Emirates’ new £10mn Manchester Airport lounge brings live cooking and direct boarding
First and Business Class travellers can access the lounge before departure
DUBAI/MANCHESTER – Emirates has opened its new £10 million lounge at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, marking the first UK location for the airline’s latest signature lounge concept.
The newly launched facility introduces more than 50 design enhancements alongside live cooking, locally inspired dining, dedicated relaxation areas and integrated technology. Emirates customers can also board their aircraft directly from the lounge, creating a dedicated link between the premium space and the aircraft.
The investment brings together contemporary interiors and Manchester-inspired touches with facilities designed around dining, relaxation, productivity and socialising. Emirates said the new lounge reflects its long-term commitment to the region, where it currently operates three daily services between Manchester and Dubai.
Signature design
The Emirates Lounge has been arranged into dedicated zones for different stages of the pre-flight experience, allowing customers to work, relax, dine or socialise within the space.
Design details include Italian eco-leather seating equipped with wireless charging and universal power access at every seat. Herringbone flooring, Emirates’ signature scent and Rolex clocks displaying different global time zones add further touches to the interior.
The lounge’s scent combines bergamot, citrus, jasmine and soft wood, while wall displays feature artefacts celebrating international artists and Emirati culture.
Facilities have also been upgraded to support customers looking for quieter spaces before their flights. Shower suites feature VOYA toiletries, while a Quiet Zone offers soft lighting and sleep amenities. Private spaces and prayer rooms are also available.
One of the lounge’s key features is its direct boarding facility. Emirates is the only airline at Manchester Airport to offer customers direct boarding from its lounge to the aircraft, allowing eligible passengers to move from the premium facility straight to their flight.
Manchester flavours
Food and drink have been given a prominent role in the new lounge, with a live culinary experience centred around an open show kitchen. Customers can order freshly prepared à la minute dishes, while a dedicated barista bar serves crafted coffee featuring cocoa-dusted designs, including the Manchester bee and Emirates emblem.
A dedicated mixologist prepares locally inspired cocktails and mocktails. The signature Made in Manchester drink combines Vimto Summer, grenadine, lemonade and fresh strawberry.
The dedicated food menu highlights regional ingredients and suppliers, with dishes including Fleetwood marinated king prawns, oven-baked Fleetwood sea bream and Wigan meat and potato pie. Other selections include Shetland kippers with crumpets and poached egg, Lancashire smoked trout and Cheshire cheeses.
The regional menu is served alongside an extensive international selection, offering dishes from a range of cuisines. Customers can also choose from Emirates’ selection of drinks.
Mohammad Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President, Airport Services at Emirates, said Manchester was an important gateway in the airline’s global network and that the investment reflected its long-term commitment to the region.
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said the new facility combines luxury design and direct boarding with a Manchester-inspired menu featuring local cuisine and suppliers. He also highlighted the wider £1.5 billion transformation of Terminal 2, which is now almost complete.
The Emirates Lounge is located in Terminal 2 and opens up to four hours before scheduled departures. Complimentary access is available to First Class and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, including those travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class.
Other Emirates customers can purchase lounge access on arrival, subject to availability. The airline currently operates three daily services between Manchester and Dubai.