Emirates Unveils £10m Premium Lounge at Manchester T2 2026

Key Points

• The Emirates Signature Lounge is now open at the Manchester Airport Terminal 2, marking the first UK installation of the £10 million Emirates Signature Lounge product.
• The 740 sq m space can hold up to 162 people and boasts more than 50 design elements across various zones.
• There is direct boarding from the lounge to the aircraft for customers, making Emirates the only carrier at Manchester Airport to provide such a feature.
• The lounge has a ‘Made in Manchester’ menu with local produce and interactive cooking counters.
• Free entry is provided to First Class, Business Class, and Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold customers while entry starts at £95 for Skywards members.
• Other amenities include enhanced showers with VOYA toiletries, a Quiet Zone, privacy areas, prayer rooms, and charge points at every seat.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 29, 2026 – Emirates has officially opened its £10 million lounge at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, marking the first introduction of the airline’s latest signature lounge concept in the United Kingdom. The 740 square metre facility, which can accommodate up to 162 customers, represents a significant investment in the north of England and elevates the pre-flight experience for premium passengers travelling on Emirates’ three daily services between Manchester and Dubai. As reported by Mohammad Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President of Airport Services at Emirates, in the airline’s media briefing, “Manchester is an important gateway in our global network, and the scale of our investment here reflects our long-term commitment to the region.”

The new lounge replaces the temporary arrangements that saw eligible Emirates passengers using the 1903 Lounge (later rebranded as The Executive Lounge) following the closure of Terminal 1 as part of Manchester Airport’s £1.5 billion redevelopment programme.

How does the new Emirates lounge design enhance the passenger experience?

The Emirates Lounge at Manchester Airport features more than 50 design enhancements and is artfully arranged into dedicated zones for relaxation, work, socialising and dining. Close attention has been paid to every element, from Italian eco-leather seating with wireless charging and universal power access at every seat, to herringbone floors and a signature Emirates scent comprising bergamot, citrus, jasmine and soft wood. On the walls, guests can enjoy an artefact display honouring international artists and Emirati culture, while Emirates’ signature Rolex clocks display global time zones. The lounge comprises two expansive rooms with plenty of seating options, in addition to private areas, creating a serene escape from the bustling terminal outside. Additional facilities include upgraded shower suites with VOYA toiletries, a Quiet Zone featuring soft lighting and sleep amenities, private spaces and prayer rooms. When it comes to boarding, customers can enjoy a seamless experience, as Emirates is the only airline at Manchester Airport to offer direct boarding from the lounge to the aircraft, eliminating the need to re-enter security.

What dining options are available in the Emirates Manchester lounge?

At the heart of the lounge, drinks and dining all included as part of lounge access have been reimagined around culinary theatre and live cooking. An open show kitchen serves freshly prepared à la minute dishes, while a barista bar serves expertly crafted coffee, finished with cocoa-dusted designs including the iconic Manchester bee and Emirates emblem. A dedicated mixologist serves locally inspired cocktails and mocktails, including the signature Made in Manchester, combining Vimto Summer, grenadine, lemonade and fresh strawberry. A Made in Manchester food menu spotlights local flavours and suppliers, with dishes including Fleetwood marinated king prawns, oven-baked Fleetwood sea bream and Wigan meat and potato pie.

Other regional specialities include Shetland kippers with crumpets and poached egg, Lancashire smoked trout and Cheshire cheeses. The curated Made in Manchester menu is served alongside a substantial international menu, with dishes from all cuisines to suit every palette, complemented by Emirates’ curated selection of wines, beers, spirits and Moët & Chandon Champagne.

Who can access the Emirates lounge and what are the costs?

Located in Terminal 2, the lounge is open up to four hours before flight departures and is available on a complimentary basis 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. Gold members may bring one complimentary guest (adult or child), while Platinum members can bring one adult and two children under 17 years. Emirates customers who do not fall into one of these categories can also purchase lounge access on arrival. For other Emirates travelers, lounge access comes at a price: $155 (£117) for non-members and $125 (£95) for members of Emirates Skywards, excluding taxes. The lounge is reserved exclusively for Emirates passengers, in contrast to other lounges at Manchester Airport where travelers can purchase access regardless of airline.

What have airport and airline officials said about the lounge opening?

Mohammad Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President, Airport Services at Emirates said:

“Manchester is an important gateway in our global network, and the scale of our investment here reflects our long-term commitment to the region. Our new signature lounge concept raises the bar for premium airport lounges, bringing together the hospitality, innovation and attention to detail that define the Emirates experience at every stage of the journey.”

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.”

Turner added:

“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.”

Background of the development

Emirates’ new signature lounge concept is being introduced across key cities globally this year, including Munich, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul. The Manchester facility is the first location in the UK to welcome this elevated design, which draws inspiration from the elegant palette of Emirates’ cabin interiors and the flagship lounges of Dubai. Previously, Emirates operated a lounge in the now-closed Terminal 1, which was shut down as part of the airport’s £1.5 billion redevelopment initiative.

The airline’s services were relocated to the revamped Terminal 2 in November 2025, and eligible passengers had been using the 1903 Lounge (later rebranded as The Executive Lounge) pending the opening of the dedicated Emirates facility. The lounge occupies a prime position near C Gates in Terminal 2’s expanded pier, accessible via lift or stairs from the main concourse, and supports Emirates’ three daily Manchester flights operating from 6:15am to 9:20pm.

Prediction: How this development can affect premium travellers and the regional aviation market

The opening of Emirates’ £10 million lounge at Manchester Airport is likely to strengthen the airport’s position as a premium hub for long-haul travel from the north of England, potentially attracting more high-yield passengers who value enhanced pre-flight experiences. For premium travellers, particularly those flying First Class, Business Class, or holding Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold status, the lounge provides a significant upgrade in comfort, dining quality, and convenience through direct boarding, which could increase loyalty to Emirates on the Manchester-Dubai route. The ‘Made in Manchester’ dining concept and emphasis on local suppliers may also resonate with regional travellers who value representation of northern cuisine and culture, potentially improving brand perception among business and leisure passengers alike.

From a competitive standpoint, the lounge sets a new benchmark for premium airport facilities at Manchester Airport, which may prompt other airlines and lounge operators to enhance their own offerings to remain competitive in the premium segment. Given that Emirates operates three daily services on the Airbus A380 from Manchester, the 162-seat capacity should adequately serve current demand, though peak-period congestion could emerge if flight frequencies increase in future years. For the wider regional economy, the investment underscores Manchester’s growing status as an international gateway, potentially supporting tourism, business travel, and ancillary spending in the airport vicinity.