airline advice

[Tink's Mum]

I have priced flights from Gatwick to Orlando for our next Disney holiday and BA, Virgin (into Orlando International) and First Choice (into Sanford)
are all coming in at around the same price, so now I need to make a decision (not something I do easily) We have flown with both BA and First choice but not Virgin, I know that one advantage of flying into Orlando International is that it is closer to Disney but Sanford airport in my experience is easy and quick to negotiate through and there is probably not much in it time wise in reaching the hotel, (more duty free at Orlando airport though on the way back) but if we fly BA or Virgin we could tack a couple of extra days onto our holiday (tempting), I am really good at talking myself round in circles so what I am really asking, I think, is that as I already know how BA and First Choice compare, how do Virgin and BA compare, or is there so little in it that it is silly to get into knots about it (I do really have a life honest it is just that this is our first holiday for years and every detail is important)

So over to the experts Virgin, BA, or First Choice??

Many Thanks Guys

[jarretth]

Can't comment on the First Choice experience but can on BA and VS as I've flown on both twice in recent years. Personally. I find the BA economy experience better overall. I find the seats more comfy, the IFE better (especially if you get Nova on the old VS planes) but also you get the benefit of using the North Terminal which is much better than the hussle and hassle of the South. The only caveat to that is the potential for industrial action in the new year.

I'm flying VS again next week (used BA last year) so will be able to update my views when I get back but both on here and other forums VS are not exactly getting sparkling reviews for food and service in economy.

My travel plans don't usually fit the First Choice flights but they are something I would seriously consider as the leg room surpasses the other two and they have really upped their game (as have other charter operators). There is still something in some of the extras you might have to pay for on board but the big difference for many was the difference in luggage allowance but the changes made recently by both BA and VS have narrowed that gap considerably.

[tweenie123]

I've not flown BA on the Orlando route but have to New York. I've flown Virgin and First Choice to Orlando and out of the two would pick First Choice. Go back a few years and we always used to fly Virgin however I really believe that their service has really gone down especially on our last couple of flights. I was impressed with BA to New York however it was a few years ago but at the moment we're tending to go with the charters, mainly in their premium cabins. The price seems to be working out at not much more than Virgin's economy and well worth it IMHO.

We flew Virgin PE in summer and I didn't really rate our seats, downstairs, could have done with an overhaul, service from the cabin staff was pretty hit and miss and certainly had we paid full price, I would have been pretty disappointed ( they were miles seats)

Out of the three you've mentioned, I'd say I've been most disappointed with Virgin and have found little difference with BA and First Choice - although all our flights on these carriers have been out of Manchester.

[Ayriel]

Travelled with Thomson in October and they were excellent. This was the first time in years we had flown in the economy cabin and would say that it was better than Thomas Cook Premium, DH is 6ft2 so tends to moan if the leg room is bad.

Within 40mins of touch down at Sanford we were driving to the villa after clearing immigration/customs/bathroom stops etc and picking up the car. Compared to just under 2hrs at MCO 2 years ago.

I do like Sanford better as it is a calmer/less stressful airport, even the kids told DH that they were proud of him this trip as he had not turned into Mr Grumpy going through the airport

[uscwest]

I can't talk about the airlines but Sanford is CONSIDERABLY north of Disney. I want to say over 40 miles. If you are not going to have a car then you will have to arrange some rather expensive transport as DME doesn't go to Sanford.

When we flew to the UK in 2007 I opted for BA for the more time reason.

[Midnight Storm]

Time wise to you villa by car - its about the same from wheels stop on the flight. Economy on BA although the seat pitch is supposed to be the same, the BA seat spacing is better than VA, I have to remove the magazines or my knees rub on the pockets on the VA flight, and seconded, the IFE is more consistant with BA, that plus more routes means a better chance of a replacement plane in the US than Virgin.

Colin

[AlanandAli]

We've only ever done Virgin and it has certainly deteriorated over the last 9 years. We're at Disneyworld (having fun!!) now and our flight on Thursday wasn't great. The plane was very 'tired'. My seatback pocket was broken, so no-where to store anything and my screen only worked for a few of the tv channels. Virgin seem to use their older planes for Florida in our experience. Legroom was very tight too. Food was ok, but for the fist time you had to pay for snacks during the drinks round. Have always been Virgin fans, but are considering investigating other options another time.
Ali

[jarretth]

It's not that the planes are that old out of Gatwick and Manchester as they are newer than some of the Heathrow fleet. However, they don't invest as much in upgrading the seating and IFE on these routes as they don't really attract the business market - and with it those paying premium prices - and have rested on their laurels relying on good faith and old reputations. With the charters improving their product and BA now fighting them on both of their Gatwick US runs (Orlando and now Vegas) as well as the Caribbean routes Virgin will start to suffer with a drop in passengers if they don't sort things out soon.

I know it is off topic (sorry mods) but how are you finding SSR? We'll be making the same trip on Tuesday so

[Tink's Mum]

Thanks for all the info guys, looks like it is between First Choice and BA, I do agree with Ariel that Sanford airport is easy to negotiate, it is some years (10 I think) since we travelled to Orlando International and I do remember that it was BIG and as we are hiring a car anyway we will be driving to our hotel (Saratoga Springs too Jarretth hope you have a great time) from which ever airport we arrive. Oh decisions decisions.

[Ayriel]

The "official" economy seat pitch with BA is 31 inches and Thomson/First Choice is 33 inches.


Even although Sanford is further from WDW, in our experience it has been the less stressfull option, despite having priorty departure from the aircraft and luggage pick-up at MCO when flying PE with Virgin.

On past trips from touch down to hotel

MCO to Grand Floridian 2hrs 45mins (Alamo Car Hire)
SFB to Grand Floridian 1hr 30mins (didn't have car hire, limo pick up)
SFB to Regal Palms (US27) 1hr 55min (Dollar Car Hire)

I do appreciate that you can be lucky/unlucky with immigration/car hire desk, but DH (Grumpy) would rather fly into SFB.