connecting Virgin flights

[LORNA ANN]

I have just checked on VA web site our flights for Jan. 2009 and have found they have changed the time of our connecting flights from Glasgow to Gatwick & vice versa now no big deal going as we are staying over night in Gatwick but on the way back that leaves us in Gatwick for 61/2 hours (was supposed to be 2 1/2) lets hope no delays as could be longer. Have spoke to some forgeiner in god knows where at VA & they say not there fault BA has cancelled flight we were booked on so have given us next available flight I am really annoyed as I have already paid once to get earlier flight to Gatwick which they cancelled now going even earlier !!!
So any way does anyone have any advice on what to do for that length of time in Gatwick & how to keep DS amused as he will be exhausted & extremley grumpy !
Any advice is welcome we have done Gatwick with 6mth baby never a small child is it child friendly, play areas or anything.

 

[Nero the dog]

This happened to us for our return journey to Newcastle a couple of years ago and we were dreading it We have 3 kids although our youngest was 6 which wasn't as bad.

To be honest we found that we were all so tired from the flight (didn't get any sleep on the plane with 3 kids in tow) we all just found comfy seats in the departure lounge and all fell asleep. By the time we woke up there was about 1 hour until the flight, but I wouldn't do it again

There are lots of shops but we didn't see any play areas

We are going from a much easier option at Manchester airport this year, even with a 2 and half hour drive home

 

[scottish mum]

We're just back in Sept and we had 6 hours to wait. Thought it was going to be really bad but it took us ages to get through where they check your passports and then ages to collect luggage. We then had some juice and crisps and we were able to check in for our flight 3 1/2 hrs early so after that we went to frankie and benny's for an early lunch this passed some time after this we went through departures and sat and people watched for an hour and then it was time to board. DD4 slept quite a bit in her buggy (even missed lunch so she had a mcdonalds) yes it was tiring and the boys 11 and 7 were really tired but it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. I didn't see any play areas though

 

[LORNA ANN]

Thanks for this, its reassuring to know other people have done it we wish we had done Manchester don't know if it would have been any better though ! But know one thing won't be doing Orlando with connecting flights again till Robbie is a bit older, will stick to Glasgow direct for a few yrs even if it means having to wait till after easter to go.

 

[tink too]

This seems to be a recurring theme for BA to cancel their Scottish flights. We booked our flight - Aberdeen to Orlando via Gatwick - as soon as they were available. A couple of months before our vacation, they cancelled our early morning connecting flight for our outward journey and meant we had to fly into Heathrow instead. This meant a bus journey after our initial flight and a stay overnight in Gatwick. Of course, the flight change, bus transportation and hotel room were all at our own expense!

Our return flight had always been one where we'd have a considerable wait - they always seem to book them that way for us folks up here in Aberdeenshire. Out of the two main London airports though, if we have to have a long wait for our flight home, I'd rather it was in Gatwick.

 

[Cyrano]

We are booked through Virgin for Aberdeen - Gatwick - Orlando. Since BA no longer operate the Gatwick route guessing this is Flybe. Flying down in the early morning with Vroom booked. We have a few hours wait on the return. Hoping that in the summer less likelyhood of cancelled flights

 

[gilld]

I would book a day room at the Hilton or the Sofitel. At least you can all have a snooze before your on-going flight.

 

[junior27]

Hi Lorna Ann,

This was the same for us, although I didn't find out on the Virgin website but through some friendly folk on another forum. I don't know if I am allowed to mention them - if you PM me I will send you a link to the thread on that board.

I phoned Virgin and arranged to get the flights from Edinburgh instead of Glasgow - we now fly down at 17.00 instead of 17.40. We return at 12.30 which is a little later than the original Gatwick to Glasgow flight but a lot earlier than the 18.40ish that BA had transferred us to.

Virgin wanted to charge us more for the Edinburgh flight but managed to talk them out of that.

Hope that helps and offers you another option.

John

 

[LORNA ANN]

Hi Lorna Ann,

This was the same for us, although I didn't find out on the Virgin website but through some friendly folk on another forum. I don't know if I am allowed to mention them - if you PM me I will send you a link to the thread on that board.

I phoned Virgin and arranged to get the flights from Edinburgh instead of Glasgow - we now fly down at 17.00 instead of 17.40. We return at 12.30 which is a little later than the original Gatwick to Glasgow flight but a lot earlier than the 18.40ish that BA had transferred us to.

Virgin wanted to charge us more for the Edinburgh flight but managed to talk them out of that.

Hope that helps and offers you another option.

John

We are now doing Edinburgh but still have 6+hrs in Gatwick just not so far to drive home !! How did you manage to get 12.30 flight was this week day flight ours is a Saturday and was a 12ish flight now 3 o'clock flight !

 

[LORNA ANN]

I would book a day room at the Hilton or the Sofitel. At least you can all have a snooze before your on-going flight.

What is a day room ????

 

[cheryl.UK]

The Hilton and Sofitel will allow you to book a room for the day if they aren't too busy. You can usually check in at around 10 and you have to be out by 5pm. They don't cost as much as the night rate, I think we once paid about half the night rate when we were faced with a huge delay.

 

[Goofy68]

I noticed that this is only through the winter schedule with BA. he 10.15 Gatwick to Glasgow is back during the summer. Looks like we maybe sticking with direct flights or go via Manchester if this is the way ahead.
Hopefully Globespan direct will be good in 2 weeks.

 

[LORNA ANN]

I noticed that this is only through the winter schedule with BA. he 10.15 Gatwick to Glasgow is back during the summer. Looks like we maybe sticking with direct flights or go via Manchester if this is the way ahead.
Hopefully Globespan direct will be good in 2 weeks.

I priced fligts with globe span £600 difference hence the gatwick but now thinking maybe £600 with no worry would have been worth it.
Not really bothered for DH & i more for DS 2 as tiring enough without long wait in Gatwick.
Maybe have to move down South, solve everything

 

[junior27]

We are now doing Edinburgh but still have 6+hrs in Gatwick just not so far to drive home !! How did you manage to get 12.30 flight was this week day flight ours is a Saturday and was a 12ish flight now 3 o'clock flight !

Hi Lorna Ann,

Our flight is at 12.10 but it is a Monday - maybe that makes a difference.

Still, Edinburgh is just that wee bit nearer to Dundee than Glasgow so it has worked to our advantage eventually.

John

 

[LORNA ANN]

Hi Lorna Ann,

Our flight is at 12.10 but it is a Monday - maybe that makes a difference.

Still, Edinburgh is just that wee bit nearer to Dundee than Glasgow so it has worked to our advantage eventually.

John

My mother-in-law is Longforgan so Edinburgh is better for us to as we are staying over night there. But think it must be because weekend flight that ours is not till 14.55 was 12.10 but this was cancelled by BA.

 

[junior27]

Hi there,

Just checked BA's timetable. The 12.10 flight is scheduled to fly every day except Sunday. That's a shame.

Hope you enjoy your trip and glad you managed to get the flight changed to Edinburgh.

BTW did you get the PM?

John