Lounge in Manchester
 

I will make my first trip to Manchester in a few days, I'm a very regular visitor to LHR, but MAN is a completely new airport to me.

*It looks like SAS uses terminal 1 at MAN, does anyone know which lounge to use? What's it like?
*Although the SAS webpage doesn't mention anything about it, is there a fast-track for C/EBG?
*Finally, I looked at the MAN webpage and it seems like terminal 1 and terminal 3 are connected.
BMI flies out of terminal 3 and there is a diamond club lounge there, is it possible to trek over to the BMI lounge airside without too much trouble?

Maybe I am mixing it up with Glasgow (used to travel on BD from both) but I recall you can make a short walk airside between T3 and T1.
Maybe you should post your question on the BD forum?

Can't tell you about the lounge SAS uses at MAN, but there is indeed a fast track for C-class passengers on SAS - at it's very good if you can use it. I wasn't flying in C and had to stand in line for 45 minutes to pass through security...

I have been in that lounge a few times. A decent lounge with TV (of course showing soccer these days) with a fair selection of drinks and snacks. Nothing out of the ordinary but with a good view over the tarmac.
Location is up the stairs on the left side after passing security.

The Servisair lounge is your (very) regular lounge, nothing out of the ordinary. Compared to the SAS lounge in LHR it's NOT very good.

If you do get to the BMI lounge, I'd be interested in hearing what that's like.

/Kristoffer

The BMI lounge is right next door to the SAS contract lounge. If you are flying BMI, you can get in to that lounge. If not, forget it. Believe me, I have tried. Way better than the contract lounge. Sandwiches, free internet, great drink selections. They also come and get you and escort you to the plane if you are on BMI long haul regardless of class.

Thanks for the replies!

I've been to Manchester now, and here is a short review of my experience as EBG.

*Check-in: Four desks, one for C/EBG (that's basically the same amount of check-in desks as LHR which has significantly more SAS flights).
Check-in was handled by Servisair, almost no wait, polite and efficient service.

*Fast track: Yes!! :) Got a green sticker on my BP at check-in which entitled me to use the fast track (as EBG flying economy).
Very appreciated even though the lines were rather short anyway.

*Lounge: SAS uses a contract lounge called Wilmslow lounge run by Servisair.
Quite a decent lounge IMO, definitely among the better contract lounges I've been to. Very nicely decorated with modern furniture (similar design as BA terraces) and a fantastic view of the apron.
Very good selection of drinks as well but only the usual snacks to eat.
Boarding announcements were made in the lounge.

*Boarding: By section from the back, no mention of priority boarding (although I don't think it would have been a problem to board early).

I asked about access to the BMI lounge in the BMI forum but was told it is not possible to access it from terminal 1 unless taking a transfer bus (which is available for transfer passengers, not lounge hoppers).
I had a look around but didn't see any signs for either the lounge or terminal 3.

Also stayed a night at the Radisson SAS hotel at Manchester airport and was duly upgraded to a business class room.
Really nice hotel connected to terminal 1 and terminal 2 through a covered walkway.
If you have heavy luggage you can pretty much push a trolley all the way from your room to the check-in desk without ever having to go outdoors or use any stairs.
The top floors have a great view of the terminals and the apron (if you get a room on the right side).