Indirect Flights

[Revtel]

I would be very uncomfortable with such a tight connection. All it would take is a 30 minute delay in leaving the UK and you are completely snookered. If VH really told you that you clear immigration and customs in Orlando (which is serious misinformation), I think I would demand a later connection.

I wish you well.

 

[Miffy2003]

Thanks again to all of you for your help, I do appreciate it.

I'm almost certain it's not the same plane from EWR - MCO that we travel on from BRS to EWR.

I did ask Virgin Holidays to put me on the next flight (about an hour and 40 minutes later) but they said they had no availaibility. In fact, we had to try several different dates in the first place to find a Continental flight they still had four seats on thus cutting our trip slightly

I might try and ring them again, though no doubt they will now try and charge me an amendment fee - though I only accepted the flight they suggested as the girl was adamant about the immigration & customs situation.

Like others above, I would rather kill some time in Newark airport, have a meal and browse the shops rather then be stressed out being late.

I suppose one consolation might be that Bristol being a small airport might mean the flight's more likely to leave on time

Thanks again!

Now YOU really do have my sympathy

What, and I don't, Moira?

 

[AliceGardner]

Hi Miffy

What date are you trying to fly out to Orlando?

Alice

 

[rosiejo]

Hi Miffy - we did this flight in November. We booked with continental direct and it seems that whatever site you book through they offer the next available flight to orlando from Newark. We thought the time looked tight and swapped to the next one. We left Bristol at around 11 (I think there was a small delay of about 15 minutes) and arrived in Orlando at about 7 - so it sounds like the flights are similar.

When you land in Newark you need to exit the plane and walk quickly to immigration - a flight from Amsterdam (I think) lands near the sme time and this makes things busy. So no toilet stops or dallying! Immigration is efficient - but when you get to the front of the line and can choose a station always pick the one next to the US station. That line usually clears most quickly and then they'll take us foriegners!

You then need to pick up your luggage - and then drop it off straight away just round the corner.

From here you need to go back to security - there are a few stations on the same floor so if the first station looks busy walk down the corridor to the next one. It took us a little while to get through but it was at the time that the liquids issue was up in the air so it should be better by now.

We then had time to grab a quick mcdonalds before boarding the flight. As an aside the plane that the website tried to book us on left as we went through security!

As people have said once you arrive in Orlando you just pick up your luggage and exit the airport - as you will arrive in domestic arrivals.

It might be worth finding out what on earth happens on the return leg though - we left about 4 hours between landing in EWR and flying out as we were scared to miss that night flight and be stranded for 24 hours. All flights out of MCO were massively delayed - we were actually bumped onto an earlier flight (because we arrived in good time and had checked in online) and the delays were such that it left using our original flights time slot.

When we got to EWR though we had no idea what to do as international connections aren't well signposted... we collected our bags and then were told we had to check in again! It was a nightmare but I'm sure there's a proper way to do it... anyone help here?

I would definitely use online check in - you can actually select fire exit seats so get on the site 24 hours previously. At BRS you then just drop your bags off. At MCO we were forced to stand in the normal check in line for some reason but it was quicker once we got to the front of the line.

Sorry for the essay - hope some of it is useful!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Miffy

What date are you trying to fly out to Orlando?

Alice

Hi Alice,

1st April out.

We wanted to return on 19th or 20th but have had to book 17th as the closest we could get, as VH seat allocation on Continental was apparently filled for our preferred dates.

Rosiejo - that is super helpful. It's really nice to hear from someone who has flown this exact route before. I think I am going to have to try and speak to VH again, aren't I.

 

[AliceGardner]

Hi Alice,

1st April out.

We wanted to return on 19th or 20th but have had to book 17th as the closest we could get, as VH seat allocation on Continental was apparently filled for our preferred dates.

Ok so you are booked on CO77 (BRS-EWR) on April 1st - it departs at 10.30am, arrives 1.25pm.

EWR-MCO flights that day:
- CO792 - dep EWR 3.01pm, arr MCO 5.56pm: connection time 1hr 36min (the on you are booked on).
- CO392 - dep EWR 4.05pm, arr MCO 6.55pm: connection time 2hr 40min
- CO1792 - dep EWR 6.05pm, arr MCO 8.25pm: connection time 4hr 40min

There are definitely LOTS of seats (at least 30, but actually I think it is nearer 90) available on both CO392 and CO1792. Connecting to CO392 may be more expensive than connecting to CO792 (the through flights from BRS are coming up as more expnsive on CO's website).

I think that you hit the nail on the head with "VH's availability" - they don't have good access to seats on CO's flights . So even though there is plenty of room on the flights, VS can't sell them to you. Another reason why we book independently - Tour Operators can be quite restrictive

Alice

 

[Miffy2003]

Another reason why we book independently - Tour Operators can be quite restrictive

Alice

Oh I quite agree Alice. It's the first time we've gone through a Tour Op for a few holidays and it's reminded me why I like to book separate parts myself! However we had almost enough in Tesco Deals vouchers to pay for the holiday outright with VH, so the pain seemed worth it

Thanks for all your help with the flights

Karen

 

[AliceGardner]

Thanks for all your help with the flights

Pleasure

I think you will be ok with your connection, but keep a note of the later flights (and recheck the times nearer your departure date) and take it with you. Helps you to be informed IF (fingers crossed not) they have to rebook you for a missed connection. If the connection is missed, then they have to put you on the next CO flight with seats available. If - hopefully not - there were no seats available on flights that day, then they have to accomodate you in a hotel etc: they have to look after you

You will probably be fine, but it pays to go informed just in case

Best Wishes,
Alice

 

[rosiejo]

Good points Alice - I think if you can't get on another CO flight they also have the option to use another carrier. Rule 77 is ringing a bell in my head for late flights - try googling it, it might help if you are delayed.

 

[AliceGardner]

Good points Alice - I think if you can't get on another CO flight they also have the option to use another carrier. Rule 77 is ringing a bell in my head for late flights - try googling it, it might help if you are delayed.

Spot on Rosiejo

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/co_contract_of_carriage.2007060101.pdf shows the latest (June 1st 2007) version of Continental's "Contract of Carriage".

Go to page 34 (RULE 24 FLIGHT DELAYS/CANCELLATIONS/AIRCRAFT CHANGES), item E) 2) a) details a passengers rights if they misconnect due to a CO flight being late. Basically the passenger should either be:
- accomodated on another CO flight to their destination in their original tickets class if available. If no space is available in their ticketed class, then in a higher class, or
- If the length of delay exceeds 2 hours, then the passenger can be accomodated on another airline (in the same class that they are ticketed in).

Miffy, it might be useful for you to print out that section of the "Contract of Carriage" and keeping it with your travel documents... always helps to know your rights (and have them printed in black and white)...

One thing to be aware of is that IF they rerouted you, be VERY careful that they (or their computer systems) do not automatically cancel your return flights. If a segments of an itinerary is not flown, then the subsequent segments tend to be automatically cancelled. If you were rerouted it is best to:
- firstly confirm (at the time of the reroute) that they will NOT cancel your return segements.
- reconfirm your return flights (on the phone) 24 hours before you fly home. Not normally required at all, but in a special case like this, I would reconfirm...

Alice