- Mr Plane Guy
- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
NEW Manchester Airport Lounge (T2): Is “The Executive by Escape Lounges” Worth the Entry Fee?
By Mr Plane Guy, Plane Honest Travel & Lounge Reviews
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A New Manchester Airport Lounge Is Opening… But It’s Not Cheap!
There’s a brand new premium lounge landing at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 and it’s aiming to completely upgrade the usual Escape Lounge experience. It’s called: The Executive by Escape Lounges and on paper, it sounds impressive:
Better food
Premium drinks
More refined space
Is it actually worth the entrance fee?
Having worked in airport operations, lounges like this are designed to upsell the pre-flight experience, the real question is whether the upgrade delivers.
The Executive, How Much Does It Cost?
From £57.99 (pre-book)
Around £69.99 (walk-in)
Important: Prices may vary depending on demand and timing, so this isn’t necessarily a fixed rate.
What’s Included in The Executive by Escape Lounges Price?
This is where they’re clearly trying to justify the higher price.
Food & Dining
Hot buffet with daily changing dishes
Deli, bakery & dessert section
Fresh salad bar
This is more “restaurant-style lounge” than basic buffet.
Lounge Drinks (Actually Premium)
Wine, beer & spirits
Barista coffee & tea
Soft drinks
Not your standard lounge selection pushing upgrades to purchase premium drinks, cocktails and champagne etc, no not here!
Facilities
Fast private WiFi
Charging ports
Bathrooms inside the lounge
Access Rules
Entry up to 2.5 hours before your flight
Open daily: 3:00am – 8:45pm
Can You Use Priority Passat The Executive by Escape Lounges?
Yes, but this is where it gets interesting
Priority Pass and DragonPass will be accepted, BUT: You’ll need to pay an upgrade fee to enter. And right now the upgrade cost has not been confirmed.
How I Access Airport Lounges Without Paying Walk-Up Prices
I almost never pay the walk-up price for airport lounges.
Instead, I use Priority Pass.
If you travel even two or three times per year, a membership can easily pay for itself. Especially when lounge entry at airports like Manchester can easily cost £35–£40 per visit.
For most travellers, the Standard Plus plan is the best value. It includes 10 lounge visits per year, which is ideal if you travel a few times annually.
With my reader offer, plans start from around £48, and those visits can quickly pay for themselves.
What This Means (Plane Honest Truth)
This Manchester Airport Lounge s positioning itself as, a “step above” standard Priority Pass lounges
So expect:
A top-up fee (likely £15–£30 range, based on similar lounges)
A more premium experience than Aspire/Escape standard lounges.
Want Lounge Access for Less?
If you’re flying a few times a year, don’t pay £57+ every trip.
Compare Priority Pass plans (save up to 30%)
This can get you:
Access to multiple Manchester lounges
Global lounge entry
Better overall value vs paying per visit
How It Compares to Other Manchester Airport Lounges
Before you book this, you should compare:
Manchester Airport Terminal 2 Lounges (Compared)
Standard Escape Lounge (cheaper, more basic)
Aspire Lounge (Priority Pass friendly)
1903 Lounge (closest premium competitor)
Is It Worth the Entrance Fee?
✔️ Worth it if:
You want a premium, calm airport experience
You value food quality
You’re starting a special trip
❌ Not worth it if:
You just want somewhere to sit
You already have Priority Pass (and don’t want to pay extra)
You’re flying short-haul budget
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FINAL BOARDING CALL
Boarding Status: BOARDING WITH PRIORITY (FOR THE RIGHT PRICE)
Cabin Class Verdict: Premium Economy with Business Class touches
Worth Paying For?
👉 Yes, if you value the experience, not just access
Who This Is For:
Occasional travellers upgrading their trip
Couples / special occasions
Long-haul departures
Who Should Skip:
Frequent flyers with lounge access
Budget travellers
Anyone happy with standard lounges
The One Thing That Matters: This isn’t a cheap lounge it’s a premium upsell experience
Plane Tip: Even two lounge visits per year can often cover the cost of a Standard Plus membership. Get up to 30% off a pass here:
Airport lounges can make a huge difference to the start of your trip.
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 and 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 NEW Manchester Airport Lounge (T2): Is “The Executive by Escape Lounges” Worth the Entry Fee?
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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