Etihad opens Manchester Airport lounge
The United Arab Emirates national airline has created an area for its passengers to relax in Manchester Airport's Terminal 1, as part of the airline's continued commitment to the region.
In 2009, the airline signed a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of Manchester City FC and the new lounge features a mural dedicated to the club.
Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: "Manchester has always been an important market for Etihad and the ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger.
"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 this amazing lounge."
Manchester City FC manager, 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, 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 today."
The 3,000 sq ft lounge offers five-star dining, a business centre, a family room, a prayer room and expansive views over the airport's taxiway and runway.
The Manchester lounge follows the roll-out of similar facilities in Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt.
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.
