Manchester Airport (MAN) is the UK's third-busiest airport and a fantastic hub for finding affordable flights. With direct routes to over 200 destinations, it's often cheaper to fly from Manchester than from London.
Jet2 is Manchester's home airline and offers some of the best package holiday deals, particularly to Spain, Greece, and Turkey. Ryanair and easyJet both operate from Manchester with competitive fares to European destinations.
For summer holidays (June-August), book by March for the best prices. For winter sun, book in September or October. Last-minute deals do appear, but availability is limited during school holidays.