Manchester Airport is getting the builders in again, and this time, it’s Terminal 3’s turn for a multimillion-pound facelift. Think less tired carpet tiles and queue mazes, more airy spaces, fancy honeycomb lighting, and a bar big enough to fit the whole of Stockport.
In This Post
What’s Happening?
With Terminal 1 on death row (closure due later this year), Manchester Airport is doubling down on its Terminal 2 transformation according to the Manchester evening news, and now turning its attention to revamping Terminal 3, the often-forgotten cousin, mainly handling domestic and short-haul flights.
Key moves:
- The old Terminal 1 entrance? That’s becoming T3’s shiny new front door.
- Parts of Terminal 1 will be absorbed into T3 lin in a good way, ike a structural Frankenstein’s monster
- A 500-seat bar with airfield views is coming, perfect for spotting EZY A320s while pretending your flight to Belfast is a tropical getaway.
What’s Actually Being Upgraded?
Here’s what passengers can look forward to once the dust settles:
| Upgrade | Details |
|---|---|
| New Entrance | Bigger, better, easier access — goodbye confusion, hello flow |
| New Security | Upgraded tech for faster checks (yes, we’ll believe it when we see it) |
| Departure Lounge | 40% more seats — finally somewhere to sit that isn’t the floor |
| Airside Bar | 500 seats with runway views — cheers to that |
| Dining Hall | 200 extra seats for your overpriced burrito |
| Shops & Food | More places to buy a Pret and a novelty magnet |
| Arrivals Revamp | Extra landside facilities for post-flight faffing |
It’s all wrapped in a sleeker, more modern aesthetic, think T2 vibes, complete with honeycomb lighting that nods to Manchester’s iconic worker bee.
Timeline & Progress
- Work has already begun, with completion targeted for next year.
- Once the upgraded T2 is fully open later in 2025, Terminal 1 will shut for good.
- The long-awaited Sydney Avenue road revamp is also underway to ease vehicle traffic near T2.
- New taxiway trials? Done and dusted, clearing space for more aircraft and smoother ops.
From the Boss’s Mouth
Chris Woodroofe, the airport’s MD, summed it up like this:
“We’re proud to connect the North to the world, and we want to do it with bars, shops, and tech that wouldn’t look out of place in a European capital.”
In other words, fewer grey walls mean more global swagger.
Why It Matters
Manchester is edging closer to becoming a proper two-terminal airport, with over 70% of passengers expected to funnel through the all-new T2. This T3 makeover ensures the remaining share isn’t left behind in an airport time warp.
And for av-geeks? That new bar with apron views might be the next best thing to an Emirates lounge day pass.
Final Approach
This isn’t just cosmetic, it’s structural, strategic, and long overdue. T3 is stepping out of T2’s shadow with better food, flow, and vibes. Whether you’re jetting off to Jersey or bouncing to Belfast, things are about to look up.
Keep reading.
