Booking flights to Florida sounds simple, but once you start comparing airlines, it quickly turns into one of those “wait… what’s actually included?” kind of tasks. The prices don’t always tell the full story. And honestly, not every airline works the same way — especially when it comes to things like seat selection, luggage, or meals.
We’ve pulled together a bunch of short airline guides that focus on the stuff UK travellers tend to care about most. Not the flashy bits — just the basics. Do you get a bag? Can you sit together without paying extra? Is there food, and is it… decent?
You might be flying from Heathrow. Or maybe it’s Manchester, Birmingham, or even connecting through Dublin or Iceland. Doesn’t really matter — the aim here is to give you a clearer idea of what to expect from each airline before you click ‘book’.
It’s not a comparison chart. It’s not about reviews or ratings. Just real, useful info that should (hopefully) make your decision a bit easier.
Aer Lingus fly to Orlando from Dublin, with easy connections from UK airports like Manchester and Birmingham. Fares are usually reasonable and include a checked bag and meal as standard, which takes a bit of the stress out of booking.
Not a go-to for Florida, but handy if you're routing via Toronto on the way to deeper US destinations. They’re a Star Alliance member, so you can earn points and enjoy perks like lounge access or priority boarding if you’ve got frequent flyer status. Their long-haul cabins are solid — but check connections carefully; Toronto’s airport can feel like a maze.
BA flies direct from London Heathrow to Orlando and Miami. They’ve got the usual Economy, Premium Economy, and Club World options. Economy Light might look cheap — but it doesn’t include checked bags or seat choice. If you're after a bit more comfort, Premium Economy gives you extra legroom, a meal upgrade, lounge access, and decent seat pitches. Club World offers full-flat beds, but it’s often eye-wateringly expensive.
AA serves Heathrow and occasionally Gatwick to Florida. They often partner with British Airways, so your Avios or AAdvantage points can work across both. One thing to note is their seat reservation policy — certain fares don’t let you pick seats until late, so families might want to pay a little more upfront. Their cabins are consistent, though AA isn’t usually known for wow-factor service.
Delta runs flights from Heathrow to Orlando and Atlanta. Their Economy Comfort seats give you extra space — worth it if you’re tall. The Premium Select and Delta One cabins are well-reviewed, but higher fares don’t always come with checked baggage, so watch out. They offer good inflight entertainment screens and a relatively smooth flying experience.
United flies from Heathrow to Newark or Washington with onward connections to Florida. They have Standard Economy, Plus, and Polaris (business class). Economy Plus gives you nicer legroom. Polaris isn’t budget-friendly but has lie-flat beds. One quick tip: check the connection time at Newark — it's fine most of the time, but delays at customs can bite.
If you want style points, Virgin is a good choice. Their Heathrow–Orlando service often surprises with a good inflight atmosphere. Even in Economy Delight, you get one checked bag, a better seat, and sometimes sparkling wine. Upper Class offers lie-flat seats and lounge access — pricier but feels boutique. Virgin hits that sweet spot between price, service and experience.
If you’re after charter simplicity, TUI flies from regional UK airports straight into Orlando or Miami during the main season. Flights are usually part of a package, include basic baggage and meals, and are no-fuss. They’re cheaper, but less flexible — if you're planning to stay longer or change dates, it’s more admin.
Not a typical route to Florida, but Icelandair lets you stop in Reykjavik — and that’s the appeal. You can pop out for a day or two in Iceland at no extra flight cost. Their 787s are comfortable, with free Wi‑Fi and good seat space. It’s a nice way to break up the journey — if you’re not in a rush to reach the sunshine.
Norse started London Gatwick to Orlando services, and they’re budget—really budget compared with traditional airlines. Their economy is straightforward, often no frills, but you get decent legroom and personal screens. Premium (better than standard economy, not as plush as business) usually includes meals, larger bags, priority check-in, and quicker boarding — all for less than some competitors’ economy fare. Just be ready for basic ground service and no loyalty scheme perks.
