Cruise passengers travelling from northern England to Southampton will soon have another option for reaching their ship, as easyJet prepares to launch a new direct flight between Manchester and the UK’s busiest cruise port city.
The budget airline will begin operating the route on 4th December 2026, with flights scheduled twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.
The Friday service could be particularly useful for cruise passengers departing Southampton on a Saturday, allowing them to fly south the day before their sailing and spend a night in a local hotel.
Saturday is one of the busiest days for cruise departures from Southampton, with cruise lines including P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Cunard regularly operating weekend sailings.
With flight times of approximately one hour and fares starting from £33.99 on the launch date, the new service could offer a convenient alternative to lengthy road or rail journeys for passengers living in Manchester and surrounding parts of northern England.
The new connection also restores a direct air link between the two cities following the withdrawal of regional airline Loganair’s Southampton to Manchester service in August.
A New Way For Cruise Passengers To Reach Southampton
Southampton is the UK’s leading cruise departure port, welcoming millions of passengers travelling on cruises to destinations including the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands and Caribbean.
However, reaching the port can involve a lengthy journey for passengers living in the north of England or in Scotland, particularly those who prefer not to drive or leave their car in Southampton for the duration of their holiday.
A direct flight from Manchester could make the journey more manageable, especially for travellers who live close to Manchester Airport or can reach it easily from other parts of the north.
The timing of the Friday flights is potentially the biggest advantage for cruisers.
Many seven-night and 14-night cruises depart Southampton on Saturdays, meaning passengers could fly down on Friday, stay overnight and make the short onward journey to their cruise terminal the following morning.
Arriving the day before a cruise also provides some protection against travel disruption, reducing the risk of missing a ship because of delays on the morning of departure.
Southampton Airport is located outside the city centre, so passengers would still need to arrange transport to their hotel or cruise terminal. The port has five main cruise terminals spread across its Eastern and Western Docks.
The Monday flights could also prove useful for passengers joining or returning from cruises operating outside the traditional weekend departure schedule, although the limited frequency means the service will not suit every itinerary.
Aviation expert Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, specifically identified cruise passengers as a potential market for the service.
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