Virgin BA or ?

[profolly]

Just come back from a great 2 week trip used First Choice from Bristol. Now want to go again January 09. So, my question is, Gatwick or Heathrow ? And who is the best to fly with, prices, service etc ? Our experience is only with First Choice and they don't fly to Sanford in January.

Thanks

Viv xx

 

[Pootle]

BA and Virgin both fly to Orlando out of Gatwick - BA from the North Terminal and Virgin from the South.

I haven't flown in economy in either of them for many years but I doubt there is much to choose between them and would go for the best deal, unless prior booking of seats was important to you, in which case Virgin still offers this. With BA this now only happens if you are travelling with young children or have gold card status (or higher).

Stuff happens and you will get people on this forum who had a poor experience with one or the other and would never fly with them again. I've used them both a couple of times each for the last few years in PE and have had good service, 'iffy' food and delays with both, but generally have been quite satisfied - apart from the booking issue with BA, which has now made me switch totally to Virgin.

Both offer online check-in 24 hours before (when you select your seat with BA) and Virgin also offers Downtown Disney check-in.

I don't think anyone uses Heathrow for Orlando - Miami yes. Think your choices of other carriers is limited in January, unless you fly using a hub, eg American Airlines via Chicago or Miami. This would let you choose Heathrow.

 

[wayneg]

If you are flying economy there is not a lot to choose between them. We have had good and bad with all airlines, Our fave is BMI, hope they fly direct one day. One of worst for quality of plane was MAN-NY with BA, others prefer BA. I think Virgin food is terrible but won't stop me using either if price is right.
We don't really care on inflight service, get sat in seat and sleep so we just go for cheapest option. Would rather do away with food, films, games etc for a lower price.

 

[Fiona R]

Go for whichever is the best deal, although from the West Country we have found that indirect from Heathrow (with good flight times) is no worse than direct from Gatwick, especially when you get home! In some ways the connection later in the evening getting into LHR at 10am is far more civilised as you get a bit of sleep. I hate those 6-7am landings at LGW!!

I have flown Virgin, BA, AA and United to the US, all were fine although AA has better leg room and United is the most cramped in Economy but has very reasonable extra legroom seats. As there are five of us even a £20 difference per flight adds up. It's only a means to get you on holiday!!

 

[Haworthfamily]

Hi
Isn't annoying we can't go from Bristol to WDW! Maybe in a few years, what with Continental flying to NYC now.

We always fly BA, more because DH flys alot for work and so gets BA miles etc and good deals.
We love flying BA, we've always had a good service and the prices aren't bad. We also go from Gatwick a long way on the motorway from Bristol and yes as Fiona said the early morning landings followed with the journey back up the M25, M4 not our favourite. But if the price is right on the flight we go for it.

 

[profolly]

Thanks guys lots to mull over can fly from LGW to Sanford I've discovered in January I do like the idea of avoiding MCO

Viv x

 

[irenep]

Stay well clear of BA - they just cancelled the Aberdeen-Gatwick flight.
Will they do the same from Gatwick-Orlando and move to T5?
I wouldn't trust them at all now.

 

[wayneg]

If you like Sanford(once was enough for us) and its a 2 week holiday have you considered Travelcity direct, they are available to book now for Jan 09. Just priced up 2 adults and car with platinum cover £844, direct Gatwick-Sanford.
You pay a bit OTT on the car rental but flight prices are good.

 

[profolly]

Anything particularly wrong with Travelcity ? We don't want a car as well

Viv x

 

[wayneg]

Anything particularly wrong with Travelcity ? We don't want a car as well

Viv x

We have not used them for about 5 years, not often we go for 2 weeks which is all they do. When we did use them we had no probems at all.
You could try ring them and ask for flight only, thats what I did as I wanted to book car elsewhere but they charge a premium on the flights if you dont take their car.
I would not contemplate Florida without a car, so much easier.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Flown with both Virgin and BA, found BA cheaper most times.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

I can only endorse what others have said, take the best price, nothing between BA/VA economy worth paying for if you're travelling in January.