Using connecting flights - pros/cons?

judygarland

I've been doing some research into the cheapest way to get to Orlando. A friend of mine suggested flying to Philadelphia and then onto Orlando to save some serious dosh. I've managed to find flights for all four of us for Christmas for £1300 which seems to be a bargain. All flights are with the same airline.

My question is................... If there was a delay in any one of the flights, where would we stand? I've only ever taken direct flights previously. Is the airline obliged to get you to your destination?

Any help greatfully received.

dmg24

If your flight is delayed you will be put on the next available flight to your final destination. I practically always take indirect flights when flying long haul, and have not had a problem (yet!).

luci

Of both flights are on one ticket then they will get you on the next flight if you miss one or are delayed.

sturll

If you booked a ticket like this:

London to Philadelphia - Delta
Philadelphia - Orlando - United

On two seperate tickets then if your flight to PHD was delayed you would be left stranded.

If you booked it all on one ticket, i.e:

London to Philadelphia - KLM
Philadelphia - Orlando - Delta

Then you would be covered and if your incoming flight to Philly was delayed you would be put free of charge onto the next available MCO flight. (Delta and KLM are codeshare)

The way to know if you have booked a through ticket is to book with a particular airline. KLM/Delta are great for the USA. As are Airfrance/NWA.

If you are unsure, before booking detail your itinerary and booking method on here and im sure someone would be glad to help.

judygarland

That's it then. Credit card out and ready!

judygarland

sturll wrote: »

If you booked a ticket like this:

London to Philadelphia - Delta
Philadelphia - Orlando - United

On two seperate tickets then if your flight to PHD was delayed you would be left stranded.

If you booked it all on one ticket, i.e:

London to Philadelphia - KLM
Philadelphia - Orlando - Delta

Then you would be covered and if your incoming flight to Philly was delayed you would be put free of charge onto the next available MCO flight. (Delta and KLM are codeshare)

The way to know if you have booked a through ticket is to book with a particular airline. KLM/Delta are great for the USA. As are Airfrance/NWA.

If you are unsure, before booking detail your itinerary and booking method on here and im sure someone would be glad to help.

Just posted a reply and then noticed your post! I'm looking at flights booked via opodo with US Airways. Would that be classed as a through ticket?

sturll

judygarland wrote: »

Just posted a reply and then noticed your post! I'm looking at flights booked via opodo with US Airways. Would that be classed as a through ticket?

Opodo, expedia, orbitz et al will almost always be through tickets.

M4RKM

and US Airway's main hub is Philadelphia,

I've flown through the airport quite a few times on my way to the USA.. only once encountered a delay on the way in, but flight out was delayed too, so ended up on the same plane..

all in all it is a good experience really!!!
<sarcasm>
and sturll - PHD is in Ohio somewhere.. i'm sure you meant PHL </sarcasm>

judygarland

markymoo wrote: »

and US Airway's main hub is Philadelphia,

I've flown through the airport quite a few times on my way to the USA.. only once encountered a delay on the way in, but flight out was delayed too, so ended up on the same plane..

all in all it is a good experience really!!!
<sarcasm>
and sturll - PHD is in Ohio somewhere.. i'm sure you meant PHL </sarcasm>

That sounds ominous! Are US Airways any good? Flew a couple of months back with Continental and thought they were quite good.

anguilla

Around Christmas flying into any of the more northern airports you risk weather dealays - I'm doing the other thing - flying American to Orlando then down to the Caribbean for Christmas... only problem is the return routing via New York - that's going to be such a cold shock to the system

Whichever way you go and as other people have said as long as you have a through ticket (pref with the same airline) you will be fine - I've had delays and reroutes due to delays in the past (return flight) but always got home and no real hassle at the airports apart from trying to find out if there is space on the next (last) flight or whether the airline will put me up in a hotel overnight - worst case scenario and with through ticket its the airlines responsibility not yours! I prefer Continental but US Air are fine.

neilbond007

judygarland wrote: »

That sounds ominous! Are US Airways any good? Flew a couple of months back with Continental and thought they were quite good.

US airways are about on a par with other american carriers. I've had my problems with them but mostly they are OK.
I've flown MAN - PHL several times on my way on to Ohio. I always choose US over continental from BHX / MAN as they use Airbus 330 rather than a 757. This means 2 aisles and less chance of being stuck in a middle seat.
PHL is also an excellent airport. I've been stuck in it for 6 hours plus on a couple of occassions. Lots of great rocking chairs to chill out on. Plus there are places to go to get piece and quiet.