Etihad ramps up luxury in new lounge

Etihad Airways has launched a new premium lounge in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1, as the next stage of the airline’s ongoing investment in the region.

This includes a feast of facilities, offering the airline’s Pearl Business passengers a range of delights including:

- five-star dining facilities with a selection of international cuisine;

- a modern business centre providing individual workstations and privacy for people with laptops;

- a prayer room;

- a family room;

- a relaxation area, including high-comfort leather chairs and reading material;

- luxurious bathrooms and shower facilities for customers to freshen up before their departure; and

- expansive views over the airport’s taxiway and runway.

The lounge was opened by Roberto Mancini, manager of Manchester City Football Club.

The new addition to the premium service out of Manchester is part of a gradual rollout across the airline’s network, following the success of lounges in Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt.

Each of these reflect Etihad’s award-winning style and service, with a high quality feel throughout; Manchester will also be instantly recognisable by a specially designed mural depicting Manchester City Football Club, which Etihad has sponsored since 2009.

Earlier this year, as part of the airline’s development in the North West, Etihad announced a 60% increase in capacity on the route – with more Business Class seats than ever before – with the introduction of the Boeing 777 aircraft.

Etihad has been operating services to Manchester since 2006 and offers connections from Manchester to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with its codeshare partner, bmi and from Manchester to Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton and Inverness with its codeshare partner, Flybe. In 2009, the airline signed a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of English Premier League side, Manchester City.