Flights to Orlando - taking longer?

[beautybutterfly]

I’ve been watching a few vlogs since the borders opened and is it just me or is the flight time longer? It seems to be taking around 10 hours rather than the usual 8 and a bit? As far as I can see it’s all to MCO and from Manchester or London so the airports aren’t any different!

Anyone else noticed and have any idea why?

[Incarniac]

It depends on the time of year and the prevailing winds:

• Our February/March trip has 9h55m outbound 8h20m return.
• Our May/June trip has 9h20m outbound and 8h15m return.
• Our November/December trip has 9h50m outbound and 8h5m return.

Not sure if that’s slightly slower than our last trip (which was November 2019) but it seems about the same as last time we went (from memory it was always 9h20m+ outbound and 8h+ return).

[danisleigh]

Our flight said 10 hours on our booking but it was actually 9 hours out and 8 hours back.

[beautybutterfly]

Originally Posted by Incarniac

It depends on the time of year and the prevailing winds:

• Our February/March trip has 9h55m outbound 8h20m return.
• Our May/June trip has 9h20m outbound and 8h15m return.
• Our November/December trip has 9h50m outbound and 8h5m return.

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I wondered whether the weather had an impact! I suppose it makes sense if there’s more wind or something

[loldis]

Don't think this is anything new, I usually fly in winter and haven't noticed much difference from previous years. So if you're only used to summer flights, recent reports will seem longer. But there's so many factors that go into determining a flight's length. It's most likely the routing required in winter (or just at the moment) is longer than in summer.

Then closer to the time, weather will further impact routing and the overall speed of the flight.

Originally Posted by danisleigh

Our flight said 10 hours on our booking but it was actually 9 hours out and 8 hours back.

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Flight times on bookings are gate to gate, so the actual in flight time should always be shorter. But as above, weather will impact the final flight time.

[pritch]

the OTS ( organised track structure) is an invisible multi-lane highway that connects Europe and North America. Each day up to twelve tracks are created west and eastbound, designed to try and take advantage of the day’s Jet Stream activity and give the airlines the most efficient route across the ocean, based on the information available 12 hours prior to their start time. The tracks provide a predictable operating environment for both ATC and aircraft operators
as previously stated the headwinds can dramatically increase the flight times

some info here
flightplandatabase/nav/NATS

[teallach]

We were back in 7hr 30mins last week as they were trying to make back time from being an hour late in leaving but boy, was it bumpy! Not bad enough to trigger the seatbelt light but just constant😬

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Also bear in mind the 4 engine aircraft some used were faster.

[Warkman58]

Depends on whether they fly the shorter northern route, or the longer southern direct over the Atlantic route

[Mqt]

Yes. Our last 2 have been longer and I put it down to not being in a 747. No idea if this is right?