REQ.: Where to sleep and spotting in Manchester

[rayadam]

We are almost plan for begin December a trip to the airport of Manchester to spot planes. But we want to know which airport the best is to take for stay only 2 nights.

Which one can you recommend us.

And do you have also tips for good spottingplaces and best times to spot (morning / afternoon or evening)

[Starman]

If you book a few weeks in advance

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search/lowest.html

they are showing 25 pounds a night early December, at the airport!

[rayadam]

Thanks for this information. And is there also someone who can tell us when the traffic is in high peek.

[SATMAN]

If you have not booked yet,you may wish to try the Airport Hotel,on Ringway road.This is a public hotel with some rooms overlooking one of the runways,and a viewing balcony with the closest legal views to the runway anywhere in Europe.
Very spotter friendly when i stayed in August,and costing only £25 per person,per night.Food is available at extra cost.
They do have a web site which i've mislaid, so google should find it for you.
When i stayed,the peeks were around 0700-1100 for the long hauls.A little quiter after till around 1500 when the traffic picks up again.
Hope this helps.Dave.

[The Crunchy Nutter]

There's also a Holiday Inn close by - almost at the threshold of 27L, although I doubt much if anything can be seen from any of the rooms (same goes for Travelodge mentioned above).

Peak times for traffic are pretty much as stated by Satman - however traffic is fairly steady most of the day, with a couple of maybe 15-20 minute gaps with no action. Most of the transatlantic stuff has gone by around 11:00, Virgin B747 to Orlando departs just after lunchtime, with a Cathay Pacific Cargo B747 departing around the same time depending which day you visit. Emirates A380 arrives around 12:30, leaving again about 2 hours later.

Hope that helps,
Justin

[rayadam]

We will visit Manchester Airport Saturday and Sunday. Is there a departure and arrival scedule availlable on internet.

Please advise when its raining in Manchester which runway is then open

We are sleeping in the Travellodge Airport Hotel

[The Crunchy Nutter]

Flightstats should give you a fairly accurate idea of arrivals and departures - can only search one or two days in advance though. The Travelodge is around midway between T2 and the public viewing area (about 15-20 minutes walk from each). There is an aviation shop in T1 arrivals, and at the viewing area - both will be able to sell you a copy of the latest flight timetable showing everything (about £2.50 I think).
To get to the southside of the runways continue past the turnoff for the viewing area (also signposted 'Concorde'), and you'll go through the tunnels under the runways - footpaths then lead off either direction along the perimeter.

This link may help with potential spotting/photography locations - http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/U ... de_MAN.pdf

Hope that helps,
Justin