Manchester Spotting Locations Guide:
Spot A - Terminal 3 Car Park
This is a relatively good spot to view landing aircraft, all day, providing they are landing on the runway 23R. This is the majority of the year, as aircraft operating in the other direction only account for about 25% of movements per annum. Aircraft never land on 23L, other than if 23R is blocked or closed for refurbishment.
Aircraft you can see here is pretty much every arrival throughout the day. Next Summer, when light is around from very early, until very late, movements of interest you could see would be:
Hainan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, United 757x2, American A330/767/787, Delta 767, multiple Virgin/TCX A330s, Virgin 747s, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Qatar, PIA, Shaheen, Oman Air in amongst perpetual European arrivals from both LCCs and full service airlines such as Aegean, TAP, Iberia, AF, KLM, SAS, Lufthansa, Finnair, Austrian, Turkish etc.
You will have to pay if you wish to park your car here, although possible options include parking at the Airport Pub, which also incurs a charge but substantially less and walking from there (about 10mins).
There are no toilet facilities up here. If you wish to access a toilet, or buy a hot beverage/snacks, you can do so from the pre-security, ground floor level of Terminal 3. Simply descend to the bottom of the multi storey and enter. You could also use the bridge across the drop off area to access the terminal.
If you are arriving by train... exit the Airport Train Station. Walk towards the roundabout and underneath the skyline connecting T2/Railway Station/T1. Continue to walk along Terminal Road South, next to the T1 drop off and chauffer car park. As you reach the roundabout, walk under the T1 ramp entrance and take the second exit onto Domestic Approach. You are now on the opposite side of the multi storey car park. Continue walking around it, until you reach the Terminal 3 drop off area. Walking from this way, ensure you are on the left side of the drop off area and you will be able to enter via some doors. Simply ascend to the top level.
This would usually take about 10 minutes. You can also use the skyline but you would have to navigate T1...
If you are arriving by car...information to be added.
Map and example picture to come.
Spot B - Airport Pub
Recently refurbished, the airport pub is actually very nice inside for a meal, however, this guide will focus on the potential spotting opportunities which aren't all that great for those who wish to photograph. When aircraft are landing on 23R, it gives you a relatively good perspective and great opportunity to take pictures. However, the airport pub has limited opening times so check them before you go.
Take offs (when they are on RWY23R) are extremely hard to photograph as there is an array of fences blocking any view and no holes to place your camera lens through.
Again, car parking does cost, but I think if money is spent in the Airport Pub it gets refunded. If this has changed, please inform me as I haven't used this facility in a while.
Obviously, toilets are readily available and shelter at all times in the pub itself. Hot beverages and snacks are also available in the pub.
If you are arriving by train...follow the directions for Terminal 3 multi storey, but then continue walking, past the exposed part of the terminal 3 apron until you reach the fairly obvious airport pub, next to the Car Rental Village.
If you are arriving by car...information to come
More spotting places will be added, when I can do them... Hope this will be of help.
