Manchester Airport, security and hand baggage

Shimrod

I'm off on my first foreign holiday in nearly five years and will be flying from Manchester airport. I can see that the rules on only having a single bag have now been relaxed, so I should have no issues going through secuirty with a camera bag and small rucksack?

Also, how long should I allow to get through security these days? I'm flying from terminal 1 with a lunchtime flight, so I want to get something to eat before boarding. Is the fast lane security worth the £3.50?

Thanks

GlennTheBaker

Don't forget to check with your airline to see what their rules are with regards to number of pieces of 'hand baggage'. Airport security may say its OK but the airline may not!

As for getting through security, don't bother with the £3.50. Save your cash and just turn up in plenty of time - check-in generally opens 2-3 hours before scheduled departure time and if you're using online check in with only hand baggage, you can arrive even earlier and go straight through.

Purely out of curiosity, with whom are you flying?

Shimrod

I'm flying with Icelandair, so I know I can take more than one item of baggage onto the plane.

I always do get to the airport in plenty of time, but last time I flew out of Liverpool on an early morning flight, it took over 1.5 hours to get through security and I missed my breakfast! Airline food is never inspiring, and while airport food may not be great, there is at least a little more choice!

nearlyrich

We flew out of Terminal Two 2 days before Christmas we had less than 30 mins between dropping the car off and sitting in a cafe eating brunch on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Make sure your camera bag fits in your backpack because you are only allowed one bag with most airlines, don't have any liquids in your hand luggage or if you have to make sure it's in containers of 100ml or less and put them in a clear plastic bag ( they charge a £1 if you forget to take your own)

GlennTheBaker

I worked at Manchester Airport T1 from March 2010 to August 2011. I had to pass through security several times a day and even at busy times, I didn't see much in the way of queueing from the travelling public. During that time, Icelandair flights pretty much always departed from Gate 23 or 25 which is quite close to the main depature lounge and the food outlets.

Bouncy_2

Last time we checked in in manchester, it took a grand total of 7 min to get through security - including checking in bags!

nearlyrich

Bouncy wrote: »

Last time we checked in in manchester, it took a grand total of 7 min to get through security - including checking in bags!

I think they have really improved the check in process at Manchester still got a few grumpy staff though LOL;);)

Bouncy_2

We then had two and a half hours sat in terminal 2, getting increasingly angry at the people getting drunk at 7am "because they are on holiday"

airports bring out the snob in me!

GlennTheBaker

Bouncy wrote: »

We then had two and a half hours sat in terminal 2, getting increasingly angry at the people getting drunk at 7am "because they are on holiday"

airports bring out the snob in me!

On that note, if anyone wants a discount link for 20% off Loungepass.com prices for airport executive lounges, please feel free to PM me

lutzi1

We had a queue at Manchester on Sunday Feb 12th. I'd say it took about 10 - 15 mins to get through security.

fluffygrue

Agree with the others - I'd allow about 30 minutes, but in the past year we've never had to wait longer than about 20 minutes.. plus the breakfast places are very speedy too.

Don't forget that tea/coffee are free on Icelandair - we only realised on our return flight!