BA from LGW to MCO

[2Tiggies]

Looking for some feedback on this flight from my DIS buddies. Some of you know I have been very anti BA for about a decade now and the only reason we are flying with them this year is because their flight sale last year made this year's trip possible (so I'm not going to be too judgemental!)

Anyway I have two questions:

1. I see that this flight lands at MCO about 20 minutes (on a good day) after a VA flight. How badly does this impact on the immigration time? There is no way all those passengers from VA are going to have passed through immigration before the BA folk start to stream through the hall!
2. WHY is it that this flight seems to land on time on average once every 6 days with a significant number of landings every week being in excess of an hour late?

I'm just trying to figure out how it is that on particular flight can be consistently so incredibly late more than 80% of the time (yes I've been tracking them daily for months now as well as monitoring the Flight Stats ontime performance rating (which currently stands at a whopping 0 out of 5 stars)

Despite it being an afternoon arrival, I have decided to estimate our resort check in time for 8 pm so as not to feel we have had any plans disrupted but with a rather tainted history of BA experiences it is taking a conscious effort on my part to give BA a fair chance in terms of my attitude

 

[zippy99]

We have done BA LGW to MCO for the last two years we did have an hours delay last October but helped clear MCO immigration from the previous flights! Always had an excellent service - great AVOD and comfortable.

For me, I have enjoyed my BA flights - we did charter on on first trip with first Choice 'twas ok but or our first trip we were happy (as a package and we were inexperienced!).

People rave about Virgin - but for us 22 hour delay departing, when leaving DTD check in was messed up and offline so we had to stand in the hot sun for 2 hours just to check our bags in DD almost collapsed and I had to really put my foot down with the American VA staff that my daughter needed some shade and water - I know they were trying their best but once we had arrived at DTD to check in our bags it's not like we could go else where with them.... So had no choice but to wait. The problem is there was no refreshment kiosk or anywhere to get a drink unless you walked into DTD.

To be honest - we will opt for the most cost effective way of getting there - as we are classed as 4 adults I need to be practical. I would fly with any carrier to get there lol! However, in all honesty our best flights by far have been with BA.

 

[queendisney]

LIke you I am generally not a fan of BA and the last time we flew to MCO with them was not the best experience, they certainly were not forthcoming with drinks (talking soft drinks here)! We also landed about an hour late but as pp said it certainly helped with the lines (or line as it is now) getting through at mco. But I thought the plane was excellent (a boeing 777), it felt spacious in economy compared to the 747 and the food was ok and the inflight entertainment was on par with VA...
TBH, I don't think that VA and BA are that different nowadays and I will just take which ever one gives me the best deal, it is after all not that long to suffer on either flight. Once you are used to the flight time (which most of us are now) you sort of take it in your stride and get on with it because you know where you are going to be at the end of it

 

[ben1993]

Flew with them from Gatwick last May, I can't remember if we were late or not to be honest? All I remember is that we got through Immigration fairly quick and that I thought they were stingey with drinks etc. Much preferred VA but I'd choose whoever was cheapest every time.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks guys

I agree, cheapest wins in this climate. I just had a really bad run with BA and although it was a long time ago I'm trying to have a fair and positive attitude. I guess the major scheduled airlines are all pretty much the same.

All my daughter cares about is the inflight entertainment lol - so easy to please

 

[Disneymad]

Flew BA this past trip and landed on time. It took an hour to get through immigration though we did hot foot it off the plane quickly and the bulk of the passengers were behind.

VA flight was in the hall in front of us and by the looks of it, hadn't been there long. We just beat another VA flight in so they piled in afterwards too. It would have been nasty if we'd landed 10-15 mins later than we did.

That said, pain that Immigration was, we've been held back on the plane in the past with VA due to overcrowding so I think it's just a crapshoot whoever you fly with.

 

[Ciorsdah]

This year will be my first ever holiday not flying BA or BA Holidays.

When I was younger we always flew BA to MCO and apart from the regular delays there were no issues. We flew with them last year Edinburgh - LHR - LHR to Dubai and the service was top class.

I will say, I have found that typically when I fly in/out of Gatwick I am delayed so I dont know if the delay would be on the departure airport side or on MCO side.

Also, a friend of mine who is a pilot for VA has said that often they overstate flight time to give the impression of an "on time" flight to cover for any short, unexpected delays ( usually 40mins or under).

We would have gone BA this year has they had some crafty prices, but VH were cheaper for us and like you say, cheapness must rule in this day in age.

 

[2Tiggies]

Disneymad, that's what I first thought when I saw the other VA planes arriving so close the the BA one. I wish they would stagger them, for goodness sake In fact, I would far rather do a ridiculously early departure from the UK - - 4 am is not asking too much of me - and get there in the morning

I have found that typically when I fly in/out of Gatwick I am delayed so I dont know if the delay would be on the departure airport side or on MCO side.

It's definitely on the LGW side. Without exception, all these flights have actually departed late, rather than had any delays en route or taken longer to get there. It's just odd because the other flights departing LGW (not BA) have a really good on time performance rating. It just appears to be this particular one that was affected. Maybe that's why they had a sale