Originally Posted by RGS5526

Since the first train from Euston to Manchester on a Sunday doesn't leave until after 8am, arriving not much before 11am, an 8am flight seems a good option for anyone from the south wanting to be in Manchester before Sunday lunchtime. On a weekday the trains start much earlier.

A stronger reason for the heavy CE load may be passengers connecting from premium cabins on the long haul flights that arrive at LHR from about 6am onwards. From observation of the luggage carousel there always seem to be a large proportion of connecting passengers on LHR-MAN flights.