One stop flights to Florida

[Virgo28]

Hi all, I am looking at Virgin flights to Orlando and just wondering what happens when it says "one stop". I know the stop is Atlanta but clueless as we have never flown long haul before - do we have to get off plane, collect luggage and check in? Sorry this has probably been asked before. Tia

I did this last year / you get off in Atlanta and get a connecting flight. Usually within a couple of hours. No need to collect luggage they do all that for you. Pretty pain free and saves hundreds

Thanks tangleteaser I had visions of having to do the whole collecting cases, security, checking in and rushing to another gate experience again lol.
Did you already have your tickets for the connecting flight and know where to go when you got off plane?

They place you in a holding area airside - so not need to worry

That's good to know greentulips, that means I won't get lost! And yes I'm one of those people that can get lost without even trying 😂

So if I'm reading replies correctly we get off plane and go to a holding area whilst we wait for luggage etc to transfer and then board new plane.

It sounds like a Delta flight (Atlanta is their hub) with a VA codeshare.

Go direct if at all possible, its not much further from there onto Orlando anyway. Do not add hours to an already long journey by changing at Atlanta. Same day internal transfers within US airports can be stressful to say the very least particularly if you have children with you.

How long are they giving you between planes?. That is what I would be looking at very carefully. Anything less than 3 hours is not good. You also need to remember that particular clock starts ticking as soon as the plane from the UK lands on the runway at Atlanta, not when it arrives at the gate.

You will need to clear both Immigration and customs at Atlanta before you board the flight down to Orlando. You may need to collect your luggage and place it on the transfer carousel.

It can and does take hours particularly there because the airport is so big. You may also have to depart from another terminal.

Yes - you aren't 'officially' entering America at the stop off so you have to stay airside.
As they do this all the time I wouldn't worry - you'll be guided and informed all the way
Then cleared in Florida

On your first point of arrival into the USA you need to clear US customs and immigration, you claim your bags, walk them through customs and hand them back into the connecting airline then go to your next gate.

I would still fly direct if finances allow you to do so. It will also save time on the return leg.

If you haven't already booked I would look at using Aer Lingus via Dublin where you preclear customs/immigration in Ireland and arrive in the US like a domestic passenger. We always go this way and it is brilliant

YellowOfficeBlock

No always

If the travel company have arranged the flights they can bump you straight on to the next flight without collecting bags and going through customs

You only need to do it your way if you've booked separate flights yourself

Yes always, according to help.cbp.gov:

"At what point during a traveler's trip to the U.S. does a traveler clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

If the final destination is in the United States (U.S.), travelers must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the first port of entry.

If a connection is involved, the traveler will not be required to go through another clearance when they arrive at their final destination."

I would clarify the procedures at Atlanta with Virgin before making any such booking.

I have done same day internal transfers at various US airports and my advice is never again!. I would always fly direct if at all possible and going via Atlanta may prove to be a false economy, you rarely get given enough time to make the second plane. You will have to clear Immigration and customs there and you will be only seen as a domestic passenger when you board the plane from Atlanta to Orlando.

Thanks for all replies, my family already have our direct flights booked but my parents are looking to come with us too now a couple of days after us. The flights we were looking at were on Virgin and were quite a bit cheaper than direct but after reading comments I think they will prefer to fly direct.

I have done Florida via Detroit (with virgin) and you did have to get bags and go through immigration. We had 3 hours to change, we got to gate 10 mins before plane was called. People with 2 hours missed their flights.
Never again!

Thanks burnoutbabe I will book the direct flights, sounds like it's not worth the money you'd save.

We've done a stopover in Dallas en route to our honeymoon and although we had boarding passes for the whole journey we had to clear immigration before the internal flight. there was a computer meltdown so we were second in the queue for 2.5 hours. Eventually got through to collect bags and give them back in - DH's didn't arrive at our destination!

Having been to Florida twice, I'd say direct is much better. We went direct both times, would never have even considered not doing so. Glad to see you booked the direct flights op.
(Anytime I travel I like to get on at my start point and get off at my destination when possible).

Atlanta is a nightmare airport. Huge, disorganized and apparently a port of entry for lots of drug running and other illegal stuff - so the Homeland Security people are often agressive and surley. I would never choose to clear immigration there and try to avoid it for a stop over on domestic flights

Thanks guys, direct flights booked and because I am fantastic and their no. 1 favourite daughter have paid so they are in the "bubble"
P. S I have no siblings 😂

Done the indirect flight through Atlanta and actually preferred it.
Yes you do have to collect luggage and you go through customs and immigration as it’s your first landing in the US, but this is an advantage as it means you don’t have to do it at MCO which is far more busy.
Flying home you don’t have to collect luggage so you don’t need a long connection time.
For a decent financial saving it’s well worth it, if you’re on the earliest flight to Atlanta you can be out of MCO before most of the direct flights

They shout at you in Atlanta, worse if you're not absolutely sure about what you need to do and where to go, most horrible airport experience ever. I've flown through there a lot as I have family close by. I would avoid at all costs if at all possible!

We have always had to clear immigration and customers at first point into the states. Only exectption flying in via Canada and Dublin you can pre clear Immigration before you enter but you still need to collect your cases whilst transfering. Usually Just a pick up walk through customs and put back on a conveyor belt. I’m transferring through Kennedy to San Fran this summer so will be interesting to see what happens there. I expect to clear both in Kennedy through flight with virgin from Manchester.