Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has announced that it will be launching a brand new private terminal offering a seamless and elevated experience for airport travel. A UK first in aviation, the exclusive private terminal, known as aether, is aiming to “revolutionise the airport passenger journey”.
Set to launch this autumn, the private terminal at Manchester Airport will offer “an end to end service” completely away from the main airport terminal and includes check-in, security and private parking. Usually reserved for first and business class passengers, aether, created by CAVU (founded by MAG), will be open to all travellers at Manchester Airport as a purchasable service.
The private terminal will be accessible to all Manchester Airport passengers regardless of airline or class and is located towards the end of the airfield. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, aether boasts a curated menu by award-winning and renowned chef Adam Reid of The French at The Midland Hotel, panoramic runway views and dedicated staff attending to guests’ needs.
Described as a “sanctuary”, passengers can relax and unwind, knowing that every aspect of their journey is taken care of – there aren’t even any flight displays taking the stress away, with staff keeping you updated. The terminal also features a partnership with BMW who are supplying top of the range models including the all-electric BMW i7, the seven-seater BMW X7 and their latest luxury performance BMW XM, providing a premium chauffeur-driven service across the airfield straight to the plane.
Starting from £90 per person and as part of a tiered offering, there are two packages to choose from known as ‘Express’ and ‘Inclusive’. The ‘Express’ package is for those with just cabin bags and provides access to go straight through the private terminal and reach their gate with ease, with travellers only needing to arrive around 70 minutes before their flight.
The ‘Inclusive’ package, which range between £150 and £170 per person, is for those with either cabin or checked bags and can be used on either departure or arrival and allows guests to enjoy the full offering, including a curated menu, all food and drinks and even a private chauffer to their aircraft. Guests can also bring along non-travelling guests to enjoy the aether experience and wave them off before their flight, which is subject to availability and at an additional cost.
Suzanne Orr, General Manager of aether, said: “Our Private Terminal is a sanctuary, offering a thoughtfully designed, elevated experience away from the hustle and bustle of what you’d usually expect in an airport. We prioritise tranquillity and provide a seamless service to offer our guests an effortless start, or even end to their journey.
“What sets aether apart is its inclusivity; it’s accessible to all passengers, regardless of ticket class, and doesn’t require membership. This democratisation of premium airport services marks a significant shift in the industry, offering a reimagined airport experience to a much broader audience.”
The news comes as work on the expansion of Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport is underway. Upon completion in 2025, around 80% of all passengers will use the expanded Terminal 2, which will also boast 27 new shops, bars and restaurants, including a high-street style shopping area, a champagne bar and a food hall.
aether will offer reservations seven days a week with a limited capacity to ensure each and every guest has a truly and elevated experience. For those interested in the private terminal service at Manchester Airport can now book here and aether plans to open to all passengers from November 4, 2024.