Connecting flights question.

[thelittlemermaid83]

Looking at going Indirect as it seems to be a lot cheaper, on the way back how long would you recommend for getting your connecting flight, is 1 hour long enough or would you allow for more time?

 

[gemmybear83]

I got my direct virgin flights for £295 return last month Emma in the virgin flight sale so you can get direct ones for a good deal too

 

[Aardvarks]

Outbound from Man to MCO via Atlanta we had to pick up our bags at Atlanta and re check them in for the onwards flight.

Coming back the same way, our bags were checked right through to Man.

Outbound we needed the hour to make the connection

Coming home, 30 mins was plenty.

Bye the way, Delta were excellent. I have flown direct from Gatwick to MCO with Virgin and for me, Delta was the better experience.

 

[joolz1910]

I got my direct virgin flights for £295 return last month Emma in the virgin flight sale so you can get direct ones for a good deal too

I've been looking at flight prices too - I think me and Emma will end up going at the same time - I just wanted to ask how difficult it was to get those bargain flights. Does Virgin have a 'January sale' every year?

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I got my direct virgin flights for £295 return last month Emma in the virgin flight sale so you can get direct ones for a good deal too

Thats a great price Gemma!

I don't really want to pay anymore than £800 for mine and Kyra's flights.

 

[gemmybear83]

I've been looking at flight prices too - I think me and Emma will end up going at the same time - I just wanted to ask how difficult it was to get those bargain flights. Does Virgin have a 'January sale' every year?

Both BA and Virgin seem to have flight sales every January and every summer I left it until the last weekend of the flight sale and there were still quite a few around - you just have to keep watching the prices like wayneg says

Thats a great price Gemma!

I don't really want to pay anymore than £800 for mine and Kyra's flights.

I've picked up loads of tips from here - such as avoiding weekend flights as they always seem to be more expensive

 

[Kath2003]

MUCH MORE TIME! Internal flights in the US are notoriously LATE. I don't think I've EVER been on one that was on time (Delta, United, Southwest, American, Continental)!

Leave LOADS of time on your outbound flight as you will have to clear immigration and customs at your first destination. Even with the new ESTA system, it can take hours to get through immigration. Last August, albeit before the new system came in, I waited over 90 minutes to get through immigration at Chicago O'Hare. I'd left two and a half hours between my flights and BARELY made my connection.

 

[torsie24]

MUCH MORE TIME! Internal flights in the US are notoriously LATE. I don't think I've EVER been on one that was on time (Delta, United, Southwest, American, Continental)!

Leave LOADS of time on your outbound flight as you will have to clear immigration and customs at your first destination. Even with the new ESTA system, it can take hours to get through immigration. Last August, albeit before the new system came in, I waited over 90 minutes to get through immigration at Chicago O'Hare. I'd left two and a half hours between my flights and BARELY made my connection.

Eee, scary times!

We have booked flights we have to connect in detroit with and only have 80 minutes between flights.

Never mind, I've checked online and there is another flight a few hours later.

 

[joolz1910]

MUCH MORE TIME! Internal flights in the US are notoriously LATE. I don't think I've EVER been on one that was on time (Delta, United, Southwest, American, Continental)!

Leave LOADS of time on your outbound flight as you will have to clear immigration and customs at your first destination. Even with the new ESTA system, it can take hours to get through immigration. Last August, albeit before the new system came in, I waited over 90 minutes to get through immigration at Chicago O'Hare. I'd left two and a half hours between my flights and BARELY made my connection.

That is worth knowing.

 

[Beep]

We're flying Birmingham-Newark-Orlando and have a connection time of 2hrs 50 minutes. We were going for the shorter connection time but after the advice on here went for the longer one.

Coming back it is just about 2 hrs.

 

[joolz1910]

We're flying Birmingham-Newark-Orlando and have a connection time of 2hrs 50 minutes. We were going for the shorter connection time but after the advice on here went for the longer one.

Coming back it is just about 2 hrs.

I am so dumb, I didn't know you could fly from Birmingham. Is it more expensive than flying from Gatwick? Is there a supplement?

 

[wayneg]

I am so dumb, I didn't know you could fly from Birmingham. Is it more expensive than flying from Gatwick? Is there a supplement?

There are some really cheap flights from BHX just now, cheaper than London or Manchester. I looked last night May school half term £304.

 

[joolz1910]

I am learning something new all the time. Seriously though, I know nothing. I will go and price up flights from B'ham instead of Gatwick now.

 

[Kath2003]

Eee, scary times!

We have booked flights we have to connect in detroit with and only have 80 minutes between flights.

Never mind, I've checked online and there is another flight a few hours later.

I left almost FIVE HOURS to connect in Miami in our next trip; I figured that way I won't be worrying about the plane being late or getting through immigration and instead can get a coffee! I NEVER would have made my connection on 2 hours 30minutes at Chicago O'Hare had I had checked luggage; luckily I only travel with a backpack!

I think it depends a lot on the airport though - at O'Hare you have to go through immigration and customs (there was a 90 minute wait here) in the terminal you land in, then change terminals and go back through security again at the new terminal! I have never run through an airport so fast in my entire life and am eternally grateful to the Italian family who let me cut in front of them in the immigration line.

Personally I think there should be a line specifically for people who have connecting flights; I know no one wants to hang around in the airport but if you land within 90 minutes of your flight time, you should expect to be able to make that!

Returning was better as I was leaving from the same terminal my first flight landed at so I stayed 'airside' but since my flight was 30 minutes late anyway I only had a two hour wait.

Torsie - I would call your airline and see if you can get on the later flight, 80 minutes won't be long enough IMO and if there aren't any seats on the later flight, you won't be accommodated. Detroit airport isn't wonderful enough to want to spend the night there...