Well here we are sat in Barbados....comfortable trip on the BA777, what no BA International at Manchester?. Thats because we had to fly from LGW, not just us but 16 people in my immediate family and friends.
I see this as a continueing trend care of the lack of competition at MAN. with prices between 5k-7.5K to fly in economy on Virgin {Early Dec prices}. We and the 16 others elected to drive and fly from LGW, with an average price of between £1600- 2K for 2 in premium, whereas this is a huge hike on the old TCX cost{ 1100 for 2 in premium} it is way cheaper than being ripped off at MAN. So the point is if this is just my immediate friends/family how many others are doing the same and pushing down MAN numbers, its already £799 with TUI seat only at the end of Jan next year per person shoe boxed in to a 787. I can see more long trips dahn sarf this year.