Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has opened its latest premium lounge at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1.

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 (MCFC).

“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,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer.

The 318-sqm lounge offers the airline’s Pearl Business Class guests a range of features, including:
• five-star dining facilities with a selection of international cuisine
• a business centre providing individual workstations
• a family room
• a relaxation area, including high-comfort leather chairs and reading material
• luxurious bathrooms and shower facilities
• a prayer room and
• expansive views over the airport’s taxiway and runway

This new addition follows the successful roll-out of premium lounges in Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt. Manchester will also be instantly recognisable by a specially designed gallery showcasing memorabilia of Manchester City Football Club, which Etihad has sponsored since 2009.

Etihad has been operating services to Manchester since 2006 and offers connections from Manchester to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with its codeshare partner, bmi and from Manchester to Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton and Inverness with its codeshare partner, Flybe.

In 2009, the airline signed a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of English Premier League side, Manchester City.-TradeArabia News Service