Florida Archives – London Air Travel

British Airways Suspends Gatwick – Fort Lauderdale

British Airways has suspended its route from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale from Saturday 7 September 2019.

Fort Lauderdale Beach (Image Credit: London Air Travel)

British Airways is to suspend its route from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale.

The last flights between Gatwick and Fort Lauderdale are scheduled to operate on Saturday 7 September 2019.

The route currently operates three times weekly. It launched in 2017 and, like BA’s now suspended route to Oakland, followed the launch of this route by Norwegian at Gatwick.

Norwegian has in the past month switched its Gatwick – Fort Lauderdale route to Miami International. This means London will have no direct link to Fort Lauderdale. This is a shame as Fort Lauderdale is a worthwhile destination in its own right and an alternative to what is a very unpredictable arrivals experience at Miami International.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled are entitled to a full refund. Alternatively, passengers can be re-accommodated on American Airlines and BA services from Heathrow to Miami International. However, any additional costs such as ground transportation will be at your own expense.

American and BA will operate five joint daily flights between Heathrow and Miami from Sunday 27 October 2019.

Affected passengers should check the status of their booking at ba.com and contact either BA or their travel agent.

Update: BA has published guidance which adds that affected passengers can also choose to fly from Gatwick to Orlando or Tampa in Florida. Again, any consequential costs will be at passengers’ expense.

British Airways Lounge Change At Tampa

BA has changed its designated lounge at Tampa International airport to the American Airlines Admirals Club.

London Air Travel » Florida

Tampa Cityscape (Image Credit: Visit Tampa Bay)

British Airways has changed its designated lounge for eligible passengers flying from Tampa International Airport to London Gatwick.

BA has previously used a third party lounge on Concourse F of the terminal. However, from 31 October 2018 the designated lounge for BA Club World and Silver and Gold members of the Executive Club is the American Airlines Admirals Club.

Under Oneworld alliance lounge access rules, eligible BA passengers have always had access to this lounge in any event. The lounge is located near to Gate 85 on Concourse F. The lounge is open until 19:15, 10 minutes before BA’s daily flight to Gatwick is currently scheduled to depart.

The lounge offers standard American Airlines Admirals Club fare with complimentary soft drinks and light snack foods. BA passengers should be offered a chit on reception for a “premium beverage” from the bar. There is also a food menu which, in the absence of any information to the contrary, has to be paid for.

On a tangential note, Norwegian has now started flying from London Gatwick to Tampa twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays.

Flying Over The Florida Keys

London Air Travel » Florida

Sunset at the Florida Keys (Image Credit: London Air Travel)

The Florida Keys, as the southernmost point of the US, have long been a popular escape from winter in the Northern hemisphere for those seeking a more bohemian alternative to the crowds and overt self-confidence of Miami Beach. And it has better sunsets.

You can of course drive there, but there is also the option of flying. Many US airlines, through their regional affiliates, fly to Key West International Airport with varying degrees of frequency from their respective hubs. American Airlines from Dallas Fort Worth and Miami; Delta from Atlanta; and United from Chicago O’Hare and Newark.

You’ll also see a number of private plans on the airfield at Key West. Other than that it’s largely Silver Airways flights to the Florida region, an airline we don’t know enough about to comment on – though online reviews don’t instil confidence.

It’s flying between Miami and Key West over the Florida Keys on American Eagle that we’ll cover as it is the most likely route for visitors to Florida.

American serves the route many times a day, typically using Embraer E175 aircraft operated by Republic Airlines under the American Eagle livery.

American Eagle Embraer E175 aircraft at Key West airport (Image Credit: London Air Travel)

Norwegian launches London Gatwick – Tampa

Norwegian will fly from London Gatwick to Tampa twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Wednesday 31 October 2018.

London Air Travel » Florida

Norwegian Boeing 787 at London Gatwick (Image Credit: Norwegian)

Norwegian has today, Monday 25 June 2018, announced a new route from London Gatwick to Tampa, Florida. The airline has also announced a number of other long-haul network changes.

London Gatwick – Tampa

Norwegian will fly from London Gatwick to Tampa twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 31 October 2019. Norwegian will be competing against BA which serves Tampa daily.

Flight DI7165 Depart London Gatwick 14:55 – Arrive Tampa 19:35
Flight DI7166 Depart Tampa 21:00 – Arrive London Gatwick 09:55

Flights are on sale now at Norwegian.

Seasonal Suspensions

Norwegian’s routes to Austin and Seattle which both launched only recently will be suspended for the winter season from Sunday 28 October 2018 and should resume from late March 2019.

Las Vegas, which had been suspended for the summer, returns three times weekly for the winter.

Frequency Increases

The following routes will also benefit from increases in frequency:

– Boston from five times weekly to daily
– Buenos Aires from four times weekly to daily
– Fort Lauderdale from three times weekly to daily
– Orlando from three times weekly to four times weekly

Frequency Decreases

The following routes will be reduced in frequency:

– Chicago from daily to four times weekly
– Oakland from four times weekly to three times weekly

New York JFK will also increase to three times daily, as previously announced. The suspension of Austin and Chicago for the winter does suggest Norwegian has hit a ceiling in terms of year round routes to North America from London Gatwick.

All flights continue to be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a two class configuration, save where Norwegian has wet-leased aircraft as it has done to New York JFK.

Norwegian is of course subject to takeover speculation following International Airlines Group’s purchase of a minority stake in the airline. Should there be a change in ownership in Norwegian in the coming months it is highly likely there will be changes to its network.

Hurricane Irma: London Flights Wednesday 13 September

Here are details of cancelled and rerouted flights to and from London due to Hurricane Irma on Wednesday 13 September.

London Air Travel » Florida

Hurricane Irma – Miami Beach (Image Credit: CNN)

Here are confirmed cancellations for flights between London and Florida and The Caribbean on Wednesday 13 September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma by order of airline flight code.

Please see our Hurrican Irma page for more information on the hurricane.

American Airlines

Flight AA38 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight AA39 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

Flight AA56 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA57 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

British Airways – London Heathrow

Flight BA206 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA207 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA208 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA209 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

British Airways – London Gatwick

Flight BA2036 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2037 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2038 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2039 London Gatwick to Orlando is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2156 St Kitts and Antigua to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2157 London Gatwick to Antigua and St Kitts is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2166 Tampa to London Gatwick is is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2167 London Gatwick to Tampa is is scheduled to operate.

Norwegian

Flight DY7045 London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale is scheduled to operate.

Flight DY7046 Fort Lauderdale to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow

Flight VS5 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

Flight VS6 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Virgin Atlantic – London Gatwick

Flight VS15 London Gatwick to Orlando is scheduled to operate.

Flight VS16 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

For more flight status information please see the arrivals and departures pages of Gatwick, Heathrow, American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic.

Hurricane Irma: London Flights Tuesday 12 September

Here are details of cancelled and rerouted flights to and from London due to Hurricane Irma on Tuesday 12 September.

London Air Travel » Florida

Here are confirmed cancellations for flights between London and Florida and The Caribbean on Tuesday 12 September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma by order of airline flight code.

Please see our Hurrican Irma page for more information on the hurricane.

American Airlines

Flight AA38 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA39 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight AA56 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA57 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

British Airways – London Heathrow

Flight BA206 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA207 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA208 Miami to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA209 London Heathrow to Miami is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA226 Atlanta to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA227 London Heathrow to Atlanta is scheduled to operate.

British Airways – London Gatwick

Flight BA2036 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2037 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2038 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2039 London Gatwick to Orlando is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2156 Tobago and Antigua to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2157 London Gatwick to Antigua and Tobago is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA2166 Tampa to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2167 London Gatwick to Tampa is cancelled.

Norwegian

Flight DY7057 London Gatwick to Orlando is scheduled to operate.

Flight DY7058 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow

Flight VS5 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight VS6 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight VS103 London Heathrow to Atlanta is scheduled to operate.

Flight VS104 Atlanta to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

Virgin Atlantic – London Gatwick

Flight VS27 London Gatwick to Orlando is scheduled to operate.

Flight VS28 Orlando to London Gatwick is scheduled to operate.

For more flight status information please see the arrivals and departures pages of Gatwick, Heathrow, American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic.

Hurricane Irma: London Flights Monday 11 September

Here are details of cancelled and rerouted flights to and from London due to Hurricane Irma on Monday 11 September.

Hurricane Irma - Naples (Credit: MSNBC) — Hurricane Irma – Naples (Credit: MSNBC)

Here are confirmed cancellations for flights between London and Florida, The Caribbean and Atlanta on Monday 11 September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma by order of airline flight code.

Please see our Hurrican Irma page for more information on the hurricane.

American Airlines

Flight AA38 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA39 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight AA56 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA57 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

British Airways – London Heathrow

Flight BA206 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA207 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA208 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA209 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA226 Atlanta to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA227 London Heathrow to Atlanta is cancelled.

Flight BA253 London Heathrow to Nassau and Grand Cayman is scheduled to operate.

Flight BA252 Grand Cayman and Nassau to London Heathrow is scheduled to operate.

British Airways – London Gatwick

Flight BA2036 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2037 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2038 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2039 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2166 Tampa to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2167 London Gatwick to Tampa is cancelled.

Flight BA2168 Fort Lauderdale to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2169 London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale is cancelled.

Norwegian

Flight DY7045 London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale is cancelled.

Flight DY7046 Fort Lauderdale to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow

Flight VS5 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight VS6 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight VS103 London Heathrow to Atlanta is cancelled.

Flight VS104 Atlanta to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Gatwick

Flight VS15 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS16 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight VS27 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS28 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight VS63 London Gatwick to Havana is cancelled.

Flight VS64 Havana to London Gatwick is cancelled.

For more flight status information please see the arrivals and departures pages of Gatwick, Heathrow, American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic.

Hurricane Irma: London Flights Sunday 10 September

Here are details of cancelled and rerouted flights to and from London due to Hurricane Irma on Sunday 10 September.

Here are confirmed cancellations for flights between London and Florida and The Caribbean on Sunday 10 September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma by order of airline flight code.

There are extensive cancellations to Miami, Orlando and Tampa as these airports have suspended commercial operations.

Please see our Hurricane Irma page for more information on the hurricane.

American Airlines

Flight AA38 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA39 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight AA56 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA57 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

British Airways – London Heathrow

Flight BA206 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA207 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA208 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA209 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA253 London Heathrow to Grand Cayman via Nassau has been rerouted will operate direct from London Heathrow to Grand Cayman only.

Flight BA252 Grand Cayman to London Heathrow via Nassau has been rerouted and will not stop at Nassau.

British Airways – London Gatwick

Flight BA2036 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2037 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2038 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2039 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2157 Antigua to Providenciales is cancelled.

Flight BA2166 Tampa to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2167 London Gatwick to Tampa is cancelled.

Flight BA2256 Providenciales to Antigua is cancelled.

Norwegian

Flight DY7058 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow

Flight VS5 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight VS6 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Gatwick

Flight VS15 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS16 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled

Flight VS27 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS28 Orlando to London Gatwick is cancelled

For more flight status information please see the arrivals and departures pages of Gatwick, Heathrow, American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic.

Hurricane Irma: London Flights Saturday 9 September

Here are details of cancelled and rerouted flights to and from London due to Hurricane Irma on Saturday 9 September.

Here are confirmed cancellations for flights between London and Florida and The Caribbean on Saturday 9 September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma by order of airline flight code.

Please see our Hurricane Irma page for more information on the hurricane.

There are extensive cancellations to Antigua and Miami as well as cancellations and retimed flights to Orlando and Tampa.

American Airlines

Flight AA38 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA39 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight AA56 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight AA57 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

British Airways – London Heathrow

Flight BA206 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA207 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight BA208 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Flight BA209 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

British Airways – London Gatwick

Flight BA2036 Orlando to London Gatwick is operating but will depart earlier than scheduled at 15:35 rather than 17:35.

Flight BA2037 London Gatwick to Orlando is operating but will depart earlier than scheduled at 09:20 rather than 11:20.

Flight BA2038 Orlando to London Gatwick is operating but will depart earlier than scheduled at 16:45 rather than 19:55.

Flight BA2039 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight BA2157 London Gatwick to Antigua and St Kitts is cancelled.

Flight BA2166 Tampa to London Gatwick has been retimed to an earlier departure of 17:00 rather than 18:20.

Flight BA2167 London Gatwick to Tampa has been retimed to an earlier departure of 10:35 rather than 11:35.

Flight BA2169 London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale is cancelled.

Flight BA2168 Fort Lauderdale to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Flight BA2256 St Kitts and Antigua to London Gatwick is cancelled.

Norwegian – London Gatwick

Flight DY7057 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow

Flight VS5 London Heathrow to Miami is cancelled.

Flight VS6 Miami to London Heathrow is cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic – London Gatwick

Flight VS15 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS16 Orlando to London Gatwick will depart at the earlier time of 16:00 rather than 18:10.

Flight VS27 London Gatwick to Orlando is cancelled.

Flight VS28 Orlando to London Gatwick will depart at the earlier time of 16:30 rather than 18:25.

Flight VS33 London Gatwick to Antigua is cancelled.

Flight VS34 Antigua to London Gatwick is cancelled.

For more flight information please see our dedicated Hurricane Irma page.

For more flight status information please see the arrivals and departures pages of Gatwick, Heathrow, American Airlines, British Airways, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic.

Hurricane Irma: Airline rebooking policies

Here are details of rebooking policies of American Airlines, BA, Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic in response to Hurricane Irma.

London Air Travel » Florida

In response to Hurricane Irma, here are the published rebooking policies by airline. Given the very fluid situation and unknown extent of disruption both the dates of flights eligible for proactive rebooking may change and the date up to which you can rebook may change (as they have already done) in the coming days.

Please note that if you have booked a tour package via a travel agent, the options below may not apply and you should contact your travel agent directly.

It is also worth noting that if you are due to fly via Miami on BA or Virgin to another destination in the Americas it is worth exploring an alternative routing via the hubs of their partner airlines.

BA has extensive codeshares with Iberia from Madrid and American Airlines from hubs such as Dallas Forth Worth and New York JFK. Virgin also has extensive codeshares with Delta from hubs such as Atlanta and New York JFK.

If your flight is cancelled you will be entitled to a full refund and reimbursement of reasonable incidental expenses. If your flight is operating but you choose to rebook to an alternative date/destination any consequential costs may not be met by the airline.

It’s also worth noting that many smaller hotels / guest houses in Florida have already closed for business until next week. Larger properties have also waived change / cancellation fees.

Continue reading “Hurricane Irma: Airline rebooking policies”