Airtours vs Virgin - any recommendations?

[katiec]

First post...

I am in the process of pricing up for a couple of weeks next September - we are not tied to any dates and have no particular preference other than staying on Int Dr.
I would prefer 16 nights, but the price with Airtours may mean I have to sacrifice that!

I have looked at Quality Inn Plaza with Airtours (22 sept) - they are coming out at just over £1300 for 2 weeks (no car hire).
They are offering a £800 online discount!!

I have also looked at Virgin - Fairfield Inn and Suites same dates just over £1700 (no car hire). (Quality Inn Plaza is £1800)

Is it worth the £400 saving to fly with Airtours - after all its only an 8 hr flight (cant be any worse than 10.5flight from MExico with First choice - ran out of water and no toilets working half way through the flight!!)

I know Airtours isnt quite Virgin - but with Virgin's problems with cust service etc, maybe the £400 saving is worth it?

Also - has anyone stayed recently at the Quality Inn Plaza - it has reasonable reviews on TripAdvisor.

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Katie

 

[orangetiggs]

i would never fly airtours again! we flew to kenya with them with a stop in cairo it was a nightmare, We only ever fly virgin now.

Airtours i think go into sanford instead of orlando international

for car hire try usrentcar. we just saved 400 by cancelling our virgin car to go with them

 

[chipndalefan]

We've been with Airtours 3 times and once with Virgin. Virgin is always more expensive, and I didnt see much difference in service for the cost.

The Virgin plane was a little newer, and we got free drinks - but that was it.

I'd go with airtours, and spend the £400 your saving in Orlando.

 

[katiec]

Thanks for your replies.

We are both quite seasoned travellers, and although not stingy the more I can save on the holiday - sometimes - the better!

I have flown Virgin many moons ago, and would love to fly with them again, but I agree a £400 saving is quite a lot of $$$s for Disney goodies!!

My idea trip would be 16 nights with Virgin at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, but I must admit i'm tempted by the saving. After all, i'm not going to Florida to spend all day at the hotel.

We can all have good and bad experiences with flights whoever you fly with - its just pot luck most of the time if you get away on time and have no prblems.
I like the icecream you get during the film - but I'd maybe rather pay Airtours £5 for a couple of cokes than Virgin for free drinks that we woldnt use!

 

[UKDEB]

Airtours is a big operator in the Orlando market. As will all airlines, you'll find fans and detractors in equal number. Are the Virgin prices for your preferred 16 nights, or are they a direct comparison with the Airtours prices?

Welcome to the DIS, by the way!

 

[TurbosTim]

We've got our 4th trip cuming up. Our view of the airlines operators:-

1st trip Virgin - excellent
2nd trip Travel City - Good
3rd trip Airtours - awful

The above relates to the flights/planes only as we had fantastic holidays when there, hence the next one coming in September. In my experience Virgin are almost always the most expensive (a £400 difference doese'nt suprise me and at the end of the day it is a lot of money.) Travel City in case anyone didn't know is an internet only company. They claim to be the largest carrier for Brits to Florida and our experience was good. Not as good as Virgin but good and a lot less expensive.

Airtours flights were the worst both going and coming back. ie cramped, stuffy, noisey, and poor service. My partner found it so bad that he has refused point blank to ever fly with Airtours to Florida again. We are going with Travel City again in September. £1000 each for Port Orleans so you can't grumble. Everyone's experiences are unique so who knows?

Have fun

 

[Young Pooh]

Airtours have now been taken over by Thomas Cook so as far as I know, all the Orlando flights will be operated by TCX - 33' legroom and seat back TV's in refurbished planes.

 

[wilma-bride]

We have flown with both. We flew with Airtours to Florida in October 06 and paid the extra to upgrade to Premiair Gold - it was £180 for the two of us (2 for 1 offer) and it was well worth it. It was one of the best flights we've had and the immigration process at Sanford was far quicker than Orlando International. Having said that, I ventured back into Economy to use the facilities when there was a queue at the front of the plane and I'm not sure we would have had as good an experience in economy. There were no seat-back screens and it seemed really cramped. Although, as a previous poster said, they have been taken over by Thomas Cook now so things may have changed.

If the monetary saving is important to you, I would say go with Airtours - after all, the flights are really just a means to an end.

 

[DISWolves]

Have flown bith Airtours and Virgin. I prefer to go with Virgin, as they fly into Orlando International - a much better airport than Sanford - IMO.
I have stayed at Quality Inn Plaza 3 times. This is the quieter end of I-Drive so you should be O.K. Like most of the chain hotels, they are basic rooms, but as long as it is clean, all that I want is somewhere to sleep after a long day in the parks

 

[katiec]

Hi

UK Deb - the prices are a direct comparrison between the 2 14 night prices.

My DH would say that he'd rather have the £400 in his pocket than Richard Bransons - he doenst really need my £400!! What he doesnt know is that it would end up in my pocket in the form of Disney Dollars!!!

I suppose it all comes down to am i prepared to risk a not so good flight experience for the saving?
And as Wilma-Bride says - the flight is really only a very small part of the holiday.