Dublin to Orlando flight time

Bebop

Just looking at flights to Orlando MCO, how come Virgin Atlantic only takes 8 hours or so from London, but Aer Lingus takes 10 hours from Dublin?

I remember flying with AL a few years ago and the route took us close to New York and down the east coast, does Virgin fly a more direct route? Why does AL not take the same route and save time and fuel?

YbFocus

Could you be flying to Heathrow for a connection first in the case of Aer Lingus?

phonypony

I'd imagine it is indeed down to a more direct routing. Virgin operate 747s and A340s on such routes. Being 4 engined they aren't subject to ETOPS requirements like the Aer Lingus A330s.

Shamrock231

phonypony wrote: »

I'd imagine it is indeed down to a more direct routing. Virgin operate 747s and A340s on such routes. Being 4 engined they aren't subject to ETOPS requirements like the Aer Lingus A330s.

All Aer Lingus A330's are ETOPS 180, so they can fly the most direct route too. Also AFAIK, Virgin also operate their A330 on that route.

I think the likely thing as mentioned above is that what the OP is looking at is actually a connecting flight, perhaps back-tracking to London, or maybe connecting in JFK or somewhere else in the US. Aer Lingus only operate the route three (?) times a week, so other day's they'll offer a connection.

Stealthirl

Do u mean the difference between inbound and outbound flights ?
Virgin state 9H 25min and EI 9 hours for flights to MCO
return flights are 8H 30min and 8H 15min
the above are for flights this month

irishbloke77

Shamrock231 wrote: »

All Aer Lingus A330's are ETOPS 180, so they can fly the most direct route too. Also AFAIK, Virgin also operate their A330 on that route.

I think the likely thing as mentioned above is that what the OP is looking at is actually a connecting flight, perhaps back-tracking to London, or maybe connecting in JFK or somewhere else in the US. Aer Lingus only operate the route three (?) times a week, so other day's they'll offer a connection.

Virgin do more more direct with their aircraft than Aer Lingus. Maybe its a different etops status. However, wouldnt explain why its 2 hours longer from Dublin. Could be a connection in Gatwick or Manchester. Could also be a jetblue connection in new york or boston with Aer Lingus's transatlantic service.

highlydebased

Well, can't get more direct than this

http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/EIN121/history/20130618/1140Z/EIDW/KMCO

Flight yesterday took the style routing Virgin etc generally take. 8hrs 43 DUB-MCO.

eatmyshorts

The more northerly route that follows the eastern seaboard of the US is actually closer to the shorter route. The southern route is on what's know as the WATRS (West Atlantic Route System)
Have a look at the link below to see the great circle route.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=dub-mco
When the position of the jetstream is taken into account, either route may be faster than the other.

ETOPS ability has nothing to do with it as ETOPS 180 allows routings anywhere over the Atlantic.

basill

I suggest the OP googles great circles, North Atlantic Track System, Random Routes, jetstreams and thunderstorms.

Hint: the routes we use across the ocean can and do change on a daily basis for all of the above plus.

irishbloke77

basill wrote: »

I suggest the OP googles great circles, North Atlantic Track System, Random Routes, jetstreams and thunderstorms.

Hint: the routes we use across the ocean can and do change on a daily basis for all of the above plus.

Maybe we need clarification from the OP. Are the times being quoted what was actually flown on a particular day, or is what the quoted flying times were from a travel agent?

Flier

Get a piece of string and put it from Dublin to Orlando on a globe. The most direct route will take you over Canada and down the east coast of the USA. That's the great circle route. Drawing a straight line from A to B on a map will give you a longer distance. And as Basill says, it also very much depends on where the jet stream, the weather and where the OTS (Organised Track System) for the day is, to get the best route for any particular day.