Immigration at MCO.

[alibeau]

Hi guys,


Just a quick message about immigration. We landed here on Tuesday having flown on VS073 from Manchester. I was slightly worried as we usually fly on the earlier flight and had read that the hall can be pretty busy later on in the day. We were pretty quick off the plane but on arrival at the immigration hall it was very busy however all but 8 of the booths were open and the line was constantly moving. We only had to wait 30 mins which was quite a relief given some of the horror stories I'd read....

Just thought I'd let you know ;-)

Ali.

 

[ashearer]

I was reading yesterday about horror waits of 2 hours.hopefully it will be good when we are visiting. Enjoy!

 

[Elise79]

When we arrived off the VS15 in July we were almost first off and walked into a completely empty immigration hall - so its not always bad.

I think if you arrive at the back of the 3 flights that leave the UK around 11am is when you get the 2hr waits.

 

[alibeau]

Hello!


I forgot to say, the VS075 had been delayed by about 2 hours so I think that had landed just before us?! So when I heard this news on the plane I was really thinking the worst!!! Anyway, all was ok in the end!

Ali

 

[Shazzie B]

Glad it wasn't too bad ; we're flying into JFK this year so fingers crossed - heard it's regularly 2 hrs there

 

[flortlebap]

We walked through immigration on Saturday - less than 20 mins from plane to baggage to DME- record time

We were at AKL for around 16:15 - flight was due in 15:20 but landed early

 

[ashearer]

I have managed to book seats in the bubble area upstairs on our Virgin flight and I have heard that these are first off when landing. Fingers crossed hubby's not the best at standing in long queues.

 

[luke]

I have managed to book seats in the bubble area upstairs on our Virgin flight and I have heard that these are first off when landing. Fingers crossed hubby's not the best at standing in long queues.

That's true, but you may not be the only flight arriving at that time sadly

 

[Elise79]

I have managed to book seats in the bubble area upstairs on our Virgin flight and I have heard that these are first off when landing. Fingers crossed hubby's not the best at standing in long queues.

Disembarkation order on virgin should be front first (upper & PE) followed by the upper deck and then downstairs economy.

The biggest factor is how long you will wait is what flights have landed before you.

 

[irenep]

When we arrived off the VS15 in July we were almost first off and walked into a completely empty immigration hall - so its not always bad.

I think if you arrive at the back of the 3 flights that leave the UK around 11am is when you get the 2hr waits.

Were you on the same flight as us (July 6th)?

We too walked into an empty immigration room having been upstairs in 79/80 seats so almost first off the plane - it was amazing but like you say we just beat another load of passengers from another flight that landed at almost the same time.

We then waited ages for our bags though

 

[Elise79]

Were you on the same flight as us (July 6th)?

We too walked into an empty immigration room having been upstairs in 79/80 seats so almost first off the plane - it was amazing but like you say we just beat another load of passengers from another flight that landed at almost the same time.

We then waited ages for our bags though

No we flew out on the 11th - however it's not the first time when coming off the 15 we have walked into an empty immigration hall.

 

[irenep]

No we flew out on the 11th - however it's not the first time when coming off the 15 we have walked into an empty immigration hall.

That's good to know as I thought we just got lucky. We don't always use Virgin and when I do I try and get the early flight but as this was M+M don't think I had a choice of time.
Hope your bags came through quicker than ours though - anytime saved at immigration was lost at the carousels!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Glad it wasn't too bad ; we're flying into JFK this year so fingers crossed - heard it's regularly 2 hrs there

I've flown into JFK on three occasions and never waited over an hour, so hopefully it will be ok for you

 

[scoobydooby]

We are on the 1.45pm from Manchester this year. Usually we are on the earlier flight. Anyone have any idea how many other planes land at a similar time? We are in the bubble unless we get moved and I have my running shoes with me for landing!!!!!

 

[Elise79]

We are on the 1.45pm from Manchester this year. Usually we are on the earlier flight. Anyone have any idea how many other planes land at a similar time? We are in the bubble unless we get moved and I have my running shoes with me for landing!!!!!

If you flying on a Wednesday or Friday you have a BA flight due in 10 mins after yours and the Franfurt flight 25 mins after otherwise its just the 15 which is due to land 50 mins before.

If they are all on time you should be fine.

 

[scoobydooby]

If you flying on a Wednesday or Friday you have a BA flight due in 10 mins after yours and the Franfurt flight 25 mins after otherwise its just the 15 which is due to land 50 mins before.

If they are all on time you should be fine.

Thanks Elise

 

[disneyholic family]

Glad it wasn't too bad ; we're flying into JFK this year so fingers crossed - heard it's regularly 2 hrs there

i don't know if this is true at all terminals in JFK, but if you arrive into terminal 4 keep in mind that they have an immigration fastpass line..

if your flight is going to be late arriving and if you are going to have a problem making your next flight, tell the flight attendant to tell the captain to notify ahead that there are passengers with less than a hour to their next flight.

immigration is supposed to meet the flight and hand out fastpasses to anyone with less than 60 minutes to their next flight (this only happens when the plane is very late coming in)

with that fastpass, you are entitled to get into a special fastpass line..
it's a uni-line for both aliens and americans...when you get to the head of the line, they will direct you to the alien or american side..
they put you at the front of the line..they tell you which one to stand in..

it's amazing and the only reason we didn't miss our connecting flight two years ago..