Escape the January Blues

Feeling the January blues and dreaming about your next holiday? You’re not alone. With dark days, cold weather, the return to work and Christmas feeling like a distant memory, it can be hard to maintain a sunny disposition.

The good news? Airlines and travel companies know this and famously slash their prices in the New Year, making January the ultimate month to make massive savings on flights, accommodation and airport services, such as Parking and Lounges. Follow these top tips from our industry experts to beat the January blues this winter.

1. Think about what you want

Christmas might be a joyous time, but with so much to do, places to go, people to see, it’s not always relaxing. That’s why New Year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and think about how to make 2024 your best travel year yet.

2. Make the most of January discounts

If you’re flying in January, you’re guaranteed to get some great deals. But even if you don’t want to go on holiday this month, most New Year discounts run for the first few weeks of the year, so make the most of the offers and bag yourself a bargain.

And remember, the same goes for airport parking, too - secure your spot now for advance booking deals, instead of paying more last-minute, and spaces are in higher demand.

3. Embrace possibility

It can be tempting to go to the same place or do the same things because they’re familiar - but when you’re making great savings on the practical stuff, you can afford to try something new.

Have you always wanted to go on an adventure holiday? Try a new winter sport? Go all-inclusive? Or indulge in a luxury spa retreat? Whatever it is, kick off 2024 by planning to do something you’ve always wanted to do.

4. Seek out the sunshine

There’s one way that guarantees you'll forget about the dark, drizzly, cold weather in the UK - and that’s jetting off somewhere sunny and escaping it! You’ll find endless offers for sun, sea and sand holidays, or check out the destinations tipped to be big in 2024.

5. Or embrace winter sports

A sun-drenched holiday doesn’t always have to mean high temperatures and sandy beaches - embrace the winter wonderland escape of a ski holiday instead. Majestic mountains, snowy ski schools, hot chocolates in cosy chalets and lively après ski scenes - a ski holiday has it all, whether you want a glamorous getaway or a fun family holiday.

And with more airlines flying to ski resorts from Manchester Airport than ever before, we’ve rounded up the closest airport to fly to if you’re hitting the ski slopes this season.

6. Use airport services to travel your way

Even for the most spontaneous holiday, a little careful planning can help make your journey as quick, calm, and stress-free as possible. And if you’re only going away for a couple of days, you don’t want to spend hours at the airport on either side of your trip…

Our FastTrack service lets you skip the main queues and use the Express Lane instead, so you can get to the departure lounge quicker when you’re flying out, and get home faster when you return, giving you more time to focus on your holiday.

7. Treat yourself and travel in style

With the money you’re set to save on flights and accommodation in January, it could be the perfect trip to live a little more luxuriously, and splash out on Lounge access at Manchester Airport.

Our Escape Lounge is a haven of peace and tranquillity, where you can sit back and relax, order from the elegant food menu, and toast your upcoming journey with a glass of something sparkly. Or experience the luxury and sophistication of our 1903 Lounge, and enjoy a changing daily menu of specials, handpicked wines, craft ales and cocktails, with sensational views of the runways.

Make the most of Manchester Airport’s advance booking deals and secure your Parking, FastTrack and Lounge access today.