Ok I realise EasyJet is an airline, but the vey fact that they are starting competition with a GWR routes suggests it could merit discussion.

Strictly can travel the route by using the North Downs line between Gatwick and Reading, and then either direct to Newquay (at the limited times of through train), or changing again in Cornwall.

Even if take the more vague route of London to western Cornwall how does price and time stack up

https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/press/easyjet-to-launch-london-gatwick-to-newquay-flights-for-summer-2026/

Taking example of last Saturday in June (27th) it is £44.99 out and £52.49 back week later 4th July (before adding extras)

GWR website, London to Newquay on same dates and nearest same departure times of 07:05 and 09:15 is from £62 out and from £72 return, with various ticket prices upto staggering £469.40 for anytime first class return.

Has GWR missed a trick by allowing airlines to undercut it on cheapest fare, thoughts please

If daft enough to actually pay £469.40 what would you actually get, I suspect there is not a First class lounge at Newquay serving champagne breakfasts at weekends. 

 
Also factor in costs of getting to and from airports or stations.   

I recall chatting with someone who was attending an IT course I was running, and he was "flying to Scotland to see his mum for the weekend" and saying how much cheaper it was that going overland.  "How will you get from the airport to her home, though?" I asked.   "I'll walk" he said "she lives 300 yards from the airport terminal on Benbecula".   Such responses are unusual - there's often a bus, taxi or hire car.

 
Skybus had the contract for a Public Service Operator for a while -
At a meeting of Cornwall Council’s cabinet this morning, the Council has voted in favour of discontinuing its support for the PSO air service between Cornwall Airport Newquay and London. At the same meeting, it has been confirmed that support for the air service has been withdrawn from the Council’s budget.

It is with sincere regret that we therefore must confirm that Skybus services from Cornwall Airport Newquay to London Gatwick must cease by 31 May 2026. Our team is proceeding to initiate contact with all passengers who hold forward bookings from that date to arrange a full refund of all monies paid and to convey our disappointment that many must now face arduous alternative travel plans to London.

Skybus stepped in to operate the service from 23 November 2025 following the collapse of the previous operator.
https://www.skybus.co.uk/latest-news/pso-air-services-cornwall-to-london-gatwick/

A daily service (from) £114.99 single.

Easyjet only doing the run twice a week, but not as a PSO.

 
Ryanair also fly to Stansted three or four times a week (four in high season).

 

Bit harsh, but yes, west country rail services *are* now provisioned with what is essentially a train with interiors fitted out with the Reading-Paddington commuter run in mind... does the catering trolley even cross the Tamar any more, and then there's the resilience aspect...

Mark

 

And if you try to book by train for a summer weekend instead, effectively get no availability (yet) of fares, unlike the airlines that are happy to allow people to book summer break.

GWR is happy to let book tickets upto 24 weeks ahead on selected routes according to its website (not that I have ever managed to find a list of routes they have selected, so no idea which routes), but won't let anyone book weekends beyond 5th July (which is why I picked the comparison in opening post).

Are GWR seriously scared there might be engineering works on the major holiday routes to South West at height of summer, stopping these advances being released through to end of August. We all know the works are never done peak season, so why is GWR holding back whilst airlines have opened summer bookings ?