Criticised for its long queues, crowded terminals and slow security, Manchester Airport doesn’t exactly have the best reputation, with Terminal 3 recently named Which?’s worst UK airport for the third year in a row.
But a new exclusive private terminal is hoping to ‘revolutionise the airport passenger journey’, meaning you can start your holiday like an A-lister.
Located away from the other terminals, this new offering describes itself as a ‘sanctuary’, where guests can have ‘every aspect of their journey taken care of’.
On arrival, you receive a personal welcome from a host, who will ensure you have all boarding passes and travel documents.
There aren’t even any flight displays, staff keep passengers updated, taking away any ‘go to gate’ boarding stress, and last minute loo stops.
The terminal boasts a minimal and modern interior, where guests can enjoy a menu ‘carefully curated’ by Adam Reid, chef-patron of The French at The Midland Hotel.
Dedicated chauffeur-driven cars will then be waiting to take guests from the terminal and straight to the plane to board the flight.
Sounds like heaven? It gets better.
The luxe life comes with a fairly affordable price tag, at just £90. Compare that to Heathrow’s Windsor Suite package (that includes being picked up from your home and Michelin starred food) which starts at £3,025 for up to 3 people, and it’s a pretty good deal.
The private terminal, a first in UK aviation, is called Aether, and was launched by Manchester Airport Group (MAG) on November 4, to offer an ‘end-to-end service’, completely separate from the airport’s other terminals.
Services such as this are usually reserved for first and business-class passengers, but just because it’s a private terminal, it doesn’t mean you need a private jet – it will be available to all travellers at Manchester Airport as a purchasable service.
So, you could start your holiday like a VIP, before jumping on board a flight with a ticket you didn’t pay through the nose for.
‘Everything in the private terminal has been designed to put you at ease on your flight,’ Aether’s website reads.
Aether is open every day between 4am and 10pm offering access to a range of flights from its partner airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic.
For those considering the ‘elevated airport experience’, Aether offers two different packages, that might serve as an alternative to booking an airport lounge, which cost anywhere between £20 and £50, at Manchester Airport.
Aether’s ‘Express’ package is designed for departures only and suitable for those travelling with cabin bags.
The service allows passengers to go straight through the private terminal and be driven directly to their gate. With this option, passengers only need to arrive 70 minutes before their flight.
The ‘Inclusive’ package ranges between £150 and £170 per person and is designed for those with either cabin or checked bags.
It can be used on either departure or arrival and allows guests to enjoy the full dining experience and includes alcoholic and soft drinks.
With this option, passengers can arrive up to three hours before departure. They can also bring along non-travelling guests to enjoy the experience and hug them goodbye before their flight.
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