indirect flights

[twelvepack]

Hi
we are thinking of booking indirect flights (heathrow-detroit-orlando) have read all the reports and seems very good idea.
Just a couple of things woorying us though ,how does it work (i.e re-checking luggage after doing immigration and customs etc) and how does it work if plane has any delay and miss connecting flight.
Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated thanks

 

[wayneg]

Hi
Just did this route with Delta for 2nd time.
When you arrive in Detroit you go thru immigration, really quiet compared to Orlando both times we have been here. You then collect your luggage, hand in your customs form, walk about 20 yards and drop your bags again. After this we went for a meal at Chillis Too before going to departure gate for flight to Orlando. In Orlando you just collect luggage and leave, really simple.

Coming home your luggage is checked right thru to your final destination (Heathrow) in Detroit you just change planes and forget about it.

If you have a delay on your 1st leg they will get you on the next available flight, thankfully always made our connection, done about 15 indirect trips now. How long are your connections?

 

[twelvepack]

thanks for help
Think connection is about 2 1/2 hrs .Hope this is long enough.

 

[wayneg]

Unless you have major transatlantic delay thats plenty, even a small delay you will be fine. I accept anything over 90 mins. Atlanta is the worst hub we have been thru, immigration lines worse than Disney Our friends missed their connection there last July, got them on next flight 2 hours later but had to downgrade to economy from Buisness Elite. In August we go via Atlanta again have a 2hr 15min connection, just hope no delay across the pond.

 

[xox_Violet_xox]

We don't use that route, but we've had no problems with indirect flights (Glasgow - Newark - Orlando International).

Except last year, we had one case left behind at Newark, but by the time we'd realised, the case was already on the next flight down they delivered it to the WL on the same night

Personally we find going through immigration before Orlando much easier, it's easy peasy Then as wayneg says, when you arrive all you have to do is grab your bags!

We had a connection that was 90 mins, and we made it even with my 80 year old grandmother and a stop for something to eat

 

[twelvepack]

Ok Great
What was the IFE like have heard they have overhead movies do they have anything else
Thanks

 

[torsie24]

We did LHR-Detroit-MCO in October and it was amazing!

Best IFE and planes we've ever had transatlantic. Great selection of films and TV shows, and some fun games too.

We had to choose between a 80 minute and 3.5hr changeover.

I went for the 3.5 hours, but we landed early and immigration and bag check were so easy we were out in the terminal again in under 15 minutes (!!) so before we were meant to even land!

Detroit is a wonderful airport, and it was SO easy to do!

If we don't like Virgin's prices for our next trip we won't hesistate in doing the same route again!

 

[disneyholic family]

i agree - detroit is a great airport, very easy to navigate and has lots of flights down to orlando, if you happen to miss your connection...

 

[Sazuburns]

We don't use that route, but we've had no problems with indirect flights (Glasgow - Newark - Orlando International).

Except last year, we had one case left behind at Newark, but by the time we'd realised, the case was already on the next flight down they delivered it to the WL on the same night

Personally we find going through immigration before Orlando much easier, it's easy peasy Then as wayneg says, when you arrive all you have to do is grab your bags!

We had a connection that was 90 mins, and we made it even with my 80 year old grandmother and a stop for something to eat

That's great to hear as we are doing LHR-Newark-Orlando in the summer with the kids.