manchester or gatwick

[kaybee]

We are equidistant from both these airports and hope to fly with Virgin. Can anyone advise if one is better than the other in terms of overnight hotels, service at airport, quality of plane etc. Thank you,
Karen

[E. Cosgrove]

Something else you may wish to consider karen is your flight home.
There is only one flight back to Manchester which I think leaves mid afternoon. Flying back to Gatwick you can choose a late evening flight and get almost an extra full day on your holiday.

[Jules]

Hi Karen,

Sorry I can't help you much the diiferences in the planes as we have only ever flown Virgin from Manchester. We have never had to use a hotel as we live fairly close to the airport so can't help you there either. The one thing I do know is that there are more Virgin flights from Gatwick, at least 2 and sometimes 3 a day, there is only one from Manchester. You will have more availability from Gatwick especially if you are flying during school holidays, the Manchester flight tends to book up very quickly for the peak dates.

[Jules]

Hi Liz,

It seems we were typing at the same time. The flight back to Manchester is 6.15pm but the last Gatwick one is around 9pm I think so it does give you longer in Orlando depending on what time you picked up your hire car.

[pieman790]

We have done both routes with Virgin and i think it goes down to several considerations.
1 Distance to home from both Airports.
2.Flight cost (Im sure flights from Gatwick are slightly cheaper)
3.Hotel cost ( we use a hotel a Manchester airport that offers parking (15 days) and room for £89, Dont know about Gatwick hotels)
4.Will the later flight out of Orlando and into Gatwick give you more time or will you have to vacate your hotel/villa and have loads of time on your hands with nothing to do.

Just some considerations for you. The service with Virgin is the same on each route.

Aircarft are the same from both as they rotate, flights are slightly more expensive from Manchester, but hotels are cheaper, Manchester Airport is much more user friendly and getting through baggage reclaim on your return will be quicker too[msnwink]


Manchester Flight leaves at 1025 and on the return at 1815[msnwink]

[Susan]

I have flow from both and prefer Gatwick if given the choice. We stayed at the Hilton at Gatwick last time, £75 for a triple room. Also like the twilight check-in at Gatwick.

Sue

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Susan
I have flow from both and prefer Gatwick if given the choice. We stayed at the Hilton at Gatwick last time, £75 for a triple room. Also like the twilight check-in at Gatwick.

Sue
[/quote]

Having worked extensively as cabin crew from both and flown as a passenger from both I much prefer Manchester - I hate Gatwicks South terminal[msnwink][msnwink]

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

The Manchester flight departs at 6:15pm so you can get pretty much a full last day in. We've been at the MK until 3:30pm and had a very leisurely journey to the airport for the flight [msnsmile].

I'd also agree with the others that Manchester is a much more friendly place to use than Gatwick. I know which one I'd choose if I had a choice.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
There is only one flight back to Manchester which I think leaves mid afternoon.
[/quote]

[Paula D-S]

There is talk of a second flight for Manchester for next summer which will leave around 9pm. Unfortunatley after speaking to Dawn at CT they can't book seats yet.

Paula