Access Manchester International Airport's website on your computer. Manchester's airport code is MAN.
Navigate to the "Flight Information" section of Manchester Airport's website.
Click on "Destination Search" and select USA in the list beside "country."
Choose the airport most convenient for you, and visit the airline's website to obtain a fare quote and make a reservation.
Collect your luggage in the baggage reclaim area of Terminal One or Terminal Two, and proceed to the arrivals area.
Follow the signs for the airport bus station. These will direct you to the airport's Skylink moving walkways.
Board the next bus departing for Manchester City Center. As of April 2011, these were buses 43 and 105. The April 2011 timetables showed departures as frequent as every 10 minutes during the day.
Leave the bus at Piccadilly Gardens in the city center and board bus 250, which departs from the same area and has Trafford Center as its ultimate destination. As of April 2011, bus 250 ran every 10 to 15 minutes.
Get off bus 250 at the Wharfside Way stop. Walk along Elevator Road to access Salford Quays.
Follow the signs for Manchester Airport's rail station. Make your way there via the Skywalk moving walkways.
Purchase a ticket to Manchester Piccadilly from one of the self-service ticket machines.
Make your way down to the platforms and board the first train that stops at Piccadilly. As of April 2011, trains operated between the airport and Piccadilly on a frequent basis.
Leave the train at Manchester Piccadilly and follow the signs for Metrolink, Manchester's light rail transit system.
Purchase a ticket from the machine and board the first tram going to Eccles. There are several stops at Salford Quays: Salford Quays, Harbour City, Exchange Quay and Old Trafford. If you are staying in a hotel, contact the hotel and ask which Metrolink stop is the most convenient.
