MCO or TPA to LHR Which has the better UC experience?

Hey all.

I'm in the fortunate position to have enough credit card miles and reward vouchers to fly our family of 4 back in UC from our trip to Florida in October/November next year (We've stupidly booked our holiday to coincide with the direct route from MCO-EDI stopping for the winter so having to fly back via LHR)

I wanted to ask in your opinion what is the better Upper Class Experience?

TPA route appears to be on the nice shiny new Airbus A330-900neo while the MCO route will definitely be a Leisure layout A350.

looking forward to opinions and if anyone has experienced the lounges at both airports (Tampa and Orlando) that would be great)

I wouldn't book any flights based on what aircraft you "might" be flying - especially so far away. They are liable to change up to the day before.

Haven't done Tampa for many years, but have used Orlando extensively over the past 20 plus years. The Delta lounge is certainly no clubhouse but has, over the years got better. The food offerings have expanded and are now ok.

One big difference might be the departure times. If they are roughly the same, you need to factor in the drive to Tampa along with the stress of what might go wrong, effectively giving you another half day in the parks / at the pool as the drive from Disney Springs area to MCO is roughly 15 - 20 mins.

On board is difficult to quantify as you really don't know what type of plane you will end up on.

David

We flew out of Tampa in the summer and it was a lovely relaxed airport, Orlando we find busier and more stressful but the lounge at TPA is not brilliant. Planes often change on this route so be aware.
One if the things we like about returning upper class is the use of the arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Unfortunately our flight back from Tampa in the summer months lands at Heathrow just as the lounge closes! (The flight time changed after booking so be aware of that too!)

[mitchja]

The TPA flights are currently a mix of both the new A339’s and the older A333’s. I should have flown to TPA last week and the outbound A/C was going to be an A339, however the inbound flight 4 days later was supposed to be an A333.

TPA is a nice easy airport in both directions though. The lounge VS use there isn’t up to much unfortunately.

Have to agree, don’t base on aircraft type.
Yes, neo is miles better than A330, switches do happen.
My first flight to TPA was in Jan 2023. The aircraft swapped 4 times, Back and forth between Neo & A330.

I find with these leisure routes, aircraft swaps tend to happen more rather than the business routes (JFK, IAD, ATL; still happens but less often).

For this reason, I carefully plan trip and instead of flying direct, I will plan an extra day or two into my holiday and fly JFK, ATL, BOS) for example… changes can happen even on the day.
I remember booking my first trip to MCO from MAN and it was the A350 leisure config. The morning of the flight, it changed to A330. Still enjoyed the flight but man, the seats, IFE are so outdated.

I wouldn’t even mind if they kept the reverse herringbone seat but refreshed the cain and added new IFE etc.

MCO - more shops and places to eat. Sky club is good, not the best. 3 times I have been, I flew through immigration without GE or MPC.

TPA - chose to fly because of Neo (knew it could change, but in the end it was Neo) but also as it was a later timed flight and heard TPA is quieter… took 1hr 30 to pass immigration due to 2 flights (Mexico, Cuba) that arrived just before our flight…

TPA lounge - in my opinion, worst lounge I have ever been to.

Both have good options and some cons.

Having flown through both my views are a follows

MCO
Can be very busy even Upper check in, and normally you can check in quite early.
Security can take a while
Delta Sky lounge - no clubhouse but it's not bad, food is good although you do have to pay from some alcoholic drinks

TPA
Nice airport
Check in very quick (2 weeks ago) but be mindful, with only one VS flight it opens about 1700, but theres plenty to do if you arrive early
Security etc very quick and automated to get onto the monorails to gates.
Airside not bad some nice bars and restaurants. HOWEVER they all shut around 20:00, a bit before the flight (currently) departs.
VS lounge, pretty naff. quite dark and dingy although free drinks and some snacks. No main meals although the toasted cheese sandwiches were yummy.

As others have said don't base it on aircraft, mine back from TPA changed from a NEO to the older config. Which is still great but the NEO is much better.

Another issue is flight times.The TPA is very late (that may suit you) and landing you wont make arrivals as it will be shut. MCO you will make arrivals. - Depends if this is important to you.

Personally I would choose TPA over MCO much more relaxed arriving and departing but it all depends on your personal requirements.