VS to use SFB??

Originally posted by AlanA
Is the runway long enough?
The longest 9L-27R is 9,600 ft long

I flew into SFB in 1998 in a 747-200, and Air Atlanta and Travel City both fly in today with the 747-200 and 300. The length will as has already been mentioned affect the amount of cargo that can be carried, but I dont think this will be the issue.

If Virgin do have ideas about changing some or all of its MCO flying programme to SFB then it is likely to coincide with other rumours of aquiring 2 engined aircraft. A330s for MAN and GLA? I wouldnt be at all surprised.

(sorry, for some reason I cant type an appostrophe today without my broweser going mad!)

We regularly fly to MCO, but we would not fly in to SFB if they swapped. We would switch airlines first.

I've never flown into Sandford, so mine is just an opinion, but it always comes across as a bit Charter....

Dean

I have flown into both airports many times although more recently into MCO with VA.

If I have friends staying with me in Orlando they often do last minute charter flights which fly into SFB and I pick up and drop off there quite a lot.

TBH I doubt it would affect my travel at all. The only difference is that it is around 25 minutes further north via the 417 Toll Road, the direction and routing is exactly the same.

On arrival you don't have to go off site to collect your hire car. There are companies off site but that is the same for MCO. The luggage collection is quicker so the time from landing to arriving at your hotel is very similar.

Departure may be more of an issue as SFB airport facilities are terrible. Before security there are no facilities at all and after they are pretty poor. The Sanford Guesthouse which many people pay for is a limited facility and it certainly couldn't cope with any more passengers. I think a purpose built or separately allocated lounge facilitiy for VA passengers would be necessary.

Having said all that, the Delta Crown Room isn't perfect and for me I always check in on line for the return and arrive at the airport as late a possible. I can see that the problems would be with delayed aircraft, the amount of passengers waiting and the lack of facilities for them.

Now if they were to fly to SFB and build a brand new VS clubhouse there I would be happy to travel 25 minutes further, other than that my opinion would be to leave it where it is.

Jilly

All I am saying is that we are aware of the problem and we are aiming to fix it. No Airline is perfect.

For us a switch to SFB would probably be a good thing as the in-laws live in Lake Mary - which is about 10 minutes away. My closest look at the airport was when I switched rental cars there in the middle of our last trip and I popped into the terminal for a quick nosey. It seemed quite spartan and quite quiet and could certainly do with a few more shops and places to eat. I don't really see overcrowding as a problem as it surely can't be worse than MCO - it took as 45 minutes last time to get through security.

I have even looked at options to get me into SFB in the past but was not willing to go charter and the domestic airlines did not share a transfer hub with VS - I think Pan Am flew from Boston but not the same airport? - I am now eyeing up Iceland Airs new service and will considering using them on a trip next year with a stoppover in Iceland.

Phil FM

P.S. It could be worse VS might consider Daytona Beach

Looking at it from another point of view, a lot of passengers now use DTD and OLCI for the return flight and don't spend as much time at the airport now as they did years ago.

A lot of the charter companies are now offering a similar service, namely TCD and MyTravel. I suppose this would help with the overcrowding in the airport terminal but I think you'd be surprised how small the area is beyond security compared to MCO.

Jilly

Jilly,
Don't a lot of the VH travellers staying onsite at WDW use the Magical Express? that only runs from OIA doesn't it?

Originally posted by AlanA
Jilly,
Don't a lot of the VH travellers staying onsite at WDW use the Magical Express? that only runs from OIA doesn't it?

I never really thought of that Alan, you're right it does. I'm not sure how Virgin would get round that but I doubt it would be a major issue for them making such a big decision.

Having said that, I haven't got exact figures obviously but I reckon over 50% still hire a car and if you use the ME you have to travel with your luggage. When you arrive at MCO you still have to pick up your luggage at the first point so the advantage isn't great for transatlantic flights.

The ME tends to be used more by USA guests as they come for short stays on site and don't hire a car. They can check in their luggage at their departure airport and don't see it again until they arrive at Disney property.

Jilly

Just found this thread so only had a quick scan.

As someone whose parents live half way between TPA and MCO in real "redneck" land I wouldnt feel to fab about VS flying into SFB. The airport is fine (minus the chavs [:w]) but the amount of extra time it would add on my journey would turn me off VS.

I dont really see this happening to be honest. In my opnion the benefits for VS at MCO outweigh any that SFB may offer.

At MCO:
VS are the number 1 Foregin carrier so thus get special treatment and can, I am sure, get a good deal on landing fees etc
MCO having lost FI to SFB are bending over backwards to keep BA/VS/AM/Condor happy
Flying into MCO is a selling point over the others at SFB
SFB is overcrowded and has limited terminal space currently
SFB has limited connections
MCO is closer to the action
MCO offers room for expansion to VS services, and the airport are keen to get a carrier to make use of the other third of the DL/VS gate area (gates 90-100), could be possible to see VS move into these gates exclusivley


Tbh I would imagine its just VS/VH evaulating pax opinion. Doubt it will happen.

Originally posted by willd
In my opinion the benefits for VS at MCO outweigh any that SFB may offer.

At MCO:
VS are the number 1 Foregin carrier so thus get special treatment and can, I am sure, get a good deal on landing fees etc
MCO having lost FI to SFB are bending over backwards to keep BA/VS/AM/Condor happy
Flying into MCO is a selling point over the others at SFB
SFB is overcrowded and has limited terminal space currently
SFB has limited connections
MCO is closer to the action
MCO offers room for expansion to VS services, and the airport are keen to get a carrier to make use of the other third of the DL/VS gate area (gates 90-100), could be possible to see VS move into these gates exclusivley

I agree with everything you've just said.

Just spoke to one of the cabin crew after landing on the 076 to Man and she has not even heard a whisper of this and thinks it would be just silly.

David

Thinging about it, perhaps they are just finding out from people if they should advertise MCO stronger as a selling point, besides the service? This phone survey would find out if SFB is something that people have on mind when flying to Florida, and whether they can use the "all flights to MCO" to their advantage.

Kev.