Opinions please ...

[kitch50]

We are going back to the Sunshine State in October 2012 (407 days and counting) yay!!! so I am starting to research flights now, a bit early I know but I can't help myself !

Questions :

We will be flying out of London so...

1. What do you think about flying direct or indirect maybe to Tampa, the villa is in Davenport so the right side of I4 for Tampa ? (we have always flown with Virgin to Orlando International never been very impressed with them or the airport though)
2. What would be the best indirect routes to take and how much time would you have to leave for change overs ?
3. Is the cost of flying indirect a lot cheaper than direct bearing in mind the cost of flying on the whole these days.
4. What airline would you recommend using, (a must is seatback TV's, I have heard that some american airlines don't have them transatlantic, a nightmare with the kids if there aren't any).
5. Do you book direct with the airline or through an agent etc ...

I am sure I will think of more questions as I go along.
Many thanks for all your long and varied answers (I hope) [msnsmile2]

[CERICROWLEY]

I always had a preference to fly indirect, but that was when Continental where going from Bristol. Now My options are some what condensed I do not like flying from Manchester, so I now go to Gatwick/Heathrow.

I based it then really on price. regardless of wether it was direct or indirect, and this year, have done both. and flown Continental, Virgin and Monarch, into MCO and SFB. If there is very little savings, we tend to go with Continental indirect via Newark, one reason is because we know the route very well, know the layover etc, and can still get into MCO at a somewhat reasonable time. Have never flown into Tampa. but that is just because the price was never worth it. We did always fly at peak times so the prices are not far off each other. Although booking when they first come out has always been cheaper for us, we have usually 4 people. But we are no longer tied to school times, so it may well make a big difference for us.

All my flights have had tv's on the international leg, although sometimes they are not worth having. on Virgin or Monarch. Continental beat them hands down on entertainment.

I have always booked direct, but we do check the online travel site just to get an idea of alternative costs as well.

[Katys Grandad]

There's very little to choose between the major airlines Economy offerings so I wouldn't get hung up on which to use. If you want seat back TV avoid the few flights using Boeing 757's & American Airlines Boeing 763's but I think all the others out of London will have them (other members may know more about that than me). Be aware that connecting flights within the US won't normally have seat back TV and some won't have any in-flight entertainment systems at all.

Generally speaking, direct flights into Orlando will be more expensive and, in particular, on Virgin, but it isn't always the case and BA do offer good sale direct fares to MCO and Tampa at times throughout the year (if you look at their current sale you'll get some idea where they might be when you're going). I'm sure you're aware that October means half term so if you're flying when the schools are off you'll pay much more than term time and bargains will be almost impossible to find.

Don't dismiss using a Charter flight which are all direct services. It used to be the case that they were inferior to Scheduled services but there's nothing in it now and some actually offer what might be a a better product.

Difficult to say what connections are best but I'd say that if you're flying from London, connecting in New York (several airlines), Miami (BA, American, Delta), Atlanta (Delta) and Charlotte (US Airways) are the shortest options. Chicago and Philadelphia are both quite a long way round and Dallas is further away from London than Orlando is flying direct. Don't be concerned about connection times because the airlines will allocate flights where it can be done and will look after you if things go wrong (which isn't that common).

I always book direct with the airline because I find they look after you much better than they do if you've used an agent and fares are pretty much common across the board these day. That said, lots of people use agents and are happy to do so.

[kitch50]

Should have mentioned that we are going the 2 weeks before half term in October and also from Saturday to Saturday, which I know bumps up the price quite substantially.

[Pookie]

We are flying Delta again in November and this time we are flying via Miami into Tampa.

They do have seat entertainment including games, which should keep the children amused.

We do not mind the drive from Miami to Rotonda West but it was cheaper to take the onward connection to Tampa!!!..

The plus side we will clear immigration in Miami and as we arrive close to the BA service out of Gatwick we will be out quickly to collect the car.

Should also point out we fly from LHR as that is our preference.

Lynne

[sammibabe]

We did Virgin LHR to MIA. Heathrow is better for us, better plane than LGW to MCO with Virgin and the drive up was ok. Next time when not 5 of us may well stay in Miami and drive up early next day but if we couldn't do that we would still prefer that flight (with Virgin). One more flight with Virgin will use up all our 'miles'. We always check other prices but as we have the miles and money price these have always been cheapest.