Indirect flights

[Jakey Rowling]

Something always seems to go wrong for us going to West US. Last year we missed flight from Heathrow, Virgin were fantastic just put us on next flight 3 hours later. I just know something will go wrong again.

Must admit I tend to travel with the same attitude now, it's a bit like psychological warfare

Recent trip went as smooth as could be, flight to LGW was on time, Virgin to MCO similarly and also coming back. Immigration was a breeze.
I was at the stage where I was thinking so there has to be some hassle with the car hire now. Nope OK then I bet the hotel booking's messed up. Nope, wow a hassle free journey.

 

[disneyholic family]

We made it OK but the bags didn't.

Didn't bother us too much but we got a few looks later in the day, we seemed to contribute to the atmosphere wherever we went.

Since then I usually take a spare tee shirt and underwear if things look dodgy.

we also always have a change of clothes in the carry-on....just in case..

it came in handy two years ago when our bags were stuck in the plane in JFK - they couldn't get the cargo door open.....everyone on the 747 had to continue on to their final destinations without their luggage and file a baggage claim there...

our luggage showed up the next afternoon in our hotel room at the WL...
we could have smuggled the world in our bags, since they crossed customs without us ...of course you never know that in advance..

anyway, i had shorts, underwear, etc. in our carryon....and the baggage claim office in orlando gave us a complete toiletries kit, so we were all set....

 

[Jets fan]

Hi TinkTatoo

I noticed you were from Ireland. Are you aware that Aer Lingus have flights coming up that go directly from Dublin to Orlando MCO. I priced them up for April a few months ago and they were really competitive.

Flights appear to be cheap and their aircraft seem good as well. I would definately use them as it's easy to fly from LHR to Dublin.

 

[Flossbolna]

Anyone considering an indirect flight to MCO might also check out Lufthansa, they are starting a direct service Frankfurt-Orlando in October. This way you get to change planes on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[wayneg]

Anyone considering an indirect flight to MCO might also check out Lufthansa, they are starting a direct service Frankfurt-Orlando in October. This way you get to change planes on this side of the Atlantic.

Thanks for the info but just checked our dates £845.88 each
Would rather change in US if I have to change at all then Immigration is done before arriving at Orlando Int, but if price was right I would have done it.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the info but just checked our dates £845.88 each
Would rather change in US if I have to change at all then Immigration is done before arriving at Orlando Int, but if price was right I would have done it.

there's another reason i prefer changing planes in the US - if there are weather problems or strike problems or whatever, then i know that i'm at least on the correct side of the ocean...if worse comes to worse, i can rent a car and drive the rest of the way....
we once connected in amsterdam (KLM), with a direct flight to MCO - but we got caught in amsterdam for an entire day (instead of the 2 hours originally scheduled) - so since then i get us into the US non-stop and then change planes....

 

[TinkTatoo]

Hi TinkTatoo

I noticed you were from Ireland. Are you aware that Aer Lingus have flights coming up that go directly from Dublin to Orlando MCO. I priced them up for April a few months ago and they were really competitive.

Flights appear to be cheap and their aircraft seem good as well. I would definately use them as it's easy to fly from LHR to Dublin.

I did - thanks. I checked the flights for our dates and they came out at €3,300 which wasn't bad but we've just booked Continental flights for €3,000 plus as we had some vouchers from our flight this year we got them for €2,600 which = £440 each which I don't think is bad for August

 

[wayneg]

I did - thanks. I checked the flights for our dates and they came out at €3,300 which wasn't bad but we've just booked Continental flights for €3,000 plus as we had some vouchers from our flight this year we got them for €2,600 which = £440 each which I don't think is bad for August

£440 would be nice, was that direct with continental? Just checked for our dates next August from Manchester £730 each

 

[TinkTatoo]

£440 would be nice, was that direct with continental? Just checked for our dates next August from Manchester £730 each

Yep - that was direct from their web site

I got £440 because we had some e-vouchers when the price of last years flights dropped a couple of months after I booked. The going rate was £500 each but that's still cheaper than your £730. I found that if I played around with the dates I could get lower fares. Wednesday seemed to be the cheapest day to fly out and if you use the "search for fares +/- 3 days it shows the cheapest days to travel.

 

[Merylj]

We`ve had indirect flights probably 4 times now - one time we missed the connection due to baggage handling problems. At first they said we would have to fly the next day but in the end flew out 2 hours later. We were told to get on the plane as there were 3 empty seats somewhere and find them!
Twice on other occasions our connecting flights have been delayed by about an hour.
I`d still go for these flights though - if the savings were good enough.

 

[wayneg]

Yep - that was direct from their web site

I got £440 because we had some e-vouchers when the price of last years flights dropped a couple of months after I booked. The going rate was £500 each but that's still cheaper than your £730. I found that if I played around with the dates I could get lower fares. Wednesday seemed to be the cheapest day to fly out and if you use the "search for fares +/- 3 days it shows the cheapest days to travel.

Just had another look, going day before is the cheapest, brings it down to £630, same date from Ireland £515. Manchester is always a dearer route. I can see me driving down to London again next August.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Just had another look, going day before is the cheapest, brings it down to £630, same date from Ireland £515. Manchester is always a dearer route. I can see me driving down to London again next August.

I don't believe it - we are actually cheaper here for flights that's got to be a first. I hope you manage to get a cheaper flight

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the info but just checked our dates £845.88 each
Would rather change in US if I have to change at all then Immigration is done before arriving at Orlando Int, but if price was right I would have done it.

I really prefer not havin gto worry about making a connection in the US, so for me this works fine! However, the price is really bad!! I just booked a trip for February next year with a promotion and Nuremberg-Frankfurt-Orlando and back was 470 Euros (about 300 GBP?)!

 

[Disbabe]

We have always booked a package deal through virgin - always been very good, until we wanted to book for easter 2008. We looked around online and have saved about £1500 by booking everything ourselves. We are booked into Cypress Pointe Grand Villas - only £800 for the 5 of us in a 2 bedroomed villa with all mod cons. The flights we have booked with US Airways flying to philadelphia then internal to MCO. There is a 2 hour stop over in philadelphia, which is no time really. I think they have been over generous with the flight times (8hrs 55mins) from Manchester to Philadelphia and then a 2 hr 25mins from philadelphia to MCO. For that kind of saving it made a huge difference - so we will have to see how it goes and if all is well I would more than likely do this every time!

 

[wayneg]

We have always booked a package deal through virgin - always been very good, until we wanted to book for easter 2008. We looked around online and have saved about £1500 by booking everything ourselves. We are booked into Cypress Pointe Grand Villas - only £800 for the 5 of us in a 2 bedroomed villa with all mod cons. The flights we have booked with US Airways flying to philadelphia then internal to MCO. There is a 2 hour stop over in philadelphia, which is no time really. I think they have been over generous with the flight times (8hrs 55mins) from Manchester to Philadelphia and then a 2 hr 25mins from philadelphia to MCO. For that kind of saving it made a huge difference - so we will have to see how it goes and if all is well I would more than likely do this every time!

If you are travelling in school hols it is almost certain a package will be more expensive.
I priced up next Easter for us with Virgin, Flights, Hotel and car £4,500 after discounts.
Doing it myself same direct Virgin flights, same car rental company, £2,500. Saved so much we have added a 4 night Disney cruise at £1,600.
£2,000 saving or £400 and a free Disney cruise
We have done the US airways route thru Philly twice, no problems.

 

[Miffy2003]

We are booked into Cypress Pointe Grand Villas

Bit off topic here, sorry! Sheila, we just got back from CP Grande Villas. It was lovely and a fantastic loaction, you have made a great choice there

We had a 3 bedroom condo for under £300 for a week so we were very happy with that.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Ive just priced up flights to Orlando next August on the Opodo website and it came up with £384 for an indirect flight with a stop in Chicago. Ive always flown direct but at that price it is tempting to try indirect!

What are anyone elses experiences of this?

How did you get such good flights I just get over 700 per person.

 

[Disbabe]

We booked through cheapest flights and we've only paid £377 + taxes for Easter 2008

 

[wayneg]

How did you get such good flights I just get over 700 per person.

What dates you looking for? I am very tempted to book, our dates are £419 each but it means driving down to Heathrow.

 

[PaulaSB12]

What dates you looking for? I am very tempted to book, our dates are £419 each but it means driving down to Heathrow.

10th audugst til 24 th august