@Scottie Dog i just noticed the new tweet now.
I’m hoping Lufthansa won’t be far behind I fly with them mid December from and I would like to see the new T2 before year end if possible…
Manchester Airport Transformation Programme
- Thread starter User001
- Start date
- Tagged users None
@Scottie Dog i just noticed the new tweet now.
I’m hoping Lufthansa won’t be far behind I fly with them mid December from and I would like to see the new T2 before year end if possible…
Continuing on the subject of airline terminal moves...it seems Norwegian is back tomorrow (Oslo flights) and will operate from T2.
I may have missed the social media announcement for this terminal relocation, but I can't recall it being announced...
I may have missed the social media announcement for this terminal relocation, but I can't recall it being announced...
So...because I knew I wouldn't be flying from T2 until at least May 2022 (with TUI) and therefore I wouldn't have the opportunity to experience it first hand by myself (without the family & in peace), I booked KLM flights to Amsterdam just so I could see what all the fuss is about.
Arrived at T2 Friday 14th October at 11.30am where I was greeted with a large queue at the KLM/Air France check in desks. This soon became smaller though, as the check in agents increased from 2-4 people at 11.45, 2hrs prior to departure, despite KLM insisting on their e mail to arrive 3hrs before departure! I suspect many passengers did, hence the long queues to begin with.
After the documentation checks were done, I had a nosey around the new check in hall, nice, airy, spacious and bright. Love the flooring and just the general feel of it.
I made my way to security, very little queue here, I think it was our flight and a Jet2 flight to one of the canary islands, so only 2 lanes open. Despite the quiet time, there was a 10-15 minute wait due to the amount of trays per passenger, 2-3 for most which I found very excessive compared to most other European airports I visit.
However, what I didn't like most about security, was the flooring, it reminded me of the flooring in T1 security which seems to wear and collect marks/stains very easily, this was evident, so I do hope cleaning standards will be maintained.
After security, a right turn up the escalators and through duty free and finally into the departure area. Again, nice and spacious, modern and bright. So pleasant compared to most of my trips through T1! Again, the terminal wasn't busy and I did wonder if it would cope next summer when we maybe at 80-90% of pre covid levels (hopefully!).
There was a Cathay Pacific flight boarding through Gate B1, first time I have seen these gates being used, no doubt they will be more widely used next summer and beyond.
As reported by others already, some shops and bars/restaurants are not yet open. But I'm sure there will be more of a justification to open them all come next spring with the start of the airlines' summer schedule.
Our flight boarded from Gate 206, so it was through a corridor, down an escalator and back past security to T2 legacy gates. I heard a fellow passenger make a comment "Aren't we back where we started" and with that statement, both himself and his partner were looking around thinking they had made a wrong turn...so as much as it seems a strange set up, I'm sure the route to the old T2 gates will be different in the long term once the refurbishment is performed.
Boarded at 13:20 for a 13:45 departure with no issues.
Arriving back Saturday 15th October at 21:45 at Gate 208, impressed by the large immigration hall, despite having the same type of flooring as security (again, too easy to dirty very quickly!). No queue as we were the only flight arriving at T2 at that time. There were 5 e passport gates open and about 4/5 Border Force desks open. Downstairs to baggage reclaim, which was already going around the carousal. Again, baggage reclaim is a big improvement on what we are used to in T1 & T3.
I also read online last week, that T2 legacy is having it's baggage systems upgraded, so I assume all carousal's will be in operation next summer.
Finally, into the arrivals area, M&S was still open. Prett seems to close early anyway (and in T1), and Starbucks is not yet open, hoarding still up around it.
Overall...a big improvement and great first experience. Bearing in mind it was a quiet time at both departure and arrival of my flights.
Some observations/comments though from my past 4 visits through the airport since early August:
* I get the impression across both T1 & T2 security, that there is a real shortage since many employees were let go. Furlough is finished now but still there doesn't seem to be enough staff...I prey this improves before next spring/summer.
* It's all well and good having a new toy, but to keep it as you want it, TLC comes into play. I hope the new fantastic facility is kept up-to-date with high cleaning standards.
* When the UK government finally approve the new type of security scanners that allow passengers to keep all items inside their hand luggage, I hope we can use 1 tray (for most people maybe). There was clearly a big backlog during my visit because of the sheer number of trays per passenger.
Thanks for ready and I welcome any feedback/comments.
Arrived at T2 Friday 14th October at 11.30am where I was greeted with a large queue at the KLM/Air France check in desks. This soon became smaller though, as the check in agents increased from 2-4 people at 11.45, 2hrs prior to departure, despite KLM insisting on their e mail to arrive 3hrs before departure! I suspect many passengers did, hence the long queues to begin with.
After the documentation checks were done, I had a nosey around the new check in hall, nice, airy, spacious and bright. Love the flooring and just the general feel of it.
I made my way to security, very little queue here, I think it was our flight and a Jet2 flight to one of the canary islands, so only 2 lanes open. Despite the quiet time, there was a 10-15 minute wait due to the amount of trays per passenger, 2-3 for most which I found very excessive compared to most other European airports I visit.
However, what I didn't like most about security, was the flooring, it reminded me of the flooring in T1 security which seems to wear and collect marks/stains very easily, this was evident, so I do hope cleaning standards will be maintained.
After security, a right turn up the escalators and through duty free and finally into the departure area. Again, nice and spacious, modern and bright. So pleasant compared to most of my trips through T1! Again, the terminal wasn't busy and I did wonder if it would cope next summer when we maybe at 80-90% of pre covid levels (hopefully!).
There was a Cathay Pacific flight boarding through Gate B1, first time I have seen these gates being used, no doubt they will be more widely used next summer and beyond.
As reported by others already, some shops and bars/restaurants are not yet open. But I'm sure there will be more of a justification to open them all come next spring with the start of the airlines' summer schedule.
Our flight boarded from Gate 206, so it was through a corridor, down an escalator and back past security to T2 legacy gates. I heard a fellow passenger make a comment "Aren't we back where we started" and with that statement, both himself and his partner were looking around thinking they had made a wrong turn...so as much as it seems a strange set up, I'm sure the route to the old T2 gates will be different in the long term once the refurbishment is performed.
Boarded at 13:20 for a 13:45 departure with no issues.
Arriving back Saturday 15th October at 21:45 at Gate 208, impressed by the large immigration hall, despite having the same type of flooring as security (again, too easy to dirty very quickly!). No queue as we were the only flight arriving at T2 at that time. There were 5 e passport gates open and about 4/5 Border Force desks open. Downstairs to baggage reclaim, which was already going around the carousal. Again, baggage reclaim is a big improvement on what we are used to in T1 & T3.
I also read online last week, that T2 legacy is having it's baggage systems upgraded, so I assume all carousal's will be in operation next summer.
Finally, into the arrivals area, M&S was still open. Prett seems to close early anyway (and in T1), and Starbucks is not yet open, hoarding still up around it.
Overall...a big improvement and great first experience. Bearing in mind it was a quiet time at both departure and arrival of my flights.
Some observations/comments though from my past 4 visits through the airport since early August:
* I get the impression across both T1 & T2 security, that there is a real shortage since many employees were let go. Furlough is finished now but still there doesn't seem to be enough staff...I prey this improves before next spring/summer.
* It's all well and good having a new toy, but to keep it as you want it, TLC comes into play. I hope the new fantastic facility is kept up-to-date with high cleaning standards.
* When the UK government finally approve the new type of security scanners that allow passengers to keep all items inside their hand luggage, I hope we can use 1 tray (for most people maybe). There was clearly a big backlog during my visit because of the sheer number of trays per passenger.
Thanks for ready and I welcome any feedback/comments.
- Moderator
- #1,145
Thanks LS@MAN for that interesting and informative post.
I'm in the throes of compiling an email to Karen Smart at MAN and will make reference to you views on the flooring.
I'm in the throes of compiling an email to Karen Smart at MAN and will make reference to you views on the flooring.
Thanks for your response @Scottie Dog
I also noticed in T1 recently that the posters advertising a “new security hall opening summer 2020” is still evident.
This is quite deceiving in the fact that passengers will probably think it’s intended to replace the current T1 security hall, when in fact it’s over in the new T2.
I also vaguely remember a similar poster in the T1 immigration hall (maybe?) advertising the new facility…
Manchester Airport proposes to amend adhoc/in-season terminal capacity in early 2022 to reflect the proving of T2 Extension. This will see an increase in T2 capacity linked to airline moves, with total capacity controlled by a shadow limit equivalent to the combined historic demand of future T2 airlines plus a small allowance for flexibility. This overarching cap will mean that as T2 capacity increases, T1 capacity will reduce. This reflects the long term "ManTP" Airport Transformation Programme which will increase the capacity of T2, but ultimately close T1
- Moderator
- #1,148
Good spot!!!
Some interesting posts over on skyscraper city ref the re-commencement of the TP with the next pier (3?)
www.skyscrapercity.com
Airport
Seems the last thread is gone, so I'll start a new one. Today is the 20th anniversasry of the plane crash at Manchester airport that killed 55 people. This crash led to many improvements in plane saftey that we all take for granted today. The MEN is carrying this story...
www.skyscrapercity.com
I’ve just received a message saying M&S in T2 arrivals is closing down…surly not?!
Starbucks still has the hoardings up, so only Pret open full time.
KFC and whatever food eatery next door is hit and miss with their opening times.
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
Starbucks still has the hoardings up, so only Pret open full time.
KFC and whatever food eatery next door is hit and miss with their opening times.
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
I do hope that it is a temporary closure and not permanent. This Winter season will see very depressed traffic flows compared with pre-covid, but demand should return gradually as C-19 restrictions are scaled back. But, of course, MAN's two busiest carriers - Ryanair and EasyJet - are based in T1. T2 is likely to be extremely quiet through to April / May at best. Fingers crossed that the full retail offering will come on line then. There is a ready market for M&S in "normal" times. I use them at LTN, LHR, LGW. Always busy at those (covid excepted). They must be aware that recent weeks since T2 reopened are no yardstick for the future.
All my recent MAN arrivals operated into T1 (or the ghostly corridor exiting in to T3) ... I'd have definitely bought supplies at M&S if arriving through T2.
All my recent MAN arrivals operated into T1 (or the ghostly corridor exiting in to T3) ... I'd have definitely bought supplies at M&S if arriving through T2.
marni1971
Well-Known Member
We travelled through T2X finally last week. My thoughts.
After the taxi dropped us off at arrivals (!) we walked outside into new arrivals then took the escalators up. Nee check in was nice and spacious though the placing of the V shaped desk islands along with building supports meant the Air France queue layout had a column right in the way of a desk and people struggled to get a trolley past between it and the queue line / desk. The adjacent desk was also partly hidden by the column. Bit of a page one problem.
Numerous E gates awaited us and our boarding cards (with staff on hand) then into a thankfully huge and mostly empty switchback queue for security. 2 lanes were open and a third was opened. 4am on a Saturday took 10 minutes for bags and us to be scanned. Interesting new X Ray arches that are just 2 walls with a big gap that you stand between. Image is visible on a monitor.
Then it’s a walk along the southern front with floor to ceiling glass. So far so good. Then escalators, stairs and lifts take you upstairs. This is where MAG still doesn’t believe in passenger service. Forget minimal steps from kerb to gate. Despite walking past the legacy gates access (more on that in a minute) and A and B gates access (A gates behind a locked door) you’re forced upstairs and through duty free, across the upper floor, along the southern front again then down escalators to almost where you were stood five minutes before. Surely it’s up to the passenger if they want to be forced though shops and cafes or not. Definitely a minus point.
Anyway, upstairs. Quite a convoluted and potentially confusing layout. Past Costa (quite a narrow area) and through duty free (a wider area) and into the “centrepiece” - the escalators with the LED ceiling. A nice open space but no substitute for having a glass roof. A full height, high quality video wall switched between adverts and footage of T2X being built. Not quite the living wall. There’s also large expanses of blank white walls facing onto the upper balcony. The orientation of what turned out to be the woman’s toilets just seemed…. Wrong. Surely the centrepiece should have everything facing it.
Anyway, upstairs on the mezzanine. The only natural light is through restaurants that occupy the southern front. Also an outdoor smoking area. No seating up here unless you’re paying. Which came to £26 for two full English breakfasts.
Back downstairs there is seating, a mix of hard wooden benches or settee style seats. Plenty of free USB ports on the benches. Currently the largest seating area is furthest away from the windows and borders another blank wall down one whole side. I assume when legacy T2 is finished this wall will go. As it is, the whole seating area is like an afterthought also being partly hidden behind the large stairs / lifts block.
Thankfully there’s natural light windows available along the southern wall (south west to be pedantic) that isn’t blocked by concessions. Access to the bussing lounge is here and future B pier. With a broken escalator. Walking north west you finally get to the A pier access down another level change - which is one level above exactly where we were stood after security checks. There’s a small food court type area here along with a curious central corridor of more front stores that runs between duty free and the southern front seating. Quite confusing snd feels like the electronics store was pushed in here at the expense of open space.
We were on gate 210 in the legacy terminal area so had to trek down the broken escalator at the head of future B pier, do a u turn, go through a door then we were back in the security area and had to walk along the southern front, separated from security by pushed together seating, and go through a door in the wall into old T2. All restaurants and shops are boarded up. Boarded on time but waited nearly an hour for the de icing truck to get to us.
Landing back at legacy T2 at 9pm Tuesday, top marks surprisingly for the air bridge moving on as soon as the plane stopped. Again we had to walk quite a way from 209 into T2X for the new passport control area. Which is huge. Again thankfully empty switchbacks queues, with 32 manned desks (not sure how many were open) and 15 e gates. Low ceilings abound but that’s the building design for you. We got here at 2115, arrived at the baggage carousels at 2128 and were landside with case at 2136.
Baggage carousels are of course at ground level, with legacy and some new ones in use. Total of 12, with some still behind walls. Massive improvement. Sods law our case was on carousel 1 and the exit Is by 12. Another trudge. Landside arrivals is already cramped with a large Pret building where greeters would stand and structural columns further cluttering the space.
So, impressions. We had good service where it counted and there are some nice design flourishes (ceiling batons, lighting and wooden slats) in an otherwise obviously budget constrained complex. The convoluted merry go round walking route for departures is pretty unforgivable though. We both said as it stands there doesn’t seem to be enough room next summer for departing passengers at busy times. Lounge space is overall poor especially given A pier is similarly constrained. The airport is unfortunate in that it’s stuck in a protracted, not helped by covid, position of having half a terminal but still relying on the legacy side for gates. My hope is when the legacy side is refreshed and fully opened up to T2X a lot of the cramped feeling and lack of space will be a memory, but the overall new layout could be improved. We didn’t see any huge improvements in space or layout than we saw in T1 in September, nor in legacy T2. It’s no worse overall, but certainly isn’t world class. Yet.
Hopefully this will illustrate some of my thoughts:
After the taxi dropped us off at arrivals (!) we walked outside into new arrivals then took the escalators up. Nee check in was nice and spacious though the placing of the V shaped desk islands along with building supports meant the Air France queue layout had a column right in the way of a desk and people struggled to get a trolley past between it and the queue line / desk. The adjacent desk was also partly hidden by the column. Bit of a page one problem.
Numerous E gates awaited us and our boarding cards (with staff on hand) then into a thankfully huge and mostly empty switchback queue for security. 2 lanes were open and a third was opened. 4am on a Saturday took 10 minutes for bags and us to be scanned. Interesting new X Ray arches that are just 2 walls with a big gap that you stand between. Image is visible on a monitor.
Then it’s a walk along the southern front with floor to ceiling glass. So far so good. Then escalators, stairs and lifts take you upstairs. This is where MAG still doesn’t believe in passenger service. Forget minimal steps from kerb to gate. Despite walking past the legacy gates access (more on that in a minute) and A and B gates access (A gates behind a locked door) you’re forced upstairs and through duty free, across the upper floor, along the southern front again then down escalators to almost where you were stood five minutes before. Surely it’s up to the passenger if they want to be forced though shops and cafes or not. Definitely a minus point.
Anyway, upstairs. Quite a convoluted and potentially confusing layout. Past Costa (quite a narrow area) and through duty free (a wider area) and into the “centrepiece” - the escalators with the LED ceiling. A nice open space but no substitute for having a glass roof. A full height, high quality video wall switched between adverts and footage of T2X being built. Not quite the living wall. There’s also large expanses of blank white walls facing onto the upper balcony. The orientation of what turned out to be the woman’s toilets just seemed…. Wrong. Surely the centrepiece should have everything facing it.
Anyway, upstairs on the mezzanine. The only natural light is through restaurants that occupy the southern front. Also an outdoor smoking area. No seating up here unless you’re paying. Which came to £26 for two full English breakfasts.
Back downstairs there is seating, a mix of hard wooden benches or settee style seats. Plenty of free USB ports on the benches. Currently the largest seating area is furthest away from the windows and borders another blank wall down one whole side. I assume when legacy T2 is finished this wall will go. As it is, the whole seating area is like an afterthought also being partly hidden behind the large stairs / lifts block.
Thankfully there’s natural light windows available along the southern wall (south west to be pedantic) that isn’t blocked by concessions. Access to the bussing lounge is here and future B pier. With a broken escalator. Walking north west you finally get to the A pier access down another level change - which is one level above exactly where we were stood after security checks. There’s a small food court type area here along with a curious central corridor of more front stores that runs between duty free and the southern front seating. Quite confusing snd feels like the electronics store was pushed in here at the expense of open space.
We were on gate 210 in the legacy terminal area so had to trek down the broken escalator at the head of future B pier, do a u turn, go through a door then we were back in the security area and had to walk along the southern front, separated from security by pushed together seating, and go through a door in the wall into old T2. All restaurants and shops are boarded up. Boarded on time but waited nearly an hour for the de icing truck to get to us.
Landing back at legacy T2 at 9pm Tuesday, top marks surprisingly for the air bridge moving on as soon as the plane stopped. Again we had to walk quite a way from 209 into T2X for the new passport control area. Which is huge. Again thankfully empty switchbacks queues, with 32 manned desks (not sure how many were open) and 15 e gates. Low ceilings abound but that’s the building design for you. We got here at 2115, arrived at the baggage carousels at 2128 and were landside with case at 2136.
Baggage carousels are of course at ground level, with legacy and some new ones in use. Total of 12, with some still behind walls. Massive improvement. Sods law our case was on carousel 1 and the exit Is by 12. Another trudge. Landside arrivals is already cramped with a large Pret building where greeters would stand and structural columns further cluttering the space.
So, impressions. We had good service where it counted and there are some nice design flourishes (ceiling batons, lighting and wooden slats) in an otherwise obviously budget constrained complex. The convoluted merry go round walking route for departures is pretty unforgivable though. We both said as it stands there doesn’t seem to be enough room next summer for departing passengers at busy times. Lounge space is overall poor especially given A pier is similarly constrained. The airport is unfortunate in that it’s stuck in a protracted, not helped by covid, position of having half a terminal but still relying on the legacy side for gates. My hope is when the legacy side is refreshed and fully opened up to T2X a lot of the cramped feeling and lack of space will be a memory, but the overall new layout could be improved. We didn’t see any huge improvements in space or layout than we saw in T1 in September, nor in legacy T2. It’s no worse overall, but certainly isn’t world class. Yet.
Hopefully this will illustrate some of my thoughts:
- Moderator
- #1,154
A very big thank you @Marni for your video - well put together and enjoyable to both watch and listen to.
marni1971
Well-Known Member
One thing I should add is I found T2X signage to be abundant and clear. Good choice of colour, font and good symbols.
I've not personally read anything online ref the continuation of the TP. But on another forum, a poster has stated Pier B (2nd Pier) will have it's 2nd phase built and is due to start later this year. Apparently the concrete is already on the apron (where stand 212 used to be)...
marni1971
Well-Known Member
It may have been this forum but there was a mention a few weeks back of pier B and the legacy refurb starting this summer. Might even have been you that said (I don’t recall - just that 2 reports could warrant some truth)
Could have been myself yes...I have read that much recently I am lost now!
Much needed though and good news in the long run.
The 2xx gates in legacy T2 will close during this time, so I can see why Jet2 will move some of it's ops over to T1.
Similar threads
Remove Advertisements
Subscribe to help support your favourite forum and in return we'll remove all our advertisements. Your contribution will help to pay for things like site maintenance, domain name renewals and annual server charges.
NEW - Profile Posts
If anyone would like to share their local airport news right here in our news area let me know so I can give you the correct permissions to do so. It only takes a couple of minutes to upload a news story with an accompanying image. The news items can then be shared on the site homepage by you. #TakePart #Forums4airports Bring the news to one place!
Well it looks like I'm off to Australia and New Zealand next year! Booked with BA from Manchester via Heathrow with a stop in Singapore and returning with Air New Zealand and BA via LAX to Heathrow. Will circumnavigate the globe and be my first trans-Pacific flight. First long haul flight with BA as well and of course Air NZ.
Ashley.S. wrote on Sotonsean's profile.
Welcome to the forum, I was born and bred in Southampton.
Trending Hashtags
-
#liverpoolairportWeight: 4
-
#EasyJetWeight: 2
-
#LiverpoolJohnLennonWeight: 2
-
#Jet2Weight: 2
-
#GetUKDomesticFlightsMovingWeight: 1
-
#RYANAIRWeight: 1