Review: Security Fast Track & Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport, T2

This weekend, I am jetting off on my travels to Pathos from my local airport (and naturally, favourite in the UK), Manchester Airport. Planning and packing for Saturday has reminded me that I didn’t get to tell you all about my recent trip to Boston, MA, as, well, things have been a little bit crazy over the past two months. Sadly, you might have seen that my Grandma passed away at the end of August and actually, only 48 hours before I had my flights booked to Boston. Both great and awful timing as always from our stubborn Grandma! As a result, I’ve not shared any pictures of my bittersweet trip yet, but what better way than to start at the beginning, with my departure from Manchester Airport.

Security Fast Track Pass

For my trip, I had been kindly gifted a security fast track pass and entry into Manchester Airport’s Escape Lounge at Terminal 2. As I was flying to the USA on my own, I had to admit I was a little nervous and with everything going on the past few days I really hadn’t had any time to plan, well, anything! I shoved my clothes and toiletries in my suitcase and found myself swept off to the airport in what felt like a whirlwind. I have only been from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport once before when flying to New York, so I am really not as familiar with the terminal as I am with T1 or T3.

However, I needn’t have worried. Upon arrival at Manchester Airport, I checked my suitcase in with Virgin Flights and walked across to security with my hand luggage as I would usually do. There, I produced a QR code with allowed me to get access to a Fast Track queue and I bypassed the whole of the busy waiting line to get straight to the front of security. I was travelling at the end of August – peak summer holiday season – and I can’t tell you how much of a blessing this was! At any time, it would have been amazing, but especially when I was feeling a little more emotional than usual it was actually very reassuring to speed past crowds of other passengers and get the security checks out of the way; a part that I admit does always make me nervous no matter how many times I do it!

Security Fast Track Passes can be bought in advance of travel or, if you pre-order an item from Duty-Free online to collect before you try, I believe you even get one of these free. Honestly, it is SO worth it and I would absolutely not hesitate to repeat this service again. Not only does it cut down on waiting time, but it just makes the start of your journey so much more stress-free, and for that alone it is a Godsend.

Entry to Manchester Airport Terminal 2 Escape Lounge

As soon as I got through security, I headed through World Duty Free at Manchester Airport (I can never resist a browse through the beauty selection which always has amazing duty free bargains on makeup and skincare), and straight to the lounge area. There was a selection of different lounges to choose from depending on your purchase, and you can either prebook buy your access to the Escape Lounge ahead of time online (from £25 per person) or on the day (for slightly more at £30).

I had mine all sorted in advance so when I arrived at the desk two hours before my flight boarded, I was served by the most welcoming team who took my name and found my booking quickly and swiftly showed me around the lounge. They gave me a choice of areas to sit in and as I was on my own, recommended a lovely big armchair with its own laptop table and plug socket – perfect for getting a spot of blogging done before my flight!

The rest of the lounge has a choice of different tables and chairs, from dining table setups to desks to laid back chairs around coffee tables. This was definitely a much more relaxed experience than looking around for a seat with heavy hand luggage in tow!

Food and Snacks at Escape Lounge

 One of the main benefits of having access to the Escape Lounge is that you get access to unlimited food and drinks during your time there! Of course, this doesn’t mean we should go crazy (as tempting as it might feel), but it is actually a super affordable way to eat and drink at the airport before catching a flight.

The food offering at the Escape Lounge changes depending on what time of day (or night!) you visit. For me, I visited early afternoon before a 3.45pm flight, so the food on offer very much reflected that.

With main lunch options of hot meals of different types of pasta and sauces (vegetarian and meat) and sausage and mash, there were comfort food options to fill you up before your flight. These are all freshly cooked inhouse on the day.

Alongside the hot food, there was also a whole array of different side salad options, with different vegetables, proteins and garnishes. There were also cheese and biscuits, chutneys, loaves of bread and all sorts of different fresh sides to choose from.

For dessert, there was a selection of homemade biscuits and cakes, including mini muffins, chocolate brownies, granola and warm puddings.

All the food was served in buffet style, which suits the style of the lounge extremely well – meaning you can pick and take as much or as little as you fancy. The food area was also extremely clean and staff were constantly refreshing it and checking on it during my stay.

Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Drinks at the T2 Escape Lounge

You guys know I can’t resist a glass or two of prosecco, and luckily at the Escape Lounge, I didn’t have to!

In all honesty, this is probably the biggest selling point for me. The bar at the Escape Lounge is completely complimentary (excluding champagne, which is unnecessary as there is prosecco in abundance!) and includes a huge menu of red and white wine, beer, prosecco (obviously), spirits and even extra special treats such as Bailey’s and even a station to make your own Bloody Mary cocktails if you choose!

If you aren’t a drinker, you don’t miss out, as there’s such a huge selection of non-alcoholic drinks available too, including a fresh juice bar with a variety of different flavours, soft drinks and pops and herbal teas and coffees.

For me, the drinks is where I usually find my money being spent at the airport. Even just a glass of wine for you and a beer for your partner can get you up to £15+ and before your flight, you’re likely to want one or two. For pretty much the same amount, perhaps a couple of quid more, you get this whole luxury experience that creates a much more enjoyable start to your holiday.

Is the Escape Lounge worth it?

In my opinion, the Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport T2 is absolutely worth it! Starting from just £25, this is easily the cost of a main meal and a drink at one of the restaurants in the terminal – apart from here you get the chance to indulge as much or as little as you like, in whatever you like, all alongside free WIFI and comfortable seating. You are able to use this up to three hours before your flight, meaning you can take full advantage of the lounge’s services.

We all know that the airport experience is often pretty pricey and slightly stressful and using both the Security Fast Track Pass and Escape Lounge made the hours before my long-haul flight to America a million times more enjoyable., meaning I was able to sit back, have a glass of prosecco, do some blogging and waltz onto my flight ready for a relaxing holiday ahead.

[Gifted experience]