A father and content creator has sparked debate after opting to fly from Manchester to London Heathrow instead of taking the train, revealing the flight was not only quicker but also cheaper than rail travel. The YouTuber, known as Just Deano, shared his experience of booking a £57 one-way ticket for the domestic flight, which he found to be £6 less expensive than a train journey from Huddersfield to London.
Surprising Cost Comparison
Deano explained that his decision to fly was driven by a straightforward price comparison. He needed to reach London Heathrow as part of a longer trip to Vietnam, which included a 12-hour flight to China. Initially, he looked into train options from Huddersfield but was taken aback to discover that the rail fare exceeded the cost of a flight from Manchester Airport. In a video documenting his journey, he remarked, "I am flying to London because it is cheaper than getting the train! I'm not even joking. It worked out £6 cheaper to fly than it did to get the train from Huddersfield to London."
Flight Details and Experience
The flight departed from Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on Monday, January 26, operated by British Airways, though it was booked through China Southern Airlines. Deano noted it was his first time flying with British Airways since the 1990s. Despite a slight delay of over half an hour on the scheduled one-hour-and-ten-minute journey, the actual flight time was just 33 minutes. Upon arrival, he expressed amazement, stating, "Welcome to London Heathrow, can you believe we were only in the air for 33 minutes there? That's actually £6 cheaper than getting the train down from Huddersfield. Absolutely insane."
In-Flight Observations
During the brief flight, Deano made several observations about the service. He initially joked about being in the "peasant bit" of the plane, noting a curtain separating economy from business or first class. However, he was pleasantly surprised to receive complimentary items, including a 250ml bottle of Harrogate Spring water and Walkers Golden Oat biscuits. This small gesture contrasted with his expectations, adding a touch of comfort to the short trip.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
After sharing his video online, many viewers echoed Deano's sentiments about the high cost of train travel in the UK. One commenter shared, "I know it's ridiculous. Like when I go down to Cornwall to see my sensei. It's cheaper for me to drive down, stay in a Travelodge and drive back then to get the train." Others pointed out similar disparities, with one noting that flying from Newcastle to London is often half the price of the train fare. These responses highlight a growing frustration among travellers over rail pricing, which can make air travel a more economical choice for domestic routes.
This incident underscores ongoing issues in the UK's transport sector, where train fares frequently outpace alternatives like flying or driving. As Deano's experience shows, for some journeys, the convenience and speed of air travel are now matched by cost savings, raising questions about the affordability and competitiveness of the rail network. Whether this trend will prompt changes in pricing policies remains to be seen, but for now, savvy travellers might consider checking flight options before booking their next train ticket.
