Flights |
What to consider before you book your flight...*Who is flying?*When are you flying? *Best time to fly? *Where are you flying from? *Will you fly direct or indirect? *Who to book your flights with? *Want to speed up going through Airport security? *Want to speed up going through Immigration at Orlando Int Airport? |
Who is flying?When booking your flights to Orlando, the "who" is just as important as the "how much." Every traveler—from newborns to grandparents—requires an individual biometric e-passport and an approved ESTA or Visa for US entry. For those on a budget, infants under two can travel as "lap children" for a fraction of the adult fare (usually around 10%), but keep in mind that a 9-hour flight is much more manageable if you book a separate seat for a car seat or request a bassinet row early.If sitting together is your top priority, aim to book your entire party under a single reference number. While airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic "aim" to keep families together, the only way to guarantee side-by-side seats is to select them at the time of booking—often for an extra fee. If you’re looking to save, check in the second the window opens (usually 24 hours before) to grab remaining grouped seats for free. Finally, if you are traveling with children who have a different surname than your own, ensure you have a signed consent letter or birth certificate ready for US Customs to keep your arrival as smooth as a ride on the Monorail! When are you flying?Choosing "when" to fly is often a tug-of-war between the school calendar and your holiday budget. Since Orlando is a year-round destination, the "best" time depends entirely on whether you're prioritizing sunshine, savings, or short queues.Timing is everything when booking an Orlando getaway. For most UK families, the school holidays (especially August and Easter) are the only option, but they come with a "school holiday tax"—expect flight prices to double compared to term-time dates. If you are tied to the school calendar, the late October half-term or the first two weeks of August (as US schools head back to class) often offer a slightly better balance of cost and crowds. Beware of the US Calendar: Orlando doesn’t just get busy when the UK is off; American public holidays can cause park crowds to skyrocket. Mid-February (President's Day), late May (Memorial Day), and the "Spring Break" weeks in March/April are incredibly busy. The absolute peak is the Christmas and New Year window, when parks often reach capacity and flight prices are at their highest. Weather & Hurricanes: Florida weather falls into two main camps: The Heat: From June to September, it is "Mickey-melting" hot, with temperatures regularly hitting 33°C (92°F) and high humidity. You’ll also experience near-daily afternoon thunderstorms—they are heavy but usually over in 30 minutes! Hurricane Season: This officially runs from June 1st to November 30th, with peak activity usually occurring in August and September. While Orlando’s inland location offers more protection than the coast, storms can cause flight delays or temporary park closures. If you fly during this window, high-quality travel insurance is a non-negotiable! Best time to fly? Where are you flying from?When planning your Orlando adventure, you have several fantastic options for departing the UK. The most popular hubs for direct flights are London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), and Manchester (MAN), which offer daily services year-round. If you are travelling from Scotland, Edinburgh (EDI) also provides excellent direct seasonal options.While it’s tempting to choose the airport closest to your front door, it is often worth expanding your search to other UK hubs for a few key reasons: Significant Cost Savings: Flying from a slightly further airport—for example, choosing Manchester over a local regional hub—can sometimes save a family of four hundreds of pounds, which is better spent on park tickets! Flight Times & Frequency: Larger airports like Heathrow or Gatwick offer more flexible departure times, allowing you to land in Orlando earlier in the day to maximise your first evening. The "Dublin Swap": Consider indirect flights via Dublin. This allows you to go through US Pre-Clearance in Ireland, meaning you land in Orlando as a domestic passenger, skip the long immigration queues, and head straight to your luggage and hire car. Better Aircraft: Some airlines reserve their newest planes with superior inflight entertainment and seating for their busiest routes from London and Manchester. Will you fly direct or indirect?Deciding whether to fly direct or take a connecting flight is one of the biggest choices you'll make when booking your Orlando holiday. Both options have distinct pros and cons that can impact your budget and your "Day 1" energy levels.Flying Direct The Benefits: The most obvious perk is speed. A direct flight from the UK takes approximately 9 hours, getting you into Florida by late afternoon. It’s significantly less stressful for families with toddlers or infants, as you only have to navigate security and boarding once. The Disadvantages: Direct flights usually come with a premium price tag, especially during school holidays. You will also have to clear US Immigration upon arrival in Orlando (MCO), which—depending on how many other international flights land at the same time—can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over 2 hours. Flying Indirect (Connecting) The Benefits: The biggest draw is the cost saving, which can often be £200–£300 per person. For a family of four, that is over £1,000 back in your pocket. It also allows you to fly from smaller regional UK airports (like Birmingham, Bristol, or Newcastle) and connect at a larger hub. The Disadvantages: Your total travel time will increase to roughly 12–15 hours. There is also the minor risk of luggage delays during the transfer or the stress of a "tight" connection if your first flight is delayed. Typical indirect flights will use these airports: Ireland - Dublin (DUB) - Includes US Pre-Clearance, meaning you clear US Customs in Ireland and land in Orlando as a domestic passenger (no queues!) USA (East Cost) - Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Atlanta (ATL) - You clear customs at your first point of entry, which can often be much faster than the busy Orlando international terminal. USA (South) - Charlotte (CLT), Washington Dulles (IAD), Miami (MIA) - Great for breaking up the long-haul leg into two shorter flights (approx. 7 hours then 2 hours). Europe - Amsterdam (AMS), Reykjavik (KEF) - Icelandair (via Reykjavik) often offers some of the lowest prices for UK departures. UK Orlando Expert Tip: If you are flying indirect, we highly recommend looking at Aer Lingus via Dublin. Being able to clear US Immigration while you wait for your connection in Ireland is a total "cheat code"—it means when you land in Orlando, you can walk straight to the baggage carousel and be in your hire car within minutes! Maybe even check to see if book the flights seperate (UK to Dublin and then Dublin to Orlando) to see if this makes it even cheaper! Who to book your flights with?We reccommend using:
Want to speed up going through Airport security?There are ways you can bypass the long queues going through security - Click Here to find out how!Want to get through Immigration at Orlando Int Airport quicker?There are ways you can bypass the long queues going through Immigration when you land at MCO Airport - Click Here to find out how! |