Which airport do you drive to & fly out from?

[ironictwist]

Afternoon everyone,

I'm currently looking to launch a start-up in 18 months & as luck would have it, it's centred around airports.

Keeping in mind where alot of you are, more westerly than me that's for sure...Which airport do you, your friends, relatives, family tend to plump for?

I'm keeping details re it quite brief at the mo...But let's just say I'm sure you lot will rather like it

[ironictwist]

ecain63 said:

I dont want to argue over it, i just think the question could have been worded better.

Agreed...If anyone feels iffy about posting up any details, you can just use the poll function only

The info will help regardless though, you can even PM me if you prefer because what I'm putting together will be a great little service for PH'ers

[ironictwist]

Some really interesting responses, thanks to everyone so far! Keep going to those who haven't contributed.

Surprised at the amount of people using Heathrow, a much bigger proportion than I expected! Makes me rethink things a little in how I do things...I was very much under the impression that Gatwick was THE hub for the SE, which going by the poll, alot of people would go with that idea...But Heathrow takes quite a large share surprisingly!

Interesting regarding Bournemouth also, although when thinking about it, not unexpected! It's pretty bloody convenient for those short haul trips

[ironictwist]

tr7v8 said:

The reason for me is that 99.9% of my flying is on business & fairly frequent. Heathrow is further for me than Gatwick, but easier parking & slicker once there, also optional flights when/if it goes pear shaped. Stansted is very strange, with poor parking options, especially the chuffing long walk from short stay to the airport. London City is extraordinarily expensive for car parking & is a pig to get to from Kent.
I must admit I've started using Eurostar into France/Belgium & then SNCF/ICE train if going on further.

That is invaluable, thank you! The scale of what I'm looking to do is initially centred around Gatwick but there is certainly scope to expand to other airports should the model of what we're planning succesfully work

Gingerbread Man said:

Local like Southampton is more limited to Europe. So that only really leaves Gatwick and Heathrow. For long haul, Heathrow seems to be the one with the most flights and you can basicly fly anywhere from it. Normally a case of wanting to fly out on certain dates, Heathrow will normally tick that box. Gatwick might do the flight, but not as often.

Indeedy makes sense!

C5RagTop said:

Bournemouth every time if we can. Willing to pay a premium for the convenience. Otherwise next choice is Heathrow (use the National Express service) or Gatwick (take the car and use Gatwick Airport Parking - definately not one of those "off site" companies).

How have you found Gatwick generally? I went to Venice back in October & used Gatwick's long stay, cars packed like sardines, shuttlebuses crammed full with people like the tube in London at rush hour, just with luggage too! & it was surprisingly expensive for the 4 days I was there (£56)

ChrisDT said:

Pretty much always Gatwick for me - being as it's not to far away and a pretty simple drive there!

You & me both!

Keep the input coming guys & girls! It all helps especially as folks using Gatwick in particular will be directly benefiting from it I'm working on the branding at the moment, once done I shall be issuing instructions for the website to take shape, then we will go from there

[ironictwist]

PoleDriver said:

I fly 2 or 3 times a month. Preferred airport is London City followed by Stansted (I stay in Harlow most weekends)then Heathrow and Gatwick. Unfortunately I'm forced to use LHR most of the time!

Christ Poley, keepind in mind where you live London City must be a pain to get to!

[ironictwist]

PoleDriver said:

ironictwist said:

PoleDriver said:

I fly 2 or 3 times a month. Preferred airport is London City followed by Stansted (I stay in Harlow most weekends)then Heathrow and Gatwick. Unfortunately I'm forced to use LHR most of the time!

Christ Poley, keepind in mind where you live London City must be a pain to get to!

Ahem!! ^^^^^^^^^

It's been a long day, have mercy

[ironictwist]

FamilyDub said:

So, your poll assumes no-one north of Luton uses an airport...?

In short yes...The thread was originally posted in the South Coast forum, as those were the opinions I was after when the thread was posted. I'm afraid the Mods had moved the thread to here But having said, the start-up I'm looking at will be based "down South" I'm afraid...Who knows for the future, it's certainly a concept that would work VERY well around Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool etc...

touching cloth said:

I run a a travel services company operating out of Heathrow and Gatwick, don't have a volume demand for the others which may in itself tell you something. Our demographic is heavy corporate with a bit of media dahling/celebs thrown in. Even though there is a Gatwick requirement, Heathrow volume for us is circa 10 times Gatwick - for corporate LHR is THE major hub by a long way, LGW tends to be more leisure in nature, will however depend a bit on what you are offering and the likely end user. Not sure what your concept is but feel drop me a pm if you like and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions.

TC - Thank you for the input, I will most certainly keep you in mind! Especially as you (as luck would have it) are the exact type of company I will be wanting to speak to in the coming months. Or at least the chaps I have handling Marketing/Advertising will be wanting a word no doubt

Thank you to all the responses! It's hugely appreciated, keep it coming! Especially as I mentioned earlier, it will be a service that PH'ers will hopefully find beneficial

To those that use Heathrow, I assume you drive up? Take a taxi? Have family drop you off?

[ironictwist]

PoleDriver said:

T40ORA said:

ironictwist said:

To those that use Heathrow, I assume you drive up? Take a taxi? Have family drop you off?

I occasionally transport myself, my wife and luggage through the ether by unGodly means...

Bus or train?

Probably broomstick!

[ironictwist]

Some genuinely very very helpful & insightful responses boys & girls, thank you very much indeed. Stay tuned in the coming months

Alternatively, any more reponses are still all appreciated!

[ironictwist]

mybrainhurts said:

Has ironictwist finished his tunnels yet...?

Sorry to thread resurrect...But yes, I can confirm I have. Doors are open Interesting looking back at this thread considering it was back in Nov 2011! It's taken time, but we're there!

[ironictwist]

Stu R said:

All the best with it! Have been following on FB and Twitter, looks a very impressive setup you've got (particularly the furniture, jealous doesn't begin to describe it!...)

Thanks Stu! It seems to hit a real chord with ALOT of people. Ever since the early days back in 2011 when the idea was first being conceived, EVERYONE that I've talked to about it has or knows someone with a bad experience of airport/valet parking, it's only fueled the enthusiasm to get things setup

T40ORA said:

Fancy setting up a facility down near Bournemouth?

swerni said:

I'm curious as to how many use it for airport parking.

I would have thought, if someone were to use valet parking, they did so out of convenience.
I'm surprised that an alternative would be to park miles away and get a lift to,the airport.
I fly out of Heathrow several times a month, would never use vallet parking, (even if there were no premium for it) but just stick the car in business or long term parking. The last thing I'd want to do it wait around and then be driven 30+ minutes to my car so I can then drive home again.

It's a good point but it's very much client dependant and ALSO location dependant.

My own facility is a 12min run from Gatwick & covers the route you would otherwise take back up to the M25 which is pivotal. However, as you say, some clients DO want me to drive their car from the terminal, but then want to shuttle back to the car on the return leg. Some however want to ONLY park it, be shuttled in, then same on their return...I'm keeping it a flexible service because as we all know, no 2 car enthusiast's tend to have the same opinion on how to look after their car & how it should be treated...Ultimately you give the choice to the client so they opt for what they're most comfortable with, especially seeing how personal our cars tend to be & also how OCD some of us can be also!

Edited by ironictwist on Friday 31st May 23:47