Flying in-direct to Orlando

[Pinklepurr361]

We're planning a trip back to Orlando at Easter 2010.

On our last trip we flew direct with Virgin. Being peak time the price we paid was huge and the service on-board left a lot to be desired.

This time I would like to consider in-direct flights in order to hopefully bring the cost down and break the journey up. I know prices are not yet available but I want to be able to know where to look as soon as the time comes.

Which airline and US hub would you recommend for this? We would like an airline that has in-seat TV's (for the kids) and one where we can perhaps upgrade to a premium ecomony service for the return transatlantic part. Also a US airport which is easy to negotiate with two children (aged 8 and 10 at time of travel).

Any advice from personal experiences would be great.

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

We have used just about every airline thru all the major hubs, NYC, Philly, Chicago, Detroit, Washington.
I can't remember which airline offers what service, as long as we get there cheaper than anyone else I don't mind what they offer but 2 stand out in memory. BMI(Now stopped from Manch unfortunately) and NWA. Used NWA from Heathrow last Oct, way better than Virgin(doesn't take much) or BA. Latest IFE system, good legroom, new plane and staff that worked their socks off the whole flight.

 

[Pinklepurr361]

Thanks Wayneg! I knew you would have the answer to my question. I shall look up the airlines you suggest. Many thanks PP

 

[disneybarbie]

I've flown a few times indirect to Orlando & Tampa - apart from the money saving aspect, you will also go through US immigration at the first airport you land at - so when you arrive at Orlando, you don't have to do all the immigration queueing again!
just make sure you give yourself plenty of time between flights at the hub airport - Atlanta airport, for example, is huge and you will probably need to get to another terminal for your connecting flight (but on a monorail, so it's like your first thempark ride ).
I've found the service on Delta airlines is much better than BA & VA - but be aware that they sometimes usually smaller aircraft than VA. The last flight I took from gatwick to atlanta was with Delta, each seat had it's own seatback television, with interactive games, music etc - you could even pause the movies! The connecting flight to Orlando will be a much smaller plane, but then the flight is less than two hours - so just make sure you have puzzle books/nintendo DSs/ipods to keep the children occupied! ... actually, I think the plane from Atlanta to Tampa did have seatback tvs, and they had regular American tv channels on them!

hope this helps

Barbie

 

[Cinderella]

As Barbie says, not having to go through immigration at custom is a huge bonus. As well as the others mentioned, AA will have seat back tv's on some of their planes.

But when you are searching for flights, if you begin the booking process, it will show you the type of plane they'll be using. You can then go and check on www.seatguru.com to see if that plane has seat back tv's. It will also tell you which seats are good and which to avoid.

If you're flying into New York (best to avoid if possible) you need to ensure that there's enough space between flights, as just getting through immigration in JFK could take a long time. I would allow at least four hours. Also, if you're flying via New York, ensure your connecting flight is at the same airport. It is a real pain and also expensive to get from one airport to another.

I check prices on some of the flight comparison sites - there's loads, just Google them. I also keep checking Virgin's own site, as they claim to give the lowest prices for their flights on there now. And I use expedia and orbitz to check flights too.

Do you have to go over Easter? If you can time your flight so you're arriving back a few days after the Easter holidays end, you might get a better deal.

Cath

 

[Pinklepurr361]

Yes, we are stuck to school holidays as I work in a school and cannot take time off in term time. I know I could save a small fortune by being flexible with dates but unfortunately it is just not possible.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, there is lots of useful information that I will have to digest.

PP

 

[juliebro]

It's a few weeks too early yet to book standard scheduled flights for Easter 2010. You can't book more than a year ahead.

We always fly indirect from MAN - to MCO via Philly with US Airways. Almost always at Easter too.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

This time I would like to consider in-direct flights in order to hopefully bring the cost down and break the journey up.

Many years ago (pre 9/11) I flew UK to New York and return on El-Al. I spent a week in New York before flying on to Florida on a domestic flight.

On my return flight, I naturally had to change aircraft at Kennedy.

Even before 9/11, El Al was sensitive about security issues. At check in I was asked ' did you pack your own bags?' --YES. 'has anyone asked you to carry anything for them?' --No. 'Have your bags been in your possession since you packed them?' --'Yes, except for the connecting flight from Orlando when another airline had them'.

They didn't like the last answer. I was taken into a room and had to unpack & repack everything in front of a security guard.


Also:

Be aware that if you book your International and connecting flights separately, you might get no compensation if your internal flight is delayed and you miss your international flight. Internal flights can be delayed ( One flight I was booked on out of a Florida Airport, was delayed two hours because of snow in Chicago which had stopped it taking off on the way down). If the two flights are not on the same ticket, I don't think the airline has any obligation to put you on another flight if the first flight is delayed.

Also:

Be aware that far more people want upgraded seats flying to US to UK than UK to US. Seat upgrades are not always available.

Andrew