Questions about airlines - Aer Lingus & Virgin Atlantic

[sayhello]

Hi! Someone on the Adventures by Disney Forum suggested I should pose my questions here, since I'm looking into flying to the UK, and tons of you fly to the US from the UK for Disney trips.

I've been rather dismayed to see the price for my flight from Ohio to London jump by over $400 recently. The only "advantage" is, that the lowest price is pretty similar on all the airlines, not just a few USA domestic airlines, so I'm really trying to research the best options for flying to the UK.

Right now, the 2 best airfares are from Aer Lingus and Icelandair. I've heard mixed things about both airlines, so I'd really appreciate any input folks can give about either one.

I'm also seriously considering Virgin Atlantic. Even though it's a bit more expensive, I've heard it's a good airline, and with them it would be a 2-legged flight vs a 3-legged flight, so that's a plus.

Anyways, any insight or opinions you could provide me (or recommendations for a different airline) to/from London would be very, VERY appreciated!

Thanks,
Sayhello

 

[Kath2003]

The general rule with airlines is that they're all as bad as each other

Virgin are okay. We flew long-haul with them last year and were "disappointed" but only because of the price point they place themselves at (significantly more than other airlines) - mainly delays (with everything - ages to check bags, both flights delayed by over an hour) and attitude of staff. Nothing major. If they get you there quicker, they may be the one to go with.

Be aware that Virgin just introduced a cost to select your seat if you wish - £25 ($40) per person per flight (so $80 return). You don't have to pay this and can select at check-in (24 hours) for free. If you're travelling with kids under 12, they will make sure each kid is with an adult. Personally we will be paying it - last time we flew with them, most adult-only parties were split (including a number who had booked weddings and honeymoons through their sister-company, Virgin Holidays - people were not best pleased...) - because we like to sit together and travel at peak "family" time so will be bottom of the pecking order - but that's a big chunk of money if you have more than just a couple of you.

Aer Lingus are fine. Icelandic are fine. Bonus of Aer Lingus is that, if you fly back via Dublin, you clear US immigration in Dublin meaning you save time when you land in the US.

Where are you flying from? It shouldn't involve THREE flights to fly from London to Ohio?!?

 

[sayhello]

The general rule with airlines is that they're all as bad as each other

Virgin are okay. We flew long-haul with them last year and were "disappointed" but only because of the price point they place themselves at (significantly more than other airlines) - mainly delays (with everything - ages to check bags, both flights delayed by over an hour) and attitude of staff. Nothing major. If they get you there quicker, they may be the one to go with.

Be aware that Virgin just introduced a cost to select your seat if you wish - £25 ($40) per person per flight (so $80 return). You don't have to pay this and can select at check-in (24 hours) for free. If you're travelling with kids under 12, they will make sure each kid is with an adult. Personally we will be paying it - last time we flew with them, most adult-only parties were split (including a number who had booked weddings and honeymoons through their sister-company, Virgin Holidays - people were not best pleased...) - because we like to sit together and travel at peak "family" time so will be bottom of the pecking order - but that's a big chunk of money if you have more than just a couple of you.

Aer Lingus are fine. Icelandic are fine. Bonus of Aer Lingus is that, if you fly back via Dublin, you clear US immigration in Dublin meaning you save time when you land in the US.

Where are you flying from? It shouldn't involve THREE flights to fly from London to Ohio?!?

It's 3 flights with Aer Lingus. Columbus, OH (CMH) to LHR. If I book the Columbus to BOS or JFK myself, I can go through those airports to DUB then to LHR. If I book it through them, it's CMH to ORD to DUB to LHR. I'm going to see if I get different results by calling them. But there are no direct flights from CMH to DUB.

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[Kath2003]

Surely it would be better to fly to a US hub and then direct to London? ORD, IAD, JFK, EWR, BOS etc all have multiple daily flights direct to the UK with carriers like Delta, British Airways, Virgin, Norweigan, US Airways, American, United etc. which would amount to far less hassle at just one stop in the US. Are there not feasible?

Do not book your flights separately if you can avoid it. If you book them all as "one ticket", the airline are obliged to get you to your destination. If you book them separately, and you miss a flight because a previous flight is delayed, you are classed as a no-show and have to book a new ticket (though you could potentially claim on travel insurance later depending on the circumstance).

 

[sayhello]

Surely it would be better to fly to a US hub and then direct to London? ORD, IAD, JFK, EWR, BOS etc all have multiple daily flights direct to the UK with carriers like Delta, British Airways, Virgin, Norweigan, US Airways, American, United etc. which would amount to far less hassle at just one stop in the US. Are there not feasible?

Do not book your flights separately if you can avoid it. If you book them all as "one ticket", the airline are obliged to get you to your destination. If you book them separately, and you miss a flight because a previous flight is delayed, you are classed as a no-show and have to book a new ticket (though you could potentially claim on travel insurance later depending on the circumstance).

Oh, absolutely I could book to a major hub and then from there to the UK. For about $400 more. I'm just trying to determine if it's worth the extra $400 or not. It likely will be, but one option I'm looking at is to fly to Boston the day before, see some friends, spend the night, then fly to LHR via DUB the next day. Same on the way back. I'm just weighing options of cost vs. convenience. Plus a lot of people seem to like the in-the-air experience of Aer Lingus, whereas few people say that about United or British Airways. And I abhor Delta because their booking system is so horrific (constantly changing your reservation without notifying you). I may still end up doing that, but I'm exploring options, since Aer Lingus is the only one with a reasonable (comparatively) airfare. Icelandair is fairly reasonable, too, but I've been reading a lot of negative stuff about them.

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[Woodview]

If you use Aer Lingus , using their Co share co from Columbus to Dublin & on

Without breaking your travel time then your luggage will / should travel with you all the way.

In Dublin you will have about 5 to 10 min walk to next departure gate.

The same applies on return . On Return, in Dublin , you will join the Q for Immigration &

Customs , like the rest of us, except USA citizens have their own lines.

There is No charge for selecting ordinary Economy seats on Aer Lingus.

(Trans Atlantic )

Check Connection times to Heathrow & get best time for

your connections.

 

[sayhello]

If you use Aer Lingus , using their Co share co from Columbus to Dublin & on

Without breaking your travel time then your luggage will / should travel with you all the way.

In Dublin you will have about 5 to 10 min walk to next departure gate.

The same applies on return . On Return, in Dublin , you will join the Q for Immigration &

Customs , like the rest of us, except USA citizens have their own lines.

There is No charge for selecting ordinary Economy seats on Aer Lingus.

(Trans Atlantic )

Check Connection times to Heathrow & get best time for

your connections.

Thanks, Woodview. I called Aer Lingus to ask about a code-share flight from Columbus (because it can't be booked online), and I could only do it if I flew through Chicago, and it DOUBLED the price of the ticket! So if I do the Aer Lingus option, I will definitely book the Columbus legs myself. Which probably means adding on days. We shall see.

Sayhello

 

[Kath2003]

I haven't flown with Aer Lingus but I have to say that I very much doubt they are significantly different "in the air" to ANY other airline. Honestly, I've never been on a transatlantic flight that, once it got going, was ANY different to ANY other. The main issues I've had have been delays. Other than delays, if you took the "branding" out of any cabin, I honestly couldn't tell you who I was flying with at any given time

 

[sayhello]

I haven't flown with Aer Lingus but I have to say that I very much doubt they are significantly different "in the air" to ANY other airline. Honestly, I've never been on a transatlantic flight that, once it got going, was ANY different to ANY other. The main issues I've had have been delays. Other than delays, if you took the "branding" out of any cabin, I honestly couldn't tell you who I was flying with at any given time

I have to say, I have seen a difference. The condition of the plane, the comfort of the seats, the friendliness and attentiveness of the flight crew have varied widely on the different airlines I've flown trans-atlantic, which I've done 4 of the last 5 summers. And that does make a difference when you're stuck on a flying bus for that long.

Sayhello

 

[Kath2003]

I have to say, I have seen a difference. The condition of the plane, the comfort of the seats, the friendliness and attentiveness of the flight crew have varied widely on the different airlines I've flown trans-atlantic, which I've done 4 of the last 5 summers. And that does make a difference when you're stuck on a flying bus for that long.

Sayhello

Fair enough. As you can see from the sig, I've a few done transatlantic legs (those are just the Orlando trips) and have never noticed, BUT I will say that Virgin are the "worst" I've flown with in recent times - IFE not working and poor in flight service (lack of food options available, multiple requests needed for simple things etc.) - though it was the delays that were the real pain - but not enough to stop me booking with them again (though I wouldn't pay a penny more to fly with them than any other airline). In the last 5 or so years (to the US) we have also used Delta, Air Canada, American etc. and found them indistinguishable (though we have stopped looking at Air Canada because they've started to charge for seats, which makes their prices utterly noncompetitive). Trying US Airways this year, we shall see if they are any different...

 

[saintrob]

I've flown to the USA approximately 25 times and have used most of the major airlines and sampled all the classes. I used Aer Lingus for the first time in August and flew business class and was delighted with the service. I'd put it on a par with Virgin UC - the only difference being that the seat didn't fully recline. I normally fly Virgin and have experienced varying service from them but in the main pretty good. I normally stick with Virgin as I have the American express reward card but wouldn't hesitate in booking Aer Lingus again.

 

[chmurf]

I'm sure the business/upper classes pack a lot of extras that can make a differencebetween airlines

but most of us here fly econ or pe, and anyway you look at ot, it's cattle class and they're all as bad as the next airline

but as long as they get us to orlando, for the lowest price, I think most of us can deal with average service and grumpy flight attendants

 

[wayneg]

We have flown transatlantic around 40 times now (only twice in Business) and used just about every airline. VA used to be the stand out airline, unfortunately with cost cutting we find them no better or worse than any other these days. Last year we flew twice with AL with no problems at all.
Only one I have not flown with is Icelandair, although my Son has when we had to get him a last minute flight home from University of New Hampshire last August. He made a couple of Blog posts about his experience

http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/iceland/

http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/journey-home/

I believe you still get double luggage allowance compared to any other transatlantic carrier, but check.

Only airline we try avoid is USairways, being on the large side I struggled with their narrow seats but saying that guess who we fly with next? hopefully with mergers and changes they are better than last time.

 

[pickers1982]

For me as long as they do their best to be reliable, have a choice of films and the seats are acceptable I'm happy. I accept more often than not food is pretty poor.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks, everybody! I really appreciate all the input! I'd heard Virgin was a really good airline, but it sounds like that may be old news. I'm going to crunch the numbers, and the times, and eventually pick what works best. At least I have an idea of what not to weigh when I compare.

I just keep hoping the fares go back down at least a little, but I'm not holding my breath.

If anyone else has any input, I'd still love to hear it!

Sayhello

 

[wayneg]

Thanks, everybody! I really appreciate all the input! I'd heard Virgin was a really good airline, but it sounds like that may be old news. I'm going to crunch the numbers, and the times, and eventually pick what works best. At least I have an idea of what not to weigh when I compare.

Many people prefer using VA or BA as they are the only 2 scheduled carriers we have that fly direct to Orlando. Yes they still have a fan base but they are not what they were. Years ago in economy class they gave metal knives & forks, a proper glass to drink from, 2x 23kg luggage, choose your seats at no extra charge, plus more. Now all gone, for me they offer nothing to entice me anymore.

 

[sayhello]

Many people prefer using VA or BA as they are the only 2 scheduled carriers we have that fly direct to Orlando. Yes they still have a fan base but they are not what they were. Years ago in economy class they gave metal knives & forks, a proper glass to drink from, 2x 23kg luggage, choose your seats at no extra charge, plus more. Now all gone, for me they offer nothing to entice me anymore.

Thanks, that's good to know!

Sayhello

 

[starrysky]

Flown several times with aer Lingus and always had great experience. Flights on time and good food. Staff friendly and helpful.

Our most recent was to JFK and back via orlando and they were great.

We used jet blue for our internal flights as they don't charge for a checked bag unlike most of the internal flights we could find. So keep that in mind when you do book as it might add up.

 

[sayhello]

Flown several times with aer Lingus and always had great experience. Flights on time and good food. Staff friendly and helpful.

Our most recent was to JFK and back via orlando and they were great.

We used jet blue for our internal flights as they don't charge for a checked bag unlike most of the internal flights we could find. So keep that in mind when you do book as it might add up.

Wow, that's a really good point! If I book the flights to the major hub myself, I would get charged again for my luggage, since it wouldn't be checked through. So that increases the price, too. Unfortunately, Jet Blue doesn't fly to Columbus any more...

Thanks,
Sayhello

 

[starrysky]

Wow, that's a really good point! If I book the flights to the major hub myself, I would get charged again for my luggage, since it wouldn't be checked through. So that increases the price, too. Unfortunately, Jet Blue doesn't fly to Columbus any more... Thanks, Sayhello

Yes we looked at various options and while jet blue may have been a bit more than say Delta. The baggage charges tipped them way over the cost of the jet blue flights.

You also need to keep in mind the weight of your checked bags as they can differ from one airline to the next. 20kg on jet blue verses 23kg on aer lingus. So when we did our shopping in NYC we had to be very careful as we still had a flight to Boston and then orlando and I really did not want to be stung for excess charges. We have a digital luggage scale that we take with us every trip. We got stung on our honeymoon as we were a fair bit over weight so lesson learned there.