Premium Etihad lounge opened in Manchester

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 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 introduced at the airline's home base in Abu Dhabi.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer, 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."

Five-star dining

The 318 square metre lounge will bolster business services, offering the airline's Pearl Business Class guests a range of features, 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 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
  
• Expansive views over the airport's taxiway and runway

A world-class airport

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's MD, 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."

This new addition to the premium service out of Manchester follows the successful roll-out of premium lounges in Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt. Each of these lounges reflect Etihad's award-winning style and service concept, with high-quality look and feel throughout; Manchester will also be instantly recognisable by a specially designed gallery showcasing memorabilia of Manchester City Football Club, which Etihad has sponsored since 2009.