Easyjet have launched a new UK flight that ‘literally nobody needs’

The airline is facing some backlash for their new domestic flight route (Picture: Getty Images) From France to Turkey, Easyjet offers more than 630 routes, ferrying UK passengers to destinations across Europe and beyond. The budget airline regularly announces new flights — just this summer, they revealed a new route to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, as well as new flights from Bristol to Glasgow. But now, the carrier has unveiled a domestic route that’s divided travellers. Now available on the Easyjet website, you can book tickets between Manchester and Southampton. Starting on December 4, just in time for Christmas, the trip covers around 170 miles (as the crow flies), each way. It will be one of Easyjet’s shortest routes (not including those between islands), second only to the flight between Geneva and Milan Linate. Flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays (Picture: Shutterstock/Dimi Jeckov) The cost to the environment The announcement has left some eco-conscious customers asking why such a trip has been made available. Aviation produces roughly 2.5% of the world’s carbon emissions, and is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport. ‘Nobody needs to fly between Manchester and Southampton,’ wrote Fiona Jade on X. ‘Literally nobody. There’s an hourly direct train!’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. And user, Juo, wrote: ‘We’re in a climate crisis and airlines are doing s*** like this?’ Would you take the Easyjet flight from Manchester to Southampton? Yes, it's quick and reliableCheck No, it's bad for the environmentCheck Sign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's travel editor, Alice Murphy. Stay Grounded, an international coalition which aims to deal with the ‘multiple impacts of aviation’ told Metro flights like this should be banned. Speaking to Metro, Hannah Lawrence, spokesperson for Stay Grounded, said: ‘Easyjet’s decision to open this new flight route makes a mockery of the fact that we’ve just lived through the hottest summer on record, suffering droughts, wildfires, and thousands of excess deaths. ‘This is just further evidence that the aviation industry can’t be trusted to reduce their own emissions.’ Hannah shares that the French Government made a decision to end all domestic short-haul flights in 2023, when rail alternatives of 2.5 hours or less exist. ‘Short-haul flights such as these should be banned — we’ve already seen this happen in France, it’s possible here too,’ said Hannah. Easyjet only operate domestic flights where there’s no direct train journey of less than three hours (Picture: Getty Images) Meanwhile, aviation expert and CEO of Airadvisor, Anton Radchenko, explains that passengers would benefit from more information to determine the impact of this journey on the environment. He explains: ‘Short flights are particularly difficult environmentally because take-off and climb account for a significant share of fuel consumption over such a limited distance. ‘The fairest approach would be for easyJet to publish a route-specific, per-passenger emissions estimate based on the aircraft actually used and realistic occupancy, alongside a comparable rail figure, so travellers can judge the time saving against the environmental cost.’ What have Easyjet said about the controversial new route? When approached for comment by Metro, Easyjet explained their decision to operate the flight. A spokesperson said: ‘We only operate domestic flights where there is no direct train journey of less than three hours and where air travel provides important connectivity. ‘Following the closure of Loganair’s Southampton base the route will offer alternative options for their customers where the alternative indirect train journey takes over 4 hours 30 minutes. ‘While we will always consider the environmental impact of flying, domestic flights remain an important part of the UK’s transport network, connecting people for leisure and business while providing jobs and opportunities across the country.’ Who will use the new Easyjet route between Manchester and Southampton? Other customers have asked who the passenger will be, given there are clear alternatives available. ‘What even is this route for?’ asked Alexandrie Martinez. And Shawn Chare said: ‘The most useless plane route.’ If you were to take the same trip by car between the two UK cities, the journey would be around 3hrs, 50mins. You can also currently buy a coach ticket with FlixBus, which takes longer, at 7hrs, 25mins, and costs just £36.98. They’re replacing a gap left by regional carrier Loganair (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo) And, National Rail is advertising a £34.50 train which takes just 4hrs, 16mins, direct. But Aviation expert Anton says we shouldn’t ‘dismiss this route as pointless simply because there is a direct train.’ He tells Metro: ‘Its most credible users will be people living close to either airport, northern passengers travelling to Southampton’s cruise terminal, weekend travellers, and passengers positioning themselves for an onward flight from Manchester. ‘EasyJet is effectively replacing the Southampton-Manchester connection that Loganair withdrew in August. ‘Loganair used smaller regional aircraft and offered a much more frequent service, while EasyJet will concentrate demand into two weekly flights operated by a considerably larger Airbus. ‘That suggests easyJet is targeting weekend, cruise and leisure demand rather than recreating a business shuttle.’ Is the new Easyjet route any quicker than rail travel? Currently, Easyjet are advertising the flight duration of one hour. However, Anton says it’s important not to compare this timeline to a train journey. ‘It’s not a fair comparison,’ he says. ‘A passenger travelling between the two city centres must add the journey to the airport, security, boarding, possible baggage collection and the transfer at the other end. The train takes just over four hours (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) ‘For some passengers, the flight will still save meaningful time; for others, the direct train may be almost as quick door to door and provides several hours in which they can work or relax.’ For many though, it will all come down to which journey is kindest on their finances. Currently, the Manchester to Southampton on December 4, at 11:55pm (landing at 12.55pm), is available for £33.99 — slightly cheaper than both rail and coach options. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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