United Airlines and bmi

[Lisa Francis]

Hi
Can anyone help we have just booked flight for middle of July great deal £1750 for 4 of us but we have to go from Manchester via chicago....nevermind.
As anyone done this before? I am abit confused because although we booked with bmi they state we will be using United Airlines.
As anyone any experience of this please. Particularly interested in will there be tv screens in seats for the kids because if not we will have to take more things with us.
Also does anyone know if we can book in on line like you can with virgin. We went for the first time last year with Virgin and that was great. Unfortunately far too costly this time round.
Nevermind we weren't expecting to go, last minute decision as friends have invited us to stop with them in their villa. They lucky things are going with Virgin.
Any help about United would be appreciated
Thanks
Lisa (who feels very lucky going this year. Think DH feels sorry for me because I will be 40 this year).

 

[castanea1985]

What a fabulous price - where on earth did you find it???
United are fine to fly with - are you flying with them all the way??
You should be able to check out which plane you'll be using, by going to their web site. This should give you all the info you need!

 

[Lisa Francis]

we booked it last sunday through bmi website but noticed when i went on the internet on Tuesday they had no cheap ones left...the same flight is now £1200 dearer for the 4 of us...so we were really lucky.

 

[maria & rossi]

We used bmi about 3 years ago flying from manchester via chicago. The flight from manchester was with bmi and imop it was far better than the previous virgin flights we 've been on. From Chicago it was united airlines and it was such a short flight, just like getting a bus really. Although flying this way makes for a longer day, we always find it better this way as you land late in orlando and your not as tempted to get an early night like you would if you landed at 2pm, therefore settling into the time zone better. The only thing that has changed since 9/11 is the security checks take a little longer than before. You have to go through security again before getting on your internal flight but the plus point when you land in orlando is you don't have to go through imigration as you've done this is chicago. We are flying virgin this year as we are going with a party of 10 and it worked out better this way, but would have no hesitation going via again as it also breaks up that boring flight. I can't remember but I'm sure the bmi flights had seat back tv's and at the time all drinks were free but I know some schedule flights now charge you for alcohol. Hope this helps. Maria

 

[Lisa Francis]

thanks Maria I think your right looking at my tickets. It looks like bmi to chicago and united from there. From what other people have said about bmi in other threads this is good news and I agree with you although its a bit of a bind getting to walk round at chicago just breaks the flight up a little. thanks for your info.

 

[Miffy2003]

Great price Lisa!

 

[CharleyUK]

Hi

We went with BMI from Manchester to Chicago a few years ago and it was a great flight. We flew on to Las Vegas but everyone else went on to Orlando.

As others have said you pass throught immigration in Chicago. Make sure you go straight there- avoid the stop at the loo if you can! There were rearly long lines when we were there. You then had to collect your luggage- just beyond the immigration desks and then drop it at a collecting area at the back of the same hall. It's just to id the bags and make sure they get onto the right connecting flight. We were a bit worried about it but it was simple.

You then have to leave the terminal to got to another for your next flight but again it's simple they have a monorail to take you. Just make sure you go straight there as you have to pass through security again and may have to que.

Hope you have a great time

 

[Cochise]

We are on this route in October.

If flying onto Orlando you fly with TED which is the United Low cost carrier. From what i can see the bmi A332 will gate in terminal 5 and you have to connect to terminal 1. This is where you will pick up the TED A320 32S
I have heard this is quite a way to switch so we are going to go for the right terminal and then relax, the connection is around 2 1/2 hours, the security should move quickly but watch for putting cameras etc on the screening app too early. I did that and got all panicky but we were lucky that no one helped themselves to it. I have read that as the flight is over two hours TED will have a film on but not sure whether this will be the case. As people say arriving in Orlando Int is a breeze with no double baggage pick ups or security/immigration to negotiate.

 

[Lisa Francis]

thanks everyone I'll let you know how it went.

 

[Cochise]

One thing i have also read about TED is that even though bmi allow 2 bags at 32kg each when you check in, with TED they will stop you at Orlando International on the home leg with bags of that weight as they operate a max of 23kg max per item on tickets purchased after 7th September 2005.

I would make sure you conform with the TED baggage restrictions and keep under the 23kg per bag with a max of two per person.

 

[jjpenguin]

I can confirm that they are strict on baggage weight on TED flights, we were over the 23 kg, but decided on paying the $25 extra instead of going through all the hassle of repacking the cases at the airport.

We did this to LA last year, get to customs early and do the the bagage hokey cokey, then transfer via monorail to the terminal you fly out of and relax there, Chicago is not too bad as airports go. They were doing some modernisation there but that should be done by now.

BMI and (uni)TED are all part of Star Alliance and share a lot of flights. Don't know about BMI but TED is quite good. You'll get a drink but no food, alcohol is charged $5 per drink. On Chicago-Orlando they might show a movie but I think it'll be too short so you'll just get some TV shows.

We always fly United and get in to Orlando at 7.30 pm or so, by the time we get to Disney it's about 09.00, we unpack, grab a drink and light dinner and then we're off to bed and have no problems getting up at a normal time the next morning.

Have a great holiday.

 

[Cochise]

JJ m8,

think for the info of others, is it $25 a bag overweight or per booking. I think they do show TV comedy from NBC or some other US channels. Our flight does land at 7.25pm and am hoping to arrive at the villa at 9pm