Mawelsh From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 71 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 885 times:
A friend is getting married in September in Knutsford, England. I've never been overseas, and I'm researching two roundtrips from Columbus, Ohio.
1. Is it "safer" to drive to an airport (Cincinnati, Detroit) that offers a non-stop flight? Based on today's rates, I would save roughly $300 over the two fares, enough to cover the cost of driving. Maybe it's unfounded, but I feel like there would be less hassle than making an international connection. Some of the flights from CMH require an airline change.
CVG offers non-stop on Delta to Gatwick (767)
DTW offers non-stop on British Airways (777!) to Heathrow or Northwest (DC-10) to Gatwick
2. Which airport is preferable in London, Heathrow or Gatwick? We don't plan on spending time in London, but heading south.
Ozvirginuk From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 396 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 868 times:
Hi Mawelsh,
Depending on whereabouts in the south you are heading, then either airport could be a good option. Personally I would try to avoid both DL and BA. There are so many carriers do the transatlantic routes, that you should be spoiled for choice.
Knutsford is in the north of England, so you may well be better off flying into MAN which is not far away from there at all.. You can fly from ORD or IAD to MAN daily with BD on a A333 (better then 767 or 777), I am sure UA do codeshare connections to CMH from IAD and ORD.
If you are wanting to actually visit somewhere in the south of england then LHR or LGW would make sense. If so let me know and I will try to offer guidance..
Mawelsh From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 71 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 823 times:
Thanks Ozvirginuk...I...should have really looked at a map. I thought Knutsford was south of London. I'm not sure why my friend flies into London then instead of Manchester. The choices to MAN are fewer, but the price is about the same.
USAirways has $482 r/t flights to MAN, but I have serious doubts as to whether they will be flying in September.
Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 808 times:
Anything north of the Watford Gap is the "north" of England, or so the saying goes. That means that probably 90% of the UK is in the north!
I don't know how you plan to travel from the airport to Knutsford, but to give you an idea by train: Gatwick will take about 4h15 and involve 3-4 changes of train; Heathrow will take about the same time, maybe a few minutes less, and involve 2-3 changes; Manchester will take about an hour and involve 1 change of train.
Mawelsh From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 71 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 787 times:
Thanks Geoff, we're staying about a week, so I want to hire a car while there, so I have freedom to explore the countryside. I just have to remember to drive on the left...
EGHHWizard From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 759 times:
Mawelsh,
If you do decide to fly to MAN you must, must, must pay a visit to the Aviation Viewing Park there. There are excellent views of departures/arrivals as it is right by the runway. It also has one of the BA Concordes on display.
More info at http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/web.nsf/Content/ViewingParkVisitorInformation
Bananaboy From Australia, joined Oct 2004, 1519 posts, RR: 33 Reply 7, posted (7 years 4 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 783 times:
How about an open jaw flight, into MAN and out of London?
US / CO / BA - all of which would be possible. You may pay extra charges on a car should you hire one, but you will maximise what you see on a relatively short trip.
Mark
All my life, I've been kissing, your top lip 'cause your bottom one's missing
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