Manchester or London Gatwick

[PrstnKaren]

Hi
I'm looking to pick the brains of all the experts on here!!
We are hoping to go to Disney in August 2009 (eldest daughter a teacher so need to go in school hols) we will probably fly with Virgin depending on prices but was wondering what the differences were if any of flying with them from Manchester rather than Gatwick as Manchester is much easier for us to get a train to.
thanks in anticipation

 

[Young Pooh]

Not much really in relation to the planes etc as both LGW and MAN use the same pool of planes. The prices are usually identical as well.

If you are looking to use any VA FC miles then you may have a better chance on the MAN route as I would think that the LGW is probably more popular - but LGW does usually have more flights per day during the summer period.

The only real difference is the airport facilities. If you are happy with the facilities at MAN and this is easier to get to, then I would go from there.

 

[emily1982]

I don't think it makes much difference really. We normally go from Gatwick, this year though we are going from Manchester as it's easier and nearer to get to.

 

[lyn9856]

Prices are always exactly the same when I check
We live in Midlands and can theoretically go from either

The drive to Manchester is usually easier, but the airport always seems to cause us hassle, broken baggage belts, delays etc.

The drive to Gatwick is a lonnnggg way down and round...but we never have a problem with the efficiency at the airport.
Swings and roundabouts I guess.

I do have an issue with the planes Mr Branson is using on the UK to Orlando run though. Really tatty old ones with the outdated loop entertainment systems. And in May the staff left a lot to be desired. They were more concerned with eating and applying lip gloss whilst walking down the aisles than they were serving the passengers.

We are stuck though as need flexibility of scheduled rather than charter, so is only choice of BA or Virgin for direct. And with Virgin miles to spend the cost is far better with Virgin than BA. Ah well. Lets hope Sir Richard updates this route soon!
Lyn

 

[wicket2005]

I cannot compare the two airports but have used Virgin the last two years flying from Manchester. I have had absolutely no problems either with the airport or with Virgin. I would say go to the one that is the nearest to home because it is a bit of a killer journey home when you have to add on time from Manchester/Gatwick back to your home when you are tired and not excited.

 

[Lizzybear]

I think it'd have to be some kind of incredible saving or a route which only goes from one of the London airports to convince me to travel from Heathrow or Gatwick.. I've done the coach thing to London (never again!) and the train fare combined with hotel costs down there would probably wipe out any savings made, plus the much longer travel time in the UK. It is different for us being so near Manchester though, if I was between Manchester and London i'd probably factor in price and ease of transportation.

 

[scottish mum]

I've flown from both gatwick and manchester and i prefer manchester. It just seems nicer and not quite so crowded. This year we are flying from gatwick though so i will have to put up with all the busy restaurants etc. The only reason we are flying from gatwick is it's easier and cheaper to get a connecting flight to there rather than manchester. We drove to manchester last year and it's 7 hours so had to stop off on way home as we were just too tired to drive.

 

[Neoshoegal]

We normally fly from Manchester but this year we decided to go from gatwick so we could use the Virgin Lounge (we were flying UC!).
Apart from the lounge I much preferred Manchester.
We arrived at Gatwick and due to works going on we were sent in about 7 different directions. We kept asking airport staff the fastest way to get to the Yotel, most of us didn't understand and thought we just looking for "a" hotel.
You have to bear in mind that airports are one of the scariest places on earth for me, so being sent from one side to another doesn't help. In all, it was a lot busier, much longer lines going through immigration coming back from the US, longer wait for the luggage in a much larger hall which was rather confusing.
Give me Manchester any day (well, not really, even Manchester still makes me cry, but a lot better than Gatwick for me... I don't dare to think what Heathrow would do to me! )

 

[wicket2005]

We normally fly from Manchester but this year we decided to go from gatwick so we could use the Virgin Lounge (we were flying UC!).
Apart from the lounge I much preferred Manchester.

We used Servaisair's executive lounge in Manchester the last two years and it is a really comfortable place to spend a few hours. I would recommend it to you.

 

[Pegasus928]

We have used Manchester every time without any problems. We also stay overnight in the Radisson just to make the holiday start a little earlier. Last time we flew from there - May this year - there was a lot of work going on that did make the place seem more chaotic than normal, but hopefully it will be finished by the time we use it again.

Kenny

 

[Graeme]

We are stuck though as need flexibility of scheduled rather than charter

Have a look at Mytravel. They seem to be flying on more days next year than they have been, and for 7, 10, 11 day holidays as well. either that or I've just started looking earlier than normal.

 

[lyn9856]

Had a look at My Travel and priced a Flydrive for the 21 nights that could work for us next May (although not my first choice of dates)
Prices at £1384 for the two of us, with only 20kg baggage, (disastrous as we have a cruise booked and gladrags weigh heavy) and without the extra charges for the car hire that will be slapped on at Sanford!

Virgin flights from Manchester on our exact chosen dates and into Orlando International using some of my flyer miles earned from this year's trip, with 46kgs baggage each comes out at £796.20 for the two of us! We know we can get car hire for approx £150 per week fully inclusive (will only need for part of the time anyway)


I'm afraid it will have to be a tired old Mr Branson flight with dodgy IFES again for us As long as it gets us there I guess it doesn't matter!