- Mr Plane Guy
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Inside Manchester Airport’s New Terminal 2, Airlines, Lounges & Parking Tips for 2026
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight & Travel Expert
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps cover my airport lounge habits, thank you for the support.
Welcome to Manchester’s Revamped Terminal 2
After years of construction, scaffolding and shuttle buses, Manchester Airport’s new Terminal 2 is finally complete and fully operational for 2026 and it’s a huge upgrade.
With its airy glass atrium, new security zones, faster bag drops, and expanded shopping and dining, T2 has transformed from a worksite into a sleek international gateway. Whether you’re off to Doha, Dubai or the Dominican Republic, this terminal now looks and feels the part.
Here’s everything you need to know which airlines fly from Terminal 2, where to find the best lounges, and how to save money on parking and hotels before you fly.
If you’ve not followed the changes yet, start here:
This terminal shift is the reason where you park now matters more than ever.
Airlines Flying from Manchester Terminal 2
Manchester’s upgraded Terminal 2 has become home to a mix of long-haul giants and short-haul favourites.
Airlines currently flying from Terminal 2 include:
TUI Airways – flagship holiday carrier with long-haul routes to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Florida.
Qatar Airways – five-star service connecting Manchester to Doha (and onwards to over 160 destinations).
Emirates – double daily A380 flights to Dubai, with a touch of luxury even in Economy.
Etihad Airways – connecting the North West with Abu Dhabi on its flagship A380 and A350 fleet.
Virgin Atlantic – non-stop to Orlando and New York in signature British style.
China Eastern Airlines – linking Manchester with Shanghai on modern Airbus A350s.
Norse Atlantic Airways – low-cost long-haul option with sleek Dreamliners to the US and Asia.
easyJet – European short-haul network. The Smartest Way to Fly easyJet in 2026 with this unbelievable easyJet Plus upgrade deal! and easyJet Baggage Allowance (Cabin Bag Size, Hand Luggage & Hold Bags, 2026)
Jet2, leisure routes across Spain, Greece & Turkey, Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday… Paying With Emirates Skywards.
Plane Tip: Many of these airlines are part of major loyalty schemes like Avios and SkyTeam perfect if you’re collecting points for future upgrades or lounge access. Check out many of my plane honest flight reviews here.
Lounges in Manchester Terminal 2
If you prefer to start your trip with a drink rather than a queue, T2 now offers several upgraded lounges and more on the way.
Escape Lounge Manchester T2, Full Review
Best value lounge in Terminal 2 👉 Read Review
Priority Pass Access at Manchester Airport
Priority Pass gives you entry to over 1,800+ airport lounges worldwide, including of course Manchester Airport and Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 & 2.
Escape Lounge Manchester T2, Full Review
Best value lounge in Terminal 2 👉 Read Review
Aspire Lounge Manchester T1, Honest Review
Busy but budget-friendly 👉 Read Review
1903 Lounge Manchester – The Premium One
Parking & Hotels Near Manchester Terminal 2
Parking at Manchester T2 includes:
Meet & Greet right next to departures for maximum convenience.
JetParks and Long Stay for value-focused travellers.
Short Stay Multi-Storey for quick weekend trips.
If you’re flying early, nearby hotels like the Radisson Blu, Clayton Hotel, and Premier Inn are connected to the terminal by covered walkways.
Manchester Airport Parking Deals: Compare Park & Ride & Meet & Greet
Finding the right car park at Manchester can make or break your departure day.
🔹 Compare Parking Prices UK
The UK’s trusted airport parking comparison site. Search deals instantly and save up to 75% at Manchester and beyond.
Best Parking for Manchester Airport Terminal 2 (Long-Haul & Most Airlines)
Terminal 2 is now home to:
Most long-haul carriers
Many leisure airlines
The airport’s newest lounges, shops and security area
If you’re flying from T2, you have two strong parking strategies:
Plane Tip: Take a photo of your bay and row, trust me, after a week in the sun and two coffee's at arrivals, you won’t remember where you parked.
✅ Cheapest Option: Park & Ride (Best for 7–21 Day Trips)
This is your best-value option if:
You’re away for a week or more
You don’t mind a short shuttle transfer
You want the lowest daily rate
👉 Check live Terminal 2 Park & Ride prices here using Compare Parking Prices UK.
✅ Easiest Option: Meet & Greet at Terminal 2
This is the fastest and least stressful option, ideal for:
Families
Business travellers
Early morning departures
Heavy luggage
You drop the car directly at Terminal 2 departures and it’s returned on arrival.
👉 Book Terminal 2 Meet & Greet here with Manchester Airport Parking Solutions.
Plane Tip: Book parking in advance, comparison sites often show price differences of 30–40%. I’ll soon be sharing a full Plane Parking Manchester guide to help you save even more.
Plane Tip: Save on Duty Free + Earn Avios at Duty Free Manchester Airport
Before you fly, download the Club Avolta app (formerly Red By Dufry) it’s one of the easiest ways to unlock instant discounts at duty free Manchester Airport stores.
Members get 5% off in World Duty Free straight away (with higher tiers offering up to 10%), plus access to member-only pricing on beauty, alcohol and confectionery.
You can also link your account to the British Airways Club to earn Avios on purchases, and use the Reserve & Collect feature to shop ahead and pick up at departures.
👉 Pre Flight Tip: Download the app, link your Avios, and scan your QR code at checkout for instant savings and points.
Why Terminal 2 Matters for Northern Travellers
This expansion finally gives Manchester a terminal to rival Heathrow or Gatwick and it’s great news for travellers who prefer to fly long-haul direct from the North. With daily services to Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Orlando and beyond, there’s no longer a need to connect via London.
The new T2 also boosts Manchester’s lounge offering, airport hotel network and car parking capacity, which means even better opportunities for future Plane Reviews and Plane Deals.
Places to Eat Manchester Airport Terminal 2
After much anticipation, Manchester Airport have officially opened the brand‑new Great Northern Market Hall in Terminal 2, a first‑of‑its‑kind dining experience at Manchester Airport a huge milestone in the transformation of T2! New Food options at Manchester Airports Terminal 2 Great Northern Market Hall include:
Nashville Hot House, serving buttermilk chicken and other Southern favourite
Black Iron Grill, serving smash burgers and loaded fries
Kouzina, with Greek and Mediterranean inspired street eats
La Casita, offering a variety of Mexican dishes
Palms Café, serving pan-Asian dishes
Napoli Street Pizza.
Gooey, a Manchester favourite serving coffees, cookies and donuts.
Final Boarding Call
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 rebuild has been years in the making, but for 2026, it’s finally ready for take-off. From Qatar Airways 'Q suite' luxury and Emirates A380 flights to TUI Dreamliner holidays, the North’s biggest airport now looks the part.
Keep an eye out for my upcoming Manchester Airport Lounge Reviews and Parking Comparison Guide and subscribe to Plane News Weekly for new travel hacks and flight reviews delivered straight to your inbox.
👉 Get up to 30% off Priority Pass here
Plane Related Manchester Airport Reads
Is the Aspire Lounge in Manchester Airport Terminal 1 Worth the Visit?
If you’re flying from Terminal 2, this is the lounge I always recommend → 1903 Lounge Manchester review
Priority Pass Review 2026: One Year of Lounge Access, Was It Worth It?
🅿️ Plane AirportParking, Compare UK AirportParkingPrices (2026 Guide)
easyJet Baggage Allowance (Cabin Bag Size, Hand Luggage & Hold Bags, 2026)
From lounge reviews to funny airport moments, I share it all on Instagram.
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport a
nd mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Inside Manchester Airport’s New Terminal 2, Airlines, Lounges & Parking Tips for 2026.
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🅿️ Airport Parking Compare prices and save up to 75% at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and more with Compare Parking Prices UK →
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