We’re seeing an increasing number of airports offering private terminals for those flying commercially, with the goal of eliminating the stress of the airport experience. Typically it comes at a hefty cost — either many hundreds of dollars, or in some situations, even several thousand dollars.
Continue reading: Aether, Manchester Airport’s Surprisingly Affordable Private Terminal
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It’s an absolute bargain compared to spending a couple of hours in Manchester Airport Zoo with all the animals.
It's interesting that the alcoholic beverages are limited since the British are among the heaviest drinks out there. You could totally drink your way through the 2 or 3 hours. I don't know UK tax law but I wonder if this would qualify as a business expense for tax deduction. I could see business travelers classifying this as a meal or travel expense.
It’s hilarious that places like Paris, St. Tropez, Geneva, even New York make things unnecessarily expensive just to keep exclusivity.
Then on the other hand you have Northern England, which loves the phrase ‘good enough’. So this service is just about good enough and takes out the true luxury.
I think Asia has the right balance. I used such a service in Singapore. The CIP terminal. It was a dated lounge, but the baggage service was amazing. Didn’t even have to touch the suitcases from the car boot. And they took us in a buggy all the way to the plane. It wasn’t £100 that’s for sure but it wasn’t too expensive either.
Tokyo has insane quality of food for great prices. HK and Singapore to a lesser extend. Doha offers amazing convenience and luxury for good prices too. Whether hotel room quality. Luxury car services. Airport meet and greet VIP etc. Dubai not so much.
But it is interesting to see how much value for money differs in different parts of the world.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- Hah, well perhaps it's because Brits tend to be heavy drinkers that the basic package doesn't include more drinks, so that people have an incentive to buy-up to the more expensive package.
I don't know about British tax legislation specifically, but generally airport lounges are tax deductable expenses, if (and only if) the trip is a business trip and you are self employed. If you are an employee, you depend on the corporate travel policy of your employer, whether you get reimbursed or not or partly (the final option applies in my case, it's complicated).
If it means not having to walk past all the travellators that haven't worked for years then it's worth it...
What is ‘private passport control’? There is no passport control for UK airport departures.
I've spent £99 on a standard restaurant meal, so this is absolutely a bargain to get all the rest thrown on top.
I'm laughing thinking about what other smaller airports might do as their own versions of this "luxury commercial experience". Bob Hope (Burbank) airport for example could do Drive Thru TSA experience in true LA style, considering there's rarely a line anywhere in the airport.
aether can also be used for arrivals. That's why it says "private passport control" under "Express - Arrive Only".
Interestingly enough the wikipedia figures for alcohol consumption per person aged 15 years and older show UK 10.8 L and USA 9.6L. I'm sure once you factor in the legal age for alcohol consumption is 18 in the UK and mostly 21 in the US the figures are more or less the same. Just saying.
Thank you for clarifying - now it makes sense. It must make it quicker for you to get back to North Wales.
Depends which terminal you are departing T2 is do much better and I feel is no issue, T1 isn’t the same and as for the mini T3 🙁
Wonder how many Ryanair pax they'll get ? .... At least they don't discriminate in airlines as evidenced by the video ... but what an amusing combo that would be ...
I think it will be okay until it is overcrowded. Then the price may go up or the benefits may drop. It is interesting the arrival service is the same cost as if you are departing with no bags, but the offerings are much less.
Nothing amusing, or unusual, about paying a premium for a direct flight. In fact, if you have a couple of bags to check in, Ryanair can work out more expensive than a business class fare on Lufthansa.
You refer to 'the terminal' at Manchester but there are three, with one (T2) a good distance from T1/3 which are virtually joined.