There are many people who are looking for flights to Orlando, Florida who are unsure in the differences and pro’s and cons of different types of airline. There are 2 different types that service the Orlando area. These are Scheduled and Charter airlines.
Scheduled airlines are airlines that service a route on a set program (normally all year round) and travel at the same times each week. Some of the Scheduled airlines that fly into Florida are BA, Virgin, Delta, US Airways, Continental etc. These types of airlines normally fly out of main hub airports. Charter airlines on the other hand are owned by a tour operator and sometimes sell seat only or fly-drive packages. Some of these airlines are Mytravel, Thomas cook, First choice.
So what are the main differences of the two. One of the main plus points about traveling on a scheduled airline is the fact you have more legroom for people in Economy. Normally on average seat pitch is around 32 inches. The food and drinks onboard the flight is free and you get plenty of it. On most of the carriers you now get a great entertainment package for the kids. With scheduled airlines if they are delayed they tend to be more flexible with re-scheduling another plane, or will put you up in a hotel overnight. On the negative side these type of airlines can be more expensive and will add a considerable extra cost for a family of 4. The trade off is the fact that onboard you do have the extra facilities and room.
Charter airlines on the other hand tend to have much cheaper flights (also direct) and also fly into less crowded airports. This can be a real bonus if price is a major factor and you are looking at trying to keep the cost down. On the downside they have in the past been a pack them in style of operation, where you do get less legroom per person and the seats are not as comfy. This problem is now starting to be corrected and most of the charter airlines have similar seating pitch to their Scheduled rivals. Onboard you can expect to pay for drinks and sometimes food, but this can normally be purchased prior to take off. Sometimes this is negligible with the amount of savings you will be making.
So which one is best? To be honest there are so many plus and minus points for each it can be very hard to sometimes choose. Fly Charter you will save money and more than likely fly direct, on the other hand you will have more cramped conditions and less facilities. Fly Scheduled , you will pay more for the privilege of having extra facilities and space, but sometimes this is not a bad thing on such a long flight.
Scheduled airlines are airlines that service a route on a set program (normally all year round) and travel at the same times each week. Some of the Scheduled airlines that fly into Florida are BA, Virgin, Delta, US Airways, Continental etc. These types of airlines normally fly out of main hub airports. Charter airlines on the other hand are owned by a tour operator and sometimes sell seat only or fly-drive packages. Some of these airlines are Mytravel, Thomas cook, First choice.
So what are the main differences of the two. One of the main plus points about traveling on a scheduled airline is the fact you have more legroom for people in Economy. Normally on average seat pitch is around 32 inches. The food and drinks onboard the flight is free and you get plenty of it. On most of the carriers you now get a great entertainment package for the kids. With scheduled airlines if they are delayed they tend to be more flexible with re-scheduling another plane, or will put you up in a hotel overnight. On the negative side these type of airlines can be more expensive and will add a considerable extra cost for a family of 4. The trade off is the fact that onboard you do have the extra facilities and room.
Charter airlines on the other hand tend to have much cheaper flights (also direct) and also fly into less crowded airports. This can be a real bonus if price is a major factor and you are looking at trying to keep the cost down. On the downside they have in the past been a pack them in style of operation, where you do get less legroom per person and the seats are not as comfy. This problem is now starting to be corrected and most of the charter airlines have similar seating pitch to their Scheduled rivals. Onboard you can expect to pay for drinks and sometimes food, but this can normally be purchased prior to take off. Sometimes this is negligible with the amount of savings you will be making.
So which one is best? To be honest there are so many plus and minus points for each it can be very hard to sometimes choose. Fly Charter you will save money and more than likely fly direct, on the other hand you will have more cramped conditions and less facilities. Fly Scheduled , you will pay more for the privilege of having extra facilities and space, but sometimes this is not a bad thing on such a long flight.