With bmi announcing the withdrawal of its Leeds Bradford - Heathrow flights at the end of March, Eastern Airways’ established Southampton service offers an alternative link to south west London and Surrey for Yorkshire business travellers. The Humberside based UK regional airline provides three flights each weekday from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Southampton.  With a rail station next to Southampton Airport, passengers are a short journey from the M3 corridor, including Basingstoke, Farnborough, Woking and south west London.

Eastern Airways is consistently rated one of the UK’s best on-time performers and has provided a reliable service between Yorkshire and the south coast of England for nearly six years to meet the needs of the business community.

Flights depart Leeds Bradford at 6.50am, 2.20pm and 5.40pm, arriving in Southampton at 8am, 3.30pm and 6.50pm.  Return flights depart from Southampton at 8.35am, 4pm and 7.15pm, landing at Leeds Bradford at 9.45am, 5.10pm and 8.25pm.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: “Our Southampton service does provide regular Heathrow-bound air travellers with an alternative way of travelling to the south west of London and the M3 corridor. Southampton Airport’s rail station provides a quick direct link to major business centres along the M3 corridor.  Our air services offer Yorkshire travellers a day return option, including those heading for south west London.”

Earlier this month Eastern Airways introduced a mid-afternoon 2.20pm departure to Southampton from Leeds Bradford and also started a daily weekday connection service to Oslo via Aberdeen from the Yorkshire airport. Fast check-in times are offered by the airline and fast track security channels enable its customers to beat potential queues in the security search areas. A fully inclusive onboard service is provided by Leeds based cabin crew and passengers are not charged for hold baggage or choice of seat.