- Mr Plane Guy
- 10 hours ago
- 12 min read
Is Manchester Airport's New Executive Lounge Actually Executive? My Honest Review
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Airport Lounge Buffet Enthusiast
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When Manchester Airport announced its brand-new Executive Lounge in Terminal 2, I couldn't wait to visit. After all, "Executive" is a big word.
It conjures up images of quiet surroundings, business travellers answering emails over a flat white, champagne in hand, comfortable seating and somewhere to escape the organised chaos of a busy airport terminal.
And walking through the doors, that's exactly what I thought I'd found. The lounge is absolutely stunning. Instead of another anonymous airport lounge full of grey furniture and the usual buffet tucked into a corner, Escape lounges has created something that genuinely celebrates the city. From the industrial-inspired design to the nods towards Alan Turing, the cotton mills and Manchester's famous worker bee, it's one of the most attractive airport lounges I've visited in the UK.
But after spending a couple of hours here before my flight to Dublin, I found myself asking one question, where's the executive part?
Where is the Executive Lounge?
The Executive Lounge is located on the upper departures level of Manchester Airport Terminal 2. After security, turn right past Duty Free, head up the escalators and follow the signs. It's right next to the Escape Lounge.
What are the opening hours?
The lounge is open daily from 3:00am to 8:45pm, making it suitable for everything from early morning departures to evening flights.
When can I enter?
You can enter the lounge up to 2½ hours before your flight, with a maximum stay of two hours.
What food is available?
Expect much more than a standard airport buffet. There's a bakery and pastries at Leaf & Loaf, lighter salads and deli options at The Humm, plus hot dishes and a chef-led carvery at The Loom. During my visit I thought the food was one of the lounge's strongest points.
What drinks are included?
Beer, wine, Champagne, premium spirits, soft drinks and barista-made coffee are all included. The coffee was excellent, although I was surprised there wasn't a cocktail menu at this price.
How much does it cost?
Pre-booking usually costs £57.99–£63.99 per person, while paying on the day is £69.99, subject to availability. A new seated dining experience, The Boll, starts from £82.99.
Can children use the lounge?
Yes. Children aged 3–15 pay a reduced child rate, while under-3s go free. There isn't a dedicated children's area, so families and business travellers share the same space.
This lounge certainly looks executive...it never really felt executive.
Don't get me wrong. I actually enjoyed my visit.
The airport views were fantastic, the barista-made coffee was excellent and there were some lovely local touches that really set it apart from other airport lounges.
But there were also dance tracks pumping through the speakers, boarding announcements every few minutes, children running around, people already enjoying pints before 9am, dirty tables waiting to be cleared and staff scraping leftover food into buckets behind guests trying to relax.
That's quite a strange combination.
So is Manchester Airport's newest lounge worth paying up to £61.99 for?
Let's find out.
Where is the Executive Lounge at Manchester Airport?
You'll find the Executive Lounge airside in Terminal 2, after security on the upper departures level. Head up the escalators towards San Carlos and follow the signs to the toilets and the lounges.
If you've visited the Escape Lounge Terminal 2 before, you're in the right place because they're right next to each other.
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If you're travelling from Terminal 2 with airlines including TUI, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus and many others, it's ideally positioned before the departure gates.
If you're staying overnight before an early flight, I'd also recommend reading my review of the Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport, if you are considering booking this airport hotel at Manchester Airport the night before your flight, to make sure you do not do that!
And before you even arrive, don't forget to compare prices in my guide to Manchester Airport Parking, as prices can vary massively depending on when you book.
The Executive Lounge Opening Times, Dress Code & How to Get In
The Executive Lounge is currently open daily from 3:00am until 8:45pm, covering everything from the first departures of the morning through to late afternoon long-haul flights.
Entry isn't exactly cheap.
Expect to pay around £57.99 if you pre-book, rising to around £69.99 on the day, although some airlines and premium holiday packages include access.
Children are welcome, although there isn't a dedicated children's play area, so families naturally share the same space as everyone else.
Dress code is smart casual, so no fancy dress or offensive clothing, but otherwise it's fairly relaxed.
One thing worth mentioning is that there are no showers. For a lounge calling itself "Executive", that surprised me. If you've just landed from a long-haul flight and are connecting onwards, or simply want to freshen up before boarding, it feels like a missed opportunity considering the price.
At the moment they don't seem to accept any Priority Pass, Dragon Pass or Lounge Key, entry is only by paying or if you are flying in an upgraded cabin with an airline such as Virgin Atlantic. (This space was actually meant to be Virgin Atlantic's own airport lounge, but that was kiboshed post pandemic, due to costs.)
The Executive Lounge Wi-Fi and Facilities
Everything revolves around QR codes. Scan one for the menu.
Another lets you download newspapers, magazines, puzzles, podcasts and children's entertainment.
It's a really nice touch if you've got a long-haul flight ahead. The toilets are stunning and filled with Jo Malone scents (is Jo Malone Mancunian?)
First Impressions, of The Executive Lounge Manchester Airport Terminal 2
One thing the Executive Lounge absolutely gets right is its design.
This isn't just another airport lounge. It's Manchester. Every area tells a different story.
The entrance, known as The Dock, celebrates Manchester's industrial heritage.
The Boll references the city's cotton industry.
The Loom continues the textile theme with beautifully designed ceiling features and artwork from Manchester artist Oriana Loucaidou.
Then there's The Humm, inspired by Alan Turing and Manchester's pioneering role in computing, while The Seam pays tribute to the region's mining history.
Everywhere you look there are subtle nods to Manchester. Worker bee details. Local artwork.
Manchester IPA.
Regional food. I'm wondering if the Bury black pudding is actually from Bury Market?
It's one of the few airport lounges where you actually feel like you've arrived somewhere rather than just another anonymous airport terminal.
If I were judging this lounge purely on its design, it'd score incredibly highly. Unfortunately, great design is only part of the experience.
Then Reality Arrived...
Within about twenty minutes, the atmosphere had changed my opinion completely.
Instead of the calm environment I'd expected, it felt surprisingly hectic.
Electronic dance music played throughout the lounge. Boarding announcements echoed around the room every few minutes. Children were running between tables. Groups were already ordering beers before breakfast.
The table I'd sat at hadn't been cleaned properly. Behind me, staff were clearing plates, scraping leftovers into buckets and mopping the floor whilst guests were still trying to enjoy their food.
None of those things are particularly unusual in an airport, but together?
It simply didn't create what I'd call an executive atmosphere.
That's the biggest problem with this lounge. Not because it's bad. It isn't.
It's because the name sets expectations that the experience never quite reaches.
In many ways it reminded me of a British Airways Galleries Lounge.
Comfortable.
Functional.
Well designed.
Perfectly pleasant.
Just not particularly luxurious.
Food & Drink, Comfort Food Before 35,000 Feet
One area where the Executive Lounge genuinely impressed me was the food.
Unlike many airport lounges that simply wheel out another buffet of dried pasta and anonymous curry, Manchester Airport has split the food offering into three different concepts.
The Loom is the main hot food area, serving freshly prepared dishes throughout the day.
Leaf & Loaf offers sandwiches, pastries, breads and grazing boards.
Then there's The Humm, which focuses on lighter options, fresh salads and healthier grazing plates.
Personally, I actually preferred The Humm.
If I'm about to spend the next couple of hours squeezed into an aircraft seat, I don't really want to fill myself with heavy comfort food before climbing to 35,000 feet.
The grazing platters were fresh, lighter and much more the sort of food I'd naturally choose before flying.
That isn't to say the hot food wasn't good.
Far from it.
Breakfast included everything from a full English to pastries, cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurts and bakery items. I was also easily able to get vegetarian sausages from the hatch where they also cook eggs freshly on request.
Lunch and dinner are offered throughout the day and include dishes such as roast turkey with Yorkshire puddings and gravy, roasted hake with kale and beurre blanc, vegetarian rigatoni puttanesca, Ceylon coconut lentil mélangé, jasmine rice, seasonal vegetables and desserts such as apple and sultana crumble with custard and bread and butter pudding.
There were also salads, cheeses, cold meats, fresh breads and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
I particularly liked the little nods to Manchester throughout the menu.
The Manchester IPA was excellent.
The lovely Lancashire baps disappeared rather quickly onto my plate. The potato roti deserves a special mention too. It was genuinely delicious.
Although whether eating two helpings before a flight was my finest decision remains open for debate. Let's just say the crosswinds were strong across the Irish Sea.
The only disappointment?
The fruit, It was still frozen. I could have lost one of my turkey veneers on the strawberry!
That might sound like a tiny criticism, but when you're charging over £60 a visit, those little details suddenly matter.
The Boll, A More Premium Experience?
The Boll is a new seated dining experience within the Executive Lounge, offering table service and a more refined menu for an additional fee. On paper, it sounds similar to The Suite concept I tried at Aspire Lounge Newcastle, with freshly prepared seasonal dishes in a restaurant-style setting.
It certainly looks impressive, but there's one thing that immediately struck me. Rather than being tucked away as a private dining area, The Boll sits slap-bang in the middle of the lounge. I'm not entirely convinced it'll feel quite as exclusive or intimate as the price suggests.
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Drinks, Great Coffee... But Where Are The Cocktails?
The drinks selection is generous.
Champagne.
Sparkling wine.
Manchester IPA.
Guinness.
Moretti.
Premium spirits.
House wines.
Soft drinks.
Tea.
The standout feature for me, though, was the barista-made coffee.
It's such a small touch, but it immediately lifts the experience above many UK airport lounges where you're left pressing buttons on another automated coffee machine.
If you're catching an early morning flight, you'll definitely appreciate it.
What surprised me was the lack of cocktails. At this price point, I honestly expected a proper cocktail menu.
Nothing extravagant, just the classic, Espresso Martini.
Instead, it felt very much like a traditional airport bar. Perfectly adequate. Just not quite premium enough for what you're paying. Also with one bar staff member on, it was always a slight wait.
Plenty of Seating... And Some Brilliant Runway Views
Credit where it's due, the seating is excellent.
There are comfortable armchairs, dining tables, workstations, high-top benches overlooking the apron and some really clever semi-private pod seats tucked away around the lounge. Those pods immediately caught my eye.
If you've got a long wait before boarding, I could absolutely imagine stretching out there for a quick nap. Well...
Until another boarding announcement or the electronic dance playlist blasted through the speakers.
The views, however, are superb. If you're a fellow aviation geek, you'll happily lose half an hour watching aircraft taxi past the enormous windows.
Is It Actually Executive?
I kept coming back to one word. Executive. Now obviously, airport lounges aren't full of CEOs discussing quarterly profits over smoked salmon.
But when you call somewhere an Executive Lounge, you create an expectation.
I expected somewhere calm.
Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere I could genuinely escape the terminal.
The atmosphere felt busy. Almost frantic at times. It's difficult to describe because nothing was actually wrong.
That's why I don't think this is an Executive Lounge. I think it's a Premium Economy Lounge and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Good food.
Comfortable seating.
Nice drinks.
Excellent views.
A pleasant place to spend a couple of hours.
But executive? I'm not convinced.
Executive Lounge vs Escape Lounge
Having reviewed both lounges, this is where my opinion becomes quite clear.
The Executive Lounge is certainly newer. The décor is smarter.
The Manchester-inspired design is brilliant. The food is slightly more ambitious.
But...If I were spending my own money? I'd still choose the Escape Lounge. It's relaxed, comfortable and, with Priority Pass, you can often access it from around £24, making it considerably better value.
You can read my full Escape Lounge Manchester Terminal 2 review if you're deciding between the two.
Aspire Lounge, Priority Pass & Better Value
The same applies to the Aspire Lounge Manchester.
It's another great value option and, with a brand-new Aspire Lounge opening at Manchester Airport soon, travellers will have even more choice. I am hoping it will be just like Aspire Lounge Liverpool Airport that I managed to visit recently.
If you fly a few times a year, I'd honestly spend the money on a Priority Pass membership instead.
Rather than paying over £60 for a single visit here, you could access lounges like Aspire and Escape from around £24 per visit, while also having access to more than 1,900 lounges worldwide. For me, that's simply a better investment.
Is the Executive Lounge Manchester worth it?
This is probably the easiest part of the review to answer. So, is the Executive Lounge Manchester worth it? I paid the Executive Lounge Manchester price of £61.99 to find out.
That's not because it's a bad lounge. Far from it. I actually enjoyed my couple of hours here.
The problem is the price.
When you're paying over £60 for lounge access, your expectations naturally increase. You expect everything to feel polished, calm and just that little bit special. Instead, I found myself trying to get my money's worth. I had another coffee because it was included, another glass of champagne because, well, it was included, and another helping of potato roti because it really was rather good.
By the time I'd finished, I'd had two glasses of champagne, a Manchester IPA and enough food to keep me going until at least Dublin.
So, Would I Recommend It?
If your airline includes access with your Business Class ticket or as part of a premium holiday package, then absolutely use it.
The design is outstanding and celebrates Manchester brilliantly. The food is good, even if some of the hot dishes felt a little heavy before a flight. I found myself gravitating towards The Humm and the lighter grazing options, which felt much more appropriate before climbing to 35,000 feet. The local touches give the lounge real character, although serving frozen fruit and leaving tables waiting to be cleaned doesn't quite scream premium.
Then there are the little things that slowly chip away at the experience. There are no showers if you're connecting from a long-haul flight. There isn't a separate family area, so business travellers and families naturally share the same space.
If Manchester Airport had called it The Manchester Lounge, I honestly think I'd have walked away more impressed because the name would better match the experience.
Instead, by calling it the Executive Lounge, expectations are naturally much higher.
For me, it's a good lounge that doesn't quite live up to its ambitious name.
If it's included with your ticket, enjoy it.
If you're paying over £60 yourself, I'd save the money, buy a Priority Pass and head to the Escape Lounge or Aspire Lounge instead as they're better value, Escape Lounge Manchester Airport has created a very good lounge. It just hasn't created an Executive one.
Obviously I made a silly little Tik Tok review, don't forget to follow!
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Is Manchester Airport's New Executive Lounge Actually Executive? My Honest Review
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