Which airline? Help!!

[OrlandoMagic]

We are looking to book our 2008 orlando holiday soon and need some advice!

As we are on quite a low budget we were going to fly with Mytravel for £290pp return which is the cheapest flight I can see.

But we have now seen some pretty cheap indirect flights that go to Orlando Int airport, not Sanford, which would be better for us as we are not driving out there so it will be cheaper to get to our hotel. Also, even though they are indirect the flight times are better for us as well.

These flights are £390 pp return so im not sure if the £100 extra is worth it?

The flights we have seen are with either Continental or Delta Airlines. Has anyone flown with these airlines? I like the look of Continental more than Delta as from looking at there website it loks like they have better onboard entertainment.

Anyway, I really not sure if spending £100 more is worth it. Are these airlines much better than Mytravel?

Thanks

 

[AlanUK]

I haven't flown My Travel so I can't compare. i have flown Delta and although I have heard of lots of bad experiences with them i con only say that I found them excellent and the cabin crew some of the friendliest and most helpful I have ever come across. My judgement may be somewhat clouded by the fact that when I flew Delta the plane was virtually empty coming back from Washington Dullas and I was able to treat the central row of seats on a 747 as my own private bed. It's the only time I have ever been able to sleep on a flight and it was bliss :

Having said that if it was me the convenience of a direct flight would far outweigh the difference between flying into Sanford and MCO and the extra £100 would definitely put me off.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Yes, keep in mind that nearly all the flights into Sanford (except maybe some of the Globespan flights via Belfast) and all of the Virgin and BA flights into Orlando International are nonstop. Delta requires a change of planes in Atlanta, Cincinnati or New York JFK while Continental flights require a change of planes at Newark. U.S. Customs & Immigration requirements are always done at your port of arrival which means you have to do that as well at the connecting airport.

Overall, a nonstop can save you a lot of time. And if it's cheaper too, then the nonstop wins by far, IMO.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Kat1981]

We flew with my MyTravel this year and have vowed never to do it again. Completely disorganised, staff are ignorant, food is crap!!!

 

[wayneg]

We flew with my MyTravel this year and have vowed never to do it again. Completely disorganised, staff are ignorant, food is crap!!!

Thats not just MyTravel, it can be any airline. I use Virgin upto 4 times a year because of their low fares with Miles and Money, if I had to pay full price I would be disgusted with the standard of planes and food.

 

[Kat1981]

In comparison to all the different airlines i have been with MyTravel is the worst IMO. I think I have received better treatment with EasyJet than I did with MyTravel.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

I think I may have found a much better option...

I have found a flight with British Airlines for £390 (same price as both Delta and Continental). It is a direct flight to Orlando Int. which is better for us and the flight times are good too.

I hear BA are a pretty decent airline so this looks like it could be the one to go for. What do you guys think?

Also how does Orlando Int. compared to Sanford?

Thanks

 

[Kat1981]

I have never had a problem with BA, they have always been professional and friendly when i have flown with them. Personally i find direct flights more relaxing, no need to worry about missing your connection!

Dont know much about Orlando Int im afraid.

 

[AlanUK]

Sounds good - I would certainly pay £100 extra for a direct flight to MCO and BA are a very experienced airline. Personally I have had nothing but bad experiences with BA cabin crew when I haven't been flying business class but I am sure that is not the case for everyone and I wouldn't let it put me off getting the best flight and fare if there was a significant difference in times and prices to other alternate airlines.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Thanks for the replies

Well BA is looking like the best option so far, plus its a weekday flight so who knows, may be able to wangle a free upgrade if theres room!

So has anybody got any experience of Orlando Int. airport? Is it a lot bigger that Sanford?

 

[rpbert1]

Never flew to Sandford, but my expierences at MCO have always been good, Got off the plane and a few minutes later you are at Passport control does not take to long and pick up cases after this , usually take cases of you prior to getting Monorail to main terminal, although someone said they now give you the option of taking luggage with you. When we reach main terminal go down 1 floor to retrieve luggage and get our car and start heading to resort.
I personally enjoy going to MCO does not seem to big and never had any problems.

 

[irisheyes123]

I've been on both airline's but from Ireland I love Continental and newark airport is a good stopover staff were always great for us anyway I also like delta and I am flying them again in november but out of the 2 for me it has to be Continental

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Just found direct BA flights for £377 return! Think thats the best deal im going to get!

May keep looking for a bit though...

 

[Kaslee]

I booked BA flights at £300 return a few weeks ago for 30th April 08. We were thrilled with this price as there are 5 of us going and we saved about £800 overall. We have flown BA before but not into Orlando. They have always been great. Bear in mind that some of the Charter flights will charge for meals and drinks but the schedule BA price includes them. We have also found that the BA prices have risen a bit since we booked and I'm glad we grabbed them while they were cheap. Also BA will want the full fare upfront while a charter like mytravel will probably only want a deposit.
Not sure if schedule prices are likely to drop much, they usually rise.

Kay

 

[chaz44z]

I have to wholeheartedly recommend Sanford!!!!!!

So its a few miles further out, it is a lovely compact no nonsense airport that totally blows MCO out of the water.

Yes MCO has way more facilities, shops etc but my god, the ease at which you sail through Sanford is unbeatable.

Never will I bother with the long security and immigration waits at MCO again.

Sanford all the way for me without question!

(and thats where my local airport flies too now, overjoyed)

For those who have always gone MCO, give Sanford a try. Only 20 mins on 417 north extra and not an ounce of hassle or crowding!!

 

[wayneg]

For those who have always gone MCO, give Sanford a try. Only 20 mins on 417 north extra and not an ounce of hassle or crowding!!

We did with TCD, will never again, the checkin procedure was a farce on the way home and then a 4 hour delay with nothing to do. Not our sort of airport, we love MCO, nice seats, free wirless internet access and plenty to so if delayed.

 

[dtm316]

Flown with MyTravel to Sanford this year and didn't have any problems with them, the flights were on time and the service was OK for a charter airline, one of the better ones I've received, plus they plane had seat back tv's so you could choose what you wanted to watch which made the flight easier.
I've only ever used Sanford but I've never had any issues with it, if you do fly from there then I'd recommend getting there early to beat the crowds and sign into the palms lounge, it's only around £10-£15 and you get free soft drinks, 2 free alcoholic drinks and entertainment until you are called for the flight, it can make the wait in the airport feel like minutes rather than hours

 

[juliebrooks35]

I don't think it really matters who you fly with, people have had both bad & good experiences with almost all of them, particulary in economy.
I think you need to base the decision on cost and convienience.

I personally wouldn't travel with Virgin Atlantic again but then BA lost my luggage on the trip out and back! (although it all turned up thank goodness). I also want to fly into MCO to use Disney's Magical Express so can't use the charters to Sanford. On my next flight, I'm going to try Contintental and transfer at Newark. For us, the transfer at Newark is not an issue as we can fly Glasgow-Newark-Orlando. We normally need to transfer at London with the other airlines. Newark will make a refreshing change.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

On my next flight, I'm going to try Contintental and transfer at Newark. For us, the transfer at Newark is not an issue as we can fly Glasgow-Newark-Orlando. We normally need to transfer at London with the other airlines. Newark will make a refreshing change.

I've done Edinburgh-Newark-Orlando before and will probably do this for summer 2009.

The trip out is a bit longer as we usually stay over in London but coming back it is great not to do the Gatwick connection.
Benefits of immigration at Newark also.

 

[juliebrooks35]

Jakey, thanks for this, it's good to know the Continental flights were fine. In my opinion the worst part of coming home via London is the lack of sleep on the night flight and then the wait to come back to Scotland. At least once boarding again in Newark, the longest part of the flight brings me straight home.
My youngest kids haven't been to New York so I think even flying over it will be a novelty for my son.