It’s fair to say that the greatest number of long-haul flights from the UK depart from London (specifically Heathrow and Gatwick). But don’t discount using a Regional airport. It can be cheaper overall when you factor in other costs, and it can certainly be more convenient.

London’s Heathrow is the UK’s prime hub. It has the greatest number of flights in/out and therefore the greatest competition (prices tend to be lower) and flexibility (choice of timings). But if you live a significant distance away from London, the additional costs add up. Travelling time (fuel), car parking, and potential hotel costs are all factors to be considered.

The one thing that you cannot put a price on, is convenience. 

There are now a good number of well-known airlines (such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and a few American airlines too) that fly from Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow.

Aren’t departures from Regional Airports more expensive? Generally speaking yes, because there are fewer flights (less competition) and therefore fewer seats. But any increase in cost may be offset by the cost of travelling to London, which may or may not involve an overnight hotel prior to departure or on the way back.

Frequent travellers will at some point in their lives experienced delays, lost or delayed luggage or even cancelled flights. The key to any successful travel arrangements is to keep them as simple as possible (de-risking) and that includes using as few airports as possible. The more you have, the more can go wrong!

Whether to use a Regional Airport departure or not therefore also very much depends on how the flight schedule looks (including the minimum connection time between flights).

If we use Kathmandu (KTM) as an example. There are no direct flights from the UK to KTM, so 1 stop is usual. The main 3 stopovers are Delhi, Doha and Dubai. If you use a Regional Airport, it’s highly likely that you will link into one of those at some point. To use some examples (correct at the time of going to press):

Flights to Kathmandu

• London Heathrow – 1 stop (Delhi, Doha, Dubai, etc…) – Kathmandu
• Manchester – Dubai – Kathmandu
• Glasgow – Manchester – Dubai – Kathmandu

Please read our article on flying to Kathmandu if you are considering travelling that way. It has some useful tips on the airlines, routes and airports and perhaps why you should consider avoiding Emirates.

Summary

It all comes down to a case-by-case basis taking into account the Regional Airport, the final destination, where you live, the cost and the actual flight schedule (watch how long the stopovers are), and the airline itself as to whether it’s worth it. At the very least, it is worth considering. With our extensive experience in such matters, we can assist you with your decision if required. Call us on 01529 488159.