US Airways or Virgin

[grumpy28]

Hi, I have been given prices on flights with US Airways and Virgin. I would like people's opinion/experiences so i can decide which airline to fly with.
Thanks.

[MTP]

I would fly with either of those options without a problem. The main advantage with Virgin is that it is direct, however with US you will clear customs before arriving at Orlando, making the arrival at Orlando quicker.

If you are flying on US Airways Airbus A330, then the forward economy cabin is meant to have slightly more seat pitch (34") and the seating arrangement may work better than a 747, dependant on your party size.

[ellie]

Either would be fine. Have flown with both several times, US into Charlotte and Philadelphia. Charlotte is a nice easy journey down to Orlando, and US has Airbus A330's with 'on demand' entertainment so you don't have to wait for them to switch the video system on. We waited hours with BA recently. It means you can stop and start it at will and watch whatever you want to when you feel like it, which is very good. Seat pitch is good, too.

We like the fact that when you arrive in Orlando you just walk off the 'plane, only single baggage collection not double baggage reclaim. Makes it really quick. All the immigration is out of the way as you will do that when you make your first landfall.

[Katys Grandad]

Frankly, the economy offerings of all the transatlantic airlines including US & Virgin are much of a muchness so the decision really comes down to convenience and price. There might be minor differences on seat pitch and entertainment systems but it's always going to be several hours in fairly cramped conditions whoever you fly with.

There have been many discussions on here (a quick search will find them) on the pros and cons of direct and indirect flights to Florida and ultimately it seems to come down to personal preference. If getting there on 1 flight is the most important thing to you, then go with Virgin. If that doesn't matter so much, go with whoever has the best fare.

[steph_goodrum]

"The main advantage with Virgin is that it is direct, however with US you will clear customs before arriving at Orlando, making the arrival at Orlando quicker.

We were through Orlando in less than five minutes in mid December and had one of the most pleasant immigration officers we have ever had.

[pieman790]

Flown with both Airlines and would use both again. Yes the advantage of Virgin is the direct flight however you may find that US Airways are alot cheaper especially if you are going during the kids holidays.

[steph_goodrum]

Personally if there is a negligible cost difference I would never choose to fly indirect unless I was planning a couple of days stopover. I just want to get there and if I have to do 2 fllghts rather than one it seems longer.

[becbecs]

I would fly with either.

As said before, Advantages with Virgin is they are Direct.
The only pain with flying direct to Orlando is it takes at least 1 hour to clear customs because the majority of passengers are British.

US Airways fly via Philadelphia so you would clear customs there plus a good proportion of the passengers are US so the immigration queue wont be as long. When you arrive in Orlando no immigration straight through and collect your baggage.

Have used both twice and both give excellent service.

Just booked with Continental Airways for a short trip in Feb. The outbound is Manchester via Newark NY into Orlando and fly back direct with Virgin. All booked through the Continental website.

[steph_goodrum]

"The only pain with flying direct to Orlando is it takes at least 1 hour to clear customs because the majority of passengers are British.

As I said though it isnt always the case as were through in 5 mins and on our last trips have never waited more than 20 mins, last trip it took us longer to get back through Gatwick imigration than it did Orlando. It varies so much depending on how many planes land at once and how many officers on duty. At the end of the day, if it came to it I'd rather wait an hour there than have either the uncertainty of a short connection time between flights making me worry if I was going to miss it, or a lengthy wait to allow plenty of time. Everybody has different preferences so it really comes down to what suits you best.

[grumpy28]

Thankyou to everyone. Decided to go with Virgin as it is direct. I wasn't told that US Airways was indirect, thankyou for highlighting this, i would have been disappointed if i had booked with them and found out later that it was indirect.