What happens if

[skelfbsfb]

As some will know we took advantage of the M+M flights flying from Heathrow. Im wondering who to book local flights with, Glasgow - Heathrow and back. Not bothered about going as we will fly down the night before. The issue or concern I have is what will happen if our inward flight from Miami is late and we miss our flight back to Glasgow. Will we be put onto the next available flight. Airlines Im looking at for these flights are BA and BMI.

 

[2Tiggies]

We have used BMI a few times (to MAN though, although did check out Gatwick and Heathrow too a few months ago before booking our flights for next year)

Are you coming back on a Sunday? Just be aware that there are often only one or two flights a day to GLA and EDI. They won't hold the plane back if your main flight is late and since you are booking separately from your main ticket, they would have no way of knowing you how you are getting to Heathrow anyway. Check the times and make sure you have a big window. Two years ago we had to wait until 4 pm for our return. Last year was similar but when we got there we hust happened to notice that our flight had been moved to 1 pm. Good news, but imagine if I hadn't noticed - it was the only one for the day.

Is EDI a possible alternative to give you more times to play with?

 

[skelfbsfb]

There is many flights on the day in question. We arrive back at Heathrow at approx 9:30am, was goi8ng to book the 12:30 flight from BA, there are about another 4 flights after this time.

 

[2Tiggies]

I should think 12.30 would be fine. Have you contacted BMI/BA to find out what the policy is? I would imagine that they would have no problem putting you on the next available flight. If you were really badly delayed, they would be able to confirm this at the airport anyway. As much as I don't like cutting things too fine, after a longhaul flight, I really don't want to be hanging around an airport for hours on end, knowing I could have been home earlier. If you arrive early or on time, it could even be worth seeing if they will put you on the earlier flight.

 

[akl-fan]

Did you know that VA are flying direct from Glasgow to Orlando this year even in September? I think they have got the old FlyGlobeSpan slot.

 

[skelfbsfb]

Did you know that VA are flying direct from Glasgow to Orlando this year even in September? I think they have got the old FlyGlobeSpan slot.

Yes mate I did know that they are operating from Glasgow however I looked at the prices and they were on average £800 and only allowing you to book the usual 7, 14 or 21 nights and only flying at weekends. Managed to get flights for £437, and for 18 nights.

 

[waterford]

If you book your flights seperately you wont be put on the next available flight. You will have to book a new flight back to glasgow. However, if you book them all as one ticket you will be put on the next flight.

This happened us last year. We booked one ticket and were put on the next flight back to dublin however, people who had booked flights seperately had to book their own new flights in Gatwick when Orlando flight arrived whereas Virgin had us booked on the next dublin flight when we landed. and the flights back to dublin on the day were very expensive, I think about £250 each.

 

[Hilary]

You could ask Virgin Atlantic for a quote to add the Glasgow/Heathrow flights to your booking. BMI are a partner airline with VA. Not sure if you'd be charged an amendment fee, though. If it was booked straight through, you'd be looked after if you missed a connection.

 

[skelfbsfb]

You could ask Virgin Atlantic for a quote to add the Glasgow/Heathrow flights to your booking. BMI are a partner airline with VA. Not sure if you'd be charged an amendment fee, though. If it was booked straight through, you'd be looked after if you missed a connection.

Hilary I foned virgin to ask for connection flights and they were quoting me over £2000 for 5. BMI are coming out the cheapest at £350 weres BA are £490. Only concerned about return journey.

 

[WiganTony]

May be worth if booking a later flight to look into the cost of a day-room at one of the airport hotels. We looked into this for our return from MIA in August as we were planning to drive back to Manchester - Holiday Inn were quoting £50 for use of the room between 0900-1600.

However, we ended up booking BA flights in both directions with Air Miles (freebie flights!!). Outbound we flew down to LHR the evening before which was fine. On our return, we had 2-1/2 hours connection time, but a delayed departure from MIA and a loinger flight time cut this to 1-3/4 hours plus had to get between T3 and T5 and recheck our baggage for the MAN flight - it was a close call as we reached the boarding gate just as they started boarding.

But, if we had missed our MAN flight, there would have been no alternative flight unless we paid for it. That said, I had a cunning plan which involved an Avis one-way car rental reservation from LHR to MAN which cost around £30 - money well spent (in my opinion anyhow).