Virgin into Sanford?

[Groovee]

Maybe they will fly the Glasgow flights into SFB?

Would be fab if they did that.

 

[Claire L]

Just checked Mapquest Never realised how far away Sanford was! Would seriously reconsider travelling with VA if they moved from MCO.

Claire

 

[UKDEB]

But was this Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays?

A moot point, Obi, surely, as VH uses VA flights?

My initial reaction is one of horror. Not because Sanford is a dreadful airport, nor due to the increased travel time, which, in reality, isn't a huge deal, but it would, without question, be a backwards step.

As Simon says (hmm...gives me an idea for a thread ), how on earth would Sanford accommodate the increased passenger volumes? Current fans of Sanford should be as opposed to this as its detractors. Suddenly, the inbound experience is going to get a whole lot worse for all of us.

More importantly for me, though, is probably the homebound journey. Being able to utilise the facilities at MCO makes a truly soul-destroying experience a little bit more bearable.

 

[cheryl.UK]

If Virgin do move to Sanford, we will be swapping to BA. We hate Sanford. Suren you get through securtiy quicker of the way in but the waiting for the flight in that poxy little airport drives me spare. Not to mention the potential queues for cars. Last time we used Sanford, we waited over an hour. We've never waited more than 10 mins at MCO.

 

[Ali and boyz]

the thought of trying MCO with our son being a wheelchair is totally frightening me whereas coming out of Sanford withthe wheelchair is easy. I would love to try Virgin from Glasgow.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

A moot point, Obi, surely, as VH uses VA flights?

My initial reaction is one of horror. Not because Sanford is a dreadful airport, nor due to the increased travel time, which, in reality, isn't a huge deal, but it would, without question, be a backwards step.

As Simon says (hmm...gives me an idea for a thread ), how on earth would Sanford accommodate the increased passenger volumes? Current fans of Sanford should be as opposed to this as its detractors. Suddenly, the inbound experience is going to get a whole lot worse for all of us.

More importantly for me, though, is probably the homebound journey. Being able to utilise the facilities at MCO makes a truly soul-destroying experience a little bit more bearable.

Deb,
VH book with other airlines as well do they not? I thought they were not totally VA?

 

[Claire L]

Deb,
VH book with other airlines as well do they not? I thought they were not totally VA?

Only for destinations not served by VA direct. For all direct VA routes AFAIK it is only VA flights you can book with VH.

Claire

 

[carolfoy]

what facilities does everyone here use at MCO? I can only remember there being a few shops and a very small duty free, sanford also had a couple of shops and a small duty free, I don't remember MCO having loads to do or is there something there I've always missed?
I know my son has used the games room at sfb a couple of times and we've used the lounge there, I know there are lounges at MCo as well but what does everyone else do with their time?

 

[Claire L]

what facilities does everyone here use at MCO? I can only remember there being a few shops and a very small duty free, sanford also had a couple of shops and a small duty free, I don't remember MCO having loads to do or is there something there I've always missed?
I know my son has used the games room at sfb a couple of times and we've used the lounge there, I know there are lounges at MCo as well but what does everyone else do with their time?

There are two Disney stores at MCO along with Seaworld, Universal, Crocs, Brookstones, Lush, Ron Jon and Oakley to name a few and then for eatting there is a nice food court with Sbarro, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks and Macaroni Grill for a start. The area is so huge it never feels cramped. Once through security the duty free is an adequate size and the gate area are generally big enough to cope with the amount of passengers on a 747. Oh and wireless internet is all around. We spent a two hours delay ontop of a 3 hour plus check in without being bored in January at MCO.

Claire

 

[Steve and Sarah]

There are two Disney stores at MCO along with Seaworld, Universal, Crocs, Brookstones, Lush, Ron Jon and Oakley to name a few and then for eatting there is a nice food court with Sbarro, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks and Macaroni Grill for a start. The area is so huge it never feels cramped. Once through security the duty free is an adequate size and the gate area are generally big enough to cope with the amount of passengers on a 747. Oh and wireless internet is all around. We spent a two hours delay ontop of a 3 hour plus check in without being bored in January at MCO.

Claire

I agree entrirely. Having had to endure a 4 hour delay at Sanford on our one and only usage of that airport and it was a living hell. I do not even like to think about the possibility of VA using Sanford. We travel 3 or 4 times a year on VA to MCO and would simply never, ever do it again if they used Sanford.

VA would be certainly be losing our custom if this happenned. We would rather use someone else and go indirect rather than use Sanford.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

what facilities does everyone here use at MCO? I can only remember there being a few shops and a very small duty free, sanford also had a couple of shops and a small duty free, I don't remember MCO having loads to do or is there something there I've always missed?
I know my son has used the games room at sfb a couple of times and we've used the lounge there, I know there are lounges at MCo as well but what does everyone else do with their time?

Carol,
here is a list of shops & dining options in thge main terminal
http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/concessions/shops.htm#shops

There is also some shops near the gates as well

 

[UKDEB]

what facilities does everyone here use at MCO? I can only remember there being a few shops and a very small duty free, sanford also had a couple of shops and a small duty free, I don't remember MCO having loads to do or is there something there I've always missed?
I know my son has used the games room at sfb a couple of times and we've used the lounge there, I know there are lounges at MCo as well but what does everyone else do with their time?

MCO has long been an award winning facility. I'm not widely travelled, but I do know that it beats hands down every other airport I've visited in the US. In the last couple of years it's undergone a refurbishment which has improved it further still. Having said all that, I usually just take a cursory glance around the shops and, although there are some eateries which look more than welcoming, we always end up in the lobby of the Hyatt pre-flight. For me this is MCO's piece de resistance - a quiet haven away from the hubbub of the airport and equal to any airport lounge. On occasion we've eaten at McCoy's, but invariably we just chill out in the lobby lounge and have drinks and snacks brought to us.

The airside area has also been upgraded. The duty-free shop is possibly the most recent to undergo a makeover, although I agree it's could be bigger.

 

[UKDEB]

Deb,
VH book with other airlines as well do they not? I thought they were not totally VA?

I thought they were, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[carolfoy]

Thanks guys, I thought it was just the shops you meant - (I was worried there I'd missed out on something else ) to be honest shoppings the last of my priorities when I get to an airport, I take about 5 minutes in duty free picking up cheap ciggies then want to board the aircraft immediately. Unless I'm using a lounge I'd be happy to get to the airport 5 minutes before take off .
It'll be even less now I don't smoke anymore


and Claire L's right VH use VS on routes they operate them selves but will use other carriers on other routes.

 

[margaret2]

well i hope they do go to sanford its a good airport quick to get through very easily after a long flight,

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

well i hope they do go to sanford its a good airport quick to get through very easily after a long flight,

The problem is that the extra 1,000+ people arriving at the same time will effect the speed you will get out of SFB, plus the speed that the baggage will come through, plus the check in desks and waiting areas will be much more crowded, unless SFB increase the size of the airport, but would they do that for one airlines 5 aircraft per day?

 

[jen_uk]

It'll be even less now I don't smoke anymore

.

Is that new? Or have I just missed the post?!

Anyway, thats great news!

 

[mrsminniemouse]

We would be very disappointed if VA went back to Sanford too. We flew there with them once years ago when they used Sanford for a while as someone mentioned earlier. We have been into Sanford with Airtours and First Choice too. Every time we have waited for well over an hour in a hire car queue (except they only let one member of the party in - so I end up waiting outside in the heat as DH is driver) I really don't like the airport, less shops, few food options and big queues all round. The only good thing is the club house.

Maybe we were just unlucky though as other people seem to like it....

Mandy

 

[terrynewpack]

It is very unlikely to happen. Virgin would lose the majority of their customers and it would wreck Sanford Airport which we much prefer.
We travel about 4 times a year and 9 times out of 10 we can be in our accomodation in Kissimmee in less time than it takes most passengers to clear MCO.
Any horrendous delays we have had on arrival have all been at Orlando.




Terry

 

[mikki.young]

We went to Sanford once and it was quick to get out of. We had a 7 hour delay on the flight home and there was nothing to do at the airport. I suspect it may have improved in the last 10 years but my preference is definitely for MCO - far more options and a shorter journey to get there.