Jet Set and Ready: A Family Day Out at Manchester Runway Visitor Park!

Airport days out are more common than you think and it’s a cheap and cheerful day out with the kids. Airports also have everything you’d need on a day out like restaurants, shops, indoor space, outdoor space, toilets, and fun activities.

It’s also perfect for kids who love aircraft as they will get the chance to see real-life take-offs and plane landings. Aviation enthusiasts will also get to browse through old and iconic aircraft models that have retired from the skies.

And finally, you can enjoy a broad range of exciting free activities alongside paid experiences like the aeroplane simulator experience…

• Manchester is the UK’s third largest airport after London Heathrow and Gatwick with 29.4m annual passengers!
• Manchester Airport currently serves over 110 destinations in 42 countries – Jheeze Louise!
• The airport is served by more than a whopping 30 airlines!
• The World Freight Terminal on-site handles over 50,000 tonnes of cargo each year.
• AeroZone provides a free educational space for schools and youth groups, giving children the chance to learn about how the airport works and the careers available to them.
• More than 1.5 million bottles of water and 40,000 bottles of champagne, 1.8 million books and over a million packs of cigarettes are bought by passengers every year in the Airport’s shops and restaurants…

Watch Take-off

Did you know you can watch planes take off at Manchester airport for free? If you’ve got some transport-loving kids with a passion for planes then they will love plane-spotting from the raised viewing platform at Manchester Airport.

See Retired Aeroplanes

You’ll even get to see retired aeroplanes too like the spectacular supersonic airliner, Concorde G-BOAC; a former RAF military spy plane, Nimrod, a DC-10, Avro RJX and a retro Trident airliner. And what’s more? You can listen to live airport commentary from the airport’s operations.

Chill out on picnic benches

And with picnic benches, a coffee house and an Aviation Shop, you’ll be well-catered for at this hidden gem attraction! This attraction is completely free but you will have to pay a £5 parking fee if you are driving to the airport.

Kids will get the chance to sit in luxury seats where royalty and celebrities have sat in the Junior Flyers, Flight Academy activity! In this fun family activity, kids can also dress up and take part in role-play! Dress up in airport clobber and become a pilot or an air traffic controller, whilst learning about the different job roles that help ensure that Manchester Airport runs smoothly.

Yeah, being the passenger is great and all but have you ever wondered how it would feel getting behind the wheel of an aircraft?! Well now is your chance. The Fly360 puts you in control of a P-38 Lightning, with full 360-degree motion making you feel as if you are the captain of a mighty metal bird…

Explore the history and beauty of Concorde on the Classic Tour by Manchester Runway Visitor Park for just £18! This tour will start with an introductory video, showing Concorde during its years of commercial service as a public transport vessel.

Once the video is over, you will then get to board the famous G-BOAC aircraft, sitting in the luxury leather seats as our Concorde tour guide tells the story of the aircraft’s years of history.

The tour includes a brief visit to the flight deck – so make sure to take a camera, it’s selfie time!!!

If you are looking for an upgraded tour you should check out the Concorde Platinum Tour. You’ll get to walk under the wings of the flagship G-BOAC Concorde, whilst you enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne or Orange Juice. This costs £40.

If you’ve got some easily-agitated kids with a short attention span then the Concorde Supersonic Short Tour may be a better fit for them – it’s cheaper too!

For just £6, kiddies can explore the history of Concorde in a bite-size tour and get up close to the aircraft. This 20-minute tour offers the chance to go onboard the famous flagship, G-BOAC Concorde.

Relax in the luxurious leather seats whilst listening to one of our Concorde guides and enjoy the Concorde experience.

This one really is for aeroplane fanatics! This tour offers a fascinating insight into the operation of this special RAF aircraft, including a unique visual demonstration of some of the equipment used during Nimrod’s peacetime search and rescue operations in the Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Nimrod Aircraft is situated outside for all to see! This tour is also available in a short version which is a lot cheaper too. For £6 you will get an introduction to some of the equipment used during Nimrod’s operations.

Concorde Technical Tour

Enjoy extended time on the flight deck and marvel in awe at the fantastic Brtish Engineering involved in the Concorde’s creation. This tour is perfect for kids and parents with problem-solving minds who can appreciate design and engineering. You’ll also get to explore underneath the aircraft using groundbreaking technology! This experience costs £28 per person.

The Nimrod & Concorde Technical Tour is a combined tour which allows you to experience both of the unique aircrafts in one sitting! This experience costs £38 per person. 

• Cafe Balzar
• Barrburito
• Burger King
• Giraffe
• Archie’s
• Pizza Luxe
• Pork & Pickle
• Wagamama
• WrapChic
• Upper Crust
• San Carlo
• Trattoria Milano
• Hangar
• KFC
• The Lion And The Antelope
• The Grain Loft

• Amber Alehouse
• Bar MCR
• Apiary
• Bridgewater
• The Nook

• Flat White
• Pret
• Cafe Nero
• Costa
• Pot Kettle Black
• VIT

For a full list of shops available at each of Manchester Airport’s terminals, check out the airport guides below:

• Terminal 1 Guide
• Terminal 2 Guide
• Terminal 3 Guide