- Mr Plane Guy
- 10 hours ago
- 8 min read
Review: 1903 Lounge Manchester Airport, Is This Manchester’s Best Lounge? My Full Honest Review
By Travel Blogger, Ex-Airline Insider & Airport Lounge Prosecco Investigator, Mr Plane Guy
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying and covers the real travel costs, from speedy boarding fees to extra baggage and inflight snacks!
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1903 Lounge Manchester Airport, First Impressions
Let’s not sugar-coat it: Manchester Airport isn’t always the calmest travel experience. Security queues can stretch into next week, seating disappears immediately, and the public areas of Terminal 2, shiny as they are now, fill up faster than a £1 Ryanair sale.
So when I heard about a premium, adults-only sanctuary hiding at the end of Manchester Airport’s glow-up Terminal 2, I did what any responsible travel blogger would do, I went straight in, tested all the gins (purely for research, obviously), and brought you the full low-down.
I’ve used every Manchester lounge over the years, Escape, Aspire and the old T1 classics, but 1903 is “the premium one”. The one you upgrade to, not stumble into.
And today… it genuinely felt like a world apart.
A Dramatic Contrast with Escape Lounge
When I visited, Escape Lounge was absolutely rammed around 90% full. It was loud, busy, and buzzing with TUI premium passengers (Escape is their usual contracted lounge). Then I stepped into 1903. Six people, total, in a huge, beautiful space.
It was peaceful, expansive, elegant and instantly felt more like an airline’s business-class lounge than an independent UK airport lounge.
You can access 1903 Lounge with Priority Pass, but you’ll pay an upgrade fee.
Most people won’t bother. That’s exactly why it stays so quiet.
If you mainly want free lounge access at Manchester:
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✔ Escape T2
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Low lighting, soft ambient background noise, sweeping airfield views, and an impressive layout with multiple seating areas. It had that “premium but not pretentious” energy that good lounges get right.
It also felt spotlessly clean, not a dirty plate in sight. You’ll know why that matters if you’ve experienced some of the other Manchester lounges.
1903 Lounge Menu & Food Review
This is where 1903 genuinely pulls ahead of every other Manchester Airport lounge.
The food today was not just “good for an airport lounge,” it was good, full stop.
Hot Dishes Included:
Pork belly
Penne pasta
Ramen-style broth
Sweet potato wedges
Everything was hot, fresh, well-seasoned and replenished quickly. No dried-up trays or sad buffet vibes.
Cold Options / Salad Bar:
Fresh salad bar (excellent quality, fresh, crisp)
Cold meats
Cheese selection
Breads
Light bites
A properly curated offering, not just leaves and a tub of supermarket coleslaw.
Dietary & Special Meal Options
A menu of special dietary meals that you can order and which are prepared fresh for you!
Desserts (a real highlight)
This REALLY surprised me. The desserts were outstanding:
Sticky toffee pudding
Carrot cake
Banoffee pie
A rotation of pastries and sweets
Ice cream tubs in a help your self style freezer
Yes, I tried everything… once again for research, of course.
This is easily the best dessert selection I’ve experienced in any UK lounge outside BA First or Virgin Clubhouse.
Buffet Quality Compared to Escape Lounge
Escape Lounge has good food, don’t get me wrong, today the aubergine moussaka and potato salad were excellent, but 1903 feels a clear level up.
Less canteen, more boutique hotel dining.
You can taste the difference in quality, preparation and ingredients.
1903 Lounge Drinks, Champagne & Bar
1903 does not hide the fact that it is a “premium drinks” lounge.
The bar is not staffed behind a fixed counter like Escape Lounge; it’s self-serve in multiple areas, with premium selections attractively displayed.
Included Drinks:
Champagne (not just prosecco)
Premium wines (the Cabernet Sauvignon was delicious)
Premium spirits
Mancunian gin
Beers & craft beers
Soft drinks
Still & sparkling water
Coffee stations
Important Research Note
I tried the Mancunian gin (for work purposes). Mixed it with Fever-Tree Scottish salty tonic water…Let’s just say: Not the pairing for me. But the wine, cheese and olives combination hit the spot perfectly.
Bar Compared With Other Lounges
Escape Lounge serves sparkling wine on tap and a good IPA, but 1903 is unquestionably more premium. It feels like the jump from economy cabin to business class.
1903 Lounge Facilities & Seating
Seating & Layout
1903 Lounge is spacious, open, and far more thoughtfully laid out than Escape or Aspire. Think:
Quiet zones
Areas with runway views
Semi-private seating
High tables
Softer lounge chairs
Plenty of space between seating, you don’t feel packed in like a school dining hall (Escape Lounge, I’m looking at you).
Views
Some of the best airfield views at Manchester Airport.
Perfect for spotting, filming, or simply watching the morning departures with a glass of something.
Toilets
Shared with Escape Lounge but spotless, modern, and genuinely spa-like.
I forgot I was at Manchester Airport for a moment.
Magazines & Digital Access
1903 has a magazine area where you can download the latest digital issues, a nice premium touch that most lounges don’t bother with.
Wi-Fi & Charging
Fast, reliable lounge Wi-Fi.
1903 Lounge vs Escape Lounge Manchester T2
Here’s the honest comparison based on visiting both lounges back-to-back:
Escape Lounge T2:
Very busy (90%+ full)
Great food today (moussaka, potato salad)
Sparkling wine on tap
Mancunian IPA
Good value
TUI Premium passengers = extra busy
1903 Lounge T2:
Almost empty (on my midweek late-afternoon visit!)
Premium hot and cold dishes
High-quality desserts
Champagne included
Premium wines & spirits
Self-service drinks
A business-class vibe
Beautiful décor, only minor wear in a few areas
Truly felt like a world apart
Escape Lounge is good.1903 Lounge is significantly better!
If Escape Lounge is Argos café, 1903 Lounge is Selfridges café.
Other Manchester Airport Lounge Reviews You’ll Like
Escape Lounge Manchester T2, Full Review
Best value lounge in Terminal 2 👉 Read Review (coming soon)
Aspire Lounge Manchester T1, Honest Review
Busy but budget-friendly 👉 Read Review
1903 Lounge Manchester – The Premium One
You’re here now
Who Gets Access to the 1903 Lounge?
Airlines Using 1903 Lounge
If you’re flying Aer Lingus Business or Etihad Business Class, you’ll likely get access to the 1903 Lounge automatically, a very nice perk.
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.
Priority Pass Access
You can access 1903 with Priority Pass, but you must pay a premium upgrade fee.
And honestly? It’s absolutely worth the difference.
Most travellers today weren’t paying it, but that’s their loss.
Manchester Airport Parking, Save Up to 75%
Before you even think about upgrading to 1903, do not overpay for parking.
Manchester’s parking is some of the most expensive in the UK. Sometimes it’s even more expensive than the flight.
See the full guide here: Manchester Airport Terminal 1 Closing, What Travellers Need to Know
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Plane Tip: Snap a photo of your car’s bay before you leave. After a week in the sun, future-you will appreciate it.
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Final Verdict, Is the 1903 Lounge Manchester Airport T2 Worth It?
Yes. Absolutely.
1903 Lounge is easily the best lounge in Manchester Airport and one of the best in the North of England.
If you want:
Peace and quiet
Space
Premium food
Champagne & premium spirits
A proper pre-flight treat
Grown-up atmosphere
Beautiful airfield views
This lounge is the upgrade you will notice.
Escape Lounge is great value and a solid choice, but 1903 is the lounge that genuinely transforms your airport experience.
Plane Tip: If you're travelling as a couple and one of you has Priority Pass, you can both get into Escape Lounge for one fee plus a reduced guest fee.
For 1903, you’ll pay the upgrade, but still cheaper than buying two full-priced entries.
Plane Tip: Fill Up Before Your Flight
Bring an empty water bottle and fill it from the still/sparkling water taps.
Opening Hours
03:00 – 20:45 daily
Food and drinks stop 30 minutes before closing.
Important Notes
Children under 16 are not admitted
Priority Pass holders can access with an additional premium fee
Access allowed up to 2.5 hours before departure
Dress code: smart casual
Full official details: escapelounges.com
If you want lounge access without paying £40–£50 on the day,
Plane Related Manchester Airport Reads
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 Review: 1903 Lounge Manchester Airport, Is This Manchester’s Best Lounge? My Full Honest Review.
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