Internal flights in the UK

[Wendy L]

I've been looking at Air Southwest's web site and I can get a flight from Gatwick to Plymouth for £29 each including all taxes. The only problem is that it leaves the North Terminal at 9.05am. The Virgin flight gets into the South Terminal at 6.55am (although 9 times out of 10 it is always early) Do you think I will be leaving myself enough time to collect the luggage, (we are flying PE so the cases should be off fairly quickly) get through customs etc and make it to the North Terminal - I have no idea how long it takes to get there.

We will have to pay extra for excess baggage (which you can pre-pay) but the thought of being home by 11.00am is wonderful. It normally takes about 5 hours to drive home and poor Chris struggles to stay awake.

What do you think peeps :shrug:

[Slowhand]

Just a thought which may save you some time..could you not have your bags checked through to Plymouth?

I know that Gatwick is your point of entry back to the UK, but when I returned from a business trip from China a few years ago I was able to check my bags through to Manchester, even though I flew into Heathrow from Beijing and then caught the shuttle flight to Manchester.
In the domestic baggage claim area at Manchester, there was a customs guy on duty, sitting inside a glass cubilcle, and he seemed to have very little to do and I thought how strange it was not having to go through the usual procedure.

[Wendy L]

Just a thought which may save you some time..could you not have your bags checked through to Plymouth?

I know that Gatwick is your point of entry back to the UK, but when I returned from a business trip from China a few years ago I was able to check my bags through to Manchester, even though I flew into Heathrow from Beijing and then caught the shuttle flight to Manchester.
In the domestic baggage claim area at Manchester, there was a customs guy on duty, sitting inside a glass cubilcle, and he seemed to have very little to do and I thought how strange it was not having to go through the usual procedure.

Thanks for the tip, but I just looked on their web site and they aren't able to through check luggage :( so sadly that's not an option.

[Isafari]

I would also suggest ringing the airport to find out if your cases can go straight from Orlando to Plymouth.
We flew from Orlando to London with Virgin, then London to Newcastle with BA. We didn't see our cases from the Downtown Disney check in until we reached Newcastle.

[Slowhand]

Thanks for the tip, but I just looked on their web site and they aren't able to through check luggage :( so sadly that's not an option.
Pity about that.:blush: Maybe things have tightened up a bit since 9/11...still, it was worth a try!

[jim81563]

Just a thought which may save you some time..could you not have your bags checked through to Plymouth?

Not on Air southwest, they only operate as an internet based airline and hence act in the low cost carrier mode. So Virgin would not be able to through book or even check in the Air SW flight at MCO :shrug:

The other consideration is about excess baggage, Air SW only use DHC-8 Turboprops, now while they may take 2 cases per passenger with a max of 20kg in total , they do say that any excess is subject to hold space being available. Now how many of us have come back from MCO with that little weight?

[Wendy L]

Not on Air southwest, they only operate as an internet based airline and hence act in the low cost carrier mode. So Virgin would not be able to through book or even check in the Air SW flight at MCO :shrug:

I wondered why they couldn't do it, when BA flew out of Plymouth I know you could do it then.

So do you think I'm cutting it a bit tight on time?

[Slowhand]

I wondered why they couldn't do it, when BA flew out of Plymouth I know you could do it then.

So do you think I'm cutting it a bit tight on time?
For what it`s worth I`ve caught many connecting flights with less time to spare between landing and taking off again.
Is there only one daily flight between LGW and Plymouth? If not [and the worse happens], it`s still far better than facing a 5 hour drive at the end of your vacation.

[Wendy L]

For what it`s worth I`ve caught many connecting flights with less time to spare between landing and taking off again.
Is there only one daily flight between LGW and Plymouth? If not [and the worse happens], it`s still far better than facing a 5 hour drive at the end of your vacation.

There are 3 flights, the next one is at mid-day I think - the only thing is I know what Chris will do, if we miss the 9am one, he will hire a car and drive home :rolleyes: he will work on the fact that if we hang around for 3 hours till the next flight we will only save an hour on travelling, also I don't think you can transfer to another flight if you are late :unsure: I think you have to pay the going rate at the time and the latest you can check in is 30 mins before the flight leaves or they won't allow you on.

I don't think this is going to work is it :shrug: :( I'm talking myself out of it before I've even discussed it with Chris :rolleyes: :lol:

[Slowhand]

I think you said it all in your initial post Wendy, when you said that Chris "struggles to stay awake" on the long drive. I drove about 150 miles home from LHR one year after a trans-Atlantic flight and I remember saying at the time "never again!" I was absolutely drained when I finally arrived home.
Given the choice, I would definately opt for the flight, even if it meant kicking your heels in the airport for a couple of hours.
Sounds like this would also be the cheaper option, compared with renting a car, fuel etc., and also less hassle.

[bawden2]

Hi we travelled with Air South west from Newquay. We were flying from the north terminal with First choice. We landed at 7am and had a 9.05 flight to Newquay (stops of in Plymouth on way). I must say it was very tight and that was even being in the same terminal. We had a wheelchair assistant and if it were not for him we would not of made it. I know we got of last but we were fist to get to luggage collection.
No they will not check your luggage right through (bummer).
Another little matter to think of as well is if you miss the flight they will charge you what ever extra the later flight is and it can be very high on the day. I changed all our flights due to having to bring holiday forward and they charged us (3 people) an extra £190.
Would you be better getting the later flight just to be safe. It saves that horrible journey home.
If you are going buissness or premium etc you do get luggage quicker. I would find out how long it takes to get across from south terminal. ASW checking shuts at 8.30am. We did not even have time to visit the loo.
:sigh:

[Wendy L]

Thanks for that Bawden2 - it's not looking good for the 9.05 flight - it's just the thought of sitting around the airport for 3 or more hours, but I don't want to have to put Chris through the driving. I suppose the only other option is to book a day room at the Gatwick Hilton and get some sleep and then drive home later on in the day. I just don't know.

How full was the ASW flight?

[bawden2]

It was 3 quarters full. We flew back on a sunday at 9.05am

[bawden2]

Have you thought about an airport transfer (taxi). If there are just the 2 of you it can be a lot of money. But if there are 4 or more it does not work out to bad. We did this in 2003 to Gatwick. It was better than driving. Shop around for prices as there are some cheaper ones. I think we paid £280. There were 4 of us. It worked out cheaper than flying and also than taking our own car and parking.
We flew this time due to medical reasons.
:shrug:

[jim81563]

Thanks for that Bawden2 - it's not looking good for the 9.05 flight - it's just the thought of sitting around the airport for 3 or more hours, but I don't want to have to put Chris through the driving. I suppose the only other option is to book a day room at the Gatwick Hilton and get some sleep and then drive home later on in the day. I just don't know.

How full was the ASW flight?

Instead of a day room, you could possibly book into a lounge at North terminal. I believe its the AVIANCE lounge that is prebookable - but you can only go in 3 hours before your flight, currently costs £17.95pp and can be prebooked via the baa website.

Don't know if this would be of any use to you.

[uscwest]

Wendy, another risk that it doesn't appear as though you have looked at, is what happens if your flight to Gatwick is delayed for any reason? That could cause you to miss your connection to Plymouth. I sure wouldn't want to have to drive for 5 hours after just arriving on an overnight flight.

I tried something like that in Germany one time when Donna and I were there on business. I was going to leave her in Germany and I was going to have to fly on to the UK. Because they were so late in making up their minds that they were really going to send us we couldn't get separate flights and had to fly from Washington-Atlanta-Frankfurt then drive down to Ramstein. We then had to drive all the way back to Frankfurt the next morning so I could catch my flight to London. Rather than stay in Frankfurt overnight we decided that I would drive her to Ramstein and that we would go to Luxembourg and Trier during the day. By the time we got back to the base I was so worn out I'm surprised that I didn't fall asleep while driving.

[Wendy L]

Instead of a day room, you could possibly book into a lounge at North terminal. I believe its the AVIANCE lounge that is prebookable - but you can only go in 3 hours before your flight, currently costs £17.95pp and can be prebooked via the baa website.

Don't know if this would be of any use to you.

Thanks I didn't know you could do this it might be an option, I'll speak to Chris tonight and see what he says.


Have you thought about an airport transfer (taxi). If there are just the 2 of you it can be a lot of money. But if there are 4 or more it does not work out to bad. We did this in 2003 to Gatwick. It was better than driving. Shop around for prices as there are some cheaper ones. I think we paid £280. There were 4 of us. It worked out cheaper than flying and also than taking our own car and parking.

At £58 for the flights for the 2 of us I think it's a bargain, Chris won't do an airport transfer I've already mentioned that - he prefers to drive himself :rolleyes:

[Wendy L]

Wendy, another risk that it doesn't appear as though you have looked at, is what happens if your flight to Gatwick is delayed for any reason? That could cause you to miss your connection to Plymouth. I sure wouldn't want to have to drive for 5 hours after just arriving on an overnight flight.

I tried something like that in Germany one time when Donna and I were there on business. I was going to leave her in Germany and I was going to have to fly on to the UK. Because they were so late in making up their minds that they were really going to send us we couldn't get separate flights and had to fly from Washington-Atlanta-Frankfurt then drive down to Ramstein. We then had to drive all the way back to Frankfurt the next morning so I could catch my flight to London. Rather than stay in Frankfurt overnight we decided that I would drive her to Ramstein and that we would go to Luxembourg and Trier during the day. By the time we got back to the base I was so worn out I'm surprised that I didn't fall asleep while driving.

Virgin are normally quite good and don't get delayed, but I suppose there is always the first time and it would more than likely happen to us :rolleyes: I think if we do fly home, then I will be better booking the later flight, I'll just have to see what Chris thinks tonight.

Driving home from Gatwick is awful as it is on smaller roads so you can't just switch onto auto pilot :sigh: I don't know how Chris manages it, I try and stay awake but I get to the stage where I just can't and then I feel really guilty.

[bawden2]

Hi Wendy it dawned on me last night when i was trying to sleep but dreaming of when our next trip to WDW will be, that a family were on the 09.05 flight to Plymouth/Newquay. They must have been on the Virgin flight as they had Virgin tags on their hand luggage and the child was carrying a Disney carrier. Not sure if they had a flight that landed earlier than 7am. Just a thought that they made it. :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce

[Wendy L]

Hi Wendy it dawned on me last night when i was trying to sleep but dreaming of when our next trip to WDW will be, that a family were on the 09.05 flight to Plymouth/Newquay. They must have been on the Virgin flight as they had Virgin tags on their hand luggage and the child was carrying a Disney carrier. Not sure if they had a flight that landed earlier than 7am. Just a thought that they made it. :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce :micbounce

Wow thanks, that is good news, the flight we will come in on is the first Virgin flight in (I think :unsure: ) The 2nd Orlando flight gets in later and the Vegas flight gets in around lunch time.

Chris can't decide what he'd rather do, I'd prefer to book the later flight just to be safe, but he's not happy about hanging round for 4 hours :shrug: I'll tell him what you said and maybe I'll just take a chance and book the 9:05 flight :unsure:

[Wendy L]

I've just booked the flights to fly home from London to Plymouth :D . I spoke to Air Southwest and they have said that a lot of passengers manage to get there in time. The gate closes at 8.30am which gives us an hour and a half to get through customs and from the South Terminal to the North Terminal.

This will make life so much easier for Chris - the drive home is awful. I can get my Dad to pick us up. Sorted:thumbs:

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions :hug:

[Slowhand]

Fingers crossed for a strong tail wind as you return over the Atlantic Wendy. This will ensure that you land at LGW with even more time to spare.:thumbs:

[Wendy L]

Fingers crossed for a strong tail wind as you return over the Atlantic Wendy. This will ensure that you land at LGW with even more time to spare.:thumbs:

Thanks :hug: if we don't make it in time for one reason or another, we will stay overnight and get a hire car the next day.

Not long till you go now :D

[Slowhand]

Not long till you go now :D

That`s right Wendy. It`s great being able to count the hours rather than the days left before we leave.:thumbs:

[YNWA]

Pity about that.:blush: Maybe things have tightened up a bit since 9/11...still, it was worth a try!


You can check them straight thru to your final destination but only if you are flying with the same airline, so in this case you will not be able to