Etihad Airways opens airport lounge in Manchester

Wednesday, 15 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Etihad Airways has opened the doors of its latest premium lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1. Etihad Pearl Business class guests were among the first to enjoy the Etihad premium lounge, following an opening ceremony hosted by Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) manager, Roberto Mancini; Garry Cook, MCFC Chief Executive; and Mike Summerbee, MCFC ambassador.

Etihad’s premium lounge in Manchester is the latest in a progressive roll-out of the lounge concept successfully introduced at the airline’s home base in Abu Dhabi. “Manchester has always been an important market for Etihad and the ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer. “This latest development is testament to our commitment to the North West of England, and to the ever-growing business and leisure travel demand in and out of the region. We are very proud to be able to offer Etihad Pearl Business Class guests in Manchester at this amazing lounge.”

Roberto Mancini said, “Abu Dhabi is our home when we are away from home and as a regular user of Etihad, I, like my players, and am always impressed with the impeccable service and fantastic facilities on board ... The new Etihad premium lounge will make our journeys to the region even more enjoyable, starting from the moment we step into the airport to arriving at our destination. I am proud to be opening it.” The 318 square metre lounge will bolster business services, offering the airline’s Pearl Business Class guests a range of features, including:

dining facilities with a selection of international cuisine;
a modern business centre providing individual workstations and privacy for people with laptops;
a family room, where children can be entertained;
a relaxation area, including high-comfort leather chairs and reading material;
luxurious bathrooms and shower facilities for customers to freshen up before their departure;
a prayer room; and
expansive views over the airport’s taxiway and runway

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, said, “This new luxury lounge facility really puts Manchester on the map as a world class airport. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi service is a crucial link between our two closely-linked regions and the addition of a premium lounge demonstrates real confidence in this important relationship.”