MAN Terminal 2 - how bad is it?
 

I've not flown in or out of MAN since the glory days of BD long haul. Departing KL, Terminal 2, Business class, 11am a couple of days before Easter. How awful is this going to be? Is 2 hours sufficient time to turn up, drop bags and make it through security? Not worried about lounge time, just want a drama free departure....

You don't say at what time of day you're travelling, but two hours should be plenty. T2 security is much improved on what was there before, the new scanners are a lot better, and if you don't get fast track with KL business class then you can pre-book a security slot for a small fee.

The main thing to watch out for is the queue of traffic to get into the car park or drop-off at T2, especially if you're flying early. The queues back up quickly and it'll be the start of the school holidays.

It's 11am, and I'm on the train from city centre so sounds like it should be fine to arrive at 9. thanks! :tu:

I used to hate Manchester, but recent experiences are vastly improved, even thd security staff seem more relaxed.

In business, yes. Flew T2 in January and the lines were insanely long. Last time it was T3, same airline, so I wasn't sure what to do. Once more, the MAN staff told me to get in the long line, even for business. I was trying to mind the queue. Thankfully I began wondering after 30 minutes of not moving. There was, indeed, a business class line, obscured by the chaos. I made it with a bit of time to spare--no lounge time, which was fine. I'd been away weeks so had bags. The hard sided bag made it. The soft sided ones loved England too much. They took 3-5 days, respectively. It's always an adventure at MAN! May the odds ever be in your favour!

There are many words one might use to describe MAN. "Adventure" is not one of them. For me, the odds were NEVER in my favor. I refuse to fly out of MAN anymore.

Can't say I blame you one bit. I won't fly out with checked bags again after the nightmare that was my return trip this past time; my mistake for giving it another chance. I will probably do HBO if it's a quick jaunt (I spend weeks to months at a time there. This summer I am planning a week's holiday to Southern Europe from Manchester, so I may from from there HBO, in the interest of time, cautiously...). I will arrive to MAN with checked bags, if necessary for time's sake.
Shame really because I love the city and the people. It's like some odd fog comes over the airport. I simply don't understand it.

There is a long thread in the BA forum you might find of more use. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...er-2025-a.html

T2's fine. Security is fast, with fast track if you need it, and there's plenty of amenities* if you need to kill time. If using a Priority Pass, lounge access can be a bit hit and miss, though new airline lounges are coming, which will hopefully take some of the strain.

* For food and drinks, it comfortably beats some of Europe's largest hubs.

Indeed - but you still get people complaining, even though they've not been there for years. It takes a lot to get a reputation back.

Sat in the Escape lounge right now. My take.

The physical environment of the terminal is impressive. Smart, modern, bright and pretty well laid out. Lots of eating and shopping options. KL check in was woefully slow but that's airline not airport I think, and the staff were super friendly. For a pay to enter effort the Escape lounge is decently catered and plenty of staff to keep things clean and tidy. The walk from the train station is painful and no luggage trolleys, but overall I rate it.

However, security.... 22 mins from joining the queue for the BP check scanner to bags re-packed. and I avoided secondary bag search. That would have added another 5+ to the wait time. It's Easter, but also the Gulf airlines are running a reduced schedule and the terminal doesn't feel especially busy as one of the security checkpoints is closed entirely. So, really poor IMO. I managed Paddington to BA's Galleries First in 27 minutes last week!

* merging Fastrack and the regular line to one scanner is a bad idea, and wasn't at all well managed
* families are in the regular line so you have a sub optimal blend of people needing lots of of time and people who have paid for a premium service
* the staff are arrogant, indifferent to passengers needs, wholly unprofessional in their work. Every bit as bad at the stories I have heard. A group of 4 standing around singing and chatting while the lines grow ever longer and a supervisor does nothing to step things up.
* a 10% bag rejection rate for secondary. And missing their passenger/hour target by 40%.

I don't understand how MAN can be so poor, and yet Gatwick less than 250 miles away and operating under the same regualatory regime and handling 30% more passengers is consistently fast, friendly and efficient.

Great hardware, poor software in summary. All fur coat and no knickers if feeling uncharitable. ;)

PS I thought the Great Northern market/food hall concept en route to the D gates a brilliant idea. I really hope it works!

Although MAN T2 security has new scanners, it has not lifted the 100ml liquid restriction. Is this likely to happen, and if so, is there an estimated time scale?

It's worrying that the security seems to be slipping back to what it was like in the T1 days (assuming this wasn't a one-off). The great thing about T2 so far has been absolutely no queues... but I've not been through it since the T1 & T3 airlines moved in (I was fortunately using Aether on my recent trip).

I will say that last Friday, it was pleasant enough, so hopefully just a bad day. I am worried about the summer though. The terminal has felt pretty busy all the way through the winter . It's felt a bit busier since the summer timetable kicked in and the period where Jet2 steps things up from the May bank holiday will be... interesting.