Manchester Airport are working on ways to identify how they can improve the airport experience for their vulnerable passengers who may not want to share details of their invisible disabilities or use the airport special assistance service.
They can now offer you a sunflower lanyard to wear on your journey through the airport
This will identify you to staff as someone who may need additional support or understanding
Staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyards.
** Please note this lanyard permits access to the family and priority lanes at security as well as the use of their special assistance lanes at the UK Border (passport control) on arrival into Manchester Airport, this helps to avoid the sometimes long queues.
To pick up a lanyard at Manchester, please go to one of the Assistance Reception areas. These are available in the Check-in halls of Terminal 1 A and B, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
They will be happy to give you a lanyard – you do not need to book the special assistance for wheelchair users – unless you do require a wheelchair of course – otherwise you would just collect your lanyard at any of the above assistance desks.
** Please note Manchester airport are unable to post a lanyard to your home address in any circumstance. Please collect a lanyard from their assistance desks on your day of travel or in advance.
The Lanyard initiative is fantastic – we have used this each time we fly and travel often – the assistance desk staff are great and happily provided us with a lanyard – no issues awkward questions at all – we went to drop off our bags and was ushered to a free desk and didn’t queue at all – we then headed over to security and was sent down the assistance lane, there was a queue of those needing assistance but it was ½ the length of the regular queue. We took out our DVD players and numerous electronics for the trip and popped them all in the trays and my husband went through, he got stopped and searched so I had my son go through and wait for me and then I went through – my son did beep so was searched – I get this and was happy the airport are still vigilant! I explained why he was being searched and the security man did wait while I explained, so it doesn’t stop security doing their job which is as it should be but getting to security was a doddle! – all done we went through to the lounges. Boarding- airline staff were great and asked if he’d like to go first or last – we went first and got settled in. Really have to say this Lanyard is a fantastic help!
Thank you Manchester Airport!
The Sunflower Room in Terminal 1 is to aid Special Assistance Guests who need to break away from the noise, bright lights and crowds of the main Departure Lounge to help them relax and feel calm in a quieter environment.
Guests who require use of the room will be guided here as part of the Special Assistance Service or just ask a staff member where to find it.