One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
BHX8.2+0.6
MAN7.6
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
BHX7.4+0.3
MAN7.1
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
BHX6.9
MAN7.2+0.3
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
BHX8.2
MAN8.2
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
BHX7.0+0.1
MAN6.9
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
BHX7.6+0.1
MAN7.5
Best for
BHX
Train travellers using Birmingham International + the free Air-Rail LinkPriority Pass holders who will use No1 or Aspire South (not Luxe/Suite)Early jets that can twilight-drop bags the night beforeAnyone who wants 2 L liquids left in the bag at a UK regional hub
MAN
Rail to Piccadilly in about 20 minutes, with TPE overnight trains from 17 May 2026Wide European and long-haul network from the expanded Terminal 2Pre-bookable parking, TimeSlot/FastTrack and several paid lounges
Watch out for
BHX
Zone A (Jet2) has no Express Lane — £7 tickets are Zone B onlySecurity-area construction still ongoing; peaks may queue on the ground floorAspire operator Gate 1 hours disagree with live Priority Pass — match the source to your accessLuxe and Suite are not on live Priority Pass; Clubrooms is an extra-fee PP visitDrop-off FAQ still quoting £7 for Premium Set Down is stale — turn-up table is £8/15 min
MAN
Peak morning and holiday security queues even after the new T2 hallLeftover Terminal 1 signage and a stale T1 webpage — Ryanair now uses T3 DeparturesDrop-off charges and a £100 penalty for collecting on the forecourt
Amenities and tips
BHX
Express Lane (Zone B only)Free Air-Rail LinkNo1 + Aspire South (live Priority Pass)2 L leave-in-bag securityPublished drinking fountainsLandside 24-hour M&S
Pre-book Zone B Express Lane for £7
Official pre-book is £7.00 into Zone B Security only; children 4 and under free with a paying adult.
2 L stay in the bag — empty metal flasks
Live security-advice page: containers up to 2 L remain in hand luggage; electricals stay packed; no liquids bag.
Use the published fountains — no bottle price here
Official fountain map: landside opposite Spar; airside by the Assisted Travel Desk, Gates 1–20, Gate 49 bussing lounge; arrivals North reclaim.
MAN
Great Northern Market / T2 food hallPriority Pass and LoungeKey roomsSkylink to The StationFree Wi-FiFamily areas
Book TimeSlot or FastTrack for peaks
Reserve security access ahead for early mornings and school holidays instead of relying on the standard queue.
Ryanair = T3 Departures; everyone else = T2
The old Terminal 1 name is gone — Ryanair uses the door now signed Terminal 3 Departures.
Use T2 for the widest F&B choice
If you have lounge or Priority Pass restaurant access, confirm the terminal before you clear security.
BHX · Midlands 24-hour single terminal with a free Air-Rail Link, 2-litre leave-in-bag security, and a dense lounge set (No1, Clubrooms, three Aspire rooms, Emirates) — construction still sends peak security queues downstairs, and Aspire North is gone.
MAN · Two-terminal Northern hub after the £1.3bn T2 rebuild: Ryanair in T3, everyone else in T2, strong rail and tram links, and a denser lounge set than the old three-terminal layout — still busy at peaks.
