Air travel round Britain isn't just for the wealthy any more, and with the growth in regional airports, it can be very convenient. But is it better/cheaper/quicker than taking the train?

ONCE upon a time, planes were just for the rich. The rest of us went - if we went at all - by bus or train and ferry. But that's all changed. Now you can fly abroad for less than it costs you to get to Newcastle or York on the train.

And it's not just abroad. As air travel has got cheaper and train travel has got ridiculously expensive, and as more routes are opened, flying from one part of Britain to another can be just as cheap and a lot quicker and more convenient than by train.

Whether plane or train, you get more choice of cheaper fares the further ahead you book, so we took a weekend in a month's time, and a midweek day return flight also four weeks ahead, to see which worked out better value.

These are just the flights we found for these particular days and times. The more flexible you can be, you might get prices even lower.

Bon voyage

DARLINGTON to ABERDEEN

AIR: There are four daily flights each way from Teesside, sorry, Durham Tees Valley Airport, to Aberdeen, with Eastern Airways, who give you allocated seats and complimentary drinks, including champagne on most services. Flight takes one hour.

Weekend return: on most flights you could get tickets for £126.20, leaving early Friday and coming back late Monday. The most expensive cheap flight was £186.20.

Midweek day return: £131.20.

TRAIN: Prices range from £23 (standard off peak return) to £188 (special exec). But there is a reasonable range of times for cheap fares. Journey takes five hours.

Midweek day return: £22.50. Leave at 7.06, back at 23.42, that's ten hours travelling, six hours in Aberdeen.

YORK TO NEWQUAY

AIR: Fancy a bit of southern surfing this summer? Air Southwest UK now run flights from Leeds Bradford to Newquay via Bristol. Flight takes just over two hours. Allocated seating. Snacks and drinks to be paid for.

Weekend return £122.

Midweek day return: leaving Leeds at 9.15am, back at 6.30pm with four and a half hours in Newquay. £82

TRAIN: Journey takes eight and a half hours. Cheapest weekend trip: £128.10

Midweek day return: tricky. You'd have to leave at 2.14am and the journey would involve four changes and get you to Newquay 12 hours later. You could have eight hours there, leave at 8.03pm and get back some time on Thursday. Cheapest ticket: £128.10

NEWCASTLE TO BRISTOL

AIR: Three flights a day on weekdays, two on weekends with Easyjet. Flight takes just over an hour. No allocated seats but the earlier you get there, the more choice you have.

Weekend: early Friday to late Monday: £47.98

Late Friday to early Monday: £105.98

Midweek day return: leave Newcastle 7am. Return from Bristol at 8.55pm. £22.49

TRAIN: Takes about five hours, but there are a number of direct trains.

Weekend: Cheapest fare is saver return: £101.60

Midweek day return: leave Newcastle 7.23. Return from Bristol: 17.58. Direct trains. Cheapest fare: £101.60

NEWCASTLE TO SOUTHAMPTON

AIR: Eastern/Airways fly every day. Flight takes just over an hour.

Weekend: most combinations of Friday to Monday flights would be £153.60

Midweek day return: leave Newcastle 7.45am, return from Southampton 18.40. £153.60

TRAIN: You have the choice of going cross country - longer but direct - or through London - cheaper, quicker, but it means crossing London.

Weekend: via London, cheapest ticket is £67, with more choice of times on a super advance return at £84. Going direct, cheapest fare is £106.50

Midweek day return: via London, cheapest fare is £67 and gives you six hours in Southampton. Going direct takes six hours, gives you two hours in Southampton. Cheapest fare: £106.50

DARLINGTON to LONDON

AIR: Bmibaby fly three times a day from Durham Tees Valley to Heathrow. Takes just over an hour. Allocated seating, complimentary snacks.

Weekend: Friday to Monday, choice of flights and you can do it for £72. Some single flights are only £17 before tax and charges.

Midweek day return: £116

TRAIN: Lots of trains, lots of choice. If you're not fussy when you travel, there are bargains to be had.

Weekend: going Friday, returning Monday, the cheapest ticket was £35 return. More choice at £48. More again at £62.

Midweek day return: if you don't mind not getting to London until 12.45, you can do it for £35. To get there by 11.12 will cost £48. And an early start to the day will cost £62.

REMEMBER...

...check just where regional airports are. Some have quick and easy access to their cities, others don't. How easy is it, for instance, to get by public transport from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Durham? Also remember to allow for check-in times, usually at least 40 minutes.

The earlier you book, the cheaper both flights and trains are. Travel at awkward times of day and you'll get bargains.

* We found our times and fares using the Internet - airline websites and The Trainline.