We are booked MAN-AKL on QR later in the year. We will need to organise travel to/from MAN. Car doesn't appeal, especially after the long return journey. One of us has mobility problems and can't walk too far. We have a rail discount card. We have London Freedom Passes so can use local buses, trams and (I think) trains. We are likely to take the train from London and would appreciate some ideas.

1 I read somewhere (FT?) that there is a more convenient station than Piccadilly to get to the airport. Is this true, and which is it?
2 Given the flight times - take off 14:25, return landing 05:50 - we have to allow enough time to make the transfer for onward travel, especially on the return leg. Options
- fly LON-MAN and v.v. I assume Customs etc will be at MAN so would have to transfer for the MAN-LON flight. (This would help with BA tier points.) But how much time to allow for the inbound?
- take the train from London to Piccadilly or intermediate station, then train/cab etc to MAN. Same on return. It's a long time since my regular Manchester visits and so much has changed on the trains. AIUI the train could be cheaper but would be restricted to specific timings.
- stay overnight at an airport hotel in either or both directions. We are Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold (at least for the time being) and IHG platinum but are not bound by these.

Very grateful for any advice you can offer.

[BTW I used 'Manchester' in the search over the past year and am astonished by so many London threads that came up.]

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