Indirect Flights- what's it like?

[BudgieMama]

As we're now seriously thinking about a trip next year, DH and I were looking at and thinking about different flight options. (Obviously all pie in the sky as details aren't out yet, but just getting ideas)...

Anyway, I couldn't believe how much cheaper the indirect flights were, and as it's just the two of us, wondered if it might be a good option. I've never flown indirect to anywhere before, so it's a new experience and I don't know whether it would be a nightmare... I'd always said to avoid it, but saving £800 per person is nothing to sniff at!

If you've done indirect flights, what are the pluses and pitfalls?

DH said we'd need to be with the same carrier for both legs to transfer the luggage, but my understanding is that you can't do that in the US anyway... is that right?

Also, how long would you think is ideal for a layover?

Thanks!

 

[Woodview]

Here are a few ideas ,

Try Aer Lingus. Via Dublin, ( Work outbest dates for yourselves

KLM & Luftansa & Air France .

Indirect is no big deal . Yes your Luggage will in some places have to be collected at USA entry point , re placed onto next departure

 

[wilma-bride]

If you fly via a US airport then you're correct, you will have to collect and re-check your lugage (on the way out only). However, the advantage of flying with the same carrier is that, if you are delayed on one leg and miss your connection, they will have a responsibility to get you on the next flight. Not so if you book separately.

We flew indirect for the first time last year, via Dublin with Aer Lingus. The advantage of that was that the luggage did go all the way through (we just had to identify our bags) and we did US pre-clearance in Dublin which saved time when arriving into Orlando. What seemed like a negative at the time was the 3 hour layover on the return flight but, in actual fact, we got some breakfast, had a look aroudn the shops and before we knew it, we were boarding for our flight bak to Heathrow. We probably were only killing time for about an hour if that. And both DH and I slept soundly on that short flight back to Heathrow and (not sure if this is unrelated or not) for the first time in 12 visits, neither of us suffered from jetlag. If the price was right, we would definitely do that again.

If you are flying via a US airport, I would allow at least 2 hours, if not 3 in between flights especially if it's somewhere like JFK (having been to JFK, personally I would avoid a connection there it if at all possible).

 

[starrysky]

I would also highly recommended Aer Lingus. We have flown with them several times and found the service and price to be better than direct flights.
You can pre book the extra leg room seats. They also offer an upgraded meal service which gives you a three course meal and a bottle of wine it was €15 each but well worth the cost.
They do have long layovers in Dublin but the Aer lingus lounge is really nice €25 per person.
Dublin airport is really nice as well and the Pte clearance is fab we were through in 10mins the last time we went. They tell you via announcements when to head to pre Clarence and its up on the boards as well.
We have done BA via Heathrow with a change to Gatwick with same in return and we hated that. Too stressful and just not the relaxing start to the holiday we wanted.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP, there is no such thing as an indirect flight. There are non-stop flights, which take off from point A and land at Point B with no stops in between, and direct fights, which are any flights between two points by an airline with no change in flight numbers, which includes one stop or more at an intermediate point.

If you fly from the UK to a US airport, then transfer to another flight to fly to MCO, you will need to pick up your luggage yourself, clear customs and immigration, and recheck your bag. So it doesn't matter if you are flying the same airline from the UK to the US and then to MCO, you still have to pick up your bag, unless you are flying from Dublin, as already noted.

I agree that you should allow yourself at least two hours for a transfer, once you arrive in the US.

 

[dixonsontour]

No problem at all we often fly indirect.

Key is to look at flights with decent times.

I usually check skyscanner or kayak. Maximum 1 stop.

Have a least 2 hours to change on the way out.

You check in as normal.
Fly on plane 1 - usually 7/8 hours so shorter than direct.
On landing clear immigration, pick up bags, go through customs then give bags back. Maybe have chance for something to eat/use a real toilet.
Through security and onto plane 2
Massive perk is you land at MCO as a domestic passenger so just get luggage and go.

Indirect may only take a couple of hours longer, well worth it for a decent saving.

 

[BudgieMama]

OP, there is no such thing as an indirect flight. There are non-stop flights, which take off from point A and land at Point B with no stops in between, and direct fights, which are any flights between two points by an airline with no change in flight numbers, which includes one stop or more at an intermediate point.

Apologies, just the term WDTC UK use for describing flights on their site. I was aware that you change planes!

Just checked out Aer Lingus... wow, cheapest flights I've seen and you can do immigration at Dublin? Looks like a winner. Definitely going to be a good contender. Thanks for that tip!

I hadn't thought about changing flights somewhere other than in the US. Will have to remember that when the time comes!

 

[Kath2003]

For us, it goes like this:

Fly direct - 2 hours extra to the airport in the UK; 10 hours flight; 90 minutes immigration etc. - total time (both legs) 25.5 hours

Fly indirect - 11 hours flight; 2 hours connection time (used for immigration etc) - total time 26 hours

So, we basically break even on time, and indirect is under half the cost of direct. Win-win.
We don't check bags on the way out - so no hassle with collecting it and rechecking it. This isn't difficult - we just don't pack things we can buy out there (shampoos, suncreams etc) and don't overpack (we do a quick laundry load mid stay).
We check a bag on the way home - with all those extra bits in it - which is no different to direct - wave goodbye to your bag at MCO, collect it in the UK.
The bonus is we don't need to eat on the planes because it's only 7-8 hours. More use on the return flight where you can get some sleep. The other bonus is that the domestic flights usually have different movie/TV selections so you can watch something new.

 

[starrysky]

Just one tip if you have the option of airports to fly from, for example we have Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh. Check the price for each one on Aer Lingus it can be as much as £200 difference in price. No idea why but worth checking.

 

[1nfrequent]

I've done indirect flights to the US but not to MCO. FWIW the only concern is that if you have a tight connection, there's a possibility that you'll make your next flight but your baggage won't. One time that happened to me on the way to Chicago and I had to wait a few days for my bags to show up. For this reason, make sure that any medication or toiletries are in your hand luggage and keep a change of underwear and night wear with you.

It's actually better in my opinion if you miss the connecting flight because the airline has to put you on the next flight out and at least you'll have your stuff (true, it's not great hanging around in an airport but it shouldn't be for too long).

1F

 

[Rach78]

Flew indirect with US Airways last year. Worth checking prices on their website. We did Man - Phil - Tampa. They also fly to MCO. Would do it again no bother and that was with 2 kids in tow. On the way back the flight from Phil - Man was under 6 hours. We had a 2 hour connection at Phil and it was tight making the connecting flight but we were unlucky at immigration. Bad weather had caused a huge back up.
Also flights into Tampa are worth checking. IMHO Tampa airport is great and it's an easy drive up the I4 to WDW unless you don't intend to hire a car. This year we are flying a new route with Virgin that they have taken over from Delta which is via Atlanta into MCO. Indirect is no real hassle to us and saves us money for the holiday.

 

[NatalieMT]

I've flown indirect multiple times, we've only actually been direct on 2 trips! We usually do US via PHL and that's always been super (touch wood it is again in April) and we are also trying Virgin/Delta via ATL in August and I've heard people say that route is absolutely fine too.

I actually don't mind getting off the plane and stretching my legs, sort of breaks it up a bit and there is the advantage of clearing immigration before Orlando where the queues are always worse. Plus for us the savings have always been good and it means we have the option to go on more holidays. I wouldn't do it with young children but as it's just you and DH I think it's a good option.

We always aim for around 2 to 2 1/2 hours layover time, just to be certain you can clear immigration with time to spare and not feel rushed!

 

[disneyholic family]

we only fly indirect as that's our only option.

No big deal at all. I would love to fly straight to orlando if i could, but i can't. So we fly via some other US airport. Again. No big deal.

(none of the following applies to flying through dublin, where you clear US immigration/customs beforehand as has already been noted).

You have to clear immigration/customs at your entry point into the USA. This means you have to pick up your luggage, go through customs and then drop it off again. You don't 'recheck' it. You just drop it off at the connection desk that is right outside of customs. So it's really really really really really easy.
I've done it in lots of airports and they're all pretty much the same.
You cross immigration. Then pick up your luggage. Then go through customs. Then drop the luggage off again at the connecting desk.
Then head for the gate of your next flight (going through security again on the way).

contrary to what everyone has written above, you don't have to be on the same airline, you only need to be on the same ticket for all your flights.
For example, if you fly into the US on British Airways, you can then connect onto a domestic airline as long as both legs are on the same ticket there is no problem. If you don't get into the US in time, the airline is still responsible for you even if it's a different airline, as long as it's on the same ticket.

This happened to us a number of times. We missed our connecting flight, but since both flights were on the same ticket, the airline made sure to get us to another flight. (and we rarely fly the same airline for both international and domestic)

again - it's easy shmeesy. Not a big deal at all.

And there is an added bonus.

You can make a stop off, usually for no additional cost.

so for example, we most often fly via new york city (JFK). Sometimes we stop over for a few days visit to new york. The price of the plane ticket is the same regardless of whether we continue straight on or stop off.
This isn't always the case, but is often the case and something you should check if you're interested.

 

[lennymore]

I actually prefer indirect now - we've done this multiple times with both United and Delta, changing at Newark, Atlanta and Washington and never had a big issue at any. I love clearing immigration before Orlando and landing domestic! I'm not a great fly-er so I prefer to get off for a leg stretch rather than be on the flight for 9 hours. Plus normally it's cheaper by far than flying direct!

 

[twirly123]

This year we are flying out on Delta, indirect but back direct with Virgin. We booked through expedia and as Delta and Virgin code share, worked out a really good deal. I always think coming back directly is helpful, but going out, with excitement, indirect, with kids is pretty manageable - and is worth it for the £900 saving me made this Easter