One year of effortless journeys

In our first year, aether has redefined what travel can be for thousands of guests. We’ve forged new partnerships, curated thoughtful experiences and delivered on our promise of calm, considered journeys. 

This anniversary is both a moment to look back on what we’ve achieved and a reflection of what effortless travel truly feels like. From the moment guests arrive, to the ease of check-in, refined dining and the quiet comfort of private transfers, aether has set a new standard for how journeys begin and end. 

As we mark our first year, it’s the small details and the numbers behind them that tell the story best. Each one a quiet reminder of the moments, gestures and journeys that have shaped aether so far. 

The people behind the experience 

Every journey begins with a person, a warm greeting, an intuitive gesture, a shared moment of calm. Our hosts have set a new standard for what service can be, transforming the start of travel into something to savour. 

Over 120 five-star reviews capture what our guests already know: aether is defined by its people. Behind the scenes, our kitchen and service teams have delivered thousands of departures and arrivals with quiet confidence and care. 

And amid all those moments, there was one unforgettable “yes” - our very first proposal within The Private Terminal. 

A new perspective on travel 

A private journey across the airfield - quiet, unhurried and completely unique. From this vantage point, the airport reveals a side that very few passengers ever see. 

This year, our chauffeurs have travelled 12,661 miles, carrying guests directly to their aircraft with grace and precision - a seamless journey, delivered in comfort through our partnership with BMW. 

For countless travellers, that drive to the gate isn’t just a transfer, it’s an experience in itself. A rare perspective of the airfield, delivered in comfort, calm and complete ease. 

A collaboration in craft 

Dining at aether is designed to be as effortless as the journey itself. Curated by Adam Reid, each dish reflects a balance of comfort and craft, created to complement the calm of the terminal and the rhythm of travel. 

Over the past year, guests have enjoyed more than 1,000 croissants, 1,100 breakfast buns and 1,800 crumpets. Our chefs have prepared over 18,000 eggs and 235 kilograms of ox cheek, roughly the weight of an adult pig, or three full beer kegs, according to our chefs. 

To accompany these dishes, guests have raised 503 bottles of Jacques and 143 bottles of Nyetimber, toasting everything from first holidays to milestone moments. 

Working closely with local suppliers including Pollen, Chorlton Cheesemongers and The Cheshire Smokehouse, every ingredient is sourced with the same care and consideration that defines the wider aether experience.  

The Dining Experience by Adam Reid has become a reflection of that philosophy - quietly refined, rooted in quality and unmistakably effortless. 

A year in reflection 

A year on, aether continues to redefine what travel can be - calm, elegant and beautifully considered. Over the past twelve months, we’ve welcomed guests from across the world, partnered with twelve airlines and set a new benchmark for what the airport experience can feel like. 

As we look ahead, our focus remains the same: to shape the future of travel through experiences that are thoughtful, intuitive and effortlessly enjoyable. With exciting plans on the horizon, aether will continue to evolve, creating moments that remind travellers that the journey itself can be something remarkable. 

This first year has been more than a milestone; it’s been the beginning of a new way to travel. Here’s to what comes next. 

To enjoy your own effortless journey, reserve aether for your next trip out of Manchester Airport