Air travel versus train - passports

[ferryman]

Why is it that when you fly from London (or other southern parts of the UK) to Scotland, you need a passport? If you go by train from England or Wales you don't need a passport? Does anyone know the reason why please?

[kempie]

Which airlines require a passport, as opposed to photo ID such as photocard driving licence, for UK internal flights?

[spudqueen]

I would imagine you would also need a passport if you were flying from Manchester to Scotland. I don't suppose they're just discriminating against the southerners!

[dzug]

You don't need a passport - you need a photo id of some sort acceptable to the airline. A passport is just one form of this.

The reason is security - so they know that you are the person who has booked and is on the passenger list.

Trains don't have passenger lists.

[Gef]

Ferryman, it's the same when you travel in the opposite direction.

[ferryman]

Thanks to all for the replies. I see why now, down to passenger lists. I suppose if and when trains do the same they will require photo ID too!

ferryman

[Jonny1963]

As is mentioned above, it's photo ID they require. A passport is just one option. Most will accept a UK issued drivers license also. However, I don't think it's got anything to do with passenger lists. If you fly internally with BA or BMI all you need to check-in at the self-service machine is the card which was used to purchase the ticket.

When my collegue couldn't make a scheduled trip to London last year I took a friend. The boarding pass was issued (iin my collegue's name) with no problem and there were no ID checks along the way. The person on the passenger list and the person actually travelling weren't the same.