travelling indirect

[alyssa'smom]

hi a quick questions for all you experts out there thinking of travelling indirect for the first time via either atlanta or philly whichever is the cheapest at the time can you tell me do you have to collect your bags and check in again or is it just a case of getting off the aircraft and killing some time till you get on the next plane, don't fancy struggling with the bags and the kids thanks for your help

 

[Lizzybear]

Yep you collect your bags after the first flight but it's normally a case of dropping them off at another point rather than at an actual check-in desk (only done this at Newark so can't speak for other airports but we didn't have to carry them far) You also clear immigration and security so once in Orlando you proceed as domestic passengers. In Newark there were staff around if anyone needed help with making a tight connection, getting bags to the drop-off point etc

 

[ford family]

In Atlanta, you go first to immigration then down the escalators to the baggage carousels. You have to collect your bags and go through customs. Trolleys are available. Immediately after customs you put your luggage onto a conveyor belt. It will already be tagged for your final destination. You then go through security screening and then, finally, head off to your next gate.

ford family

 

[wayneg]

Most airports its just a few yards from collecting off the carousel to bag drop. Been doing indirect since DS was 3 years old, never a problem.

 

[alyssa'smom]

thanks guys dosn't sound that scary, and the prices are so much cheaper than direct will have to brave it and try

 

[wayneg]

If you want to post your dates, departure airport and price you have found I will have have look and see if you have got the best prices.

 

[dolphingirl47]

We have only flown indirect once (via New York JFK with Delta), but we are doing it again via Atlanta. Try to choose a transfer airport with frequent flights to Orlando. We missed our flight to Orlando at JFK due to them having closed down all transfer desks at JFK and not operating all immigration desks either. It took us more than 2 hours to clear immigration. By the time we had collected the luggage, cleared customs, dropped the luggage off again (this part was really quick, less than 15 minutes), cleared security (another long hold up) and got to the gate, we just saw our plane take off without us. They rebooked us on the next flight, but that was not until 5 hours later.

The reason why we have chosen Atlanta this year is that this is the hub for Delta. I have heard that the transfer arrangements are really well organized and people who have done it say that it is easy if you have at least 90 minutes. We have 115 minutes. Another advantage is that there are hourly flights between Atlanta and Orlando so if we should miss our connecting flight, we still should be on our way pretty quickly.

Arriving in Orlando on a domestic flight was wonderful. It took us less than 30 minutes from stepping off the plane to stepping into a taxi to the hotel.

Corinna

 

[alyssa'smom]

hi thanks wayneg 15th june 2010 14 nights from manchester 4 adults 4 children £2396.00 my eldest is autistic so did'nt know if the change would upset him but don't think it sounds to bad

 

[wayneg]

hi thanks wayneg 15th june 2010 14 nights from manchester 4 adults 4 children £2396.00 my eldest is autistic so did'nt know if the change would upset him but don't think it sounds to bad

A bit early yet as not all companies are quoting for your dates, Opodo are showing as cheapest with Quidco cashback, about £75 cheaper than your price but won't let you book. Who is letting you book early?
I have no experience taking an autistic child, obviously direct is going to make it a lot easier for you but for 8 of you its going to be a massive difference in cost.

 

[tinks_1989]

Yep you collect your bags after the first flight but it's normally a case of dropping them off at another point rather than at an actual check-in desk (only done this at Newark so can't speak for other airports but we didn't have to carry them far) You also clear immigration and security so once in Orlando you proceed as domestic passengers. In Newark there were staff around if anyone needed help with making a tight connection, getting bags to the drop-off point etc

Oh I am glad you posted we are flying via Newark and didnt know if we had to get our bags again I am glad some one else has done the same airport

 

[alyssa'smom]

hi thanks for looking wayneg we normally book virgin but their prices seem really high the prices i got was with air france via atlanta, will keep an eye out once more airline release there fares, thanks again for everyone's help i knew i could rely on you guys

 

[dolphingirl47]

Airlines release their own fares (called market fares) a maximum of 330 days prior to the last travel date on the itinerary. Prior to that, they sometimes show the generic IATA fares (fares being applicable to all airlines operating the route and they highest an airline can charge on the given route) in their systems. For your dates, the market fares should be released in early to mid August.

Corinna

 

[wayneg]

hi thanks for looking wayneg we normally book virgin but their prices seem really high the prices i got was with air france via atlanta, will keep an eye out once more airline release there fares, thanks again for everyone's help i knew i could rely on you guys

It is an Airfrance ticket you buy but actually a Delta flight you would be on, a code share flight. We are doing exactly same route this August 6th~31st. We fell lucky and got Business class for £465pp, doubt that will happen again. Just looked at Airfrance site, looks like it will let you book now, I would be very tempted at £300pp always difficult knowing when to buy.

 

[juliebro]

We always do indirect. £300 is a very good price. We booked recently at £341 for April next year with US Airways via Philly.

 

[clazza]

thanks guys dosn't sound that scary, and the prices are so much cheaper than direct will have to brave it and try

I am flying indirect for the first time and these guys have been so helpful and put my mind at ease!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I have been looking at Continental's prices for next year. July isn't out but the prices for June are frightening (from Belfast) - am I doing something wrong? Thought these indirect flights were good value??

Haven't decided between July and Aug next year - just browsing!

 

[wayneg]

I have been looking at Continental's prices for next year. July isn't out but the prices for June are frightening (from Belfast) - am I doing something wrong? Thought these indirect flights were good value??

Haven't decided between July and Aug next year - just browsing!

You have to wait for the offers, could be as soon as they are released or it could be 6 months after they are released, its all about waiting for the right price.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Thanks, that is good to hear.

Those prices were prohibitive!

Don't like the sound of waiting for a best price situation! Sounds like gambling!

 

[wayneg]

We have been for the past 3 Augusts and going again this August, these are dates we booked for good prices. Some direct some indrect. August 07 was worst, couldn't find much ended up eventually getting a miles and Money deal with Virgin(Xmas morning) cost me £533(+2,000miles) most I have ever paid for a flight but at least it was direct.

August 06 ~ booked 31st Oct 05, £329 indrect
August 07 ~ booked 25th Dec 06 £533+2,000 miles direct Virgin
August 08 ~ booked 31st Oct 07 20,000miles+£101tax outbound direct, £235 indrect home. Total £336+20,000miles
August 09 ~ booked 14th Oct 08 £465 indirect Buisiness class

We got the deal with Biz class this August but there have been plenty of economy from £300. All these prices are from manchester, could have gone cheaper from London with some of them.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I know Continental's prices have went up recently. I booked my flights on the 4th for £347pp for May next year (GLA-EWR-MCO) and the same flights are now £444pp Glad I booked when I did as that's a total saving of £200 for us!

However, howlongtillsummer? have you tried clearing your Cookies/History? I found when I was looking at Continental's (and many other airlines do this) website constantly (checking the price was the same) all of a sudden the price would shoot up to £1700pp but once I had cleared my Cookies/History etc. it went back down to a more "normal" price.