Best flight prices to Miami for a big family

EAJames83

Hi all, 
My fiancé and me have chosen to get married on Pompano Beach in Miami next May. 

My amazing father in law unexpectedly and very sadly passed away in February and holidayed here with my fiancé for many years so this means a lot to all of us. 

We have 7 children between us ranging from 18 to 2 year old twins so we need to try to get the best possible prices for some flights as we know it’s going to cost a lot! 

My question is where do I look?! Are there sales on flights I could get? Any family discounts or anything like that? 

I know a few good apps like Skyscanner and Kayak and the usual Google searches but i was kinda hoping there are more other less known options for us to try? Are there any hidden gems out there?!

Really hoping someone can offer some help/advice to help us reach our dream! 

Thanks in advance 

James 

Westin

I would suggest you speak with a good travel agent or a reputable UK based flight seller like Trailfinders, Netflights or similar.
Avoid being drawn in to using a 'cheap' online ticket seller. 

If there are more than 10 of you it might be possible for a group travel fare - but you all need to have the same flight/date/duration.

If complex flights (guests with different durations etc) then I suggest everyone books their own travel.  Any group saving won;t be worth the hassle when you start playing travel agent.

As well as the obvious carriers into Miami like BA and Virgin Atlantic, perhaps look at options into Fort Lauderdale.  

New airline Norse Atlantic Airways (https://www.flynorse.com/)  will be launching routes from Gatwick shortly, rumoured to be New York and Ft.Lauderdale.  They are the incarnation of Norwegian International/Norwegian Air Shuttle.  Same business model - no frills and pay for everything as an extra.  They will however have a Premium Economy cabin so that might be nice as a treat for the two of you. 

Another cheap option might be to look at TUI flydrives or flight only into Melbourne. They will operate from UK regional points as well as LGW/MAN.  Early season (May) you may find some very attractive prices.  They also have a Premium Economy option.   It will be a fairly easy drive from Melbourne down to Pompano Beach on the I-75.

EAJames83

Thanks @Westin for the detailed reply. 

So us and the kids will all be on the same flight and duration etc, not sure about other family members as we can’t access flight details yet. 

I wonder can I email Virgin for example and ask about group discount? Can’t do any harm I guess. 

Last time we went we flew into Fort Lauderdale which in my opinion was a better airport than Miami and also closer to Pompano so we will be looking there too. 

Thanks for the link on flynorse, just checked and flying into Fort Lauderdale can only be departing from Oslo but I’ll keep an eye on it. Good thing is we have time to search about with it being a year away. 

Probably a stupid question but is a fly drive the flights and car in one package type thing? 

Thanks again, really appreciate your time 👍🏻

Westin

For Virgin I think you are looking at a group being considered +9.

The first Norse B787 was at LGW this week, just on a tech stop and proving flight. No passengers yet.  They are initially launching as OSL/LGW/JFK/LGW/OSL until they get crew recruited at LGW.  Might be worth signing up for their newsletter so you have a first dib at any offers when they launch.  They are for example offering low £66 tickets on LGW OSL in August when they launch.

A Fly Drive is indeed the flight plus the car rental.  Although car rental prices have shot up in the USA recently there was often a trick on some dates to book a Virgin or BA fly-drive for less than just the flight.  Might not be the case now.    Worth looking and pricing up a Fly Drive with Virgin Holidays and TUI however.

I suspect the next big Florida sales push for 2023 will be in September this year. 

Brie

Try to find out when the school breaks are for the US.  And avoid that/those week(s) if possible.

But you probably already knew that.

EAJames83

Thanks again @Westin, some great info there. I’ve signed for the newsletter so fingers crossed. 

Fly drive may be a good option, I’ll look into it. 

You sound like you know your stuff so I’ll be back to pick your brains again I’m sure! 

@Brie I hadn’t actually thought of that so thank you! Good shout