BA or Icelandair

stace19 · 22 May 18, 12:35 PM

No direct flights on our dates from Glasgow so these are our 2 options.
1 stopover in Iceland for 2 hours each way.
1 stopover in Gatwick for around 2 /3 hours each way.
Anyone have any experience with either/both on these routes?
Only ever flown direct, will have 7 year old and 2 year old.
TIA

Gryff · 22 May 18, 12:44 PM

We do both regularly through choice it be Islandic with kids as straight back to Glasgow earlier no adult meal service on Islandic but the kids do get fed the airport is less hectic and no need to do security again both ways and no stupid o'clock rise for early first flight
BA our most frequent route but that's because it's usually cheaper especially through Edinburgh but the wait at Gatwick can be horrific
At times especially if you are delayed on the way back or your flight from Glasgow is late you may miss the Orlando flight no way would I not be on the first flight leaving Glasgow we've done later flights and it's been way to tight if even a 15 min delay

nanouk77 · 22 May 18, 12:44 PM

We flew from Glasgow via Iceland last October. No problems. Keflavik is a nice, tidy little airport with a good selection of food & drink. The 2 hour stopover flew by.

thatdavieguy · 22 May 18, 04:20 PM

Flown the glasgow - london a couple of times, it all depends on what your flights are - we've always gone for the morning flight out from Gatwick which obviously means a crazy o'clock flight from Glasgow but it's generally ok as we're tired for the long flight to Orlando and a little brighter on arrival.

Coming back we've usually managed to get a flight taking off up the road that's within a couple of hours after landing so back in glasgow late morning, however, this time the flights dont match up well as we land on sunday and the only options were afternoon flights home, so we're driving down to miami and connecting at heathrow and getting decent flights so home early.

Would suggest looking at the indirect flight from Glasgow via Philly by AA, later flight out of glasgow (10.40 and into orlando for 7pm) you'll do customs in Philly & land as a domestic passenger in Orlando which means your customs time is included in your flight time...if you get the same route on the way back you're in glasgow for around 7am

stace19 · 22 May 18, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Gryff

We do both regularly through choice it be Islandic with kids as straight back to Glasgow earlier no adult meal service on Islandic but the kids do get fed the airport is less hectic and no need to do security again both ways and no stupid o'clock rise for early first flight
BA our most frequent route but that's because it's usually cheaper especially through Edinburgh but the wait at Gatwick can be horrific
At times especially if you are delayed on the way back or your flight from Glasgow is late you may miss the Orlando flight no way would I not be on the first flight leaving Glasgow we've done later flights and it's been way to tight if even a 15 min delay

Thanks for your input, how did you find the late arrival at MCO? That's the only things that's slightly off putting as it feels like we will loose half a day?...not that we do much on arrival day!
How is the IFE ?

stace19 · 22 May 18, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by thatdavieguy

Flown the glasgow - london a couple of times, it all depends on what your flights are - we've always gone for the morning flight out from Gatwick which obviously means a crazy o'clock flight from Glasgow but it's generally ok as we're tired for the long flight to Orlando and a little brighter on arrival.

Coming back we've usually managed to get a flight taking off up the road that's within a couple of hours after landing so back in glasgow late morning, however, this time the flights dont match up well as we land on sunday and the only options were afternoon flights home, so we're driving down to miami and connecting at heathrow and getting decent flights so home early.

Would suggest looking at the indirect flight from Glasgow via Philly by AA, later flight out of glasgow (10.40 and into orlando for 7pm) you'll do customs in Philly & land as a domestic passenger in Orlando which means your customs time is included in your flight time...if you get the same route on the way back you're in glasgow for around 7am

Yes the flight from Gatwick to Glasgow inbound isn't looking great, that's the biggest thing putting me off this route.

Gryff · 22 May 18, 04:27 PM

We actually find the later arrival better than around 3/-4 pm question at immigration much quieter as is car hire we usually just grab something to eat and stuff for breakfast the first day then sort out the villa and go to bed we are still up at stupid o'clock the next morning
IFE not great but passable

stace19 · 22 May 18, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Gryff

We actually find the later arrival better than around 3/-4 pm question at immigration much quieter as is car hire we usually just grab something to eat and stuff for breakfast the first day then sort out the villa and go to bed we are still up at stupid o'clock the next morning
IFE not great but passable

Ahh I never thought of immigration, that's a bonus!
Passable will do lol 👍