Avanti’s trains offer a swift two-hour journey between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston, but can they compete with planes for such a short trip? The Points Guy (TPG) decided to find out by racing a British Airways aircraft against one of Avanti’s fast Pendolino trains. The race, spanning 200 miles, starts at Old Trafford and ends at Wembley Stadium, making for an exciting competition.
Leading this thrilling race on the Avanti Pendolino is Nicky Kelvin, Senior Head of Content at TPG. Nicky initially purchased a standard ticket for £40 but upgraded to Standard Premium for an extra £25. He commended the convenience and comfort of the train, highlighting its efficiency and minimal hassle. Nicky also praised the option to upgrade, considering it a great bonus.
However, Nicky also mentioned a few downsides to the train journey. Navigating through different modes of transport and stations could be challenging for those traveling with luggage or children. Additionally, there are no direct Tube trains from Euston to Wembley, requiring a short walk to Euston Square to catch one.
TPG’s “team plane” contender is Liam Spencer, the Senior Marketing Manager, who purchased an economy ticket from Manchester to Heathrow Airport for £74. Liam found several advantages to flying, including the ease of navigating Manchester Airport and a quick boarding process. The plane undoubtedly wins in terms of speed, with Liam landing in London just 40 minutes after departing Manchester.
However, Liam also encountered a few drawbacks. Due to a slow boarding process, his flight departed 25 minutes behind schedule, resulting in a narrow loss to the train. Furthermore, even without passport control, Liam still had to find his way out of Heathrow and wait for a taxi, adding additional hurdles that train passengers don’t face. From an environmental standpoint, taking the train is a more eco-friendly option. Liam concluded that he would avoid flying such a short route unless absolutely necessary.
For more details and to watch the original TPG BA vs Avanti video, visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. Stay updated with The Mail’s WhatsApp Channel by scanning the QR code or following the invite link provided. Join the channel to receive notifications and stay connected with The Mail and its updates.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
