Yeah my sample itinerary, I rounded a few prices up and Hilton was just the first hotel I clicked on. Point was that you could have a decent day trip to London on the way and still have change. An extra mini holiday.

The exact fare difference is actually 1017GBP. Based on the thread I originally linked, I was thinking its worth just avoiding MAN completely since the complaints were about understaffing, long queues and dilapidation. Its good that complaints have died down now so hopefully its not as bad.

Flights are same fare class, same day of travel and same connections. Cant see exact fare bucket until ticketed:


12 Nov MAN->SYD - Business Flex (C or J): 5457GBP
BA1399
QF2

12 Nov LHR->SYD - Business Flex (C or J): 4878GBP
QF2

SYD->MAN - Business Deal (I): 3164GBP
QF1
BA1386

SYD->LHR - Business Deal (I) 2724GBP
QF1

Will book a local mini cab