In comparing a Newcastle-Heathrow route against Carlisle-Southend, it's worth remembering 2 things
- Tyneside, Teesside and the associated urban and suburban area have a population over 10 times the comparable area for Carlisle
- Heathrow is one of the world's major hub airports. A ticket on BA to Heathrow will open up a vast array of connections to major cities at high frequency throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Southend is a long way from being such a hub.