Finding affordable flight tickets from London to Orlando can feel daunting, but with a bit of strategy, you can land great deals. Here's a complete guide to help you score cheap flights:
1.Book in Advance
Timing: Start searching for flights 2-6months ahead of your trip. Airlines often release cheaper tickets early on, and prices tend to rise closer to departure.
Best Booking Time: Research suggests thebest time to book for international flights is often 2-3 months in advance, or during the airlines' sales periods.
2.Be Flexible with Dates
Midweek Departures: Tuesdays, Wednesdays,and Saturdays tend to have lower fares. Try flying midweek to get cheaper tickets.
Avoid Peak Seasons: Orlando is a populardestination for holidays and summer vacations. Avoid travel during Christmas, summer holidays, and spring break (March-April) for cheaper fares.
Shoulder Seasons: Consider flying duringshoulder seasons—late September to early December or February to early May — for cheaper tickets and fewer crowds.
3.Use Flight Search Engines
Flight comparison websites and tools canhelp you find the best deals. Some popular ones include:
Google Flights: Use its calendar view tosee when the cheapest days to fly are.
Skyscanner: Great for flexible date searches.
Momondo: Often uncovers fares not shown on other platforms.
Kayak: Allows you to set price alerts to track fare changes.
4.Set Price Alerts
Google Flights and Hopper let you setalerts for specific routes. This way, you’ll be notified when the fare drops, so you can purchase tickets at the lowest possible price.
5.Consider Nearby Airports
London’s Airports: London has severalairports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted). Prices can vary significantly depending on the departure airport. Check flights from all London airports.
Orlando Alternatives: Scoring affordable flights from London to Orlando requires flexibility, research, and smart use of search tools.
While Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the main airport, you can sometimes find cheaper flights to nearby airports like Tampa International (TPA) or Orlando Sanford International (SFB).
6.Check Budget Airlines
Some budget airlines operate between the UK and the US. Though they might not always offer the most comfort, they can save you a lot on flights:
Norwegian: Known for affordabletransatlantic flights.
Icelandair: Sometimes offers cheaper fareswith a stopover in Reykjavik.
7.Use Airline Miles & Credit Card Points
If you’re part of a frequent flyer programor have credit cards that offer miles or points, use them to reduce the cost of your flight. Sometimes you can get a significant discount, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates.
8.Clear Your Browser Cookies or Use Incognito Mode
Flight prices can fluctuate based on your search history. Search in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies to avoid price increases when repeatedly searching for the same flight.
9.Book One-Way Tickets
Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets (onefrom London to Orlando and one back) with different airlines can be cheaper than round-trip tickets. Make sure to check this option when searching for flights.
10.Use Layovers to Save Money
Direct flights from London to Orlando maybe more expensive. You can save money by choosing flights with layovers. Common layover cities for this route include New York, Miami, and Atlanta. Just be cautious of layover times — long layovers can eat into your vacation time.
11.Check Airline Sale Events
Keep an eye on airlines’ sales periods, especially for major airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines. They often offer discounted transatlantic flights during sales.
12.Consider Package Deals
Sometimes booking a flight + hotel package can result in savings. Websites like Expedia, Kayak, and Travelocity often provide good package deals that bundle flights with accommodation.
13.Use the Right Payment Methods
Certain credit cards offer cashback or discounts on flights. Additionally, some travel agencies may offer reduced rates if you use specific payment methods or book through partner airlines.
14.Avoid Last-Minute Flights
Last-minute flights are often more expensive, especially for long-haul destinations like Orlando. Only pursue last-minute deals if you're very flexible with your travel dates or willing to take risks.
15.Consider Hidden-City Ticketing (with Caution)
Hidden-city ticketing involves booking aflight with a layover at your desired destination (Orlando) but not continuing to the final destination. However, this tactic has risks, such as violating airline policies and restrictions on checked baggage. Use this only as a last resort.
Conclusion
Scoring affordable flights from London to Orlando requires flexibility, research, andsmart use of search tools. By booking in advance, utilizing flight comparison
sites, setting price alerts, and being strategic with dates and airports, you
can find great deals and make your trip more budget-friendly.
