Tory "Green" calls for Manchester-London Flights ban
Join Date: May 2000
Location: London
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Direct city centre to terminal trains between LHR and Oxford/Birmingham would be a start - worry about Manchester later.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2982649.ece
If what is in the above article comes to fruition then more flights to relativly nearby places could be reduced.
But Governments take so long doing things it will be 2030 by the time any of this happens!!
Join Date: May 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My favourite ever Private Eye cover:
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=742
Dear old Glummer, looks like he may have ingested some after all....
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=742
Dear old Glummer, looks like he may have ingested some after all....
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: west of the Tamar
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree about the trains, if and only if, LHR had a rail station that provided fast direct links to all parts of the UK (similar to Frankfurt's integral rail station) would there be a case for a reduction in the number of domestic flights to cities under about 300 miles.
I'm surprised anyone takes any notice of these pontificating, pompous politicians of any party! None of them seem to live in the real world.
I'm surprised anyone takes any notice of these pontificating, pompous politicians of any party! None of them seem to live in the real world.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you live in Mancester then going to LHR to take a long haul seems mad. O am sure that the 787 is aimed at providing direct flights from Mancester to a wide range of major capitals. Going via LHR uses 3 slots instead of using 1 by flying direct. Stopping the shuttles to LHR would make more direct services viable.
Virgin trains are moving to 3 manchester to London trains per hour. When they get two more coaches then the capacity will be twice what it is today.
Virgin trains are moving to 3 manchester to London trains per hour. When they get two more coaches then the capacity will be twice what it is today.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: CBR, Australia
Age: 47
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it possible to get a train to Heathrow from any major UK city aside from London??? I know travellig from Devon we have to go into Paddington and then back track... I suppose this is thanks to decades of London centric transport policies...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely. Just shows how little Selwyn? Gummer understands. MAN-LHR is vital so long as BA see LHR as a hub for transfer of European services to long haul.
Mind you if LHR-MAN was scrapped I bet AF, LH and KL would provide an hourly shuttle to CDG, FRA/MUC and AMS. EK and others nearly as frequent to DXB
He would no doubt be proud of a green UK pouring money into these economies.
Excuse the rant, had a few beers!
Mind you if LHR-MAN was scrapped I bet AF, LH and KL would provide an hourly shuttle to CDG, FRA/MUC and AMS. EK and others nearly as frequent to DXB
He would no doubt be proud of a green UK pouring money into these economies.
Excuse the rant, had a few beers!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless Virgin can get Manchester-London/Heathrow T5 then there is no point. Over 50% of BA passengers travelling with the airline on the route make connections through LHR and LGW to destinations across the globe. Same with VLM, who offer the business passenger the perfect way into the heart of London. No hassle! Both airlines have proved this and I can only see T3 or BD removing the routes (which I find won't happen when BMI launch TATL in 2009).
Also, launching long haul routes from the airport is fine and dandy, but most travellers on the connections flights choose to fly BA due to their high quality standards.
Personally, I would rather fly MAN-LHR-YYZ with leg room and my own IFE instead of sitting cramped on a MAN-YYZ with TCX/TS/ZM/GSM with a worse service and only my magasine for company and I'm sure many of the 800,000 connecting passengers think the same. I find LHR a great airport to pass through and would choose it any day over AMS, CDG and FRA as it is home to the best airline in the Western world - BA whose service is great!
P.S. I do not work for BA or have any beneficial connection with the airline.
Also, launching long haul routes from the airport is fine and dandy, but most travellers on the connections flights choose to fly BA due to their high quality standards.
Personally, I would rather fly MAN-LHR-YYZ with leg room and my own IFE instead of sitting cramped on a MAN-YYZ with TCX/TS/ZM/GSM with a worse service and only my magasine for company and I'm sure many of the 800,000 connecting passengers think the same. I find LHR a great airport to pass through and would choose it any day over AMS, CDG and FRA as it is home to the best airline in the Western world - BA whose service is great!
P.S. I do not work for BA or have any beneficial connection with the airline.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So true!
Anyway, next year we should see a rise in MAN-LON if the trains are to become as congested as the planes when the government introduces security measures at most UK train stations.
Why would a businessman/woman want to spend 3 1/2 hours passing security and travelling by train when she could do it within 1 hour 30 mins? Oh yeh...'cos companies care which is greener!
Anyway, next year we should see a rise in MAN-LON if the trains are to become as congested as the planes when the government introduces security measures at most UK train stations.
Why would a businessman/woman want to spend 3 1/2 hours passing security and travelling by train when she could do it within 1 hour 30 mins? Oh yeh...'cos companies care which is greener!
Guest
Posts: n/a
London - Leeds
Travelling tommorrow - closest to arr 0900 and arr 0900 the next day.
Train - (arr 0935 Mon, 0906 Tue) standard open return £185
Corresponding BMI fare (0950 arr Mon, 0815 arr Tue) £335
Given the door to door travel times I think Gummer may be onto something.
Gummer may be an arse (that most posters have focussed on rather than the issue raised - tedious - why must so many personalise technical debates - boring - answer the question posed rather than slag an individual off. May I suggest you play the ball and not the man?)
I'm a regular London-Leeds and London-Newcastle business traveller. Rail wins every time. - especially with WiFi.
With respect interlining the point is a sound one. Two thoughts:
1) High speed rail link to Heathrow (as promoted by Greengauge21 lobby group would be quicker than airborne interlining from Leeds / Manchester)
2) Its out of our hands anyhow - BMI are already keen to dump LHR-LBA to use the slots for their A330s open skies.
df
Train - (arr 0935 Mon, 0906 Tue) standard open return £185
Corresponding BMI fare (0950 arr Mon, 0815 arr Tue) £335
Given the door to door travel times I think Gummer may be onto something.
Gummer may be an arse (that most posters have focussed on rather than the issue raised - tedious - why must so many personalise technical debates - boring - answer the question posed rather than slag an individual off. May I suggest you play the ball and not the man?)
I'm a regular London-Leeds and London-Newcastle business traveller. Rail wins every time. - especially with WiFi.
With respect interlining the point is a sound one. Two thoughts:
1) High speed rail link to Heathrow (as promoted by Greengauge21 lobby group would be quicker than airborne interlining from Leeds / Manchester)
2) Its out of our hands anyhow - BMI are already keen to dump LHR-LBA to use the slots for their A330s open skies.
df
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the plane is alot more expensive if you are travelling next day but BMI and BA offer fares from £36 one-way to LHR/LGW while VLM are a little more expensive but get you to the heart of business London within 40 mins.
From Lancashire, I would definately take the plane. When travelling from my home to Liverpool Street in London, it took 2 hours 10 mins and cost me £10 return:
Travel to the airport (BLK): 15mins
Waiting in airport: 30mins
Flight: 30mins
Transfer to Liverpool street: 55mins
Simple! Saved myself £££££s by flying with FR. Obviously, this option is not currently available but, I agree, using MAN is abit more difficult and time consuming but, for transfer passengers, would they really wanty to get the train to LHR and then checkin at there or checkin only at MAN? I know which I would rather do.
Also, a late train does not mean you will be transferred onto a later flight if you miss the origional, but if your connecting flight with the same airline (or codeshare) is late and you miss the connection, you will be automatically transferred with no problems.
BMI aren't launching TATL until 2009 so don't know what you are on about! Also, LBA-LHR on sale for S08 from £37!
From Lancashire, I would definately take the plane. When travelling from my home to Liverpool Street in London, it took 2 hours 10 mins and cost me £10 return:
Travel to the airport (BLK): 15mins
Waiting in airport: 30mins
Flight: 30mins
Transfer to Liverpool street: 55mins
Simple! Saved myself £££££s by flying with FR. Obviously, this option is not currently available but, I agree, using MAN is abit more difficult and time consuming but, for transfer passengers, would they really wanty to get the train to LHR and then checkin at there or checkin only at MAN? I know which I would rather do.
Also, a late train does not mean you will be transferred onto a later flight if you miss the origional, but if your connecting flight with the same airline (or codeshare) is late and you miss the connection, you will be automatically transferred with no problems.
Its out of our hands anyhow - BMI are already keen to dump LHR-LBA to use the slots for their A330s open skies.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: North, UK
Age: 67
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMI are already posturing over their LBA slots, but probably to get favourable rates as their contract is due for renewal.
Its hardly a secret that some routes including MME may dissapear when they do start transatlantic. Which may not be till 2009 who knows.
I actually take the opposite view from mufc in that I would fly anyone from the North rather than transit Heathrow and BA would be my last choice I have never found their service that good.
Its hardly a secret that some routes including MME may dissapear when they do start transatlantic. Which may not be till 2009 who knows.
I actually take the opposite view from mufc in that I would fly anyone from the North rather than transit Heathrow and BA would be my last choice I have never found their service that good.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Travelling tommorrow - closest to arr 0900 and arr 0900 the next day.
Train - (arr 0935 Mon, 0906 Tue) standard open return £185
Corresponding BMI fare (0950 arr Mon, 0815 arr Tue) £335
Given the door to door travel times I think Gummer may be onto something.
Gummer may be an arse (that most posters have focussed on rather than the issue raised - tedious - why must so many personalise technical debates - boring - answer the question posed rather than slag an individual off. May I suggest you play the ball and not the man?)
I'm a regular London-Leeds and London-Newcastle business traveller. Rail wins every time. - especially with WiFi.
With respect interlining the point is a sound one. Two thoughts:
1) High speed rail link to Heathrow (as promoted by Greengauge21 lobby group would be quicker than airborne interlining from Leeds / Manchester)
2) Its out of our hands anyhow - BMI are already keen to dump LHR-LBA to use the slots for their A330s open skies.
df"
I realise it's a sunday, but last night I booked LBA-LHR for £43.30 inc. taxes to fly 24 hours later, on tonight's flight.
The corresponding train fare is £77.
Train - (arr 0935 Mon, 0906 Tue) standard open return £185
Corresponding BMI fare (0950 arr Mon, 0815 arr Tue) £335
Given the door to door travel times I think Gummer may be onto something.
Gummer may be an arse (that most posters have focussed on rather than the issue raised - tedious - why must so many personalise technical debates - boring - answer the question posed rather than slag an individual off. May I suggest you play the ball and not the man?)
I'm a regular London-Leeds and London-Newcastle business traveller. Rail wins every time. - especially with WiFi.
With respect interlining the point is a sound one. Two thoughts:
1) High speed rail link to Heathrow (as promoted by Greengauge21 lobby group would be quicker than airborne interlining from Leeds / Manchester)
2) Its out of our hands anyhow - BMI are already keen to dump LHR-LBA to use the slots for their A330s open skies.
df"
I realise it's a sunday, but last night I booked LBA-LHR for £43.30 inc. taxes to fly 24 hours later, on tonight's flight.
The corresponding train fare is £77.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Like with like Chrisleeds2003.
I'm comparing walk on fares - and rail is much cheaper.
May I suggest you pick a date in a months timeand compare corresponding apex fares.
The train will be cheaper in most cases - I promise.
In fact it is unfair to compare open rail fares with fixed air fares - you should be comparing apex train tickets with air fares to really compare like with like and then rail will be even cheaper.
I do Leeds - London and the Newcastle - London journey between 20-30 times per year and I love flying - but the reality is rail is cheaper, faster and with much less hassle.
Ever tried working on a flight in economy?
I'm comparing walk on fares - and rail is much cheaper.
May I suggest you pick a date in a months timeand compare corresponding apex fares.
The train will be cheaper in most cases - I promise.
In fact it is unfair to compare open rail fares with fixed air fares - you should be comparing apex train tickets with air fares to really compare like with like and then rail will be even cheaper.
I do Leeds - London and the Newcastle - London journey between 20-30 times per year and I love flying - but the reality is rail is cheaper, faster and with much less hassle.
Ever tried working on a flight in economy?
Guest
Posts: n/a
MUFC fan
In your dreams.
I don't know about Blackpool to wherever but I've flown London Leeds and London Newcastle more times than I care to remember and your leg times are pure fantasy I'm afraid.
If your leg times are accurate I'd fly all the time - but I don't - for good reasons - flying from London is a miserable exercise.
Travel to the airport (BLK): 15mins
Waiting in airport: 30mins
Flight: 30mins
Transfer to Liverpool street: 55mins
Waiting in airport: 30mins
Flight: 30mins
Transfer to Liverpool street: 55mins
I don't know about Blackpool to wherever but I've flown London Leeds and London Newcastle more times than I care to remember and your leg times are pure fantasy I'm afraid.
If your leg times are accurate I'd fly all the time - but I don't - for good reasons - flying from London is a miserable exercise.