You might consider
searching through the following agents and airlines
websites, noting that only BA and Virgin offer direct
flights from UK into Orlando on scheduled flights:
There are also several
charter companies flying from various UK airports (adding
Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham to the list of departure
airports during the peak seasons), but please note that XL
air companies are no longer trading as of 12th September
08 (including Travel City Direct who used to be a major
Florida flight and holiday provider).
If you don't mind a flight change (often in New York, Washington,
Chicago etc. depending on main carrier), these open up possibilities in terms of availability and sometimes price. REMEMBER
if choosing these routes to leave enough time between connections for immigration clearance, baggage collection
and re-check in (where necessary), crossing terminals and passage through
further possible security checks. Dependant on size of airport, this could take anything between 1 and > 2 hours. Beware
New York where changeovers can be between JFK and La Guardia
airports - need more time and patience for this one.
Flying indirect opens up
several airlines, including US Airways, Northwest - NWA
(very good when we last used them), Air Canada,
Continental and United Airlines, amongst others.
Charter flights
mostly fly into Sanford
(SFB) airport.
With Charter airlines look for additional costs of seat
pre-booking, meals etc.
TAMPA
(TPA) airport opens up some further possibilities on
availability in peak season and possibly on price, e.g. BA have direct flights from Gatwick.
Don’t forget to pre-arrange children’s meals
or any special dietary requirements for the flight, plus wheelchairs and any other special requirements for the airport or
flight itself.
Seat
allocation may not always be possible when you first arrange
your travel, but be aware the airline may just allocate the
few days prior to departure - if you have differing booking
references (e.g. different family names, possibly booked on
different dates), you could just end up with split seating -
ring the airline to confirm the day before or try and sort
out at check-in (first come first served)! Online
check-in is available on almost all airlines now 24 hours
before departure time - this is worth taking advantage of
for seat allocations.
TRAVEL
AGENT
You may want to consider using the services of someone with more expertise to advise or book your travel arrangements.
Charter Travel
are a Florida travel specialist- please visit their
web page for contact details: Charter Travel
or
telephone: 01635 254077 (ask for Dawn or Jennie)
UK
AIRPORTS & PARKING
Parking can be arranged via the flight ticket agent, travel agent or personally through many routes. You can also contact the airports for more information about the terminals, flights, facilities etc:
ORLANDO
/ TAMPA AIRPORTS
Orlando International Airport
(MCO) is the nearest to our villa at 26 miles away and about a 30 minute drive via the Central Florida
Greeneway (417) and Osceola Parkway or US192.
Visit the MCO website at: www.orlandoairports.net
Sanford International Airport
(SFB) is just North of Orlando and at 50 miles is approximately 60 minutes drive away via the
Greeneway and Osceola Parkway or US192. This is a
smaller airport and is quick and convenient to use:
Visit the Sanford website at:
http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com
Tampa International Airport
(TPA) lies South West and is about
65 miles away and a 75 minute drive, straight up the Interstate 4
into the Disney area. The
route from I4 into Indian Creek is much improved in recent
years using the SR429.
Visit the
Tampa website at: http://www.tampaairport.com
Finding direct flights to any of these 3 airports is usually quite easy, but beware high season as these can get pre-booked quite quickly, or leave only higher priced tickets available.
All airports are served well by car rental companies and bus or shuttle services to the main Orlando areas.
Last Updated: Friday
10th July 2009
