non direct flights

[stubb]

hello everyone

we have recently bought a condo in kissimmee and are hoping to have at least 2 or 3 trips out to florida. We have started looking at flights for next year- to keep the cost down we will be doing non direct flights. Does anyone know which are the best connecting areas to pick? At christmas we are going with united airlines via washington. We are hoping to go in feb half term too. The pricesare around £1650 with a hire car for 5. But which is the best connecting place?

any advice would be welcome, we have never flown indirect before but are seeing it as an adventure!!!!!!!!!

MICHELLE

 

[Peebee]

Our preferred route for non-direct is American Airlines through Miami. Tonnes of legroom, and a nice short hop once you're over the Atlantic. Prices were pretty decent when we last used them about 18 months ago, but with two small children it's going to be direct only for a few years for us

Paul

 

[Pootle]

Another vote for American for the leg room and Miami. I also like to fly out that way and back via Boston for the short nightime flight (6 hours) - again with American.

Delta via Atlanta is pretty convenient too. The thing to look out for is the amount of time at the connecting airport - too short (especially on the way in) and it could be a mad rush to get through immigration, re-submit baggage, change gates etc.

Expedia or ebookers are good sites to look at the options available.

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

Hi Michelle, We booked non direct with United last Oct. We flew to Washington as well. They were absolutely brilliant, food was good (well apart from the ham and cream cheese bagel thing for breakfast YUK), movie choices were good, my partner also kept watching Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson! No queues for immigration when we got to Washington, so although journey time is a little longer, there was no time lost in queues etc. We saved quite a bit of money flying indirectly, and we are going again next Oct and plan to do exactly the same again. We left London Heathrow at 8am and we were in Orlando about 16:15pm. It was nice walking past all the people that had arrived form a Virgin flight, and picking up our car straight away!

 

[wilki32]

Thanks for this post Michelle.
We fly out with United Nov 27th and have been getting a little nervous as I have not heard anything about United and have always flown direct but now I feel a lot happier.

A question though, is it true that you can take 64 kilos (2x32) per person. I've phoned United and they say yes but the travel agent says no way. We are going onto Australia after so not sure whether thats the reason for more luggage allowance.

Stella, what was the legroom like?

Thanks again

Anthony

 

[gavvy]

Another vote for United- you get lots more leg room copared to virgin- hardly any wait at immigtation in washington as most of the people on the flight are american and walk straight through- and then no lines in MCO- i would def use them again

 

[chunkster20uk]

We have flown with United Twice and they were great.

One of the times we got the 16.00 flight to Washington from LHR, changed at Washington and arrived at MCO around midnight (it was empty). We checked straight into the Hyatt (at the airport) and went to sleep, woke up at 6.00 am, went for a swim on the roof top pool watching the planes, had a leisurely breakfast and then we went off to the resort.

It was a great way to start the holiday and by leaving the afternoon before we had another full day in Florida.

 

[disneyholic family]

a minor correction regarding the person who wrote that americans walk right through immigration - not true.
since 9-11, no one walks right through, americans or aliens (love that term).
Usually, we go through a seperate line, but we definitely have to cross passport control these days....
and aliens (love that) have to be fingerprinted and photographed (at least that's true at kennedy airport)...as if that's going to help anything....

 

[juliebro]

We've always been happy with US Airways flying indirect via Philadelphia. Never flown direct - but we like the opportunity to stretch our legs, do a bit of shopping, go through immigration, get the US 'feel' etc etc

We have also stayed at the Hyatt at MCO on arrival - breakfast is great - best buffet breakfast ever! Although a good bit more expensive than Ponderosa!

We're flying BMI/United next Easter - anyone familar with that route from Manchester to MCO via Washington DC? How's the legroom?

Julie

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

Hi Anthony, Sorry for not replying sooner, have to fight to get on the pc these days. Last year the luggage allowance for us with United was 57 kilos, which was a total of 2 suitcases (25 kilos each) and 1 hand luggage of 7 kilos. As there were 5 of us, the we could have took 10 suitcases lol. We actually took about 4 and 1 of these was virtually empty, we even packed a couple of empty holdalls for souveniors etc. As for leg room, it was the first time we had flown so can't compare to anything. Hope this helps.

 

[gavvy]

When i flew united to orlando via washington this september the luggage weight was 2 cases max of 32kg each and 1 carry on item like a laptop. If you are flying from heathrow they will now refuse to take any item over 32kg, and will make you repack.

Gav

 

[juliebro]

Does this apply to the BMI/United flights from Manchester to Orlando via Washington?

We have a very large heavy (even without anything in it!) suitcase - I'm worried they might not let us take it!

Julie

 

[gavvy]

Most non charter flights are 32kg but you best check with BMI- I know that heathrow wont allow over 32kg per cases as the handers refuse to lift them- I think gatwick is the same, if Manchester airport is owned by BAA (i am not sure) then this may be the case too.

 

[juliebro]

We took it last year when we flew US Airways from Manchester. They just attached a label saying 'HEAVY'!!

Julie

 

[jjpenguin]

Another vote for United. We always fly via Washington and have saved enough points to upgrade every other flight! Very nice on the way home as you can at least get some sleep in Business Class.

Washington is an easy airport for transferring but it is aptly named DULLes. Apart from McD's there's about 1 newsstand on the concourse, so bring something to keep you busy for your stopover...

jjpenguin

 

[stubb]

thank you for all the replies, we have booked feb half term with united via washington.

When we go to florida we take large holdalls which are much easier tofit into the boot of the car. The first time we took samsonite trpe cases which have no give in them at all.

michelle

 

[tiggerlady]

Did you know you could stay a night or 2 at your first stopover or on the way back? my daughter & DB are stopping for 2 nights in Philly and meeting up with some USA dissers in Nov the only extra cost is the hotels & taxis
also a friend of mine flew home via Newark in New YOrk and got to stay for 2 nights bit of a culture & cost shock after Orlando prices.

 

[juliebro]

Yes - we are staying over for 2 nights in Washington DC on our return from Orlando. Like you say, only extra cost is hotel room and taxis to/from airport.

Too good an opportunity to miss. I have been there before (only a flying visit) but DH & DS haven't. So it's a chance for us all to see the sights together and extend the trip by another 2 days.

Julie

 

[KayleeUK]

Mmmmm now that's a good idea

 

[tiggerlady]

Yes it is good if you can catch another city en route we are flying via Newark in Nov but are not staying due to the fact that we are only going for 12 nights and would rather spend the time in sunny Florida,and we have been to NY before. We went there on a stop over to Washington DC in 2002.can recomend both cities but my fav was Washington such a beautiful city and with so much to see & do.