Southampton to Cherbourg flights

[Craig McGinty]

Thought people might be interested to hear that Flybe has announced it will start flights between Southampton and Cherbourg,

pitching itself against the cross-Channel ferry companies.

The low-cost airline will start flights on May 24 and tickets will start at £21.99 one-way, including taxes.

Also Air Wales will begin flights to Rennes on March 27 from Cardiff, Manchester, Jersey and Waterford, in Ireland.

All the best

Craig

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http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/

[Will]

That's very good news that the Cherbourg route is being given another chance. Last time it was tried it started off well, but didn't prove viable as a longer-term route so lets hope it can stay a bit longer this time.

The news is being presented elsewhere as low-cost competition for the ferry companies which of course is only partly true. Any competition on the Western Channel is more than welcome, be it on the water or in the air. Of course, one has to try and compare on as even a basis as possible, and air travel can only realistically be compared with travelling by ferry as a foot passenger - which seems to be roughly comparable in cost. One also has to consider the time involved (including check in time at airport or ferry port) and the time and cost of travel to an from the starting point and ultimate destination at either end, and the convenience of the timetable (e.g. does it involve extra overnight stays). Probably what it comes down to in the end is whether the convenience, or load-carrying ability, of having a vehicle with you makes it worth the extra cost of either the Western Channel ferry routes or the extra time and distance involved in using the cheaper Eastern Channel routes.

Whatever, I hope it succeeds.