Confused with flight options.. Which is best..

[Robbies-tackle]

Living in Edinburgh we have no choice to go indirect unless paying stupid money with Tui during the school holidays.
Our preferrred option is edi-Lgw-tpa or edi-lhr-mia with around a 2 hour transfer time in London. Touch wood we've had no issues.
Our other options are:
via Dublin to Orlando which is great as clear immigration in Dublin.
Direct from Edinburgh to either New York or Chicago then clear immigration there. Only done the NY route once but got severely delayed on the way back due to a storm on the Eastern seaboard.

So lots of options. This year we're going to Fort Myers in April so Edinburgh to Miami via Heathrow then in September we're going to Toronto then Chicago to see ds - Edinburgh to Dublin then onto Toronto, driving down to Chicago, then home via Dublin

Indirect is honestly fine and I hardly ever even look at direct prices. Miami flights are £249pp using some Avios and Toronto multi city flight is £402pp cash.

I hope this helps

[bandofox]

Depending on the season I'd avoid new York and Chicago ect as they can get really bad snow and ice.

We have changed in Atlanta, New York, Washington and Mia all were ok but I would definitely allow 3 hours as a minimum.
I always check when the next flight is just in case we miss ours

Also used Jacksonville, Tampa and Mia then driven to Orlando.

At Easter we are flying to mco direct but connecting to Atlanta 2 hours later as we are touring Georgia. It's a bit tight but we know the airport and there are flights every hour just in case.

In August we are changing in Philadelphia both ways.

[PPM]

MAN KEF MCO
Via Icelandair with a change at Reykjavik
The flights are still running in Sept.

[Potterer]

We are flying MAN-DUB-MCO so we preclear customs and immigration in Dublin.

We are actually doing the Manchester to Dublin leg the day before, staying overnight at Premier Inn and then Dub-Mco the next day.

Worked out far cheaper than flying direct from Manchester.

But yes, I would either land in the US to clear immigration/customs there or fly into Dublin and do it there.

[WendyWilson]

We're flying MAN-ATL-MCO in October this year. We've done this leg a few times now, ATL is a great hub airport and very well organised. Just make sure you have at least 2 hours between flights as immigration can be very busy but it is very easy to do and it means you arrive at MCO as domestic so no need to do 2nd bag drop. Prices were reasonable.

[PixieBoot]

Originally Posted by captain-codeye

100% the change in the US, I would hate to have to change in the UK then have all the hassle of MCO immigration!

By changing in the US you will arrive in Orlando as a domestic flight and breeze through.

See more...

Totally agree, anything to avoid MCO security and layout.

[Toff Princess]

I'm going to go against the grain and say do option 1.

Personally, i am one of those people who likes to get comfy on a flight. I would hate to settle down watch a film or two and then have gather my stuff to change and have to re-settle. For the first leg of the flight in option 1 I wouldn't even kick off my shoes!

Also £75 per person is a nice disney dinner and a few lovely souvenirs. Why throw it away for an easier immigration line. I mean the day is wasted anyway its a long-haul flight.

[duchy]

I find Orlando one of the worst US airports to clear immigration so I'd choose the Atlanta connection as getting off at Orlando and grabbing your bags and heading straight out is vastly preferable to landing and then getting into a queue.

[Guest]

I read a thread the other day about indirect flights and was interested to read it was so much cheaper. However after checking a few different flight search engines, for various times of year, I found very little difference in price, most was £20 saving for a six hour longer journey.

If your incentive is avoiding Orlando immigration however, then fly into US and transfer domestically.