Flights to north carolina

Ingela

Hi, I'm really hoping that someone can help me with some flights that I've been looking for.

Myself and a friend really want to fly to north Carolina but I'm struggling to find flights for less than £600. We're really flexible in that we're looking at travelling any time in September or October. Ideally we want to fly into Wilmington but are equally happy to fly elsewhere and drive there.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this more cheaply? Any hints welcome!

I wasn't sure if this was the correct board so please move if not!

Thank you!

richardw

Where in the Uk are you?

tiff

Trouble with Wilmington is you will need to fly to Charlotte then on to Wilmington, not sure if they fly direct to Raleigh still - then you could drive to Wilmington. We used to live in the 2 towns away in New Bern. You could also try via Washington, NY etc.

malkie76

Fly to Washington and drive - it's really not that far. However, you'd still be looking at about £500 for a return to Dulles.

Ingela

I knew that I forgot to some info in! We're happy to fly from pretty much anywhere but Manchester is our nearest airport. Thanks for the other hints guys, I'll try searching some other routes.

richardw

Your one stop options from MAN include

MAN-ATL-ILM on Delta via Atlanta

MAN-ORD-ILM on AA via Chicago

MAN-PHL-ILM on US Airways via Philadelphia

If you want to stop over in New York

MAN-EWR-LGA-ILM on Continental/US Airways

Other options would be 2 stops to ILM, or one stop via LHR or AMS to say Raleigh RDU and drive from there.

A travel agent such as trailfinders may have a flight+hotel deal if you want to stop over somewhere.

Do you have any frequent flyer miles or Tesco vouchers?

kerri_gt

Not sure of the cost but check out the route with american airlines from UK to Raleigh (RDU) North Carolina - easy drive to Wilmington from there (about 1 1/2 - 2hrs)

jamesbrownontheroad

Raleigh (RDU) and Charlotte (CLT) are both major hubs (along with Philadelphia PHL) of US Airways. You may find they're cheapest from Manchester. They're not the best of the North American airlines (certainly not worth shelling out for business class, for instance) but they're ok, usually good value in economy. Book direct on usairways.com

If you have any friends you can stay with in Dublin, and can afford to take an extra night off, you could save a packet by taking a £10 Ryanair flight MAN-DUB (best fares are normally available on Ryanair circa three months before departure) and then flying from there. Ireland has a minuscule long haul airport departure tax, and you can pre-clear US Customs in Dublin too (so you arrive on a domestic flight). However, since most flights to the US depart DUB in the mid-morning, you should probably fly over the night before to avoid missing your flight.

richardw

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

If you have any friends you can stay with in Dublin, and can afford to take an extra night off, you could save a packet by taking a £10 Ryanair flight MAN-DUB (best fares are normally available on Ryanair circa three months before departure) and then flying from there.

Ireland has a minuscule long haul airport departure tax, and you can pre-clear US Customs in Dublin too (so you arrive on a domestic flight). However, since most flights to the US depart DUB in the mid-morning, you should probably fly over the night before to avoid missing your flight.

Good point.

Ingela

Thanks for all the suggestions, when i have a few hours to sit and price it all up, i'll bear them in mind! Hopefully i should be able to find it a bit cheaper at least. Is there any time in September/October when flights are likely to be more expensive or cheaper? Just so i know when to particuarly look for or avoid.

richardw - i do have some clubcard vouchers, about £70 now i think. Can they be used for flights?

richardw

Early October can have lower demand.

Tesco vouchers can be converted to BA Miles or https://www.airmiles.co.uk and there might be some part miles part cash availability.