What to consider when choosing an airline?

[Rachandgarry]

Hi,

Hoping to go March 21, 2013. In preparation for the flights coming online soon(ish!) I'm trying to do a comparison sheet for the various airlines, so all I'll need to do is get the prices and compare. In trying to think of what I need to find out about each airline, this is what I have thought of. Anything I've missed?

Luggage allowance
Hand luggage allowance

Aircraft type

Seat width
Seat leg room

In-flight entertainment

Flight timings

Disability policy (my son is Autistic)

Which airport (UK)

Which airport (Florida)

Check-in time
Twilight check-in
DD check-in

Flight price incl tax
Upgrade price
Cost for seats together
In-flight meals
In-flight drinks

Also, what sites do you all use for your flights? I want to check as many sites as possible for the best price.

Thanks so much in advance
Rachel

 

[ben1993]

In regards to searching for flights, I always use Sky Scanner as it shows you where to adjust your dates forthr absolute best price. Kayak is another great site.

I've flew BA and Virgin from Gatwick and Manchester respectively, had a great experience with Virgin and plan on using them as much as possible in future to collect miles with them too (something else to consider if you plan on flying fairly often)

 

[disneyholic family]

price and airport are the major factors.

Also, i prefer going as direct as possible, even if it costs more.
that is, with the fewest stops possible.

i also use kayak to compare fares.

 

[Kath2003]

Hi,

Hoping to go March 21, 2013. In preparation for the flights coming online soon(ish!) I'm trying to do a comparison sheet for the various airlines, so all I'll need to do is get the prices and compare. In trying to think of what I need to find out about each airline, this is what I have thought of. Anything I've missed?

Luggage allowance
Hand luggage allowance

Aircraft type

Seat width
Seat leg room

In-flight entertainment

Flight timings

Disability policy (my son is Autistic)

Which airport (UK)

Which airport (Florida)

Check-in time
Twilight check-in
DD check-in

Flight price incl tax
Upgrade price
Cost for seats together
In-flight meals
In-flight drinks

Also, what sites do you all use for your flights? I want to check as many sites as possible for the best price.

Thanks so much in advance
Rachel

All we look at is price and airports. Couldn't care less about any of the rest. Have travelled with lots of airlines and found them all to be equally mediocre.

 

[wayneg]

1 factor to me, price.
We will fly from any UK airport to any US airport between Miami and Atlanta. Direct or indirect, any airline, any times.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Cool, I'll check all those websites when the prices are out.

I doubt those smaller considerations would change my mind if the price was different, but if the price is about the same, then I tend to consider those things. Like if we go to Sanford, we can't get Magical Express and there are more tolls to get to WDW but its a lovely small airport. Orlando International has that horrible 2-stage baggage reclaim, but its much closer to the magic. Price will be my major concern, then I'll filter the flights down with the other bits.

So excited, thanks for your help. Can't wait to book!!

 

[disneyholic family]

Cool, I'll check all those websites when the prices are out.

I doubt those smaller considerations would change my mind if the price was different, but if the price is about the same, then I tend to consider those things. Like if we go to Sanford, we can't get Magical Express and there are more tolls to get to WDW but its a lovely small airport. Orlando International has that horrible 2-stage baggage reclaim, but its much closer to the magic. Price will be my major concern, then I'll filter the flights down with the other bits.

So excited, thanks for your help. Can't wait to book!!

it doesn't have a 2-stage baggage claim anymore...
you can keep your luggage and take it with you...you don't have to put it back on the belt..
at least i thought you don't have to anymore...

 

[Elise79]

it doesn't have a 2-stage baggage claim anymore...
you can keep your luggage and take it with you...you don't have to put it back on the belt..
at least i thought you don't have to anymore...

No but you have to be able to carry it without a trolley up the esculator and on the transit to the main terminal.

Personally I would choose MCO over the other airports but we are also restricted to the scheduled airlines and we very rarely do a standard 7/14/21 nights.

Next time is 13 and December is 8. We also prefer direct so our options are VA or BA in to MCO or BA to Tampa if the days fall right. Don't care LGW or MAN but usually LGW is a few £s cheaper and is slightly closer.

 

[queendisney]

price and airport are the major factors.

Also, i prefer going as direct as possible, even if it costs more.
that is, with the fewest stops possible.

i also use kayak to compare fares.

yep exactly the same here...
I only want to fly from Gatwick to MCO and then I work on the price. Now that you can skip the first baggage drop it makes it a very quick (normally) exit from the airport. After a long day the last thing I want when I am tired is to arrive at Sanford Airport..I just want the quickest from A to B and I am willing to pay more to do that..

 

[T16GEM]

The only consideration for me is price, it's only 9 hours (ish) so as long as it's cheap I don't really care!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hiya Rach,

Well you know from our many pm's I am very familiar with the way you are planning the holiday.

I am no expert on finding cheap flights but I know a lot about long haul travelling with a wonderful son.
Who is also as you know autistic.

I wouldn't even consider in-direct (sorry if that appears a bit blunt), for some yes it's a worthwhile cost-cutting option, but with the boy in mind it's just making what is a very long day even longer. Personally I think it's a headache you can do without.
You need to fly into either MCO or Sanford direct, in my opinion. Price permitting!
With Matthew you want a smooth direct flight.

Having always been with Virgin they are pretty good at catering for special needs, and I am reasonably sure you would have a good
chance of getting bulkhead seats, thus removing the leg room worry.
However, whilst it's an advantage in some ways flying into MCO, the immigration can be terrible if you are unlucky to be caught up
when a few long haul flights arrive in a short space of time.
It's not a 'show stopper' but it is something you need to be aware of.
If you do go to MCO you can queue via the disabled line at immigration, just make a member of staff aware.
Suppose you could explain to Matthew he is going on a ride, not Star Tours at the Studios - merely Monorail at MCO....strange logic I know, but, we
both know how that can help patience levels when waiting in a queue!

You can avoid the double bag drop, but to do so you need to take all your luggage...and family with you - again for us that's not
straight-forward, not least because of Julie's wardrobe! and the small matter of child too.

I never thought I would say this but if the prices are attractive for airlines other than Virgin, I wouldn't be against going into Sanford and
one thing that may or may not be of interest, though you do mention it is the flight times.
Some of the carriers that fly into Sanford, such as Thomson, have better flight times. By that I mean the return flight is often a couple of hours at least earlier than the Virgin departure, for example often leave before 5pm instead of at least 7pm.
I don't know about Matthew but our fella gets up ridiculously early, every day of the year, so having to wait till 7pm in the evening to fly back is far from ideal and for example the second Virgin Manchester flight doesn't set off till after 8pm from Orlando....again that's a long long day with Joshua/Matthew in mind.
People may be wondering why the fuss over a couple of hours, but with a special needs child, that can make a lot of difference on a long haul flight.

So there are pro's and con's into which airport you fly into, and I suppose with the cost you have to just work out which suits
you best. After all bargains can be hard to find, I suppose it's trying to find the balance on price and convenience for the 3 of you.

I am not trying to impose my thinking onto your plans as it were, but I know from the many holidays we have had with Joshua it is in many ways a different way of planning and the thought process differs also - there is so much to cater for.

 

[Rachandgarry]

it doesn't have a 2-stage baggage claim anymore...
you can keep your luggage and take it with you...you don't have to put it back on the belt..
at least i thought you don't have to anymore...

No but you have to be able to carry it without a trolley up the esculator and on the transit to the main terminal.

Personally I would choose MCO over the other airports but we are also restricted to the scheduled airlines and we very rarely do a standard 7/14/21 nights.

Next time is 13 and December is 8. We also prefer direct so our options are VA or BA in to MCO or BA to Tampa if the days fall right. Don't care LGW or MAN but usually LGW is a few £s cheaper and is slightly closer.

yep exactly the same here...
I only want to fly from Gatwick to MCO and then I work on the price. Now that you can skip the first baggage drop it makes it a very quick (normally) exit from the airport. After a long day the last thing I want when I am tired is to arrive at Sanford Airport..I just want the quickest from A to B and I am willing to pay more to do that..

The only consideration for me is price, it's only 9 hours (ish) so as long as it's cheap I don't really care!

Thanks All. That's really interesting about the change in luggage-collection; it shows you how long its been!! Last time we went was in to Sanford, and even that was 7 years ago. I'd be a little concerned trying to get our luggage etc with Matthew but I'm sure we'd manage somehow.

Hiya Rach,

Well you know from our many pm's I am very familiar with the way you are planning the holiday.

I am no expert on finding cheap flights but I know a lot about long haul travelling with a wonderful son.
Who is also as you know autistic.

I wouldn't even consider in-direct (sorry if that appears a bit blunt), for some yes it's a worthwhile cost-cutting option, but with the boy in mind it's just making what is a very long day even longer. Personally I think it's a headache you can do without.
You need to fly into either MCO or Sanford direct, in my opinion. Price permitting!
With Matthew you want a smooth direct flight.

Having always been with Virgin they are pretty good at catering for special needs, and I am reasonably sure you would have a good
chance of getting bulkhead seats, thus removing the leg room worry.
However, whilst it's an advantage in some ways flying into MCO, the immigration can be terrible if you are unlucky to be caught up
when a few long haul flights arrive in a short space of time.
It's not a 'show stopper' but it is something you need to be aware of.
If you do go to MCO you can queue via the disabled line at immigration, just make a member of staff aware.
Suppose you could explain to Matthew he is going on a ride, not Star Tours at the Studios - merely Monorail at MCO....strange logic I know, but, we
both know how that can help patience levels when waiting in a queue!

You can avoid the double bag drop, but to do so you need to take all your luggage...and family with you - again for us that's not
straight-forward, not least because of Julie's wardrobe! and the small matter of child too.

I never thought I would say this but if the prices are attractive for airlines other than Virgin, I wouldn't be against going into Sanford and
one thing that may or may not be of interest, though you do mention it is the flight times.
Some of the carriers that fly into Sanford, such as Thomson, have better flight times. By that I mean the return flight is often a couple of hours at least earlier than the Virgin departure, for example often leave before 5pm instead of at least 7pm.
I don't know about Matthew but our fella gets up ridiculously early, every day of the year, so having to wait till 7pm in the evening to fly back is far from ideal and for example the second Virgin Manchester flight doesn't set off till after 8pm from Orlando....again that's a long long day with Joshua/Matthew in mind.
People may be wondering why the fuss over a couple of hours, but with a special needs child, that can make a lot of difference on a long haul flight.

So there are pro's and con's into which airport you fly into, and I suppose with the cost you have to just work out which suits
you best. After all bargains can be hard to find, I suppose it's trying to find the balance on price and convenience for the 3 of you.

I am not trying to impose my thinking onto your plans as it were, but I know from the many holidays we have had with Joshua it is in many ways a different way of planning and the thought process differs also - there is so much to cater for.

Hey you!

Thanks for taking the time to write all that, it is really, really helpful. I was going to see if I could find some info about the security/waiting aspect of it - I can just see Matthew getting loose and running in to some secret area and us being impounded for the first 2 nights of our trip .

Don't worry about imposing your way of thinking at all, I am really grateful for your insight - the more the better!

For me, its not even just planning a trip with a special needs child, this is our first time with any child - soooooo different when it was just the two of us lol!

Thanks again

 

[Jordanblackpool]

For me its all about price. Moneys tight, so I look at that first, I wouldnt pay more on a flight for comfort. That to me, would be wasting spending money!

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

have you got any good websites to use for all the different ideas ???

 

[wideeyes]

For me it will be price and flying into Orlando, I don't want to be landing in Tampa or Miami. Also flights must be departing from Manchester Airport.

I don't mind going indirect to Orlando and we coped with a 9 hour flight to Chicago without seat back tvs, my daughter actually hates the seat back tvs.

 

[irisheyes123]

Normally price I have gone indirect plenty of time but if direct is not more will go that way... Id say that I will be only going direct for the next few year as I have twins on the way so will be making it as easy as possible for us

 

[pampat]

As the age of the passengers increase, needs decrease, we've found. Nowadays we are all adults and price is only consideration. It used to be entertainment, but daughter can look after herself!

Pam

 

[starrysky]

For us its price and extra leg room option. DH is 6foot 9 and he needs the extra legroom to be able to fly. We can't afford the PE option (which does not give that much extra and forget about First class)

We also look at baggage allowance and flight times.

We have flown with the now defunct fly globespan direct from Glasgow to Sanford.They were great and we could pre book the extra legroom. Apart from not being around the transit from Sanford to WDW was a big factor. The cheapest flight we ever got.

BA from Aberdeen, LGW, LHR, MCO and that was not fun trying to get between LGW and LHR and I have never met more rude staff than on both of those flights. There is no option other than 24hrs before to book the seats and even then we were not able to secure the seats when we tried to get them for the way back. Explained at the desk on our return flgiht and were told tough sit in a standard seat or give us £2000 for upgrade. DH only got an extra leg room seat when the Chief Steward on the flight saw that even if he needed to he could not get into the brace position because he could not get his legs in behind the seat in front.

Last two trips we have flown with Aerlingus from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Great flights and with the pre clearance in Dublin for immigration it takes that long wait off the other end all you do is get off the flight in MCO collect your bags and go. You can also prebook the extra legroom seats and the staff were great. Free soft drinks and the food was better than some.

This year its Aerlingus again.

If I had the option however I would fly emirates but they don't fly that route but boy are they are good airline.

Sorry for the long post but its hard to explain in a short post.