Philadelphia Airport

**MTP** · 21-09-2004, 01:36

I have just had to change our flights to Orlando with US Airways from flying via Charlotte to flying via Philadelphia. I have previously read that Charlotte is a good airport whereas Philly is not quite so nice. Can anyone that has used these airport give any opinions.

Thanks,

Merry

**stabard** · 21-09-2004, 01:48

Havn't used Philly yet so not much help really - but at least you can get a Philly Cheesesteak while you wait

Sorry had to say that - lee is miffed that our flight via Philly also changed t Chicago and he can't get his all time favorite snack now[msnwink]

**floridadreamvilla.co.uk** · 21-09-2004, 01:50

We've been US Airways via PHL and it's been ok for us. Not far to walk between gates and flights on time.

**ellie** · 21-09-2004, 01:51

An airport is an airport - if you are getting a connection you may have very little time to see a lot of the airport, as after going through immigration and collecting your luggage, and sending it on etc. you may need to go straight to the gate. Have been to Charlotte and it's fine - nothing like Orlando International, which is one of the most beautiful, but expect Philly will have all the usual necessities, food, loos

etc.

Hope you have a lovely trip and enjoy the flight.

Ellie

**phaedra** · 21-09-2004, 02:53

MTP

We've just had to change ours as well due to a flight time change, you're not going on Dec 6th from Gatwick by any chance?.

Our daughter was looking forward to going via Charlotte again as she's also called Charlotte and had a chat with the immigration officer last December about how nice it was to have a city and an airport named after her!

**pieman790** · 21-09-2004, 10:21

We used Philadelphia airport in April this year. We found that imigration took us less than 10 minutes and it is a short walk to the next terminal for connection flights. Good choice of places to eat and drink and overall the airport was very clean and tidy. They have some great rockin chairs.

**Harmony** · 21-09-2004, 13:49

The one time we used Philly we stood in line for 1hr 30min just to get through emigration. It's not that big an airport and they had 3 planes land within 15 minutes and just could not cope with all the passengers.

Jeff

**ellie** · 21-09-2004, 15:23

Would suggest a prompt exit from the 'plane whenever you have a connection, as you never can tell how long immigration will take. We landed in Miami in August and were over 1 and a half hours even though there were only 6 parties in front of us - they were VERY thorough and sent one woman back 3 times! However, we were a mere 3 minutes with the Immigration Officer, once we got over the white line, so you really can't tell.

If you are concerned about your connection, for example if the flight takes a little longer than expected, speak to someone as quickly as you can, talk to the cabin crew even - US were brilliant when we missed a connection and accompanied us through baggage reclaim so that we could get the next flight.

Good luck

Ellie

**MTP** · 21-09-2004, 17:01

Hi,

Thanks for the responses and I know that an airport is an airport, especially when transitting through it. On the other hand the journey is very much part of the holiday and some airports are better than others (even terminals in airports) and as we have a 4 hour wait between flights I just was wondering what it would be like. It can especially make a difference with the kids if the airport is good when they are getting tired and grumpy after the first flight. Dallas was awful to wait in on the way out last year. The gate area was wery small and got really crowded. Not that it would spoil the holiday but it would be nice not to be sitting on the plane dreading the lay-over.

Cheers,

MTP