A couple of flight questions...

[mickeyforpresident]

Hi folks,

Please could someone answer a few questions?

Our flight back to the UK is with DELTA from MCO to ATL, then Virgin ATL to MAN. I seemed to remember that at Disney hotels you can check in at the Hotel with certain flights - Delta being one of them. Does anybody know if this works for UK visitors and on a code share flight? It would be ace if we could!!! This would give us just a few extra hours in MK as the flight leaves at 15:30.

Next (sorry for all the questions!) our lay over on the way back is just one hour and the Virgin flight back is the last one of the day.... If something goes wrong and the Delta flight runs late and we miss the connection, what happens? The next flight is the next day.... Would we be given hotel accommodation or would we be expected to just hang out in the airport for hours and hours?

Thanks everyone!
K

 

[Kath2003]

Hi folks,

Please could someone answer a few questions?

Our flight back to the UK is with DELTA from MCO to ATL, then Virgin ATL to MAN. I seemed to remember that at Disney hotels you can check in at the Hotel with certain flights - Delta being one of them. Does anybody know if this works for UK visitors and on a code share flight? It would be ace if we could!!! This would give us just a few extra hours in MK as the flight leaves at 15:30.

Next (sorry for all the questions!) our lay over on the way back is just one hour and the Virgin flight back is the last one of the day.... If something goes wrong and the Delta flight runs late and we miss the connection, what happens? The next flight is the next day.... Would we be given hotel accommodation or would we be expected to just hang out in the airport for hours and hours?

Thanks everyone!
K

Who did you book with?

Within the EU, the airline have more generous regulations which mean they have to provide you with a certain degree of assistance if you are delayed by law.

If it's a US airline (i.e. Delta) you'll probably be given a discounted hotel rate at least, probably overnight hotel accommodation if needed. This is why travel insurance is important. You don't have to hang out at the airport, but they probably won't help you fund food, drinks etc. Be aware that if the connection problems are due to something out of Delta's control (e.g. the weather), you may not receive the same level of help - and again, look carefully at your travel insurance and take enough funds to deal with an overnight delay.

The airline are obligated to get you to your destination on the next available flight if you miss your connection. This may be sooner if you are willing to split your party, which you probably won't be.

Remember also that you won't see your bags until your final destination on the return flight. So pack your hand luggage sensibly (I always carry at least enough to get me through 48 hours wiout the rest of my gear).

I wouldn't worry too much about a delay; I have flown indirect for my last 6 trips and had no issues on the return leg, other than the ash cloud situation in 2010 when no one was going anywhere!