Guide to Manchester Airport (MAN / EGCC)

The Car Park offers reasonable views of the international pier on Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. However other parts of the airport are restricted (especially Terminal 3 BA, AA and domestic). Photography is good with two problems, there are fences around with a only a few holes at certain points from which to take photo's and only aircraft using Terminal 2 and certain stands on Terminal 1 can be photographed without obstructions.

With the car park charges it is also the most expensive spot at Manchester.

This is the official viewing area and offers excellent views and good photo opportunities. The area is situated close to the general aviation and maintanence areas and not far from Runway 23R / 05L. Before the new runway was built it was great for departing shots, but now most departures use the new runway (except between 1200 and 1500) then these are harder to get. All arriving aircraft can be photographed though as they vacate the runway and larger aircraft types can be taken as they taxi out to 23L. From a spotters point of view this is probably the best spot as all aircraft can be seen and there are facilities (foof, toilets etc) situated nearby. Photography is only possible in the late afternoon.
Thanks to Wendy Smith for pointing out that Dogs are not allowed in the Viewing Park.

Perhaps the best spots for photography at Manchester are on the southside of the airfield. The area is a walkers route which runs for the whole length of the new runway (23L / 05R) on one side and about half way on the otherside. You can walk the length of the runway and around the 05R end with great views and photographic opportunities and you can also reach the other side of the runway (spot 6 - afternoon spot) by walking under the tunnel about halfway down on the left hand side (as you look at the tunnel).
The 23L end is very good for close-up photos as aircraft line-up on the runway. Photography is good in the morning.

Some great take-off or landing shots can be taken depending on which runway is in use. Remember though that this runway closes between 1200 and 1500 daily. A visit to spot 5 may be in order during this time if the 05's are in use.
This is my favourite spot at Manchester, you are very close to the aircraft (100mm will be too much for side on views with anything like a 767) and the fence is way below you, you don't have to work to keep it out of your photos. Photography is good in the morning.

The walkway from spots 3 and 4 goes along one side of the new runway, but also goes under it and onto the other side, allowing you to get close to the end of 05L. A slightly longer lens will be required though (I use 300mm maximum). You can get shots as aircraft line up and approach shotsfrom an area a few feet away but its only good when 06L is in use, one of the few choices when the 05R is closed between 1200 and 1500.

As stated, you can get to virtually anywhere you want around the new runway. This includes the Northside of the runway which is best late in the afternoon as the sun goes around. The area here is very similar to Spot 4 but on the opposite side of the runway, you are very close and only a small lens is required.

This spot allows you to get a good view of aircraft departing 05L. The field is located further along from spot 3 meaning you can get rotation shots of aircraft departing 05L. The field is fairly distant from the runway and so will suffer from heat haze especially in the summer and a very long lens is needed.

This spot lies at the very end of 23R. It allows short final approach shots for aircraft arriving on 23R. A part of the ground can usually be included in the shot. Although not the best spot in the world it is one of the few areas to get an action shot of aircraft arriving on 23R.

The top of the terminal 3 short stay car park offers views across the end of 23R and is a good spot to get arriving aircraft on a late summers afternoon, evening. Pretty useful aside from that, the sun never quite works its way around in the winter.

The airport pub is popular among the locals and idea for an outing especially in the summer to chill out in the beer garden and watch the aircraft. The pub is located at the threshold on runway 23R. Aircraft taxi very close to the fence with landing and departing aircraft only a few feet away.
Photography from here though is not recommended. The area looks into the sun the vast majority of the day and maybe only the early summer evening being the time when photos become possible.

Photos