Flying New York - Orlando

[Frances999]

Hello

With the rediculous, rip-off summer flight prices from England to Florida for next August, we are going to fly London to New York and have 5 days in NY before flying from NY to Orlando and then at the end of the trip Orlando back to London. This may sound strange - but doing this is costing us £500 (approx $1000) less than simply flying straight to orlando! Go figure!
Plus, we will get to see NY somewhere I have always wanted to visit.

Anyway, the flights we have been quoted for include American Airlines from New York - MCO.

I have a few questions:

What are AA internal flights like? How much legroom? In-Flight entertrainment? Refreshments?

How long will it take from NY-MCO?

Are there often delays?

Thanks so much if you can help!

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi-
I'll give this a shot but don't hold me to anything. I'll assume you're flying into
JFK and not LGA or EWR. JFK is the better of the three for handling volume and weather delays. Legroom should be the same as the flight you're coming on unless you are flying first / business class. Refreshments, with the exception of drinks are no-existent on domestic flights so pick up something in terminal. Flight time is approximately 2 hours to Orlando, but with AA you may be flying to Miami and connecting to Orlando. If that's the case then you are in for a longer day. If you are leaving in the AM you have a better chance of avoiding any delays. In flight entertainment? You're flying out of New York!! Enough said! Have fun!

 

[Frances999]

Thanks for your reply. We're flying Virgin Atlantic from London - New York and Orlando - London, it's only AA for NY-MCO.

We're flying into JFK with Virgin, but then out from LGA with AA. I've been told that the AA flight is a direct flight -- from LGA-MCO does this sound right? How far is LGA & JFK from central Manhattan (we're staying at Renaissance Times Square)?

Thanks for the tip about leaving AM. We were given a choice of flight times, it looks like one in the morning will be best.

Thanks again

 

[jel0511]

Both LGA and JFK are approximately 30 minutes from Manhattan WITHOUT traffic, with traffic, that time can more than double. AA does fly non-stop from LGA, so you're most likely not connecting anywhere. The flight time is probably about 2 1/2 hours, and if you've flown within Europe, expect similiar planes and legroom. There is slightly less legroom on domestic flights in the US than there is on International flights, usually only a couple of inches, but it does make a difference. The Renaissance is directly across from my DH's office building, and it's a nice hotel! You'll definately enjoy it!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Is there any way you could take Song from NY to Orlando? The fares are only $59 each way for much of 2005. I am flying out of JFK, it is a more "on-time" airport than LaGuardia.

 

[Mary Anne]

I too would suggest you fly with Song or even Jet Blue out of JFK, personally I never fly into or out of LAGuardia. I really dislike that airport. And I would double and triple check if that AA flight is NON STOP, I can never find one that is.

 

[Oh Kay!]

We flew 3 times out of LGA via AA, and they were all direct. I believe all their flights out of JFK has a stopover at Miami. What I really dislike about LGA is the time it takes for the planes to take off. Unlike JFK, LGA has only one run-way, so oftentimes you end up waiting on avg. 30 minutes to take off. The usual flight time of LGA-MCO is 2 hours and 40 minutes, and 30 mintes of that is for waiting for the run-way to clear.

 

[DMRick]

Did you see that Aer LIngus is now direct from Dublin? Is that another way you could go to save money?

 

[jcodespoti]

You can take the train out of penn station (i'lll have to check that, it may be grand central) to JFK quick and easy. No Traffic!!! Try to leave in the A.M., especially if flying from LGA, if weather conditions aren't perfect you could be delayed.

Song is better than AA in my mind, They give you entertainment and have lots of flights (5 per day as of now).

Joe in CT

P.S. have fun in "New Amsterdam"

 

[Frances999]

Thank you for the information everyone!

I had a look at song, but all the flights from JFK - MCO said they were operated by Delta Airlines - what are they like?

What's so bad about LGA? Is it just the delays or is the airport itself really not nice? Call me strange but I sure hate a dirty or unattractive airport! (anybody who has flown to Paris CDG should know what I mean!)

Thanks for the info, Oh, Kay! I've been quoted a flight time of 2 hours 45 minutes from LGA - MCO, whereas JFK - MCO is coming out more around the 2 hour mark. I'll definitely look into Song.

Jcodespoti - How are trains in New York? Are they comfortable? Is there a standard and first class? I'd prefer to upgrade to 1st if its available - considering we will have a few big cases with us. Can you book train tickets online anywhere or look at timetables?

Thanks again everybody!

 

[Mary Anne]

What's so bad about LGA? Is it just the delays or is the airport itself really not nice? Call me strange but I sure hate a dirty or unattractive airport! (anybody who has flown to Paris CDG should know what I mean!)

I guess theyare clean enough my biggest problem with LGA are the runways. Delays going out and then coming in it is one of the shortest runways in all of the US. I just will no longer do it. I pay extra just not to do land there. JMO

 

[jcodespoti]

Short runways (I believe 7000') Things have to be perfect in airline world in order for all those planes to depart on time. If a mouse runs across the runway forget it.

Joe in CT

 

[ahoff]

I believe that you take the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica, then switch to the Airtrain to JFK. I personaly have never done this, but know several coworkers that have taken the LIRR from eastern Long Island to Jamaica and then airtrain to JFK, and they have had no problems. Just about all trains from Penn go through Jamaica, I believe, so you should have no trouble getting a train, and I also think the airtrain runs very frequently. Sorry, no first class on the LIRR!

 

[Frances999]

Thanks for replying. The train journey seems a bit hectic, especially with 3 children and lots of cases. I think we'll book a limo transfer - I got a quote last night of $75 + gratuity from Manhattan to JFK

So, does anybody know about Delta? All the Song flights seem to be operated by them for our dates.....

Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

I have flown Delta quite a few times with no problems.

 

[DennisP]

So, does anybody know about Delta? All the Song flights seem to be operated by them for our dates.....

Delta Airlines operates SONG. They fly mainly between the New York area and a few Florida cities including Orlando. IMO, it's Delta's way of trying to compete with Jet Blue.

I've taken SONG a few times out of EWR to MCO and had no problems at all. Each seat has a small TV screen, the seats are comfortable with plenty of leg room and food is available for purchase (sandwiches & salads).

 

[Frances999]

Thanks for that info, Dennis P !

Who does everyone regard as the better of the two - SONG or Jet Blue?

Or is it just a case of which ever one is offering the cheaper rate?

Does Jet Blue offer the personal TV screens like SONG?

Thanks!

 

[Mary Anne]

Yes Jet Blue has the personal TV screens.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have flown both Song and Jet Blue. I thought no one could beat Jet Blue. But Song is just as good! Both have new (at least they look newish) planes, leather seats, the TVs, and in my experience, great service (good employee morale = a fun flight). There are slight differences, perhaps, but for such a short flight, I do not care about snacks, meals, etc.

Right now I have been taking Song, they have been cheaper. Both have many direct flights to Orlando. Song flies from Newark as well, but usually these flights are quite a bit more than JFK (or LaGuardia, I prefer JFK over that airport).

 

[dvc guy]

Here is my thought
LGA or JFK Does not really matter.
It will usually take you an extra 30 minutes to get to JFK or you will wait to take off for an extra 30 minutes. Song/JetBlue is a toss up. Both have in-flight TV, but AA is fine for a short flight. Go based on price and flight times. We go often and do a combination of both. For a trip in Feburary we are flying out of LGA and into JFK based on price
You you have to make an international connection to get home then fly into JFK. Cab from LGA to JFK can cost over 30 dollars and could take 1 hour.

Enjoy New York