Value of Dublin pre-clearance

[PortoBoy]

Yes, should've been clearer on what I meant by "qualify," I was indeed referring to landing in the states first. We're very lucky to be only 15 mins from the airport in Dublin, with lots of family close by who can drop us off. We're 2 adults plus DDs 10 + 4, so pre-clearance seems like it's well worth a small premium for us. And yes, I think the convenience of that later direct flight from DUB is cancelled out by the advantages of an earlier arrival on an indirect flight.

Now, presuming we get immigration/customs pre-clearance, how tight a layover at the first US airport would you risk? Still 60 mins+ or 90 mins+? Or is it still 2hrs minimum?

[Guest]

I wouldn't fly via Dublin in order to pre-clear. However if I lived in Dublin, I wouldn't go indirect if it meant missing out on the pre-clearance. I don't really care what time I arrive, to be honest arriving later means bed at a sensible local Orlando time and will help to avoid jetlag.

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by PortoBoy

Yes, should've been clearer on what I meant by "qualify," I was indeed referring to landing in the states first. We're very lucky to be only 15 mins from the airport in Dublin, with lots of family close by who can drop us off. We're 2 adults plus DDs 10 + 4, so pre-clearance seems like it's well worth a small premium for us. And yes, I think the convenience of that later direct flight from DUB is cancelled out by the advantages of an earlier arrival on an indirect flight.

Now, presuming we get immigration/customs pre-clearance, how tight a layover at the first US airport would you risk? Still 60 mins+ or 90 mins+? Or is it still 2hrs minimum?

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If you’re buying the flights on one ticket (2 or more flights with one airline or 2 or more flights with multiple airlines who are in an alliance (ie virgin/delta or ba/aa) then the times they provide are good enough for normal conditions to be able to transfer between flights and normally would include the time that immigration would’ve took.

Saying that any delays in your first leg can obviously impact on any small time period so maybe consider an airline/airport that has multiple flights to Mco if you missed your scheduled one

[Joshie1]

We’re also about 15-20 mins from Dublin airport and have been going through the same questions myself.
We have done direct with preclearance and indirect via the UK. Haven’t done indirect via US airport to MCO but have for another US trip.
My issue with the AL flights is the late departure times. Fine if you are traveling from Donegal to the airport but when we are so close there isn’t a benefit.
Then there the late arrival into MCO - while I know I will find it tough, DS is a night owl so he’ll be fine. But, we take it easy somewhat on the first day usually, out to a park early and then late afternoon/ evening spent by the pool so am seriously considering it.
On the way back you have the benefit of an almost full day in Orlando which is a win for me. Later in to Dublin too which makes it easier to stay awake and get back into local time.
I had been looking at indirect via UK but that means a very early morning start to get first flight out of Dublin. The alternative would be to fly over the night before and stay at an airport hotel in Manchester or Gatwick which we have done before but the trip home is a killer, flying back over Ireland and then having to wait around for the short hop back over the Irish Sea.
Indirect via the US has some weird connection times when I do dummy bookings for dates into 2020 (our dates haven’t been released yet) and all seem to leave MCO mid to late afternoon so I think I am swaying towards AL despite the extra cost that I think I will have to pay for the convenience.
However there is only two of us traveling next May.

[Joshie1]

Layover at a US airport I think will depend on the airport. I travelled through Philly a few years ago after preclearing in Dublin and it was a doddle. Really easy to get from arrivals from Dublin to our onward flight.
My worry would be a delay with the flight out of Dublin however if you fly into a hub with lots of flights heading to Orlando, you will be fine.

I’ve been through Atlanta too but that was before the days of preclearance and wouldn’t be an experience I’d like to repeat.

[Swords_Dublin]

We are Dublin based. We have done all options.
DUB - MCO direct.
DUB - PHI/ATL - MCO
DUB - GATWICK - MCO ( no pre-clearance)

For us the real value is the first way of direct with pre-clearance. And a lot of the value is because it's a direct flight home.

Pre-clearance on an indirect flight is good too as you avoid the dread of a long delay on the end of a long day of travelling.

Indirect via UK you lose the pre-clearance but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for us.

It depends on things like kids ages, length of holiday, cost savings etc.

I'd value pre-clearance at about €50 per person. If indirect flights through UK were cheaper than indirect through USA by more than that I would choose through UK.

As I said the big plus flying from Dublin for us is direct flights. Pre-clearance is just a bonus.

BTW we are travelling on Thursday direct.

[Tea]

I think I would pay up to an extra 50 euro per person to land in the US first rather than anywhere else and 100 per person extra to fly direct (hypothetically, as personally I almost always choose the cheapest flights within reason due to having a clatter of kids).
So that would be the value of pre clearance to me.

[Warkman58]

When you arrive into a USA airport, with Dublin pre clearance, you don’t collect your bags, all you do is either go to the lounge for a while, if in a class which gives lounge access, or go straight to your next gate, Ira stop iff for some food lol

[Jelkat]

I personally will only travel direct (also living close to airport). I like arriving late as it means once in accommodation its straight to bed for all.Then up & out early next morning. I love being able to get off plane and get backs so quickly. Also usually less traffic on roads so get to destination quicker. We have hours in the park too on last day which is great and the nighttime flight home really helps.Usually arrive home about 10am but times have changed now and arrival time home at midday is even better as can stay awake all day and get an early flight.

[Hootietootie]

Flight times from Dublin suit us the great this year cause we are some of the ones travelling from Dublin. Normally we end up staying in Dublin the night before a flight just in case.

Indirect is probably cheaper, but works out better for us. Himself hates going indirect(says you lose an extra day of your holiday sitting about). To be honest our flights this time are the cheapest we've gotten. Just under €1700 for 3, and with no need for hotel night before we booked into lounge.