eating at the airport - opening times

sal-ad_daze

We are flying from Manchester on what is probably the first flight out at 6am, my husband is diabetic and I am trying to work out how and when we can eat. We won't reach resort until late lunchtime and will be leaving home about midnight so that's over 12 hours 'travelling'. We were planning to have breakfast at the airport but when I looked at the website it says that the restaurants/cafes open 'first to last flight', I'm assuming that they will open before the first flight takes off but how long before - an hour, two, three hours? The flight doesn't serve meals, we can buy snacks but he'll really need a proper meal at some point. Does anyone have any idea what time the eateries actually open? Oh by the way, in case it matters, it's Terminal 2.

Ms_Chocaholic

No idea re what time the restaurants open etc at Manchester but, just a thought, could you take a chilled meal with you for him to eat on the flight. You are allowed to take food through security with you and if you take a couple of freezer blocks/chillerz packs it would keep cool till then.


ETA: Just checked the Manchester Airport website and the lounges open at 5.00 am, so I imagine that the restaurants etc open at the same time.

duchy

Why not put soup into a flask and bring some rolls-alternatively a cool bag would work well or you could freeze sandwiches and let them defrost whilst you travel.

If you really want to pay airport prices for food ring the airport switchboard and ask-They'll have the opening hours.

Geoggy

I think soup in a flask would count as liquid and not be allowed through security.

My advice would be to book into the lounge in Terminal 2 and have breakfast in there.

Ask in the Lounges thread for a discount link - well worth the £

sal-ad_daze

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies.
I didn't think you were allowed to take food through in hand luggage, I suppose we could buy sandwiches at Boots or something if it's open but it's begining to look as if it's a bacon butty on the plane.
Geoggy, thanks for that - I've never thought about lounges I always thought they were for vip's business class that sort of traveller but I've looked online and it doesn't open until 5am and our flight is 6am so it wouldn't be worth it.
I can't believe that with people booking in 3 hours or so before 6am flights there is nowhere open!

Voyager2002

sal-ad_daze wrote: »

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies.
I didn't think you were allowed to take food through in hand luggage, I suppose we could buy sandwiches at Boots or something if it's open but it's begining to look as if it's a bacon butty on the plane.
Geoggy, thanks for that - I've never thought about lounges I always thought they were for vip's business class that sort of traveller but I've looked online and it doesn't open until 5am and our flight is 6am so it wouldn't be worth it.
I can't believe that with people booking in 3 hours or so before 6am flights there is nowhere open!

You are allowed to bring food, but not liquids.

In any case, there is nothing to stop you bringing a flask of hot soup and enjoying it before passing through security.

savageHK

It might be worth checking what time the Radisson Blu opens for breakfast, but possibly a more expensive option! It's in the airport building itself so easy to get to.

GlennTheBaker

I used to work at Manchester Airport T1 up until August last year. I'm pretty sure the cafes and restaurants were open from really early to catch those getting the early flights but, being staff, I used the 'secret' shortcuts rather than going through the main departure hall! Might be worth a call to the main switchboard to confirm exactly when they do open.

sal-ad_daze

Thanks Glenn, and thanks for the pm, it seems we can't use the lounge because we have a 3 yr old with us - maybe next time when we travel alone.

bagand96

Looking at Manchester airport T2 departures for tomorrow morning (as an example) there are 10 departures between 0600 and 0700. Thats a big captive audience milling around the terminal from 4-5am, I am sure you'll have no trouble finding food, the retailers will be open and ready!

headpin

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

............. couple of freezer blocks/chillerz packs it would keep cool till then.


.

You need to be careful as most freezer packs contain either liquid or gel and will need to be less than 100 ml and fit in the plastic re-sealable bag to go through security. Otherwise will need to take to airport, use food and transfer the packs to hold baggage for the journey