American Airlines

[zerotone]

I have been quoted a good price to travel with AA next March, Manchester to Orlando via Miami. Wondered if anyone has flown with them recently and via Miami. Thought we might skip the internal flight and drive to Orlando instead, saves waiting about in Miami Airport for a couple of hours. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jane

[Ray&Sarah]

Ray has flown with AA a number of times, says they are pretty good, seat pitch a good "American" size and food pretty standard. Haven't done the Miami top over route but would agree that driving would probably be as quick.:)

[lambdeng]

It's quite a drive up from Miami - we did it last year and it took over 4 hours. Depends how you feel after a 9 hour flight? and whether you're able to sight see in daylight or monotonously cruising in the dark.

Gary

[george]

What is the 'top over route'?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ray&Sarah
Ray has flown with AA a number of times, says they are pretty good, seat pitch a good "American" size and food pretty standard. Haven't done the Miami top over route but would agree that driving would probably be as quick.:)
[/quote]

[Robert5988]

I fly with them 6 times a year to Florida - mainly for the extra legroom. Usually indirect via Chicago or Boston but a couple of times via Miami. That apart they are no better or worse than other scheduled airlines.

I would suggest caution about booking to Orlando and leaving in Miami as you may well not get on the return flight. AA along with other major airlines usually charge a lot more for direct flights and have small print that forbids exactly what you intend doing. Or at least they did. I would check, without giving your name, if they allow it - I suspect they don't! but let us know.

Don't forget in your stopover you clear immigration and customs and when you arrive in Orlando it is straight to the car rental desk in another less crowded terminal.

Unless you are well versed in driving in American cities I would not recommend the drive out of and into Miami - not for the faint hearted and Orlando is a long way.

[zerotone]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
I fly with them 6 times a year to Florida - mainly for the extra legroom. Usually indirect via Chicago or Boston but a couple of times via Miami. That apart they are no better or worse than other scheduled airlines.

I would suggest caution about booking to Orlando and leaving in Miami as you may well not get on the return flight. AA along with other major airlines usually charge a lot more for direct flights and have small print that forbids exactly what you intend doing. Or at least they did. I would check, without giving your name, if they allow it - I suspect they don't! but let us know.

Don't forget in your stopover you clear immigration and customs and when you arrive in Orlando it is straight to the car rental desk in another less crowded terminal.

Unless you are well versed in driving in American cities I would not recommend the drive out of and into Miami - not for the faint hearted and Orlando is a long way.
[/quote]

Thanks for that 'Robert' We are booking through Charter Travel and they advised that it is ok to miss out the internal leg of the journey. However I was unsure about this. I will definately check it out with AA first.
We have driven in Miami before and having driven in LA Miami is a doddle. We don't know what our connection times are yet but just thought that rather than sit in airport for 2 or three hours we could be well on our way to Orlando.

How long is the flight to Orlando from Miami?

Jane

[darrenm]

Well i find them exactly to fly with in terms of legroom in economy, decent in-flight entertainment with seat back tv's etc. We flew with them to New York a few months back aswell as indirect to orlando and will always try to get AA flights now. The seats were like sitting on a sofa compared to our experiences with virgin/delta etc.

I would also say fly from Miami to Orlando the 2 hours will fly in, infact the time you clear immigration and stretch the legs etc it will be time to board the plane again ;)

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Thanks for that 'Robert' We are booking through Charter Travel and they advised that it is ok to miss out the internal leg of the journey. However I was unsure about this. I will definately check it out with AA first.
We have driven in Miami before and having driven in LA Miami is a doddle. We don't know what our connection times are yet but just thought that rather than sit in airport for 2 or three hours we could be well on our way to Orlando.

How long is the flight to Orlando from Miami?
[/quote]

Looking at the AA schedule for March 05 there is one direct flight from Manchester to Miami. Assuming they are not routing you via London(with BA) as they often do, this leaves at 11.35am and arrives 16.15pm. This connects with the 18.19pm or 20.14pm assuming it is another AA flight. These flights are scheduled to take 1 hour but as it is only 192 miles, your time in the air will be 30 mins or so.

Given it will take you an hour to clear immigration & customs and pick up your luggage I doubt if you will beat either of those connections to Orlando.

Robert

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by zerotone
I have been quoted a good price to travel with AA next March, Manchester to Orlando via Miami. Wondered if anyone has flown with them recently and via Miami. Thought we might skip the internal flight and drive to Orlando instead, saves waiting about in Miami Airport for a couple of hours. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jane
[/quote]

Is the flight from Manchester-Orlando direct?? if so then its a new service, when does it start?

Lucy

[fiona]

We often fly to Miami with them, great legroom and very happy!

I'd wait for the flight up to Orlando - it's 3½ / 4 hours drive up, and will hardly be any difference in price I should think. I agree Miami airport is not the most exciting, but where is!

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

I did hear that it was indeed a new non-stop direct service.

Now if only someone would give Virgin some competition on the MAN - MCO route as the prices Virgin are asking for flights next year are starting to get ridiculaous as they are taking full advantage of the monopoly they currently have on the route [msnmad].

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lal
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by zerotone
I have been quoted a good price to travel with AA next March, Manchester to Orlando via Miami. Wondered if anyone has flown with them recently and via Miami. Thought we might skip the internal flight and drive to Orlando instead, saves waiting about in Miami Airport for a couple of hours. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jane
[/quote]

Is the flight from Manchester-Orlando direct?? if so then its a new service, when does it start?

Lucy
[/quote]

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I did hear that it was indeed a new non-stop direct service.

Now if only someone would give Virgin some competition on the MAN - MCO route as the prices Virgin are asking for flights next year are starting to get ridiculaous as they are taking full advantage of the monopoly they currently have on the route .
[/quote]

Unfortunately AA do not fly direct to Orlando from Manchester or indeed London and have no plans to do so. I checked with them and it is not a 'Gateway' city for them. i.e. Entry airport to USA. From Manchester flights to Orlando are via Chicago, Miami, New York and Boston. The Boston flight is only for the summer - finishes Oct 31 - but they are investigating the possibility of making this all year.

They also currently fly from Glasgow to Chicago.

Agree with you about Virgin's monopoly and prices - still it is invariably fully booked.

Incidentally I checked the prices of Manchester to Orlando via Miami, and Manchester to Miami on some dates in Mar 05 and it is £27 cheaper to fly to Miami so Zerotone if you really want to drive from Miami your agent may be able to get you a cheaper flight.

[zerotone]

Thanks for all your replies. Charter Travel advised us that there weren't any direct flights to Miami! Will ask them again.

Jane

[Snapper]

I agree completely John; and I can't believe that there isn't the demand for more Manchester to Orlando direct flights. Would I sound too cynical if I even suggested that the big players were monopolising the available slots (or even owning them without using them) or that it keeps seats occupied on BAs Manchester to Gatwick flights and lets them sell that route more economically. Shame on you Steve for ever thinking that airlines are anything but above board and completely honest.

On a brighter note, when I was pricing up my flights for August, club seats were running around £1,500 with BA from Gatwick. As soon as they put the beds in on that service that's going to be a really good fare - assuming they don't hike the price. Then again, they have the flat beds on the London to Miami leg and with a bit of forward planning you can get those flights at about £1,000 each way. I couldn't get any of these prices for my dates though. [msncry][msncry] Maybe next trip.

[Snapper]

Jane,

I've flown with AA on the Manchester to Chicago route and was very impressed. That extra bit of legroom in economy really does make a difference, the 777s are really comfortable, service is good, and even the in-flight peanuts no longer say on the packet, 'Warning! This product may contain nuts.'

I would also echo what Robert said though about not using that last sector. I work in Germany and over Christmas I managed to get out of sync with Lufthansa (by flying one-way with BA because of a rush trip) and it was March before Lufthansa sorted out the mess left by me not flying one return leg when I should have done. I was starting to think it would be easier to hitch-hike in one direction to get back into step than it was to get Lufthansa to sort it.
Even though you are booked through Charter Travel, if you are flying AA it is almost certainly a scheduled flight and as such will be subject to all the small print that AA choose to apply. Read the Ts & Cs very closely. The bit you need to watch for may be worded along the lines of, 'Flight coupons must be used in the order in which they are issued.' If you see that then there is a fair chance that they won't check you in for your return until you fly the Miami to Orlando leg (and use that flight coupon). If you are on a fare class that restricts changes (likely!) you might end up having to pay rebooking fees to rebook your return flight without that single Miami to Orlando sector.

Steve.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steveharrison
Jane,

I've flown with AA on the Manchester to Chicago route and was very impressed. That extra bit of legroom in economy really does make a difference, the 777s are really comfortable, service is good, and even the in-flight peanuts no longer say on the packet, 'Warning! This product may contain nuts.'

I would also echo what Robert said though about not using that last sector. I work in Germany and over Christmas I managed to get out of sync with Lufthansa (by flying one-way with BA because of a rush trip) and it was March before Lufthansa sorted out the mess left by me not flying one return leg when I should have done. I was starting to think it would be easier to hitch-hike in one direction to get back into step than it was to get Lufthansa to sort it.
Even though you are booked through Charter Travel, if you are flying AA it is almost certainly a scheduled flight and as such will be subject to all the small print that AA choose to apply. Read the Ts & Cs very closely. The bit you need to watch for may be worded along the lines of, 'Flight coupons must be used in the order in which they are issued.' If you see that then there is a fair chance that they won't check you in for your return until you fly the Miami to Orlando leg (and use that flight coupon). If you are on a fare class that restricts changes (likely!) you might end up having to pay rebooking fees to rebook your return flight without that single Miami to Orlando sector.

Steve.

[/quote]

Steve,

The Manchester-Chicago is a 767 and has been for some time, so don't know when you last traveled, and as far as Im aware the only other AA flight from Man is to Boston on a 757!! 757's on transatlantic flights just don't work. So where does the Miami flight go from apart from London?

Lucy

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Steve,

The Manchester-Chicago is a 767 and has been for some time, so don't know when you last traveled, and as far as Im aware the only other AA flight from Man is to Boston on a 757!! 757's on transatlantic flights just don't work. So where does the Miami flight go from apart from London?

Lucy[/quote]

Lucy,
You are correct about the Manchester-Chicago plane being a 767. Also the 757 being on the Manchester - Boston run. Don't know why you feel it doesn't work for transatlantic - I went twice on it last month(June) and am going again this month. Sure its single aisle but the Flight is only 6 hours going and was 5.5 hours coming back and in the right seat very comfortable - it is only coach class.

I think you will find there is a direct Manchester to Miami Flight No 157 leaving at 11-35hrs - Flight 158 on return both a 763. Also a direct Manchester to New York Flight No 6679 on a 767.

Read earlier posts for more info

regards

Robert

[Snapper]

I think you are right with the 767 on the Manchester to Chicago flight now you remind me. Must be getting it confused with the London-Chicago route. I'm sure one of them was a 777. Flight numbers 55 and 87 ring a bell too.

Still like American though. Us 6'2" folks certainly do appreciate that extra inch or two of legroom in economy.

BTW - whilst talking about flights - the two best things I ever bought for making the flights more enjoyable were a set of noise cancelling headphones and a Gameboy. Highly recommended.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote: think you are right with the 767 on the Manchester to Chicago flight now you remind me. Must be getting it confused with the London-Chicago route. I'm sure one of them was a 777. Flight numbers 55 and 87 ring a bell too.

Still like American though. Us 6'2" folks certainly do appreciate that extra inch or two of legroom in economy.

BTW - whilst talking about flights - the two best things I ever bought for making the flights more enjoyable were a set of noise cancelling headphones and a Gameboy. Highly recommended.[/quote]

Flight AA55 is the Manchester-Chicago flight but it is a 767-300 and has been for the past couple of years. Us 6'5'" folks appreciate the extra legroom as well!
Couldn't agree more about the noise cancellation headsets - they make the world of difference. AA now lend you a Bose set with a personal DVD and a wallet full of DVDs when you travel 1st class transatlantic. If you pay for full First class they give you a pair -I pay for coach and upgrade with air miles.

The trouble is the Bose ones cost £250 in UK so I got a set with similar performance in the USA for $69

[Biggus]

I flew American last year - LHR-MIA-MCO and return MCO-BOS-LHR. All flights were excellent - I am 6'4" and 20+ stone and have never flown in such relative comfort (in economy). The 777 flights (trans-Atlantic) were really good, with great service, good IFE and the food was not bad either. The stopover we had in Miami was less than 15mins by the time we cleared customs etc. That and we sailed through at MCO - no hire car queues etc. Would not hesitate to use them again, especially considering the very competitive price, I think we paid £279 return in March/April.....

[Snapper]

I bought my headphones on the back of the good experience I had with the Bose ones on an AA flight with the personal DVD pack you mention. I went for the cheaper version that does the cancellation up to 10kHz but not the full spectrum that the Bose do. They are great IMHO but being honest they are nowhere near as good as the ultimate silent experience that the Bose kit offers.

Robert - could you PM me the details of the headset you bought in the US with a similar performance to the Bose ones. I feel the need for an upgrade coming on.

That £279 return in March/April is an excellent fare! Nice one Biggus.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I bought my headphones on the back of the good experience I had with the Bose ones on an AA flight with the personal DVD pack you mention. I went for the cheaper version that does the cancellation up to 10kHz but not the full spectrum that the Bose do. They are great IMHO but being honest they are nowhere near as good as the ultimate silent experience that the Bose kit offers.

Robert - could you PM me the details of the headset you bought in the US with a similar performance to the Bose ones. I feel the need for an upgrade coming on.

That £279 return in March/April is an excellent fare! Nice one Biggus.[/quote]

Have sent PM.

[jolliffee]

I have to admit to always taking my own booze (Gin) since I have never been charged for the tonic. Also I have my own water so I can drink when I want to...

Dave