US Airways

[Mary and Colin]

Has anyone flown with US Airways?
Do they do direct flights? I have seen a flight and it says direct but at work today they said they touchdown at other airports before reaching Orlando.
You know me guys it has to be get on the plane and no stopping <:embarr

Thanks
Mary

[Shire Villa]

Hi Mary,

We have done US airways a few times now and have had no hassle.

I am almost certain because Orlando is not one their "hubs" you either go through Philadelphia or Charlotte.

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.....

[Mary and Colin]

Hi Mary,

We have done US airways a few times now and have had no hassle.

I am almost certain because Orlando is not one their "hubs" you either go through Philadelphia or Charlotte.

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.....

Thanks Angela i thought that was the case.
Oh well i will have to keep looking, my flying has got better but not sure i would be up to getting on and off a plane twice in the same day.<:embarr

Mary

[Steve]

Thanks Angela i thought that was the case.
Oh well i will have to keep looking, my flying has got better but not sure i would be up to getting on and off a plane twice in the same day.<:embarr

Mary

Yes that is the case Mary, US flights all fly through their hubs and as such there are no non stop flights to Florida. :(

[Shire Villa]

It is actaully not as bad as you think Mary as it kind of breaks the journey up.

The flight we did in May was Glasgow to Philadelphia which was only just short of 7 hours on the way out but 6 hours on the way back. Six hours on the way back felt like nothing compared with eight or nine direct from Orlando. And it was only 2 hours on the internal America flight. Just means you get more duty free shopping done<:widegrin

[ellie]

We have flown with US Airways several times and enjoyed our flights. They have on demand screens on their aircraft and were one of the leaders in this.

As has already been said, you have a shorter transatlantic flight, and a chance to stretch your legs between flights - though you need to ensure that on the outbound flight you allow plenty of time in between flights as you have to go through Immigration and Customs and check your luggage back onto a conveyor belt, and this can take time - I would definitely not recommend less than a 2 hour stop over so that you are not rushed.

If the price is right I would not dismiss this as a way of getting across the Atlantic.

US also fly to Philadelphia and Charlotte and both are very nice airports.

[ellie]

Yes that is the case Mary, US flights all fly through their hubs and as such there are no non stop flights to Florida. :(

Whilst all USA flights have a hub in the USA which means that you must change 'planes and catch an domestic flight onward to Orlando, American Airlines fly direct from Heathrow to Miami, so you could say they fly direct to Florida. This used to be a cheaper way to get to Florida - we have often driven up from Miami to Orlando.

Again, its worth considering, especially if you can squeeze a couple of nights in the Miami area, which we love.

[Shire Villa]

On demand screens are not on all transatlantic flights as we found when we went from Glasgow:(

Think it was beacuse it operates a smaller plane on this route don't know exact plane type but seating configuration was three and three. So it was overhead TV's only.....

But the price was right so can't complain.....

[ellie]

On demand screens are not on all transatlantic flights as we found when we went from Glasgow:(

Think it was beacuse it operates a smaller plane on this route don't know exact plane type but seating configuration was three and three. So it was overhead TV's only.....

But the price was right so can't complain.....

We flew from London and have always had screens. They operate airbuses from here, which are reasonably new.

[Mary and Colin]

Looks like i may have to concider trying this as VA and BA are still over £600 for early October.
Thanks everyone for your help.

Mary

[ellie]

Mary, if you can pick the right flight - and London to Orlando via Charlotte is a good route, as the second leg of the journey is very short - then I think you will find it an acceptable way to save some money. As villa owners we tend to go more regularly than guests, and the flight is really a means to an end, not something which can make or break a holiday of a lifetime. So if you can save a bit of money on the flight and still have a reasonable journey then it is certainly worth considering.

The only concern I ever have is to ensure a reasonable amount of time between the flights on the outbound journey as you need to leave enough time in case there are any delays in Immigration etc. On the inbound flight it is not such a problem as you don't see your luggage until you get to London, and all you need to do is find your transatlantic gate at either Charlotte or Philadelphia. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to book a flight into an American hub with an hour or less between flights - that is too short a time and could leave you feeling very frazzled or even mean you missing your connecting domestic flight to Orlando.

Of course there is always the possibility of delays with flights, but once you have started your journey they are duty bound to get you to your final destination, even if that means a change to a later flight.

What sort of prices are you coming up with, Mary?

[Mary and Colin]

Thanks Ellie that sounds reasonable enough as long as i make sure i have enough time in between.
I have seen some flights for £430 in direct which i think is very reasonable compared to direct. I think that was going into Charlotte as well.
I will investigate on how much time between flights i get :<wink and will let you all know if i decide to give it a go.

Mary

[ellie]

Good luck, Mary, hope it all works out for you. Let us know what happens, won't you?:<wink