who would you fly with???

[NadimAshiq]

Hi

We are going to Florida in November/December this year

I am toying with the idea of flying with Virgin which costs about £400 or with someone like US airways for about £280

I think the direct flight with Virgin would be better, but it is also more expensive!!

Also what do you think about booking the tickets so far in advance?? as I know that most airlines charge a lot of money to change ticket dates

Is it true that the cheapest fares sell out first, or is that just a myth?

Any tips would be appreciated

[Carla]

Cheapest fares sell first, 99% of the time.

US Airways would probably be via Charlotte. A lovely airport. I travel either direct or indirect, both have advantages. BA is my UK airline of choice and my favourite US carriers are United, American, Delta and USAir (covers a fair few!!)

With direct flights it is just one leg and travel time is shorter.

With indirect flights, it's generally two legs, but you do get to go through immigration at the port of arrival, rather than Orlando, so when you arrive at Orlando it is plane sailing and you get through really quickly!!

Saving GB£120 per person by going indirect with USAirways is well worth it in my opinion. That is almost enough for a 4 day Disney Hopper.

Make sure that you have travel insurance and then if you have to cancel, for valid reasons, you will get your flight money back.

[LesleyB]

If money were no object, we would always fly Virgin. The baggage allowance is very generous, the level of service is quite high, you can book separate kid's meals for the journey, and if you are flying from Orlando the downtown Disney check-in on the way back is brilliant. If you fly on a regular basis, you can join their frequent flyers club and get points each time you fly, which eventually gives you free flights.

We have had a 24 hour delay with Virgin on the way back, but we received vouchers for 50% off our next flight (which, as we are members of their flying club, we converted 4 x 50% vouchers to 2 free flights). We did write a letter of complaint about other aspects of the delay, and we also received £400 worth of vouchers from Virgin to compensate, to spend on duty free, or another flight.

Lesley

[DMC]

We have always flown with Virgin and have never had a problem, they are very helpful and the Baggage Allowance is great for all that shopping.

As mentioned above some of the cheaper flights are via "somewhere else" which does add to your journey time.

If you know your travel dates, then I would book now rather than leaving it as the cost will only go up.

Unlike some other routes, Orlando is popular 100% of the year and therefore there are very few "special deals".

The only other thing to try is flying into Sandford, which is approx 30 - 40 mins drive north of Orlando, from memory Monarch and maybe Britannia fly direct from the UK and they maybe cheaper.

[poet123]

Any info on the downtown disney check in would be welcome. Is it open to all virgin passengers or those who have booked a package through virgin? How does it work?

[huckleberry house]

BA are my carrier of choice,largely due to the leg room they offer,the in flight entertainment and because I have never experienced any delays at all with them in either direction.I usually find them cheaper than virgin for the same dates as well,although this will vary from time to time.






Lesley

[lisi]

WE have used Virgin and BA. BA wins for me hands down - we flew to Tampa and motored up to Kissimmee. Plenty of room on the plane - Tampa airport is great and not too busy like Orlando - guess it depends when you go though. But we thought BA had more legroom and better food. I will use them again and go to Tampa.

Lisi x

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

See http://www.flightsflorida.com/Downto...eyCheckin.aspx

quote:Originally posted by poet123

Any info on the downtown disney check in would be welcome. Is it open to all virgin passengers or those who have booked a package through virgin? How does it work?

[Matt]

I always fly Virgin, and most times book a fly drive through Virgin Territory as it can work out cheaper than a flight alone(especially for Nov/Dec).

The downtown disney check-in is open to all Virgin Flyers, and as of 2004, if your traveling with Virgin Holidays then it is free to use otherwise I think its $5.00 (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)[msntongue]

Matt

[Cowboy]

Nadim Asiq,
We prefer USair but would definately not go via Philadelphia again! Like Carla says Charlotte is fine. You will add no more than an hour to your time on getting out of Orlando Int. US have larger seat pitch than either Virgin or BA and their in-flight entertainment is by far the best. Choice of 5 or 6 films which you can pause whilst eating or visit the loo and also kids programmes. £120 per person gives you more to spend or save.
Mike