Looks like a DIY booking for us from Aberdeen

[Muscateer]

So we decided today to go to Orlando next October and since we live near Aberdeen and loathe the wait at Gatwick on the way home not to mention the low baggage allowance I looked at Virgin Holidays from Glasgow but they are all booked up.

Can any of you Aberdeen area peeps give me an idea of the airlines and routes you find best to fly and do you book hotels direct or through a company?

TIA

 

[scottish mum]

Sandra I was speaking to VH last week, my friend is looking to book, and they said at the moment they have no seats left on the Glasgow flights next Oct but once VA release their flights then VH will get another allocation of seats.

Might be worth ringing back in a week or so

 

[Chef John]

Hi there!

There just aren't enough flights out of Glasgow to cope with the demand, eh?!

We're booked to go in January and we've gone with BA from Edinburgh to Gatwick the afternoon before to make use of Virgin's twilight check-in and got a really good rate at the Hilton at the airport. They quite often have special deals on - keep an eye out!
We've done it this way twice before and it really does make you feel more relaxed. Think of it - get up late and breeze through security as you have no luggage and already have your boarding passes. None of this 3 hours before the flight mullarkey! Coming back there are lots of choices back up to Scotland, so not too long hanging around....

You could also look at flights from Glasgow or Edinburgh to New York, then there are MANY options down to Orlando...

In terms of hotels, we use the big name online booking websites to check prices (don't want to fall foul of the moderators by mentioning web addresses just in case!) or keep checking the forums here for deals!

Hope this gives you a few ideas? Not sure if you've tried some of the travel agent companies that operate from Scotland? The only thing is that October might be a bit late for charter flights unless it's in/ near the school holidays....

Good luck!

 

[Muscateer]

Thanks Natalie I might just hang off another week or so and try again.

Thanks for the info Chef John unfortunately there aren't so many choices flying Aberdeen to Gatwick so might look at flying from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Gatwick.

I seem to spend most of the year flying so the easiest route the better for me and as little time in between flights as possible.

Done the twilight check in before and yes I agree no hassle and stress free for the day you fly to Orlando.

Decisions, decisions

 

[Balmacara]

Thanks Natalie I might just hang off another week or so and try again. Thanks for the info Chef John unfortunately there aren't so many choices flying Aberdeen to Gatwick so might look at flying from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Gatwick. I seem to spend most of the year flying so the easiest route the better for me and as little time in between flights as possible. Done the twilight check in before and yes I agree no hassle and stress free for the day you fly to Orlando. Decisions, decisions

We have always previously used BA via Gatwick but as BA no longer fly from Aberdeen to Gatwick it is a real pain. So this year (we just got back last week) we used United from Edinburgh via Newark (NY) which worked really well. Although United did change our return flight from MCO to Newark to 8.52 meaning an 8 hour+ wait at Newark they actually did us a favour and we ended up being able to spend time in the city which was great. Although you go through customs and immigration at Newark (with suitcases) on way out (very quiet) your luggage is checked right through on the return journey. Getting train into Penn from Newark was straightforward and they run frequently. We wouldn't hesitate in doing this again! United were fine as far as airlines go.

 

[Muscateer]

We have always previously used BA via Gatwick but as BA no longer fly from Aberdeen to Gatwick it is a real pain. So this year (we just got back last week) we used United from Edinburgh via Newark (NY) which worked really well. Although United did change our return flight from MCO to Newark to 8.52 meaning an 8 hour+ wait at Newark they actually did us a favour and we ended up being able to spend time in the city which was great. Although you go through customs and immigration at Newark (with suitcases) on way out (very quiet) your luggage is checked right through on the return journey. Getting train into Penn from Newark was straightforward and they run frequently. We wouldn't hesitate in doing this again! United were fine as far as airlines go.

Ooh now that sounds a good plan I presume if you go through immigration at Newark on way there you won't have to go through immigration at Orlando?

 

[Balmacara]

Ooh now that sounds a good plan I presume if you go through immigration at Newark on way there you won't have to go through immigration at Orlando?

No that's right as you are on a domestic flight. Newark immigration was very quick but we may just have been lucky.

 

[mackay_j]

air lingus and iceland air have been known to have great prices in the past. Can you get to any of the Irish or Iceland airports directly from Aberdeen. Failing that then we have done both GLA to Newark - Tampa/mco (tampa can sometimes be about £150 pp cheaper in high season). Also train from GLa to man - mco

 

[Muscateer]

Well I took the easy option and booked from Gatwick and will start journey from Edinburgh as more flight options than Aberdeen. Now the planning begins

 

[Chef John]

Good luck! Half the fun is in the planning and hunting down the best deals...

 

[Cyrano]

We head from Aberdeen but are happy with the indirect route since the air fares are normally considerably cheaper.

Past routes have been Aberdeen - Amsterdam (equivalent of doing London leg) - Detroit- Orlando
Aberdeen - Paris - Atlanta - Orlando

One of the advantages of this way is that you clear immigration at the first USA entry point. We took 30 mins to clear immigration at Atlanta. A considerable improvement on Orlando

Good luck with the planning