Aether: A Private Terminal Open to All
Aether is Manchester Airport’s private terminal near the Runway Visitor Park. and it’s pretty different from what you’d expect. Any passenger can use it, no matter which airline you’re flying or what kind of ticket you have. For £99, you get access to your own departure area with separate check-in, security, and lounge.
It’s a nice space with leather chairs, light wood, and big windows looking out at the planes. The whole setup is designed to be relaxing, and the staff take care of the details so you don’t have to think about them. It definitely beats the usual airport routine.
Pricing and What’s Included
Aether keeps things simple with two packages:
- Entry package (£99): Private check-in, your own security line, lounge access, BMW ride to your plane.
- Inclusive package (£179-£199): All of the above plus a proper meal from Manchester chef Adam Reid, full bar, and priority clearance.
When you think about it, the pricing isn’t crazy. Two people can easily blow £150 on airport food and drinks without getting much for their money. At Aether, everything is included in a flat price, making it less of a splurge and more of a practical upgrade.
Who Books Aether?
People book Aether when they want their trip to start great. Groups celebrating birthdays or planning girls’ weekends meet up here to kick things off properly. Families use it to take the pressure out of travelling with children, while couples choose it for honeymoons or anniversaries. Business travelers choose it too, especially when they need to arrive somewhere feeling calm rather than frazzled.
It tends to appeal to people who fly a few times a year but want certain trips to be extra well-managed. It doesn’t require the outlay of first-class seats or a private charter, yet it borrows many of the same ideas: dedicated service, a separate terminal, and direct transfer to the plane. For the cost of a meal out or a hotel upgrade, you can add an extra layer of comfort.
The Atmosphere
The lounge is bright and peaceful, with those big windows where you can watch planes taking off and landing. The staff are helpful without being pushy; they’ll keep track of your flight times and let you know when you need to head to the gate. You can actually relax instead of constantly checking the departure board. Everything moves at a comfortable pace rather than the usual airport rush. It’s designed to slow down the start of travel rather than speed it up.
The process shares many touches with private jet travel: separate terminal, calm setting, and personal transfer. You get dedicated attention and skip the usual boarding process for about what you’d spend on a nice dinner. It sits somewhere between standard airline lounges and full private charters.
Obviously, it’s not the same as having your own jet, but it gives regular travelers a hint of what that lifestyle feels like without the massive cost.
Practical Details
You can drive or take a taxi to Aether, and they have valet parking if you need it. You can arrive up to three hours before your flight if you want to make the most of the service.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- If you’re checking bags, you need to be flying with one of their partner airlines, such as Emirates, British Airways, or Cathay Pacific
- Hand luggage works with pretty much any airline
- They’ll drive you right to your plane in a BMW when it’s time to board
A Common-Sense Luxury
Aether is good for trips you want to remember fondly from the very beginning. Special occasions, important work travel, or just flights where starting off relaxed matters more than saving a bit of money.
You show up, hand over your luggage, have a decent meal, and get driven to your plane when it’s time. It turns the departure process into something you might actually enjoy rather than something to get through. For people who don’t fly constantly but want certain journeys to feel special, it fills a nice gap between regular airport experiences and private jets.
