took about 20 minutes I think getting through security. A lot of people are still unaware of the liquids rule I think.

The Radisson was fantastic, so convenient. I loved it that much changed my booking from Bewleys to the Radisson for next year. We had interconnecting rooms which were lovely. When we arrived we had a wander round the terminals, bought some books then spent a really relaxing time in the pool, steam room and sauna. First time the kids had experienced the latter two. Had a nice meal in the cheaper restaurant of the two and a really comfortable night's sleep.

We had checked in online before we went so knew there wasn't an urgency to get to the drop off point. I think we checked the cases in at about 7 ish, no line there or anything. There was a line of about 6 families for the normal check in. We went back to the hotel and had a nice buffet breakfast overlooking terminal 2's planes which was interesting to watch. By the time we had breakfast, gone back up to the room and checked out the line in the Radisson for checking out had gone down too. There were quite a few business people checking out at about 7 ish.

Security took about 20 minutes or so, then it was through to look around the few shops at the airport. There doesn't seem to be that much seating in the departure lounge comparing it to Newcastle but, fortunately, we had seats booked in the executive lounge (free).

First time we have ever visited one and were well impressed. A very comfortable way to wait. Booked this for next year too.

Our plane was an hour and a half delayed initially, this extended to a 2 1/2 hour delay. They announced boarding at 12 but then had further problems which resulted in boarding not commencing till 1. We had left the lounge and were stood by the gate all this time. The gates and the departure lounge at Manchester are all in the same place, so there was a lack of seats.

Coming back there was a delay of 4 1/2 hours but this was fantastic news to us because it meant more fun time. I would recommend checking in at Downtown Disney because we did this at 9, got told of the delay but were then free to enjoy another full day. I really pitied anyone arriving at the airport at 3.30 pm for checking in and getting told their 6.15 plane wasn't leaving till 10.30 pm. A nightmare.

Had a fantastic holiday staying onsite at the Royal Pacific, Universal. Loved the hotel, location and fotl which was just as well because we had already booked to go to Hard Rock next year. I can definitely recommend the RP though, beautiful hotel.

 

[furballs]

Hi, we are doing the same as Stitchs Greatest Fa and taking the train down, we usually drive but thought we would give it a go. Sorry, i dont mean to hijack the thread but can i just ask, what are the breakfasts like at the Radisson? Not sure whether to do airport or hotel for breakfast. We dont go until Nov so a bit of time yet.
Thanks

 

[wicket2005]

Good quality buffet with everything you can imagine. We had breakfast included in the rate we paid but would not pay £18 each for it. Next year just going in the executive lounge and having breakfast there instead.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

The executive lounge - is that for first class or PE customers? Can't be free for everyone can it? As for the checking in as our son is special needs (language wise not a physical disability) we have been given our seat numbers and Virgin told us to go to the Special needs check in so don't know if to do that or the on line check in. Was planning on doing the DTD check in on return. Thanks for remembering to come back to this thread.

 

[wicket2005]

The Executive Lounge can be booked by anyone. We just happened to get it free with our holiday, we were in Economy seats. We were that impressed with it we booked it for next year.

I don't know about special needs check in perhaps someone else could advise you properly. I know once you check in online and print your boarding cards off you definitely have those seats, plus saves some hassle at the airport. So in my opinion I would probably advise you to do that and mention when you drop the bags off about your son. I would presume as a special needs client it would just mean that you would be allowed on the plane quicker but again I am only guessing.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Oh, you were lucky to get it free, had a nosey on their web site and it would come out at £74 for the four of us. Virgin have said we can board amongst the first with him being SN but I'm not sure I want to sit on the plane for longer than necessary. I suppose you have to be sitting down for ages before its fully loaded.

 

[wicket2005]

As the saying goes 'mother knows best', so only you can decide what will be the best idea for your son. If you do board first as you say you will be sitting down for longer, or alternatively board when your row is called but then you have to deal with lining up and taking a little while to actually get to your seat which I don't know if your son will like.

Yes we were lucky to get the lounge. I wasn't particularly bothered about it, till we went and as I said before we were well impressed and I consider it well worth the money for next year. We will be using it for breakfast so sort of brings down the price a bit if you follow my thinking.