Emirates Opens New Lounge in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport (MAN)
Key Takeaways
- Emirates opens a new £10 million lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, in the new C-gates area (across from Gate C9).
- Eligible passengers departing from the applicable C gates can board directly from the lounge, one of the facility's more notable features.
- The lounge introduces Emirates’ new design concept to the UK, a live kitchen, Manchester-inspired dishes, showers, a prayer room, quiet areas and work spaces.
Emirates has opened a brand-new lounge at the Manchester International Airport (MAN) in northwest England. Emirates officially opened its new lounge on September 24, 2026, and is located in the new C gates area of Terminal 2, across from Gate C9. The new £10 million lounge incorporates "50 design enhancements" and local art adding to the overall elegance of this location.
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:
We're proud to connect passengers from across the North with the world, providing them with a best-in-class experience when they travel through our airport, and flying the flag for our region.Emirates shares those values with us and this new lounge is testament to that, with its luxurious design, innovative features like direct boarding, and its Manchester-inspired menu showcasing local cuisine and suppliers. It's exciting to see it open, and with our £1.5bn transformation of Terminal 2 now all but complete, Emirates passengers can expect a world-class experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they board.
Emirates in Manchester
Emirates previously had a lounge in the old Terminal 1 building, which closed on November 17, 2025, when Emirates moved to Terminal 2. Emirates passengers were given access to the The Executive Lounge (previously known as the 1903 Lounge) while while this new Emirates lounge was being built.
Emirates currently operates 3 flights daily from Manchester (MAN) to Dubai (DXB), with two of the three daily flights currently scheduled with A380s, although aircraft assignments can vary by date. The lounge is open approximately 4 hours prior to scheduled departure times and closes between operations, so currently the lounge is open from 06:15 to 09:50, 10:05 to 14:05, and 17:20 to 21:20 daily (although I would be surprised if it were closed during the 9:50 to 10:05 gap).
Dining and Beverages
There is a full buffet, snacks, and dessert area offering various items, including local "Made in Manchester" foods as well as Middle Eastern dishes and other food options prepared Halal. Sample dishes include Fleetwood marinated king prawns, oven-baked Fleetwood sea bream, and other regional specialties including Shetland kippers with crumpets and poached eggs, Lancashire smoked trout, and Cheshire cheeses. The lounge offers some British classics such as fish and chips and Wigan meat pies.
What is a Wigan pie? I had to do some research since I had not heard of this, but after researching, I am more interested in trying one. Wigan is a town located about 30 miles northwest of Manchester airport and they take their pies seriously. They are known for small "handheld" meat pies that are prepared with various fillings, such as potatoes or peas with a flaky crust.
There is a full-service barista who can prepare various espresso beverages, teas, and other beverages. They offer a stocked bar offering cocktails and mocktails for those to enjoy while in the lounge. There is also a self-serve espresso machine, canned beverages, and a dedicated champagne and wine area.
Decor and Amenities
The lounge features a contemporary interior, integrated technology including wireless tabletop charging and Wi-Fi and many upscale comforts. Emirates has incorporated modern style with natural woods and outdoor lighting provided by floor-to-ceiling windows. There are restrooms, showers, and a dedicated prayer room with an ablution station. In the dining room there are Rolex clocks on the wall showing times in 5 major cities.
The lounge also provides a direct-to-gate boarding feature from the lounge to the plane for customers departing from gates C8 and C10, which is a rare but awesome amenity for this lounge.
In the main seating area there are comfortable chairs with side tables, TVs, and magazines. For those wanting some peace and quiet, there is a dedicated quiet zone and private meeting rooms.
Access
Emirates First Class and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, including those traveling in Premium Economy and Economy Class, receive complimentary access to the lounges. Emirates customers who do not fall into one of these categories can also purchase lounge access on arrival.
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Closing Thoughts
There are currently 5 lounges in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport, including lounges operated by Aspire and Escape Lounges. The new Emirates lounge brings a substantially upgraded premium experience to Terminal 2 with local dining, modern amenities, and direct aircraft boarding.