With less than two weeks to go until aether opens its doors, our staff are busy behind the scenes making the final arrangements and putting the finishing touches to the space. Here we run down five of the most exciting developments in preparation for the first guests arriving at the Private Terminal on November 4.

1. Our team have finished their training

The aether team have been hard at work mastering every aspect of the customer journey to ensure that guests experience exceptional service. Every step of the Private Terminal journey needs to be seamless - from dealing with baggage correctly to making the perfect coffee - so there have been lots of details to refine.

To celebrate the end of their rigorous training under aether General Manager Suzanne Orr, the entire team recently came together for the first time for a graduation event. The inaugural aether team is now trained up and ready to deliver an effortless airport experience.

2. The BMWs have arrived

The fleet of four BMWs, complete with aether livery, has now been delivered, and our chauffeurs are busy conducting test drives to familiarise themselves with the vehicles, the routes, the gates, and the drop off / pick up locations for guests.

These chauffeur-driven vehicles, which include the all-electric BMW i7, the seven-seater BMW X7 and the luxury performance BMW XM, will be ready and waiting to take guests across the airfield and straight to their gate as soon as it’s time to leave aether to catch their flight.

3. The artwork has been installed

The natural wood, marble, and leather of the aether interior create a tranquil sanctuary where guests can relax while waiting for their flight. The artwork for the space needed to complement this serene atmosphere, enhancing rather than distracting from the ambient setting and the stunning panoramic runway views.

The aether team chose local artists CheshirePaint to supply the artwork, with the statement works fitting perfectly into the space, in keeping with the company’s mission statement “To create bespoke original artwork that enhances any interior.” If guests travelling through aether fall in love with a piece of the original artwork, they can even buy it to enjoy in their own home.

4. The team has perfected the delivery of the Dining Experience

Following the successful launch event for The Dining Experience by Adam Reid, during which local and national press, along with key figures from Manchester's food scene, got to sample the menu and hear about the inspiration behind each course from Adam himself, our team have been busy taste-testing and running through service practise ready to welcome our guests. With three separate dining experiences for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and between five and seven courses on each menu, there was lots to learn.

5. The entire space has been restored to new

The Private Terminal has had a full glow up, with French polishers hard at work to bring that new wood feel to the feature wall in the reception and the wooden furniture throughout the lounge. The space has had a full deep clean to restore it so it will feel brand new to guests arriving on November 4.

Other final touches before we open our doors

Other highlights include the arrival of both the aether staff uniforms and the luxury tableware on which The Dining Experience by Adam Reid will be served. While CheshirePaint, BMW, Adam Reid, Pollen, Chorlton Cheesemongers and Cheshire Smokehouse have already been revealed as aether partners, we have more exciting announcements to make in the coming weeks.

There’s still time to be among the first guests arriving at aether.

Reserve your experience now