Is Manchester airport the worst in Europe?

paulchapo said:
Ha ha!! I have taken a couple of holidays in this country recently due to my sister and her husband booking places over here for family occasions. Aside from enjoying spending time with the family I have found them all pretty awful. If we hire a lodge it isn't too bad, aside from the price, but hotels and guest houses are still pretty grim. Also most pubs and restaurants in the vicinity are poor, both in service and price. Parts of Cornwall are nice scenery wise but bloody miles away.

I know a lot of people holiday in this country because as they age their travel insurance may go through the roof, or they can't handle the stress of airports. It's certainly not cheaper. I can hire a one bedroom apartment in Tenerife for 50 Euros a night. I'd be extremely lucky to find a grotty B+B in the back streets of Blackpool for that.

Horses for courses though, if people like holidaying here good on them. I can't wait to get on a plane out of here.
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When we go away for a few days (We don't like leaving the Cat for too long because I am a soft mard arse where he is concerned) we always stay in a Travelodge, £29 a night and an all you can eat brekkie for a tenner.

The comfort of consistency with different surroundings when you get outside, we're looking at maybe venturing up to the Shetland islands next year but that'll be about as far as we would go mate.
 
Manchester airport should be making HUGE profits. Too many people pass through it and are processed like cattle. Not enough staff/lanes at security, staff shouting at people over and over about what should and shouldn't be in plastic bags. The food places are over-priced and produce shit, especially hot food that's served cold. Parking chagres are scandalous (taxis should be exempt), I can't think of one thing good about it. We were in Porto last week and passing through the airport on the way home was a pleasure in comparison. I wish people would vote with their wallets and don't buy ANYTHING in there, but in general British people just seem to accept crap.
 
mexico1970 said:
When we go away for a few days (We don't like leaving the Cat for too long because I am a soft mard arse where he is concerned) we always stay in a Travelodge, £29 a night and an all you can eat brekkie for a tenner.

The comfort of consistency with different surroundings when you get outside, we're looking at maybe venturing up to the Shetland islands next year but that'll be about as far as we would go mate.
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If you cop one at that price it's a bargain for sure. They are always usually clean and secure. I've stayed in the one at Wembley a few times. Never that cheap though but it was cup final weekend.
 
Really_here said:
Manchester airport should be making HUGE profits. Too many people pass through it and are processed like cattle. Not enough staff/lanes at security, staff shouting at people over and over about what should and shouldn't be in plastic bags. The food places are over-priced and produce shit, especially hot food that's served cold. Parking chagres are scandalous (taxis should be exempt), I can't think of one thing good about it. We were in Porto last week and passing through the airport on the way home was a pleasure in comparison. I wish people would vote with their wallets and don't buy ANYTHING in there, but in general British people just seem to accept crap.
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People go into holiday mode. They might only go away once a year so suck up the exorbitant prices in the airport and on the aircraft with the mentality of "I'm on holiday!" I get it, you can't take it with you. I think the bloody covid lockdowns created a huge shift in people's attitude and behaviour too. After having the freedom to go wherever they wanted all their lives, to have it suddenly taken away kind of panicked them. People are going well over the top in drinking and behaviour now, even more than the normal letting go due to being on holiday.
 
paulchapo said:
People go into holiday mode. They might only go away once a year so suck up the exorbitant prices in the airport and on the aircraft with the mentality of "I'm on holiday!" I get it, you can't take it with you. I think the bloody covid lockdowns created a huge shift in people's attitude and behaviour too. After having the freedom to go wherever they wanted all their lives, to have it suddenly taken away kind of panicked them. People are going well over the top in drinking and behaviour now, even more than the normal letting go due to being on holiday.
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I'm always staggered how many people are sat drinking beers as soon as they get in the aiport. We were there around 5:30 am and lots of people knocking back pints, it's almost as if they cant't possibly enjoy themselves unless alcohol is involved. It's a bit sad and seems to be just a British thing.
 
Really_here said:
I'm always staggered how many people are sat drinking beers as soon as they get in the aiport. We were there around 5:30 am and lots of people knocking back pints, it's almost as if they cant't possibly enjoy themselves unless alcohol is involved. It's a bit sad and seems to be just a British thing.
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Germans quite literally say hold my beer :)
 
Really_here said:
Manchester airport should be making HUGE profits. Too many people pass through it and are processed like cattle. Not enough staff/lanes at security, staff shouting at people over and over about what should and shouldn't be in plastic bags. The food places are over-priced and produce shit, especially hot food that's served cold. Parking chagres are scandalous (taxis should be exempt), I can't think of one thing good about it. We were in Porto last week and passing through the airport on the way home was a pleasure in comparison. I wish people would vote with their wallets and don't buy ANYTHING in there, but in general British people just seem to accept crap.
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Manchester Airport is owned by the 10 Greater Manchester Authorities and operated by the Manchester Airport Group.
Essentially its a Council bin yard run by a corporate focused on maximising profits.
 
Really_here said:
I'm always staggered how many people are sat drinking beers as soon as they get in the aiport. We were there around 5:30 am and lots of people knocking back pints, it's almost as if they cant't possibly enjoy themselves unless alcohol is involved. It's a bit sad and seems to be just a British thing.
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It's crazy. I was once unfortunate to cop an early flight to Tenerife which was full of northern soul fans from Leigh and Wigan going to their annual convention in Vivos nightclub. An awful experience to say the least.
 
paulchapo said:
It's crazy. I was once unfortunate to cop an early flight to Tenerife which was full of northern soul fans from Leigh and Wigan going to their annual convention in Vivos nightclub. An awful experience to say the least.
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Were they popping leapers and chucking talcum powder all over the aisle?
 
City Hobgoblin said:
Were they popping leapers and chucking talcum powder all over the aisle?
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They were all in their mid fifties upwards and the majority pissed even on a 7am flight. The event is usually held sometimes in early November so it's one to check dates for and ensure you don't fly to Tenerife during that period.
 
paulchapo said:
They were all in their mid fifties upwards and the majority pissed even on a 7am flight. The event is usually held sometimes in early November so it's one to check dates for and ensure you don't fly to Tenerife during that period.
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Pissed at 7am says it all. I think it would be a great idea if they didn't sell alcohlic drinks in airports at all. Will never happen because it generates so much income but think how much more pleasant the whole flying experience would be. I flew to New York once around 9am IIRC and ended up sat on my own in the middle row surrounded by a bunch of 50something women who were pissed and loud when they got on and started drinking again as soon as they could and just got louder. A wonderful stewardess asked me if I'd like to move to an empty seat at the rear of the plane? Errr yes please, I was so grateful!
 
Really_here said:
I'm always staggered how many people are sat drinking beers as soon as they get in the aiport. We were there around 5:30 am and lots of people knocking back pints, it's almost as if they cant't possibly enjoy themselves unless alcohol is involved. It's a bit sad and seems to be just a British thing.
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For me having a pre-flight pint or two is tradition, even at 5.30am with Breakfast. It signals the start of the holiday for me.

However I limit it to 2-3 at most, but you do see some right sights of people half cut when staggering onto a flight and worse, them being allowed on.

Reminds me of our annual Wembley trip, you alwas see someone slumped asleep in their seat during the match having got on it on the journey down.
 
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dickie davies said:
By the end of this week, almost 100 flights will have been moved from T1 & T3 to terminal 2, which is around 20,000 passengers
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We flew out of Terminal 1 with Jet2 last week and came back into Terminal 2. Wasn't that busy and baggage reclaim was very quick but it's a hell of a walk from the gate to immigration. It's HUGE.
 
Really_here said:
We flew out of Terminal 1 with Jet2 last week and came back into Terminal 2. Wasn't that busy and baggage reclaim was very quick but it's a hell of a walk from the gate to immigration. It's HUGE.
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God yes! I flew into the that new part a couple of years ago. I remember passing countless signs telling you how much further it was to go until you reached immigration. I'm still fairly fit for my age and a fast walker but I found it tough. I overtook quite a few on the walk and was indeed the first one to arrive, a good three or four minutes before everyone else. For lesser bodied people it must be a real ordeal.
 
Really_here said:
Pissed at 7am says it all. I think it would be a great idea if they didn't sell alcohlic drinks in airports at all. Will never happen because it generates so much income but think how much more pleasant the whole flying experience would be. I flew to New York once around 9am IIRC and ended up sat on my own in the middle row surrounded by a bunch of 50something women who were pissed and loud when they got on and started drinking again as soon as they could and just got louder. A wonderful stewardess asked me if I'd like to move to an empty seat at the rear of the plane? Errr yes please, I was so grateful!
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I copped a Thursday afternoon flight once full of stag and hen parties. People vaping, passing bags of coke around and obviously pissed, it was a fucking nightmare.
 
paulchapo said:
I copped a Thursday afternoon flight once full of stag and hen parties. People vaping, passing bags of coke around and obviously pissed, it was a fucking nightmare.
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Lucky bastard ;-)

Passed through T1 this morning, absolute breeze. Actually enjoyed being there for once!
 
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